Greatness in the Kingdom | Dylan Drumm

Devotional

Day 1: Grocery Carts Full of Wants, Empty of Needs

The story of four college boys stuffing their cart with steak and ice cream while neglecting essentials mirrors how worldly ambition prioritizes temporary cravings over eternal nourishment. Just as the roommates’ parents secretly added detergent and deodorant, God provides what we truly need even when we chase hollow desires. True success begins when we trust His provision over our impulsive wants. [32:33]

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34, ESV)

Reflection: What “steaks and ice cream” fill your cart this week—things you’re chasing that may leave your soul malnourished? How might God be inviting you to trust His provision instead?

Day 2: “We Want the Best Seats”

James and John’s request for positions of honor reveals how ambition can hijack our purpose. Like disciples fixated on status, we often confuse Christ’s mission with our own quest for significance. Yet Jesus redirects: true greatness isn’t found in climbing ladders but in kneeling low. The cross, not a throne, defines our calling. [11:00]

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’” (Mark 10:35-36, ESV)

Reflection: Where are you subtly asking Jesus to endorse your agenda rather than surrendering to His? What would it look like to trade your blueprint for His today?

Day 3: Drinking the Cup We Can’t Handle

Jesus’ question—“Can you drink the cup I drink?”—exposes our shallow understanding of sacrifice. Like the disciples, we confidently claim readiness for glory but falter at suffering. Yet Christ drank the full cup of God’s wrath so we might taste grace. Our ambition is purified not by proving our strength, but by receiving His. [17:30]

“Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl of staggering.” (Isaiah 51:17, ESV)

Reflection: What difficult “cup” are you resisting that God might be using to deepen your dependence on Him? How does Christ’s finished work free you to embrace it?

Day 4: When Ambition Hurts Community

The disciples’ indignation toward James and John reveals how self-focused goals fracture relationships. Like shoppers elbowing for the best items, we often disregard others in our rush for recognition. Yet the gospel calls us to ambitious love—to “outdo one another in showing honor” rather than scrambling for status. [25:54]

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Who have you unintentionally sidelined in pursuit of your goals? How can you actively honor them this week?

Day 5: The Servant’s Cart

Jesus redefines ambition as radical service: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” Just as the parents secretly stocked essentials, Christ fills our lack through His sacrifice. Our highest calling isn’t to claim seats but to wash feet, pouring ourselves out so others might taste His goodness. [34:47]

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45, ESV)

Reflection: What ordinary act of service—stocking someone’s “cart” with grace—can you perform today as worship? How does Christ’s ransom for you compel this?

Sermon Summary

James and John step forward with a blank check request, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Mark lets their ambition show itself by aiming for the seats at Jesus’ right and left in his glory. Ambition itself is not condemned. Scripture names holy ambitions, like making it one’s aim to lead a quiet life or to preach Christ where he has not been named. The problem is motive. These brothers want more than relationship with the King. They want importance. Their ask exposes how ambition can confuse the mission.

Mark frames this in the shadow of the cross. Three times Jesus fixes his face toward Jerusalem and tells what will happen. Three times the disciples turn inward. Peter sets his mind on the things of man. The Twelve argue about who is greatest. James and John angle for rank. Worldly ambition works for worth, but godly ambition works worth. One scrambles to prove significance. The other looks at the cross and says, he already proved it. For a disciple, the mission is not platform, ladder, or circle. The mission is his mission, to save the world one sinner at a time.

Jesus then asks if they can drink his cup or be baptized with his baptism. The cup is the Old Testament cup of God’s wrath, drained to the dregs at Calvary. The baptism is full submersion into suffering. They say, “We are able,” and Jesus answers both yes and not yet. James will be the first apostolic martyr; John will be the last to suffer. Their self-expectation is right, but their self-evaluation is off. Ambition can impair perspective. Desire for what is ahead can make a disciple forget what God has already placed in hand. So the call sounds simple and sharp: bloom where you’re planted while you are planted there. Don’t let ambition outpace submission. Trust the Father with tomorrow and serve faithfully today.

A third danger slips in quietly. Ambition can turn friends into foes. The ten become indignant, “so angry it hurts.” Exclusion breeds competition, comparison, criticism, and cliques. But the way of Christ counts others more significant, outdoes one another in showing honor, and builds up instead of tearing down. Worldly ambition insulates; Jesus’ ambition invites. He turns foes into family.

Then Jesus names the desirable ambition. The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over. “Not so among you.” Greatness takes the towel. First place becomes slave of all. The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. His ambition clarifies mission, focuses perspective, and makes a family out of enemies. The church is called to enter every room with that heart, not to gain life but to give it. It would change everything.

Key Takeaways

1. Ambition must serve Christ’s mission Ambition is a gift, but motive is the governor. Worldly ambition works for worth, while godly ambition works worth, receiving significance from the cross instead of chasing it. The disciple’s horizon is not advancement but redemption, one sinner at a time. When goals align with his mission, ambition becomes fuel, not fire. [13:59]
2. Desire for tomorrow can blind today James and John wanted the end without the path. Jesus names the cost, then calls disciples to present faithfulness. Bloom where you’re planted while you are planted there, and do not let ambition outpace submission. Trusting the Father with tomorrow frees a servant to notice today’s assignments. [23:08]
3. Greatness is servant-hearted and costly The cup and the baptism name the way of the King. True greatness does not sidestep suffering, it spends itself for others because the Son of Man ransomed many. The path up is down, the first becomes slave of all. A servant’s ambition is measured not by platform but by poured-out love. [35:05]
4. Self-focus fractures; service heals community The ten were indignant, “so angry it hurts,” because self-importance always excludes someone. Competition, comparison, criticism, and cliques are the telltale fruit of curved-in ambition. Counting others more significant and outdoing one another in showing honor makes room at the table. Christ’s welcome turns isolation into family. [30:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Who is teaching and series
[00:43] - 19-year-old Dylan setup
[02:13] - Grocery-store gift and rules
[05:20] - Ambition: gift and danger
[07:03] - James and John’s bold request
[11:19] - Danger 1: Mission confusion
[15:20] - The cup and baptism
[17:09] - Isaiah’s cup of wrath
[20:24] - Not ready yet; martyrdom ahead
[22:53] - Bloom where you’re planted
[24:14] - Danger 3: friends to foes; four pitfalls
[30:33] - Worldly isolation vs Christ’s welcome
[34:26] - Jesus redefines greatness to service
[38:20] - Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Mark 10:35-45 (ESV)
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Observation Questions

What specific request did James and John make of Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to their ambition?
How did the other disciples react to James and John’s request, and what does the term “indignant” reveal about their hearts? [24:36]
What does Jesus mean by “the cup” and “the baptism” in His response to the disciples? How does Isaiah 51:17 clarify this imagery? [17:09]
According to Jesus, how does true greatness differ from worldly definitions of power and status?

Interpretation Questions

Why might James and John’s request for seats of honor have been especially inappropriate given Jesus’ earlier predictions about His suffering (Mark 10:33-34)?
How does the disciples’ repeated focus on their own status (Mark 8:31-9:1; 9:33-37; 10:35-45) reveal a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission?
In what ways does worldly ambition—like competition, comparison, or cliques—damage relationships, and how does Jesus’ teaching in Mark 10:42-45 offer a remedy? [30:33]
How does Jesus’ example of serving “as a ransom for many” redefine success for His followers?

Application Questions

Where in your life are you most tempted to seek recognition or importance? How could you shift your focus to serving others in that area instead?
The sermon emphasized “blooming where you’re planted.” What is one practical way to serve faithfully in your current role (e.g., job, family, community) without waiting for a “better” opportunity? [22:53]
When have you seen comparison or competition harm a relationship or community? What step could you take this week to “outdo others in showing honor” (Romans 12:10) instead? [27:58]
Jesus’ mission was to “give his life as a ransom for many.” How could you intentionally “give life” to someone this week through a simple act of service or encouragement?
The disciples’ ambition caused division. Are there areas in your life where your goals might be isolating others? How could you invite someone into your “circle” to reflect Christ’s inclusive love? [30:14]
What daily habit or prayer could help you trust God with tomorrow’s uncertainties while staying focused on today’s opportunities to serve? [23:08]

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