If you search "great" in google you will get 5 billion responses.
Greatness to goodness.
"They came to Capernaum; and when He [a]was in the house, He beganto question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, [b]he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Taking a child, He set him [c]before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives [d]one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:33-37
Upside down philosophy of Jesus.
With people there are pecking orders.
Jesus says it should be the exact opposite.
Personal goodness preferred to personal greatness.
I. Resist the temptation of selfish pride.
It can go too far. It can overtake us. It all becomes about us. Sin is the ultimate selfishness, me-centered rather than God-centered. Meology rather than Theology.
World is good at this. It raises up selfish ones.
93 million selfies taken every minute.
3 "Do nothing [a]from [b]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;" Philippians 2:3
Our ambition should not be for ourselves. Our ambition should be for the kingdom.
II. In God's kingdom, service is better than status.
6 "But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
10 "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."
James 4:10
Little acts of kindness.
Servants -- upside down view.
Don't look at it like the world does.
“But you said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’" Isaiah 14:13-14
Satan wants to elevate himself. To get away from Christ, elevate yourself.
Jesus got down on his knees and washed the disciples' feet. Selfless life can be hard, awkward at times.
Goodness isn't determined by how many servants you have, but how many you serve.
III. A child as the pattern for humility
2 "And He called a child to Himself and set him [a]before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you [b]are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:2-4
Something we need to relearn.
Unrestrained Joy!
Unrestrained Love!
Uncomplicated Trust!
Don't be afraid to do what you know you should do because God is there. Catch me Father!
Read and Believe!
Simple, child-like faith
Come to Me = salvation
Follow Me = discipleship
Abide in Me = Spirit-filled life.
Love, love, love
There are no little people. There are no little tasks.
23 "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." Matthew 25:23
Greatness to goodness.
"They came to Capernaum; and when He [a]was in the house, He beganto question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, [b]he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Taking a child, He set him [c]before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives [d]one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:33-37
Upside down philosophy of Jesus.
With people there are pecking orders.
Jesus says it should be the exact opposite.
Personal goodness preferred to personal greatness.
I. Resist the temptation of selfish pride.
It can go too far. It can overtake us. It all becomes about us. Sin is the ultimate selfishness, me-centered rather than God-centered. Meology rather than Theology.
World is good at this. It raises up selfish ones.
93 million selfies taken every minute.
3 "Do nothing [a]from [b]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;" Philippians 2:3
Our ambition should not be for ourselves. Our ambition should be for the kingdom.
II. In God's kingdom, service is better than status.
6 "But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
10 "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."
James 4:10
Little acts of kindness.
Servants -- upside down view.
Don't look at it like the world does.
“But you said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’" Isaiah 14:13-14
Satan wants to elevate himself. To get away from Christ, elevate yourself.
Jesus got down on his knees and washed the disciples' feet. Selfless life can be hard, awkward at times.
Goodness isn't determined by how many servants you have, but how many you serve.
III. A child as the pattern for humility
2 "And He called a child to Himself and set him [a]before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you [b]are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:2-4
Something we need to relearn.
Unrestrained Joy!
Unrestrained Love!
Uncomplicated Trust!
Don't be afraid to do what you know you should do because God is there. Catch me Father!
Read and Believe!
Simple, child-like faith
Come to Me = salvation
Follow Me = discipleship
Abide in Me = Spirit-filled life.
Love, love, love
There are no little people. There are no little tasks.
23 "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." Matthew 25:23
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