The Kingdom Way to Greatness

Introduction

Illustration: Quotes on how would you define Greatness?

“Actually being happy on your life. Success is not measured by what you’ve accomplished but how happy you are.”

“Being Great”

“Above and beyond the norm; exemplary.”

“Prime BBQ” - Steven Madsen

“the concept of a state of superiority affecting a person or object in a particular place or area” - Wikipedia

Introduce Text

Greatness is something we all seek to aspire to. We may have different definitions of what that may look like exactly, but in a simplified way being great means superiority. From athletes to artists or those in powerful leadership they all have risen above others in their given fields. Position, power, and prominence are all ways people try to attain greatness. But unfortunately greatness according to the world can also be called selfishness. Our sin corrupts this idea for desire for greatness by making it all about ourselves and making our own name great. But here in Mark’s Gospel we see Jesus teaching his disciples a new way. One shaped by the kingdom of God that is opposite of the worlds understanding of greatness. Jesus’ teaching is that a kingdom mentality of greatness views service as the better way. The self-sacrificial way of Jesus Christ exposes our sinful desires for pride, position, and prominence.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

Who Is the Greatest?

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

It Exposes our sinful desire of Pride

English Standard Version Chapter 9

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

The disciples were caught and ashamed to be exposed over their petty argument. Who was the greatest among the twelve. After the 3 (Peter James and John) witnessed the Christ’s transfiguration and Peter missed the point, and the other 9 failed to exercise a demon possessed boy these men were in no place to try and figure out which one of them stood head above shoulders over the rest. The prideful desire of rank and position and to be sovereigns instead of servants is still missed on the disciples.

2  When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with the humble is wisdom. (Pr 11:2).

Questions we should ask ourselves to test our pride:

Am I upset if I am not praised for my work?

Do I seek credit for what others have done?

Am I a name dropper of those I know? (or pretend to know?)

Do I think I have something valuable to say about almost everything?

C. S. Lewis says that “Pride leads to every other vice it is the complete anti-God state of mind” (Mere Christianity)

Is it possible even as believers to become prideful in the positions or with the gifts we have been given by God?

It Exposes our sinful desire for Position

English Standard Version Chapter 9

35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

The disciples pride was leading to a desire for position. Jesus simply and gracefully says that “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”. Jesus has now redefined greatness by the position we take. We are servants, like waiters or nurses changing bedpans. These things are not great in the worlds eyes, but in the eyes of a God in heaven. We should strive for the position of servant and not to be served.

The disciples care far more about their position in the future kingdom because they were followers of the Messiah, ignoring the fact that just above Jesus speaks of his death again.

If Jesus Christ our Lord and master, one so deserving of honor and glory and to be served can get down on his knees and humbly wash the feet of his disciples then who are we to think we’re better than that?

English Standard Version Chapter 2

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

It Exposes our sinful desire for Prominence

English Standard Version Chapter 9

36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Our sin of pride in our position and status is dashed to pieces be the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ.

His heart is Gentle and Lowly so that all may come to him. Those broken hearted and outcast. The widows, the orphans, the lepers. He is the perfect man to ever live and the most approachable.

He uses the child to illustrates the last or least. they cannot give back or return the favor. Treat others who have no standing in this world...

children

lepers

AIDS victims

the mentally impaired

physically disabled

the aged … and you will receive an audience with My Father.

Servant to all doesn’t mean serving those who can repay the favor, provide for our needs, fund our mission trips, pay our salaries, or fulfill our earthly dreams. No servant to all means SERVANT TO ALL. The small and even most insignificant person in the worlds eyes who can not give you anything in return is who we are called to serve. We show no partiality to anyone. The Gospel of Jesus Christ redefines how we view not just others but ourselves.

“Jesus points the way to true greatness: Die to self, serve others, care for those no one else cares for. Receive them in Jesus’ name, and you receive Jesus-and His Father too! The way up is down. The way to get is to give. The way to be first is to be last. This is the way of Jesus. This is the way to true greatness.” - Danny Akin

Conclusion

So what now?

Start with the Gospel. Preach it to ourselves daily in reading scripture. Reminding ourselves of how much we need Jesus and that we are not as great as we often think we are.

Humility. Reminder ourselves that Christ who is the greatest ever humbled himself. Look to Jesus as our greatest example of humility

Serve others. There are many numerous ways we can serve. Family, friends, spouses roommates. What are ways we can serve others without expecting or asking for anything in return? Who are people that we can serve that the world often ignores? Are there people we ignore that we have the ability and resources to help? What is stopping you?

Jesus does not care about associations or status in his kingdom.

How do we follow the way Jesus teaches here? By putting others first and becoming a servant of all. We do nothing out of our own pride and desire, but giving all glory and honor to Christ in all that we do. Serving joyfully not because we are told to but because of the gladness and gratitude of a transformed heart. The Gospel of Jesus Christ reminds us daily that we are sinners saved by Grace. That Jesus Christ the one most deserving of being served came to earth and became a servant to all by dying in our place taking the punishment for our sin and shame. It is because of our transformed lives that we no longer live as those trying to serve ourselves and prop up our own names, but we live now to make the name of Jesus greatly known.