Bragging Rights
By Ian Biss 2/17/02
Intro . . .
A Texas rancher met up with a Wisconsin dairy farmer. The two men began talking about their land and the milkman told the cattleman that he operated his business on 125 acres. The Texan scoffed at such a small parcel of land. He said, "Yankee, that ain’t nothin’. On my ranch I can get in my truck at sunrise and I won’t reach the fence line of my property until sunset." The dairy farmer snorted, "Yeah, I used to have a truck like that."
* "Panorama of Parenting," Howard Hendricks, Dallas Theological Seminary, T42PEY
Bragging rights, everybody wants them. Whether it is the biggest house, the fanciest car, the most impressive wardrobe, the most well behaved children, everyone wants to be top dog in some area of life.
This desire to be first is also called pride, and God has something to say to you who would desire to be first.
Read Text, Matt 23:1-12
Exegesis
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day, the same as many today, wanted to be looked at and treated as though they are a step closer to God than anyone else. They wanted others to think they had some special bragging rights that the common man lacked. Jesus brings up the fact that these men dressed to draw attention to themselves, they expected men to obey foolish rules that they themselves wouldn’t obey.
These religious leaders wanted to be addressed with special titles, such as Rabbi, and if you were the unfortunate slob to forget to address them as such, you would quickly be reminded and thoroughly shown the error of your ways.
These men thought they were important to God, they thought they were important to men, they thought they were going to be first in the Kingdom. But our God and Savior Jesus Christ doesn’t think too highly of these types of people in fact, He says that if you’re this type of person who seeks to be first, in truth you’re in last place.
I. Humble Yourself, Vs 12
Exposition
God is not impressed with the pride of men, God is the creator of all things, He makes the birds sing, He makes the sun to shine, He has every hair on your head counted, and, He knows every secret you have ever had. Our great God and King doesn’t need you who He gives the very breath you breathe running around pretending to be more important than you actually are. He loves every one of you, no more, no less than He loves anyone else.
Application
I can do it myself! I look so much nicer than she does since I lost those ten pounds! Boy, is that guy an idiot!
Are you guilty of any of these statements, or statements made that are just as prideful? Pride is what causes you to feel as though you are better, or that you are supposed to be better than someone else. The truth is friends, God is not interested in how great you are, Jesus is interested in how great others are as a result of your influence.
Illustration
Miss Thompson taught Teddy Stallard in the fourth grade. He was a slow, unkempt student, a loner shunned by his classmates. The previous year his mother died, and what little motivation for school he may have once had was now gone. Miss Thompson didn’t particularly care for Teddy either, but at Christmas time he brought her a small present. Her desk was covered with well-wrapped presents from the other children, but Teddy’s came in a brown sack. When she opened it there was a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker but Miss Thompson saw the importance of the moment. She quickly splashed on some perfume and put on the bracelet, pretending Teddy had given her something special. At the end of the day Teddy worked up enough courage to softly say, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother . . . and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you like my presents." After Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and prayed for God’s forgiveness. She prayed for God to use her as she sought to not only teach these children but to love them as well. She became a new teacher. She lovingly helped students like Teddy and by the end of the year he had caught up with most of the students. Miss Thompson didn’t hear from Teddy for a long time. Then she received this note: "Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Teddy Stallard." Four years later she got another note: "Dear Miss Thompson, They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Love, Teddy Stallard." Four years later: "Dear Miss Thompson, As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Teddy Stallard." Miss Thompson went to the wedding and sat where Teddy’s mother would have sat, because she let God use her as an instrument of encouragement.
* Who Switched the Price Tags? , Tony Campolo, 1986, p. 69-72
Some of the greatest blessings in life come when you humbly realize someone else is more important than you are.
II. Destined for Greatness, Vs 11
Exposition
If you want to be somebody, put others before yourself. It’s as simple as that. Jesus put you before Himself. He taught, suffered and died, and He did this all so that you might be saved by believing in Him. Jesus is great, not only because of what He did, but why He did it. He humbly put you before Himself. Jesus wasn’t looking for glory. He was looking for you.
Application
Become great by becoming a servant. That almost sounds foolish, but it makes perfect sense. Take a moment to think about what influences you most about others? Would you agree that it is what they have done for you? Or maybe what they haven’t done for you?
An awesome resource you have in your life is your ability to benefit others, and you all have this wonderful resource. Your influence is measured by your willingness to serve others.
Friends, service to others is rewarding, and service can be incredibly easy. There is no reason to believe that you have nothing to offer to others.
Illustration
Take Gandhi for instance, as he stepped aboard a train one day, one of his shoes slipped off and landed on the track. He was unable to retrieve it as the train was moving. To the amazement of his companions, Gandhi calmly took off his other shoe and threw it back along the track to land close to the first. Asked by a fellow passenger why he did so, Gandhi smiled. “The poor man who finds the shoe lying on the track,” he replied, “will now have a pair he can use.”
*The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes
Friends, true greatness lies inside of each and every one of you, and it’s dying to get out. Release it in your service to others.
Conclusion
I conclude this morning with these thoughts from people much greater than I. These thoughts come from two of the greatest servants this world has ever known. Mother Teresa and D. L. Moody.
Quotes
"Let no one come to you without feeling better and happier when they leave."
--Mother Teresa
"The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves."
--D. L. Moody
Greatness comes from service, and service comes from humility.
