BLUEPRINT FOR GREATNESS
Mark 9:33-50
INTRO: A TV news camera crew on assignment in southern Florida filming the widespread destruction of Hurricane Andrew. Amid the devastation and debris stood one house on its foundation. The owner was asked, "why is your house the only one still standing?" He replied "I built this house myself. I also built it according to the Florida state building code. When the code called for 2x6 roof trusses, I used 2x6 roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane." The blueprint this man used yielded great results. When the right blueprint is used, the right result follows. We all have blueprints - plans and strategies for achieving what we want in life, for being great. What blueprint are you using to build your life? Is it having the desired effect?
PREV: In our passage today, Jesus gives us God’s blueprint for greatness. Its found in Mark 9. Notice the occasion for giving this blueprint, as I read vv. 33-34.
A. The disciples argued about who was the greatest
As they traveled, they were arguing, like kids in the back seat. When they arrive, Jesus asks, “What were you arguing about?”
They were embarrassed because they were arguing about who was the greatest. Not who was the greatest baseball player, or president of all time, but which one of them was the greatest, had the highest rank:
Peter James and John – we got to go up the mountain!
Andrew – if it wasn’t for me, Peter wouldn’t be here.
Judas – I get to keep track of the money…
This was a common fixation in their society.
And so it is in ours…
We vie for status by our cars, jobs, kids achievements.
Who gets the bigger office, plum assignment, etc.
I worked at a church where staff parking was key…
How do you get to be great? What is the blueprint to follow for greatness? Notice what he says first in v. 35.
B. Jesus shows them that greatness comes from humility and service
First, take note!
God assigns status in the opposite way our world does.
If you want to be first, you must be the very last.
If you want to be on top, you must be on the bottom.
It is the servant of all who is most esteemed in God’s eyes.
This is willingly choosing to attend to the needs of others.
In God’s view, the mail room clerk is on the path to greatness, not the CEO.
This is a radical change in blueprints!
We don’t want to hear this. We can’t even stand to go last at a stop sign!
But this is Jesus’ way: Cf. Mark 10:43-45.
To make this crystal clear, Jesus gives them (& us) a picture of this last shall be first idea. Notice the picture he creates as I read Mark 9: 36-37.
He picks up a little child and sets him/her before them.
In Aramaic, the word for child and servant is the same…
Children were the least “significant” people in their world.
If you want to be great, seek to be like a child – one without rank, position, privilege, but one who serves.
In v. 37, to welcome one of these little ones means to welcome a disciple.
“Welcome” as in 6:11 – sent by Jesus.
When you become like one of these children, you can be sure of your identification with Jesus – a special relationship.
So, if you want to be great, in God’s eyes,
I. SERVE OTHERS INSTEAD OF YOURSELF
Attend to the needs of others. Seek to serve rather than to be served. Just imagine the impact if you applied this!
“Honey, what can I do for you tonight?”
“Mom. Let me do that for you.”
A whole batch of you will do this at VBS in 2 weeks…
Result: A close relationship with Jesus!
Transition:
The special relationship that “children,” followers have with Jesus and the Father is to be enjoyed. But we often turn it sour when we become exclusive; we think its up to us to determine who is in and who is out of the family. Notice how the disciples did this as I
Read v. 38.
A. The disciples were exclusive
This mention of a special relationship with Jesus prompts John to bring up a situation that bothered them.
They saw a man who was driving out demons in the name of Jesus, and they tried to stop him. Why?
“Because he was not one of us.”
They didn’t like the man’s unauthorized use of Jesus’ name
He wasn’t part of their exclusive group.
Ironically, he succeeded where they had failed (9:17-18).
True, he wasn’t part of their group, but he was a believer:
He called on Jesus’ name, and succeeded.
Cf. Acts 19:13-16: Using the name of Jesus without faith.
They were unwilling to accept him.
Let’s see how Jesus responded to them in vv. 39-41.
B. Jesus opposed their narrow exclusivism
“Don’t stop him!”
A mighty work is being done, His name is proclaimed
If he’s doing this, he’s on our team!
Anyone working for the cause to which Jesus is committed cannot work against it at the same time.
In fact, anyone giving a drink of water (hospitality) to you because you are a disciple has God’s approval.
God is aware of all who share in the extension of Jesus’ work. There are no distinctions between “trivial” and “important” tasks.
All who demonstrate faith and obedience, shown in devotion to Jesus are on the team!
C. We too must guard against being exclusive.
We too draw lines, based on worship styles, ministry emphasis, version of the Bible, etc.
We must include, embrace all who are committed to Jesus and his work. Don’t hinder, or forbid them.
In fact, there are serious consequences for hampering these. Look with me at v. 42.
Many people do not connect v. 42 with vv. 39-41. But see how it fits:
Anyone aiding the work of Christ is rewarded.
Anyone hampering these little ones (either the children in v. 37, representing the disciples; or the man in v. 38.
If you hinder those working for me (even if they aren’t in your circle, or don’t fit your mold) there will be dire consequences.
That’s how serious this is!
So the second key to being great in God’s eyes is to
II. ACCEPT ALL OF THOSE DEVOTED TO JESUS
Be inclusive, not exclusive of his followers. Allow others inside your circle.
Result: powerful work of God being done.
Transition. Now Jesus turns from causing someone else to fall away from him to some stern warnings about ensnaring oneself in sin. Notice how serious this is as I read vv. 43-48.
III. GET RID OF ANYTHING THAT CAUSES YOU TO SIN
These are some strong words of hyperbole!
The point is that whatever causes you to sin must be discarded, promptly and decisively, like a surgeon removing a limb overcome with gangrene.
If your computer causes you to sin, throw it out the window!
If your TV causes you to sin, throw it out the window.
If you boyfriend causes you to sin, throw him out the window!
If your buddies cause you to sin, throw them out too!
Why all this strong language?
A. Because eternal life is so valuable
Because life, eternal life is so valuable!
And because hell is so horrible!
Hell pictured here as Gehenna, Israel’s landfill, continually burning, rotting.
You’re better off having life without them, than keeping them but experiencing death.
Sacrifice whatever causes you to sin.
But there’s another reason to take such radical steps. Look with me at v. 49.
B. Because trials are certain
Jesus picks up on the idea of fire here, moving from the fire of judgment, to the fire of purification
In 43-48, fire was for the rejected. In 49, the fire is for those who are true to God in a hostile world.
You sacrifice whatever part of you offends God.
Also, your entire life is a sacrifice to God. Cf. Rom. 12:1
In the OT, Temple sacrifices had to be accompanied by salt. In order to present yourself as a sacrifice to God, you must be accompanied by salt. This salt is the purifying fire of trials and suffering. Cf. 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12.
If you want your faith to survive the fire, get rid of sin!
This suffering, which purifies your faith, is the salt which must accompany the sacrifice of your life to God.
It makes you salty!.
C. Because saltiness leads to peace
Now, look at v. 50.
Be salty! Don’t lose your saltiness!
Dead Sea salt was impure, lost its saltiness.
What makes us salty? The fire of trial and suffering!
You are the salt of the earth – make people thirsty, be a preserving influence – be salty.
You are salty when your faith survives the fire!
You are salty when your faith to Jesus remains in the midst of suffering and trials.
People don’t regularly come to me and say, “Wow, we see Jesus in you, Tell us about him.” But when they have, when they do, its when they see me survive the fire.
And this saltiness leads to peace. God’s blueprint for success leads to peace. Our way, the disciples way, leads to strife, argument. God’s way leads to peace!
Result: Peace!
