Sermon Central
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"We're #1!"
Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 24, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: The message explores the idea of being the best and the greatest. However, in the Kingdom of God, that is defined in ways that this world cannot understand. In fact, that should not even be our goal...serving Christ with our all is the priority.
Stand & Read - Luke 22:24-30
“And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. [25] And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ’Benefactors.’ [26] "But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. [27] "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. [28] "And you are those who have stood by Me in My trials; [29] and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you [30] that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
“We’re #1”
PRAYER…
INTRODUCTION:
I think that we would all agree…
There is nothing like the experience of being able to say that you are #1…
-Every kid on every team longs to be able to boast that their team is #1…
-Every sports fan longs to be able to boast of their favorite sports team that they are #1…
-Each and every person in this world wants to be a part of something that they may be able to boast of how they are the best…or at least, a part of the best…
ILLUSTRATION:
I know for me…and in my town…
The Caribou Vikings were always vying for the #1 spot in the State for Varsity Basket Ball.
-And they often won!!
Then they would parade through town on their way back in and the whole town would celebrate!!!
-It was awesome to say that you were #1!!!
Well…that heart abides in each of us too…we want to be THE BEST!
-We want to be number 1 and we want to be known as such!!!
But…we come to understand that things are different within the Kingdom of God! As we will come to realize.
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Well…the disciples fell prey to the temptation to be counted among THE BEST of the BEST…
-They fell into the category of those who wanted to be #1…
-After all, who doesn’t want to be number one!!! ???
But, for the disciples…this aspiration grew to something bigger than just hopes…
IN FACT…the Bible says that there was a dispute that fell out among the brethren…
These disciples were in a quarrel about who was the best disciple!!!
-Can you believe it!
What is worse, is that these guys begin to fight…just after Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper!!!
I mean…it is one thing to get in a quarrel…but then to fight after the Lord had just instituted one of the Ordinances of the Church is quite another!!!
-But…isn’t that how it works sometimes…
-Oh…how we have to watch ourselves…our hearts…and our motives.
It’s funny…they went from wondering who would be the bum that would deny Jesus to arguing who would be the best…
-From the flunkie…
-To the favorite…
*How quickly we go from one thing to the next…
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I can’t help but think how quickly we fight!
Yes…even us brothers and sisters…we fight and quarrel…(tsk, tsk)
-And sadly, even amidst the greatness of God…
-Even during great services and times with the Lord…
*Which reveals to me just how out of focus we can be…
Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”
Friends…God has intended for us to dwell in peace and unity with one another…
-Not to be sharks who swarm at the first taste of blood to get ours…
Nonetheless…this is the kind of situation that the disciples often got into…
ILLUSTRATION:
They wanted to define a “Pecking Order” within their group…
Chickens find a pecking order…
-Ten Chickens…pecking order till there is the last being pecked, but with no one to peck!
And Jesus is against that…and always will be!
-For there is none better than the other…
-None more important than the other…
If you recall…we have been likened unto a BODY, not a corporate Banking Office with a CEO and Vice Presidents!
-For who can do without any body part…each is important and serves his purpose!
They were often caught in these types of arguments…
Luke 9 and Mark 9 record these same conflicts with these same guys…
ILLUSTRATION:
Mention the Pope and his death…in comparison with greatness…
But yet, he is not the greatest…
-Out of focus…
Without a doubt…there is a pecking order going on right now with those who will take over now…
-Who is the greatest????
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But thankfully…and as always…Jesus steps in here and brings balance to this “feeding frenzy”…
