Redefining Greatness: Humble Service in God's Kingdom

God, in His mercy, has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light, making us a people for His own possession. This new identity is not something we have earned, but a gift of grace through Christ’s redeeming work and the Spirit’s renewing power. Because of this, our lives are to be marked by love, gratitude, and good works—not as a means to earn God’s favor, but as the fruit of our salvation and a testimony to the world. We are called to live in such a way that others see our good deeds and are drawn to glorify God.

As we look at Mark 9:30-41, we see Jesus teaching His disciples about His coming death and resurrection. Despite walking closely with Him, the disciples fail to grasp the heart of the gospel. Their misunderstanding is revealed in their arguments about greatness and their desire for status. Jesus, however, redefines greatness—not as power or position, but as humble service. He takes a child, the least in society, and says that welcoming such a one in His name is to welcome Him and the Father. True greatness in God’s kingdom is found in serving others, especially those who cannot repay us.

Jesus also challenges the disciples’ exclusivity when they try to stop someone casting out demons in His name simply because he was not part of their group. Jesus teaches that the kingdom is broader than our own circles; anyone who acts in His name and belongs to Him is part of God’s people. Our unity is not in our group identity, but in our shared confession of Christ and participation in His mission.

This calls us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly understand and trust the gospel, or are we clinging to self-centered versions of faith? Are we growing as disciples, marked by humility, service, and love? Are we open to the breadth of God’s kingdom, celebrating good works done in Jesus’ name, even outside our own group? The call is to dig deep into the gospel, to let it shape our character and actions, and to commit ourselves to making and growing mature disciples—serving every generation, loving one another, and doing good in the name of Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True understanding of the gospel is not merely intellectual assent or religious activity, but a deep trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Even those closest to Jesus can misunderstand the heart of His mission, so we must continually examine whether we are believing in the real Jesus or a version shaped by our own desires. The gospel is the well we must keep returning to, digging deeper so that our lives are transformed by grace. [54:09]
• 2. Discipleship begins with being a disciple—turning from sin and self-reliance to trust in Christ alone. Growth in Christ is seen not in perfection, but in ongoing transformation: a life increasingly marked by faith, repentance, and the fruit of the Spirit. This happens as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, worship together, and build relationships that encourage accountability and spiritual growth. [57:35]
• 3. Greatness in God’s kingdom is radically different from the world’s definition. Jesus teaches that to be first is to be last and servant of all, welcoming and caring for those with no status or power. Humility and service are not optional add-ons, but the very path to true greatness, modeled by Christ Himself who became a servant for our sake. [65:13]
• 4. The boundaries of God’s kingdom are not drawn by our group affiliations, denominations, or traditions, but by belonging to Christ and acting in His name. Jesus warns against an exclusive spirit that limits God’s work to our own circles. Instead, we are to celebrate and encourage all good done in Jesus’ name, recognizing the global, diverse family God is gathering for His glory. [71:27]
• 5. Practical discipleship means putting faith into action through tangible acts of service—praying for one another, serving children and seniors, participating in ministries, and seeking the good of others in Jesus’ name. These acts, however small, are significant in God’s eyes and are the fruit of a life shaped by the gospel. Our mission is to make and grow mature disciples, investing in every generation and letting the gospel transform every aspect of our lives. [79:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [28:22] - Confession and Prayer of Gratitude
• [29:35] - Praying for God’s Power and Presence
• [46:20] - Introduction to Mark 9 and the Disciples’ Struggle
• [47:16] - The Disciples Argue About Greatness
• [48:10] - Jesus Teaches on Humble Service
• [49:14] - Misunderstanding the Gospel: A Modern Example
• [50:50] - The Heart of the Gospel Explained
• [52:50] - The Disciples’ Failure to Grasp Jesus’ Mission
• [54:09] - The Call to True Discipleship
• [56:13] - Examining Our Growth as Disciples
• [57:35] - Building a Gospel-Centered Community
• [59:00] - Digging Deeper into the Gospel Together
• [61:55] - True Greatness: The Path of Humble Service
• [65:13] - Jesus’ Living Parable: Welcoming the Least
• [68:42] - The Kingdom’s Boundaries and Unity in Christ
• [71:27] - The Global Vision of God’s Kingdom
• [74:39] - Practical Ways to Serve and Do Good
• [79:12] - Investing in Every Generation
• [80:45] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
• [82:15] - Response and Benediction

Bible Reading

Mark 9:30-41 (ESV) —
> 30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
>
> 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
>
> 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”

Observation Questions

1. What did Jesus predict about his own future in verses 31-32, and how did the disciples respond?
2. What were the disciples arguing about on the way to Capernaum, and how did Jesus address their argument?
3. How does Jesus use a child to illustrate his teaching about greatness in God’s kingdom?
4. What was the disciples’ reaction to someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and how did Jesus correct their thinking? [01:08:42]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the disciples struggled to understand Jesus’ prediction about his death and resurrection, even though they were so close to him? [52:50]
2. What does Jesus’ definition of greatness (“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”) reveal about the values of God’s kingdom compared to the world’s values? [01:05:13]
3. Why does Jesus emphasize welcoming and serving those with no status or power, like a child? What does this say about the kind of community he wants to build? [01:05:13]
4. How does Jesus’ response to the disciples’ exclusivity challenge our own attitudes toward Christians outside our immediate group or denomination? [01:11:27]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that even those closest to Jesus can misunderstand the heart of his mission. Are there ways you might be misunderstanding the gospel or believing a version shaped by your own desires? How can you “dig deeper” into the true gospel this week? [54:09]
2. Jesus calls us to humble service, not seeking status or recognition. Can you think of a recent situation where you were tempted to seek recognition or be “first”? What would it look like to choose the path of being “last” and servant of all in that situation? [01:05:13]
3. Jesus welcomed a child as an example of true greatness. Who are the “least” or overlooked people in your life or church community? What is one practical way you could serve or welcome them this week? [01:05:13]
4. The disciples wanted to stop someone doing good in Jesus’ name because he wasn’t “one of them.” Are there times you’ve been suspicious or critical of Christians outside your group? How can you celebrate and encourage good works done in Jesus’ name, even if they’re not part of your circle? [01:11:27]
5. The sermon challenged us to put faith into action through tangible acts of service—praying for others, serving children or seniors, participating in ministries. What is one specific act of service you can commit to this week? [01:19:12]
6. The call is to make and grow mature disciples, investing in every generation. Is there a younger or older person in your church you could encourage or invest in? What’s one step you could take to build that relationship? [01:19:12]
7. The gospel is described as a “well” we keep returning to. What is one habit or practice you can start or renew this week to help you return to the gospel regularly (e.g., daily Bible reading, prayer, joining a small group)? [59:00]