Servanthood: The True Greatness in God's Kingdom

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we ventured into the heart of the Kingdom of God, exploring its principles and how they contrast with the world's values. We began with the story of the mother of Zebedee's sons, who approached Jesus with a request for her sons to sit at His right and left in His Kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28). This narrative set the stage for a deeper understanding of the Kingdom's nature.The mother's request revealed a common misunderstanding of the Kingdom's nature, equating it with worldly power and prestige. Jesus responded by highlighting the sacrificial path of His followers and the true nature of greatness in the Kingdom—servanthood. The indignation of the other disciples at the request of Zebedee's sons further illustrated our tendency to seek status and recognition.As we delved into the sermon, we examined our own perceptions and the ways we bring worldly attitudes into the church. We were reminded that the Kingdom of God operates on principles that are often counterintuitive to our natural inclinations. In the Kingdom, greatness is not measured by authority or position but by one's capacity to serve and give oneself for others, just as Jesus did.We also touched on the dangers of comparison and the pursuit of approval, which can lead to a distorted view of our identity and purpose in the Kingdom. The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding our unique place in God's plan and the value of serving others without seeking recognition or reward.The sermon concluded with a call to repentance for any worldly attitudes we may have brought into the Kingdom and an invitation to embrace a mindset of servanthood. We were encouraged to humble ourselves, to learn, and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth for the sake of the Kingdom.Key Takeaways:1. The Kingdom of God is not a place for the pursuit of worldly status or recognition. True greatness in the Kingdom is found in servanthood and the willingness to lay down one's life for others, just as Jesus did. This challenges us to examine our motives and to prioritize serving over being served. [37:13]2. Comparison and the pursuit of approval can be detrimental to our spiritual health. We must remember that what we do in secret, in our devotion and service to God, is what is rewarded openly. Our focus should be on faithfulness to God's calling, not on the accolades of others. [28:25]3. The Kingdom of God requires a different mindset from the one we operate with in the world. We must be willing to let go of control and trust in God's sovereignty, even when it means going through difficult seasons. Our trust in God's plan is essential for our spiritual growth and alignment with His purposes. [44:13]4. We must be cautious not to bring the spirit of the world into the church. The church is not a place for power plays or cliques; it is a community where every member serves one another in love and humility. This requires a continual heart check and a commitment to the values of the Kingdom. [38:45]5. Our identity and worth are not found in the things of this world but in our relationship with God. We must ensure that the things we possess do not possess us, and that our hearts are not swayed by the lure of materialism or the need to maintain appearances. Our true treasure is in Christ and His righteousness. [22:39]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 20:20-28 - "Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 'What is it you want?' he asked. She said, 'Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.' 'You don’t know what you are asking,' Jesus said to them. 'Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?' 'We can,' they answered. Jesus said to them, 'You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.' When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the request made by the mother of Zebedee's sons to Jesus? ([01:14])
2. How did Jesus respond to the request for positions of honor in His kingdom? ([01:51])
3. What was the reaction of the other disciples to the request made by the mother of Zebedee's sons? ([02:56])
4. According to Jesus, what is the true measure of greatness in the Kingdom of God? ([03:50])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the mother of Zebedee's sons misunderstood the nature of Jesus' kingdom? ([01:36])
2. How does Jesus' teaching on servanthood challenge common worldly values and attitudes? ([03:57])
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "You do not know what you are asking"? How does this statement reflect on our own requests to God? ([01:51])
4. How can the pursuit of approval and comparison with others be detrimental to our spiritual health? ([28:25])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you sought recognition or status in a church or community setting. How did that experience align with or differ from Jesus' teaching on servanthood? ([03:57])
2. In what ways do you find yourself comparing your spiritual journey or achievements with others? How can you shift your focus to serving others instead? ([28:25])
3. Jesus emphasized the importance of serving others without seeking recognition. Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your community this week without expecting anything in return. ([03:57])
4. How do you handle feelings of indignation or jealousy when others receive recognition or positions you desire? What steps can you take to cultivate a heart of humility and service? ([02:56])
5. Consider the areas in your life where you might be bringing worldly attitudes into the church. What practical steps can you take to align more closely with the values of the Kingdom of God? ([38:45])
6. Reflect on your unique place in God's plan. How can you better understand and embrace your role in the Kingdom without seeking approval from others? ([22:39])
7. How can you ensure that your identity and worth are rooted in your relationship with God rather than in material possessions or social status? What changes might you need to make in your life to reflect this? ([22:39])

Devotional

Day 1: Servanthood: The Measure of GreatnessGreatness in the Kingdom of God is not about ascending to positions of power or being recognized by others; it is about descending into the role of a servant. This is a radical inversion of the world's understanding of greatness, where status and authority are often the ultimate goals. In the Kingdom, however, one's capacity to serve and give oneself for others is the true measure of greatness. This is exemplified by Jesus Christ, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His example, to serve rather than be served, and to seek the welfare of others above our own.In this pursuit of servanthood, it is essential to examine one's motives. Are actions driven by a desire for recognition, or are they a genuine expression of love and sacrifice? The challenge is to serve with purity of heart, without the expectation of reward or acknowledgment. This is the path to true greatness in the eyes of God, where the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. [37:13]"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28 ESV)Reflection: How can you demonstrate servanthood in your daily interactions, and what might you need to sacrifice to prioritize the needs of others?Day 2: Faithfulness Over AcclaimThe pursuit of approval and comparison can be a snare that distracts from the true purpose of one's calling in the Kingdom of God. It is a subtle trap that can lead to a distorted view of one's identity and worth, causing one to seek validation from others rather than from God. The call of the Kingdom is to serve in secret, to cultivate a personal and hidden devotion to God, knowing that He who sees in secret will reward openly. This is not a call to obscurity but to authenticity, where the focus is on being faithful to God's calling, regardless of whether it brings human accolades.The challenge is to resist the temptation to compare oneself with others and to seek approval from the wrong sources. Instead, one should strive to be faithful in the small things, trusting that God's approval is sufficient. This requires a heart that finds contentment in God's love and purpose, rather than in the fleeting praise of people. [28:25]"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 ESV)Reflection: In what ways might you be seeking the approval of others rather than God's, and how can you shift your focus to being faithful in the tasks God has given you?Day 3: Trusting God's SovereigntyThe Kingdom of God requires a mindset that is willing to relinquish control and trust in God's sovereignty, especially during challenging times. This trust is not passive but active, involving a steadfast faith in God's plan and timing. It is an acknowledgment that God's ways are higher than our ways and that His purposes are often beyond our understanding. Embracing this mindset means accepting that the path to spiritual growth and alignment with God's will may lead through valleys of difficulty and uncertainty.This trust in God's sovereignty is essential for navigating the complexities of life while maintaining a Kingdom perspective. It is about holding onto God's promises even when circumstances seem to contradict them, and about finding peace in the assurance that God is in control. [44:13]"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)Reflection: What area of your life do you find difficult to trust God with, and what practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in His sovereignty?Day 4: Community Over CompetitionThe spirit of the world is often characterized by competition, power plays, and the formation of cliques, but these are not to be the hallmarks of the church. The church is called to be a community where members serve one another in love and humility, where the values of the Kingdom of God are lived out in tangible ways. This requires a continual heart check, a commitment to the principles of the Kingdom, and a rejection of worldly attitudes that can infiltrate the body of Christ.In this community, every member is valuable, and each one's service is significant. It is not about who is the greatest but about how each person can contribute to the edification of the whole. This is a call to unity, where the focus is on building one another up, not on personal gain or recognition. [38:45]"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering a spirit of unity and service in your church community, and what might you need to change in your own attitude to do so?Day 5: Identity in Christ, Not the WorldOur identity and worth are not to be found in the possessions, achievements, or status that the world offers, but in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The lure of materialism and the pressure to maintain appearances can easily sway the heart, leading to a life driven by the pursuit of things that ultimately cannot satisfy. The Kingdom of God calls for a different focus, where the true treasure is found in Christ and His righteousness, not in the transient things of this world.This requires a conscious effort to ensure that the things we possess do not possess us. It is about living with an eternal perspective, where our hearts are set on the things above, not on earthly things. Our worth is intrinsic, rooted in the fact that we are loved by God and created for His purposes. [22:39]"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20 ESV)Reflection: What material possessions or worldly achievements might be influencing your sense of identity, and how can you realign your heart to find your worth in your relationship with God?

Quotes

"Just make sure you own it and it doesn't own you. Nothing wrong with any of it. You just got to know what controls you." [22:39] ( | | )

"The spirit of the world is not the spirit of the kingdom. And this is where things become difficult because when we come to church we also have titles and positions and places of honor." [24:40] ( | | )

"In the kingdom of God, comparison is a fickle thing... It's a very obnoxious thing. First thing you have to realize and remember, Jesus said what you do in secret my father will reward you openly." [28:25] (Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

"People don't know what it cost to be you... What I did in secret, God rewarded openly. It wasn't a reward for me because it just rewarded everybody." [30:55] ( | | )

"In the kingdom, you don't know what God knows... Only God knows what it's going to take to really save you because to really save you, you got to let everything go and become a complete yes." [44:13] ( | | )

"In here, it's not about becoming somebody, in here it's about becoming nobody. And here it's about becoming the servant of everybody." [42:01] ( | | )

"In the kingdom, you want to be the greatest in here then learn to serve. You want to be the one that is the most significant in here, help somebody else to achieve what they need." [42:01] ( | | )

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Transcript
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