Sermon Central
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If We Want To Lead, We Must Serve Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Sep 7, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: We must not hinder anyone from coming to Christ because it is in serving Jesus and leading others to Him that we find our true reward. However, if anything comes between us and Jesus we must cast it aside because He is worthy of our total focus!
Leading well means serving well
- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”
-- Beginning today, we will see that concept explained and really come into focus
- Jesus’ teachings, while difficult for some to deal with, are always timely
-- God always allows us to hear from Him at just the right time
- Today we will examine our relationship with Christ … AND with others
-- It is an important lesson that each of us could get stronger in
- Read Mark 10:32-45
∆ Point 1 – Leading means serving (32-45)
- What we see here is there are two groups following Jesus to Jerusalem
-- One group, the Disciples, seem to be hanging back, perhaps afraid (v32)
-- The other group is just followers of Jesus heading to celebrate Passover
-- What happens next is of particular interest to us and the disciples
- Once again Jesus pulls them aside to talk with them about the future
-- Jesus once again predicts His death for them with more information
-- So far, Jesus has done this three times and given them added info:
1) Mark 8:31 is the bare announcement that He will be killed
2) Mark 9:31 shows that He will be betrayed
3) Mark 10:33 shows the suffering He will undergo before He is killed
- Jesus indicates He will be handed over to the Gentiles: ultimate rejection
-- Jews are NEVER to be handed over to Gentiles (higher society of people)
-- This must’ve stirred the hearts of the disciples to not want to go even more
-- However, look at their next conversation and what they want to know (v35)
- “Would you agree to do something even before we ask it of you?”
-- APP: “Lord, we love you, but can you fill MY need before anyone else’s?”
- What I find amazing is that Jesus does not rebuke them, but He hears them out
-- Perhaps this is due to His love for them; perhaps it’s a teaching lesson here
- Either way, Jesus listens intently to what is on their hearts (v37)
-- What is it? They want to be at His left and right and given status in Heaven
- Jesus’ asking if they could drink His cup is a challenge for all to consider
-- APP: Can we take on what He has suffered? Can we endure the scorn of God?
-- The direction Jesus takes is they will suffer, but not like He will for them (v39)
- (v41) It’s not said how disciples heard, but the Bible tells us they knew of it
-- The indignation the other disciples feel is towards James and John
-- But, probably more so, they are wondering about their own positions too!
-- “Lord, we are here as well … won’t we be rewarded and given honor?”
- The lesson Jesus tells them when He pulls them aside is critical today
-- Jesus reminds them to not be like Gentile leadership they know of and have seen
-- Gentile leaders crave power and attention; they want the worship/adulation
-- They put their own faces on money and demand others bow down before them
- King Nebuchadnezzar is a great example of “Gentile leadership”
-- Daniel 4:30, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
God’s answer to Him is perfect: Daniel 4:31-32, “The words were still on his lips when a voice came from Heaven, King Nebuchadnezzar, your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives to anyone he wishes.”
-- FREE: While we might be annoyed with our current government, perhaps we should ALL reflect on these two verses from Daniel 4 …
- Even King David had an issue with wanting recognition (Turn to 2 Sam 24)
-- In the midst of a great battle, David wanted to count the fighters he had
-- This scripture records God not wanting David to conduct a census of the land
-- APP: God wanted David to trust in Him, to lean on Him, and not his numbers
- David however, disobeyed and God’s anger burned against Him
-- Here is what happens when we do not trust God for provision: read v11-17
-- Just like Caesar does in this time here … David needed to exercise control
- The punishment for this rebellion, was God’s anger falling on David
- Go back to Mark 10 …
- Jesus tells them (v43) don’t be like these guys … serve those around you
