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2. 2 doubtlessliving.com  How do we measure importance or greatness in our world?  Why does the world promote the idea of being served as making you something special?  When you think of a servant, what kinds of images come to mind? Who is the most important person in this picture?

3. 3 doubtlessliving.com  We live in a culture that defines greatness in terms of possessions and positions. It is assumed that a person being served has arrived at some level of importance or greatness.  But Jesus defined greatness differently—not in terms of being served but in terms of serving others.  True greatness requires humility and a servant’s spirit and a follower of Jesus needs to live by His values; he or she should exemplify a servant’s heart.

4. 4 doubtlessliving.com 19 And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you. 21 But look, the hand of the one betraying Me is at the table with Me! 22 For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do this thing.  Judas was still sitting at the table when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. How hard would it be for you to serve someone you knew would betray you?  What characteristics of the bread are meant to represent the body of Christ?  What does the cup represent?  When we take the bread and the cup, what are we instructed to do?  What are Jesus’ actions an example of in this passage?  Why is it important to stop and remember exactly what Jesus did for us?  Judas was still sitting at the table when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. How hard would it be for you to serve someone you knew would betray you?  What characteristics of the bread are meant to represent the body of Christ?  What does the cup represent?  When we take the bread and the cup, what are we instructed to do?  What are Jesus’ actions an example of in this passage?  Why is it important to stop and remember exactly what Jesus did for us?

5. The Last Supper  Try to put yourself in the disciples’ shoes that night in the upper room. What do you think was going through their minds as they participated in this supper with Jesus.  Now, flash back to the last time our church observed the Lord’s Supper. What was going through your mind? Think back to the most significant observance of the Lord’s Supper you have ever experienced. What made it different? Why does it stand out to you?

6. 6 doubtlessliving.com  Have you ever been distracted during a Lord’s Supper service? Have you ever just gone through the motions, while your mind was somewhere else?  Well, you’re not alone. The disciples were distracted and unfocused at the very first Lord’s Supper service. What were they pre-occupied with at that time? Any time we are given an example of service and sacrifice, the Enemy is bent on taking our focus off of it. Satan knows that selfless servant attitudes are a threat to his kingdom of darkness. Don’t let Satan distract you from remembering Jesus’ example.

7. 7 doubtlessliving.com 24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. 25 But He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves.  How is it possible to miss the point so badly?  Are you ever guilty of making petty comparisons?  What did this argument reveal about the disciples?  Given what Jesus was going through, are you thinking, “Are you kidding me?”  How might you have responded in the same situation?  How is it possible to miss the point so badly?  Are you ever guilty of making petty comparisons?  What did this argument reveal about the disciples?  Given what Jesus was going through, are you thinking, “Are you kidding me?”  How might you have responded in the same situation?

8. 8 doubtlessliving.com No one can imagine the President or the Queen of England suddenly switching places with the wait staff and saying, “Here, I’ll bring the food. You run the world.” Jesus never gave up His authority when He served. When He answered His own question in verse 27, He maintained that the one at the table was still greater than the one who was serving. What Jesus is teaching is that a servant leader doesn’t give up authority by serving. He or she reinforces authority by serving. Greatness in God’s kingdom is the reverse of how the world thinks. God’s perspectives are different than the world’s. Recognition and honor should not be the goals that we pursue; rather, we should seek to serve humbly.

9. 9 doubtlessliving.com 28 You are the ones who stood by Me in My trials. 29 I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one on Me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.  Jesus’ description of the disciples as the “ones who stood by Me in My trials” seems a bit strange.  Judas betrayed Jesus  Peter denied Him  All the disciples fled the Garden  John was the only one of the disciples at the foot of the Cross when Jesus died?  So what did Jesus mean by this statement?  Jesus’ description of the disciples as the “ones who stood by Me in My trials” seems a bit strange.  Judas betrayed Jesus  Peter denied Him  All the disciples fled the Garden  John was the only one of the disciples at the foot of the Cross when Jesus died?  So what did Jesus mean by this statement?

10. 10 doubtlessliving.com  Perhaps the ultimate kingdom perspective is seeing someone’s potential in the long run rather than focusing on their mistakes in the short-term.  Has anyone ever done that for you? How did it impact your life?  In what ways do you as a parent do this for your children?  Jesus challenges us to live out the reality that we have a new position and standing in the world and in God's kingdom because of our relationship with Him.

11. 11 doubtlessliving.com  Our focus today has been on the question, “For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving?”  We know the world has a different definition of greatness than what Jesus taught. The world values power and authority; Jesus values service.  We have seen today from Jesus’ teaching that true greatness requires humility and a servant’s spirit. Remembering what Jesus did for us should promote these qualities.  Avoiding worldly perspectives and adopting a Kingdom perspective can help us achieve true greatness by living a life of humble service.

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