Heart of the Servant - pt. 1

Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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The way of true greatness: Servitude and humility

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A Quiet Walk with Jesus

Jesus and His disciples are continuing their journey and what a journey it has been. In our passage today we see a shift again now to a quiet walk with Jesus with some teaching for the disciples. You can find this paralleled in Lk9:43-52.
Have you ever had a time when it was just a quiet time with someone, that you really did not want to share with anyone? This is a time between the disciples and Jesus, Jesus is nearing the end of His journey and there is still much to teach the disciples so as they are heading to Jerusalem and to the Cross we have our passage today.
We will see:
Things done quietly (Mk9:30-32); but not without a dispute (Mk9:33-34)
Way of greatness is servitude (Mk9:35)
Way of greatness is by humility (Mk9:36-37)
May we look at the entire passage in context then will break it down.
Mark 9:30–31 NASB95
30 From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.”
Mark 9:32–33 NASB95
32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him. 33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
Mark 9:34–35 NASB95
34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Mark 9:36–37 NASB95
36 Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
On the way
They are quietly passing through Galilee and on the way Jesus tells of His suffering and death that are to come when get to Jerusalem (Mk9:30-32)
On the way the disciples are disputing who would be the greatest (Mk9:33-34)
Jesus takes the opportunity, on the way, to teach the way of true greatness, the heart of a servant is one that is
through servitude
through humility
The way of greatness in the kingdom is different then the way of greatness in the world. Jesus teaches the way, and the heart in the passage today.

The Heart of servant- Servitude

The world says if you are great you have servants; but Jesus says true greatness is in serving others. As we look at our passage we will look at the heart of the servant regarding evangelism, edification and benevolence.
Mark 9:35 NASB95
35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Mark 9:30 NASB95
30 From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it.
Greatness in Kingdom of God is different than that of the kingdom of men (Mt20:20-26)
Matthew 20:20–21 NASB95
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”
Matthew 20:22–23 NASB95
22 But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
Matthew 20:24–25 NASB95
24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
Matthew 20:26 NASB95
26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
Mt20:26
What do you notice, what do you see, what sticks out to you? and service
Cup of service, cup of suffering
We need to look at and follow Jesus example (Mt20:27-28)
Matthew 20:27–28 NASB95
27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
giving yourself for others, picking up your cross and following a life of
True greatness is the way of servitude for it displays the heart of the servant.
Examples of servitude:
Someone led you to Christ, here is some biblical examples (Jn1:43-46) Paul made is his mission (Rom1:14-15; 1Cor9:19-23)
John 1:43–44 NASB95
43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
John 1:45–46 NASB95
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
add to that what Paul said and did.
Romans 1:14–15 NASB95
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
and this
ROm114-15
1 Corinthians 9:19–20 NASB95
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
1 Corinthians 9:21–22 NASB95
21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:23 NASB95
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
Suggestions regarding servitude in evangelism
Suggestions regarding servitude in evangelism
Be hospitable, doing acts of kindness
Invite to church services, events, gatherings
Open your home to in home bible studies, invite someone
Seek to improve your ability to share the Gospel with others
Servitude through edification; many helped you grow, be willing to help others (Eph4:15-16)
Ephesians 4:15–16 NASB95
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:16 NASB95
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Be there by being there, being present, greet people, welcome people, or around here hug people, make them feel welcome
Take a guest to lunch after service or set up a future date in very near future to do it.
Volunteer to do something in service, after service, during the week to help share the load.
Servitude through benevolence; be kind to one another (Eph4:32)
Ephesians 4:32 NASB95
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Be kind by visiting the sick, shut-ins, taking a meal out to them, for men, taking the Lord’s Supper out to them.
Be willing to take people to the doctor, run errands etc when needed
How about a parents night out, offer to sit with kids so they can have a date night?
What other ideas can you guys come up with on how to serve in evangelism, edification or benevolence?
Servitude that is pleasing to God that makes someone great in the kingdom of God has to be done with humility.

Heart of the servant: Humility

The way of humility is the way of greatness and it is a great display of the heart of the servant. May we look at the importance, then at the area of humility in evangelism, edification and benevolence.
Mark 9:36–37 NASB95
36 Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”
Importance of humility
Through illustration of receiving a child (Mk9:36-37; Mt18:1-4)
Jesus used a child to teach the importance of humility.
The humility of a child is a great example for us see this passage (Mt18:1-4)
Matthew 18:1–2 NASB95
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them,
Matthew 18:3–4 NASB95
3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mt183-4
It is a virtue for kingdom dwellers as noted by Peter (1Pt5:5)
1 Peter 5:5 NASB95
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Humility in receiving others in Jesus name, is receiving Father also (MK9:37)
We have already looked at (v.37) when we receive others in Jesus name, we are receiving not only Jesus but the Father too.
Examples of Humility
In evangelism, be willing to accept those less fortunate than you (Jm2:5)
Be open to new ways, new methods, new opportunities to do personal work.
Be willing to sit in on a bible study with someone teaching
Be willing to reach out to those who are different than you.
In edification, be willing to accept all, regardless of social standing (Jm2:1-4)
James 2:1–2 NASB95
1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,
James 2:3–4 NASB95
3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?
Gladly accept any role asked to do, even doing the mundane tasks.
Be one who is encouraging of those who preach, teach, or be willing to assist with children’s teaching, ministry.
In benevolence, be willing to help the less fortunate (Lk14:12-14)
Luke 14:12 NASB95
12 And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment.
Luke 14:13–14 NASB95
13 “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Be willing to perform menial tasks where needed.
Again, be willing to babysit, provide meals, etc. for someone who needs it.
These are just a few ideas on how to show humility, can you think of any more?
None of these things are major things, but they are important things that display the heart of a servant. A servants heart and the servants hand used for the glory of the Father in the name of Jesus.
None of these things are major things, but they are important things that display the heart of a servant. A servants heart and the servants hand used for the glory of the Father in the name of Jesus.
Jesus came live a life to serve
Took on the form of a servant (Php2:5-7)
Took on the place of humility (Php2:8)
And by it, was highly exalted (Php2:9-11)
Philippians 2:5–6 NASB95
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Philippians 2:7–8 NASB95
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:9–10 NASB95
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Philippians 2:11 NASB95
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
May humility be your guide and you will be exalted (Lk14:11)
Luke 14:11 NASB95
11 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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