True Greatness: The Call to Servanthood

Devotional

Day 1: Redefining Greatness Through Servanthood

Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in being a servant to all. This challenges our natural inclinations towards power and prestige, urging us to adopt a worldview centered on humility and service. By serving others selflessly, we mirror the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus' life exemplifies this principle, as He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. This redefinition of greatness calls us to look beyond our own desires and ambitions and to focus on the needs of others, embodying the selfless love that Jesus demonstrated.

In a world that often equates greatness with power, wealth, and status, Jesus' teachings present a radical shift. True greatness, according to Jesus, is not about how many people serve us but about how many people we serve. This perspective invites us to examine our lives and consider how we can serve others in our daily interactions, whether through small acts of kindness or significant sacrifices. By embracing this servant-hearted approach, we align ourselves with the values of the Kingdom of God and reflect the character of Christ in our lives. [03:31]

Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of one person in your life who could use your help today. How can you serve them in a way that reflects Jesus' selfless love?

Day 2: The Example of a Child

Jesus uses the example of a small child to illustrate total dependence and humility. Just as a child relies completely on the care of others, we are called to serve those who are vulnerable and in need. This childlike dependence is a powerful reminder of our own need for God's grace and our call to serve others. By adopting the humility and trust of a child, we can better understand our relationship with God and our role in His Kingdom.

Children are often seen as the least powerful and most dependent members of society, yet Jesus elevates their status as models of the kind of humility and trust that He desires from His followers. This teaching challenges us to let go of our pride and self-sufficiency and to embrace a posture of dependence on God. It also calls us to be attentive to the needs of those who are vulnerable and to serve them with the same care and compassion that we would offer to a child. [04:54]

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And he said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"

Reflection: Identify a situation where you need to rely more on God's grace and less on your own strength. How can you approach this situation with the humility and trust of a child?

Day 3: Parental Sacrifice as a Model of Servanthood

The vocation of a parent or caregiver is a perfect picture of servanthood. Parents forsake their own needs to provide for their children, embodying the selfless love that Jesus calls us to. This model of sacrificial love is a tangible example of how we are to serve others in our daily lives. By putting the needs of others before our own, we reflect the heart of Christ and demonstrate the kind of love that transforms lives.

Parenting and caregiving require a level of selflessness that mirrors the sacrificial love of Jesus. Parents often sacrifice their time, energy, and resources to ensure the well-being of their children. This kind of love is not limited to biological relationships but can be extended to anyone in need. By adopting this mindset of sacrificial love, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those around us and fulfill our calling to be servants in the Kingdom of God. [06:17]

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can sacrifice your own comfort or convenience to serve someone in your life today. How can this act of service reflect the love of Christ?

Day 4: Jesus' Ultimate Act of Service

Jesus' life and mission were the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. He came as a humble child, lived a life of service, and sacrificed Himself for the salvation of humanity. This act of servanthood redefines our understanding of greatness, urging us to look beyond ourselves and serve others in love. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate example of selfless love and service, setting the standard for how we are to live our lives.

The life and death of Jesus Christ are the pinnacle of servanthood. From His humble birth to His sacrificial death, Jesus consistently put the needs of others before His own. His willingness to lay down His life for the salvation of humanity is the greatest act of love and service the world has ever known. This example challenges us to consider how we can follow in His footsteps by serving others with the same selfless love and dedication. [09:33]

Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV): "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: Reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and how it has impacted your life. How can you emulate His selfless love in your interactions with others today?

Day 5: Finding Peace in Serving Others

When we struggle with our own issues, Jesus teaches us to find peace by helping others. By focusing outward and serving those in need, we can overcome our own struggles and find true fulfillment. This principle is the backbone of Christian living and a practical way to embody Jesus' teachings. Serving others not only benefits those we help but also brings healing and peace to our own hearts.

In times of personal struggle, it can be tempting to turn inward and focus solely on our own problems. However, Jesus' teachings encourage us to look beyond ourselves and find peace through serving others. By shifting our focus from our own difficulties to the needs of those around us, we can experience a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends our personal challenges. This outward focus not only helps us to overcome our struggles but also allows us to be a blessing to others. [13:33]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in need today. How can this act of service help you find peace and fulfillment in your own life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound teaching of Jesus on what it means to be truly great in the Kingdom of God. Jesus redefined greatness by emphasizing servanthood and sacrifice, using the example of a small child to illustrate total dependence and humility. As the disciples argued about who among them was the greatest, Jesus reminded them that true greatness is found in being the servant of all, just as He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

We delved into the paradoxical nature of Jesus' teachings, where the first must be last and the greatest must be a servant. This worldview challenges our natural inclinations towards power, prestige, and self-centeredness. Instead, Jesus calls us to a life of selfless service, mirroring His own life and sacrifice. The example of a parent or caregiver to a child was highlighted as a perfect picture of servanthood, where one's own needs are forsaken to provide for the needs of another.

Furthermore, we discussed how Jesus' life and mission were the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. He came as a humble child, lived a life of service, and ultimately sacrificed Himself for the salvation of humanity. This act of servanthood redefines our understanding of greatness, urging us to look beyond ourselves and serve others in love.

In practical terms, we are called to help those in need, to get out of our own heads, and to find peace in serving others. This is the essence of Christian living, where true greatness is found not in what we accumulate or achieve, but in how we love and serve others, following the example of Jesus, the servant of all.

###

Key Takeaways

1. EhiY&t=211s'>[03:31]
2. The Example of a Child: Jesus uses the example of a small child to illustrate total dependence and humility. Just as a child relies completely on the care of others, we are called to serve those who are vulnerable and in need. This childlike dependence is a powerful reminder of our own need for God's grace and our call to serve others.

3. Parental Sacrifice as a Model of Servanthood: The vocation of a parent or caregiver is a perfect picture of servanthood. Parents forsake their own needs to provide for their children, embodying the selfless love that Jesus calls us to. This model of sacrificial love is a tangible example of how we are to serve others in our daily lives.

4. Jesus' Ultimate Act of Service: Jesus' life and mission were the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. He came as a humble child, lived a life of service, and sacrificed Himself for the salvation of humanity. This act of servanthood redefines our understanding of greatness, urging us to look beyond ourselves and serve others in love.

5. Finding Peace in Serving Others: When we struggle with our own issues, Jesus teaches us to find peace by helping others. By focusing outward and serving those in need, we can overcome our own struggles and find true fulfillment. This principle is the backbone of Christian living and a practical way to embody Jesus' teachings.

### [03:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - Disciples' Argument on Greatness
[02:16] - Jesus Redefines Greatness
[03:31] - The Paradox of Servanthood
[04:54] - Example of a Child
[06:17] - Parental Sacrifice
[07:06] - Family as God's Design
[08:16] - Serving the Next Generation
[09:33] - Jesus' Ultimate Act of Service
[10:24] - Jesus' Sacrifice for All
[12:17] - Worldly vs. Godly Greatness
[13:33] - Finding Peace in Serving Others
[14:40] - Overcoming Personal Struggles
[15:41] - Jesus' Unique Greatness
[16:43] - Assurance of Forgiveness
[17:45] - Final Blessing and Peace

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the disciples arguing about on their way to Capernaum? ([01:11])
How does Jesus redefine greatness in Mark 9:35?
What example does Jesus use to illustrate servanthood in Mark 9:36-37? ([04:54])
According to Mark 10:45, what was the purpose of Jesus' coming?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the disciples were silent when Jesus asked them about their argument? ([03:31])
How does the example of a child in Mark 9:36-37 challenge our understanding of dependence and humility? ([04:54])
In what ways does Jesus' life and mission fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? ([09:33])
How can serving others help us find peace and overcome our own struggles? ([13:33])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you sought recognition or power. How can Jesus' teaching on servanthood change your approach in similar situations? ([12:17])
Think of someone in your life who is vulnerable or in need. How can you serve them in a way that reflects Jesus' example of servanthood? ([04:54])
Parents often sacrifice their own needs for their children. How can this model of parental sacrifice inspire you to serve others in your community? ([06:17])
Jesus came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. How can you embody this sacrificial love in your daily interactions? ([09:33])
When you are struggling with personal issues, how can focusing on helping others bring you peace and fulfillment? ([13:33])
Identify one specific way you can serve someone this week without expecting anything in return. How will you ensure that your act of service is done in love and humility?
How can you cultivate a mindset of servanthood in your workplace, family, or church? What practical steps can you take to prioritize others' needs over your own? ([03:31])

Sermon Clips

1. "Jesus is sharing with his disciples the price that is paid to be the greatest, the servant of all. It is to live a life of sacrifice. Just as Jesus did, God himself sees himself as a servant. And what better example is there than to look at a small child, a little one, totally dependent on the service of another. The vocation of parent or caregiver to a child is the perfect picture." [01:11] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "This master teacher, Jesus, speaks to the disciples of a worldview that would require the first to be last and the greatest to be a servant. kind of paradox is this? Later on in Mark, Jesus expands upon this paradox that he's sharing with them. Whoever would be great among you must be a servant. And whoever would be first among you must be a slave to 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." [03:31] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Providing clothes, food, shelter, warmth, protection, forsaking all their own needs. Parents supply the needs of children. This family unit was God's design from the very beginning. He instructed Adam and Eve, go forth, be fruitful, and multiply. Our Christian life is designed to be centered around children. We see them up here singing, and I think about the future, the future these children have." [07:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus came to be servant of all. From greatness in heaven, Jesus came to be a servant. He was sitting at the right hand of his Father. He was where the streets of gold are. He was there where the angels sing endlessly, praise and worship. And he chose to come to us as a small child. You know, there's many names that we give to Jesus. Oh, we call him shepherd, lamb of God, deliverer, king, Messiah. We think of all of these, and then we see the name that Jesus applies to himself." [08:16] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus knows that when we think of greatness, we think of position and power and prestige. We define greatness by prosperity and popularity. Who's going to lead me? Who's going to speak for me? We live in this representative democracy, a republic, and we're in the middle of an election. And we watch power and popularity collide in this world as they seek the ultimate greatness in the office we call the most powerful on the planet. Greatness, worldly greatness." [12:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "While the world is focused inward, Christ is directing us to focus outward. To look beyond ourselves. I said this in Bible study last week, and I maintain it's to be absolutely true. This is a principle to live by. I can tell you right now, I will guarantee you this. If you do this, and there ain't many things that I can say is that absolute. But if when you're struggling, when you're having a bad day, when you can't get yourself out of your mind, when whatever foible or weakness or sin that you have in your life that seems to control you, when you want to get past that, you know what to do? Help someone else." [13:33] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Now, while we fail in our attempts at greatness, in our sinfulness, we are not able to put aside our ego at all times. Our own desires, our own need for praise, we can't turn it off. It's in our humanness. We fail serving in love those we love. Worldly greatness. Greatness separates the served from the servant, except in Jesus' world. He alone is holy enough to be servant of all. And in Him, this greatness is found as the servant of all. A servant filled with love for the ones He serves." [15:41] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "In Christ, greatness is found in His love for others, even those who rejected Him. In Christ, greatness is found in a love for those who He knew would crucify Him. In Christ. His greatness is found in a love which nailed Him to the cross to pay the price for our sin. For you, and for me, and for all. This is greatness. And we know that while we strive for that greatness, while we strive to be that Christian that Jesus exemplifies, when we do try to do things for other people, we know that we come up short. We will sin." [16:43] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "This Jesus came to seek and to save and to love us. He is the servant of all. He's the one who washed the earth. He's the one who washes us clean in our baptism. He is the servant who offers us forgiveness in His own body and blood. He is the servant who gives each believer eternal life. Jesus is this true greatness. He is the servant of all. And I pray this is now our worldview. Help person in need." [17:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?