Pastor Chuck Ryan
A Servant’s Heart
Mark 9: 33-37; Matthew 20:28 “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." (Matthew 20:28)
Thesis: Jesus places great value in a Christian with a servant’s heart!
- The Disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven! (vs33-34)
- There is a danger in seeking position, power, prestige, and wealth.
- “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10) (Note “wandered from the Faith”)
- “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,” (Matthew 20:25-26) (Note “Lord it over…Not so with you”)
“Don’t seek position; let position seek you!” Dr. Strickland
- A large percentage of the world is aggressively pursuing self-aggrandizement.
- “The act or practice of enhancing or exaggerating one’s own importance, power, or reputation.”
- “increase of one's own power, wealth, etc., usually aggressively.”
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13)
- Jesus was aware of the disciple’s unholy aspirations without them ever verbalizing them. (vs 35)
- Jesus asked them directly what they were discussing but they refused to answer because they were ashamed.
- Jesus knew their very thoughts.
“Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.”
(Psalm 139:4)
- Jesus seeks to correct their misguided thoughts by encouraging them to become the “very last and the servants of all.”
- The Jesus’ “Way” of doing life runs diametrically opposite to the way of the world.
- ‘Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
- ‘Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all." (vs35)
- “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
III. Jesus used caring for a child as an example of a servant leader. (vs36-37)
- Child Care is a noble service in God’s eyes but often thought to be a lowly or menial task by many.
- The Disciples did not see themselves as keeper of children but someone holding a high-ranking position with power and prestige.
- Jesus equated caring for the least of them as caring for him.
- "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
(Mark 9:37)
- “Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." (Luke 9:48)