True Greatness Mark 9:30-35

Background A New direction: (Mark 9:30-32) A New direction: (Mark 9:30-32) –Jesus focuses on the disciples exclusively –Avoiding the crowds –Teaching them about his purpose (v.31) –As usual, they don’t understand. –They don’t want to understand! See Mark 10:35-40, Matt. 20:20ff, Lk.22:24 See Mark 10:35-40, Matt. 20:20ff, Lk.22:24 The Disciples Argue (Mark 9:33-34) The Disciples Argue (Mark 9:33-34) –“Who is the greatest?” –A Reasonable “Cabinet” Discussion?

A Vital Kingdom Principle: 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 9:35 (NASB-U) “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” Mark 8:34-35 (NASB-U) Acts 20:35 (NASB-U) “… and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " 2 Cor. 12:10 (NASB-U) Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

God is Not Opposed to Greatness! God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. Eccles. 3:11 (NLT) God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. Eccles. 3:11 (NLT) God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule …” Genesis 1:28 (NASB-U) God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule …” Genesis 1:28 (NASB-U) “The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works…” John 14:12 (NLT) And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel…But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” Matthew 19:28-30 (NASB-U)

Yet there is something flawed with our view of ‘Greatness’… Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:36-37 “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14 “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14 “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4 (NASB-U) “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4 (NASB-U)

What is “Greatness” ? Different: Paradigm, Rules, People, Destiny! Fleeting Death Destruction Eternal Life Building!

True Greatness: The Servant-Leader 1. Is God’s will for you. –It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 1 Tim. 3:1 –Not as in: “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don't do it!” Jeremiah 45:5 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:17

True Greatness: The Servant-Leader 1. Is God’s will for you. 2. Is not a position. –“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I know My own and My own know Me.” John 10:11,14

True Greatness: The Servant-Leader 1. Is God’s will for you. 2. Is not a position. 3. Must be willing to serve. –“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35 –Real service – i.e., bearing a Cross! Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58

True Greatness: The Servant-Leader 1. Is God’s will for you. 2. Is not a position. 3. Must be willing to serve. 4. Must be competent. –Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Tim. 4:7-8 –Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15

True Greatness: The Servant-Leader 1. Is God’s will for you. 2. Is not a position. 3. Must be willing to serve. 4. Must be competent. 5. Willing to suffer. –Since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose… 1 Peter 4:1 –We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. - 1 John 3:16

True Greatness: The Servant-Leader 1. Is God’s will for you. 2. Is not a position. 3. Must be willing to serve. 4. Must be competent. 5. Willing to suffer. 6. Requires initiative. –“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35