Embracing Humility: The True Path to Greatness
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of humility and service as exemplified by Jesus Christ. We began by reflecting on embarrassing moments, both personal and those experienced by the apostles James and John. Their request to Jesus for positions of honor in His kingdom, despite His forewarning of His impending suffering, highlighted a common human tendency to seek status and power. This incident set the stage for one of Jesus' most profound teachings, which challenges the conventional understanding of greatness.
Jesus' response to James and John was not one of rebuke but of redirection. He introduced a radical paradigm shift: true greatness in His kingdom is not about power or position but about service and humility. This teaching is encapsulated in His statement that even He, the Son of Man, came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. This is the essence of the cross, the icon of our faith, which calls us to a lifestyle that is counter-cultural and counter-intuitive.
The invitation of the cross is not merely a call to believe but a call to live differently. It is an empowering invitation to embody God's love in a way that defies the natural inclination towards self-centeredness. This way of life, though it may seem foolish or weak to the world, is the true demonstration of God's power. It is a call to live for the approval of one—God—rather than the applause of many.
As we conclude this series, we are reminded that the way of the cross is a daily choice. It is an invitation to defer, to give, to forgive, and to serve. It is a call to chase humility and to choose to lose, trusting that in doing so, we are participating in the Kingdom of God. This is not an easy path, but it is the path that Jesus walked, and it is the path that He invites us to follow.
Key Takeaways:
- Embracing Humility: True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in humility and service, not in seeking power or status. Jesus exemplified this by choosing to serve rather than be served, challenging us to redefine our understanding of success and leadership. [22:24]
- The Invitation of the Cross: The cross is not just a symbol of belief but an invitation to live a life that reflects Jesus' sacrificial love. This lifestyle is counter-cultural and requires us to put others first, demonstrating God's love through our actions. [05:18]
- Daily Choice to Serve: Following Jesus means making a daily choice to serve others, even when it goes against our natural inclinations. This choice is an opportunity to experience and demonstrate the power of God in our lives. [06:28]
- Living for God's Approval: The way of the cross calls us to live for the approval of God rather than seeking validation from others. This shift in focus can transform our communities and relationships, aligning us with the values of God's Kingdom. [07:32]
- Time is Limited: Our opportunity to give our lives away in service is limited. We are encouraged to seize the moment to serve others, as one day our chance to freely give will come to an end. This urgency should motivate us to live out the teachings of Jesus now. [29:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - Embarrassing Moments
[01:16] - The Apostles' Embarrassment
[02:13] - Jesus' Transformative Statement
[04:06] - The Cross as an Icon
[05:18] - Empowering Invitation
[07:32] - Living for One
[09:03] - Jesus' Mission
[11:01] - Journey to Jerusalem
[12:39] - James and John's Request
[15:22] - Jesus' Response
[19:27] - Teaching on Leadership
[21:38] - Not So With You
[26:36] - The Clarifying Statement
[29:58] - Giving Life as a Ransom
[31:01] - The Icon of Our Faith
[32:45] - Invitation to the Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 10:35-45
2. John 13:12-17
3. Philippians 2:5-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What request did James and John make to Jesus, and how did it reflect their understanding of greatness? ([13:31])
2. How did Jesus describe the behavior of rulers in the world, and what contrast did He present to His disciples? ([19:27])
3. What was Jesus' response to the request of James and John, and what did He emphasize about true greatness? ([22:24])
4. How does Jesus' statement about the Son of Man challenge conventional ideas of leadership and service? ([27:08])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the request of James and John reveal a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom? ([13:31])
2. In what ways does Jesus' teaching about serving others challenge the cultural norms of His time and ours? ([19:27])
3. How does Jesus' example of humility and service redefine what it means to be great in the Kingdom of God? ([22:24])
4. What implications does Jesus' statement about giving His life as a ransom have for understanding His mission and our call to follow Him? ([27:08])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you sought recognition or status. How can Jesus' teaching on humility and service change your approach in similar situations? ([13:31])
2. Jesus calls us to live for God's approval rather than seeking validation from others. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from the applause of many to the approval of one? ([07:32])
3. Consider the daily choices you make. How can you incorporate acts of service and humility into your routine, even when it goes against your natural inclinations? ([06:28])
4. Jesus' invitation to take up the cross is a call to live differently. What specific area of your life can you surrender to embody God's love more fully? ([05:18])
5. Our time to serve others is limited. What is one way you can seize the moment to serve someone in your community this week? ([29:04])
6. Think of a relationship where you struggle with pride or competition. How can you apply Jesus' teaching on being a servant to transform that relationship? ([22:24])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to embrace the way of the cross and live out Jesus' call to humility and service? ([32:45])
Devotional
Day 1: Redefining Greatness Through Humility
True greatness in the Kingdom of God is not measured by power or status but by humility and service. This is a radical departure from the world's understanding of success, which often equates greatness with authority and influence. Jesus exemplified this by choosing to serve rather than be served, challenging us to redefine our understanding of leadership. His life and teachings invite us to embrace humility as a pathway to true greatness, encouraging us to serve others selflessly. This call to humility is not just a moral obligation but a transformative journey that aligns us with the values of God's Kingdom. [22:24]
Matthew 23:11-12 (ESV): "The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your daily interactions, especially in situations where you are tempted to assert your own importance?
Day 2: The Cross as a Lifestyle Invitation
The cross is not merely a symbol of belief but an invitation to live a life that reflects Jesus' sacrificial love. This lifestyle is counter-cultural, requiring us to put others first and demonstrate God's love through our actions. It challenges our natural inclinations towards self-centeredness and calls us to embody a love that is selfless and sacrificial. By embracing the way of the cross, we participate in a divine narrative that transcends worldly values and priorities. This invitation is not just about personal transformation but about impacting the world around us with the love of Christ. [05:18]
1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: How can you tangibly demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your community this week?
Day 3: Choosing to Serve Daily
Following Jesus means making a daily choice to serve others, even when it goes against our natural inclinations. This choice is an opportunity to experience and demonstrate the power of God in our lives. Serving others is not always easy, but it is a powerful testament to the transformative work of Christ within us. Each day presents new opportunities to choose service over self-interest, allowing us to grow in our faith and witness to the world. By committing to this daily choice, we align ourselves with the heart of Jesus and participate in His mission of love and redemption. [06:28]
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: Identify one person you can serve today in a meaningful way. What specific action can you take to show them the love of Christ?
Day 4: Living for God's Approval
The way of the cross calls us to live for the approval of God rather than seeking validation from others. This shift in focus can transform our communities and relationships, aligning us with the values of God's Kingdom. When we prioritize God's approval, we free ourselves from the pressures of conforming to societal expectations and find true freedom in His love. This perspective empowers us to live authentically and courageously, knowing that our worth is found in Christ alone. By seeking God's approval, we become agents of change, reflecting His love and grace in all we do. [07:32]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking approval from others? How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval instead?
Day 5: Urgency in Service
Our opportunity to give our lives away in service is limited. We are encouraged to seize the moment to serve others, as one day our chance to freely give will come to an end. This urgency should motivate us to live out the teachings of Jesus now, making the most of every opportunity to serve and love others. Recognizing the brevity of life compels us to prioritize what truly matters and invest in eternal values. By embracing this urgency, we align ourselves with God's purposes and participate in His redemptive work in the world. [29:04]
Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can serve someone today, knowing that your time to make an impact is limited?
Quotes
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." [00:34:43]
"The invitation of the cross is an invitation to express God's others' first love through us. But because it's so unnatural and because it's so, you know, against the grain of culture oftentimes, we're all tempted to decline the invitation." [00:06:21]
"Whoever wants to become great among you, James and John, right? They're like, yeah, you wanna be great. That's great to want to be great. Whoever wants to be great among you, you gotta become the servant, back of the line. Wait your turn. You may not even get a turn." [00:23:05]
"Imagine a kingdom or a community or a family, or imagine a nation that took their cue from that kind of king. For even the Son of Man, he's pointing at himself, did come to be served. But to serve, to think, whoa, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait." [00:27:59]
"Because your opportunity to give your life away is slipping away. Because one day your life will be taken from you. And on that day, your opportunity, my opportunity to freely give our lives away comes to an end. Our time is running out." [00:29:08]
"Not so with you. Not in my kingdom, not in my ecclesia, not in my movement. You're gonna be part of my movement, then you leverage your power, and your resources, and your family connections, and your success, and anything you got going for you, you're constantly looking for a way to leverage it for the benefit of other people." [00:21:51]
"The cross is the icon for Christianity. And for many Christians, it simply represents a way of believing. But as we've said throughout this series in the first century, and hopefully for some of us in the 21st century, it actually reflects or is a way of living is to reflect or inform a lifestyle." [00:04:09]
"Jesus says, well, I think wanting to be great is a great thing. Let me tell you how to be great in my kingdom. You know how to be great in the kingdoms of this world, is the very kingdoms that I discarded and said no to at the beginning." [00:22:47]
"Imagine if we said yes, imagine if we led our families that way. Imagine if we worked that way, served our employers that way. Imagine if we led in the marketplace that way. Imagine if we reacted that way. It's risky and it's foolish, at least we think so now." [00:32:39]
"The reason we should look for opportunities to give it away is because the opportunity to give it away is slipping away, and one day it ends. This is the way of the cross. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." [00:29:59]
"This is what Jesus invites us to defer, to give, to forgive, to serve, to choose to lose again, to chase humility. And, then I'm done. When we think it's too much, you're asking too much, it's too high. You know, you're asking me to go too low." [00:33:24]
"Because, and this, you should know this, if you grew up in church. When you live in sync with the teaching of Jesus, when you live in the direction of the way of the cross, the way of Jesus, you are set up then to experience and manifest or demonstrate the power of God in your life." [00:06:00]
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