1 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:05,360 What a blessing. What a blessing indeed. 2 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,000 And what a joy last week's service was. 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:10,880 Would you agree if you were able to be here for the baptisms? 4 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,320 And if you were with us, you hopefully remember that we 5 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:16,800 discussed briefly about the greatness of God. 6 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,400 The greatness of God. Not in a complete or exhaustive 7 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:24,080 way, of course. We just skim the surface of His 8 00:00:24,080 --> 00:00:29,160 supremacy as we meditated on the God, the God, the God of all 9 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:32,280 comfort. But even though we're returning 10 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,600 back to Mark, we can still keep that theme in mind because we 11 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:40,080 will continue to behold the greatness of God, the glories of 12 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:44,680 God in the person of Jesus Christ and the Lord Jesus 13 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:46,920 Christ. Where we're at today who just 14 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,880 finished teaching His disciples about the necessity of depending 15 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:54,640 on God through prayer, exercising your faith in that 16 00:00:54,640 --> 00:01:01,800 privilege of supplication is now going to continue to give His 17 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:06,120 attention to these disciples and teach them more very important 18 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,800 things. In fact, what we're going to see 19 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:11,760 is these interactions. These intimate interactions 20 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:16,440 become more common as Jesus increasingly distances himself 21 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:22,520 from public ministry in order to disciple His own in preparation 22 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:26,400 for His near departure. That's what the Lord is doing as 23 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:32,320 he is now ready to make way to Jerusalem in order to do what He 24 00:01:32,320 --> 00:01:37,920 came to do for the world and the text that we're going to read 25 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,240 today. I've read it over and over this 26 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:43,600 week, and the one dominant thought that came to mind and 27 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:50,760 warmed my heart was the obvious observation of the strong and 28 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:56,360 enduring patience of Jesus. You just look here and you 29 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,720 realize, and you're going to realize that I hope today, the 30 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:04,400 the considerate and the careful and the constant patience of 31 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,720 Christ as he coaches his disciples. 32 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,680 You know why that's comforting? It's comforting because the 33 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:15,480 attitude that the Lord has toward His 12 here is the 34 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:20,800 attitude that you can expect for yourself as you follow Him, and 35 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:24,280 the example that Jesus presents us in dealing with his 12 36 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:28,560 disciples who were very slow in understanding things, very 37 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:33,520 stubborn even in their slowness. Christ presents us a model, lest 38 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:39,080 we succumb to the temptation of becoming wearied by the slowness 39 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:41,760 and the dullness of others around us. 40 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:45,960 And so my prayer is that you would leave with that impression 41 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:51,360 in your soul just to be swept up by the steadfastness of Christ, 42 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:56,360 and more than that, to also be impressed by the very truths 43 00:02:56,360 --> 00:03:01,200 that he is patiently trying to instill in the hearts and minds 44 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:06,240 of His 12 disciples. And so we're going to read today 45 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:09,000 in Mark Chapter 9, beginning in verse 30. 46 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,960 And if you want to take anything away from this message today, it 47 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:21,000 is this How to be great in God's Kingdom, how to be great in 48 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:25,160 God's Kingdom. Jesus is going to qualify what 49 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:27,480 true greatness is in His Kingdom. 50 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:33,440 And these disciples were very, very much excited and invested 51 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:36,640 in their greatness. And we're going to see how the 52 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:41,680 Lord teaches them about that. Let's look at verse 30. 53 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,280 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. 54 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:49,560 And he did not want anyone to know, For he was teaching his 55 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:53,600 disciples, saying to them, the Son of Man is going to be 56 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:57,640 delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. 57 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:01,600 And when he is killed after three days, he will rise. 58 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:05,360 But they did not understand the saying, and we're afraid to ask 59 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:09,240 him. And they came to Capernaum, And 60 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:12,320 when he was in the house, he asked them, what were you 61 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:17,000 discussing on the way. But they kept silent, for on the 62 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,399 way they had argued with one another about who was the 63 00:04:19,399 --> 00:04:23,480 greatest, And he sat down and called the 12. 64 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:27,840 And he said to them, if anyone would be first, he must be last 65 00:04:27,840 --> 00:04:31,680 of all and servant of all. And he took a child, and put him 66 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:36,080 in the midst of them. And taking him in his arms, he 67 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:41,280 said to them, Whoever receives one such child in my name 68 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:48,440 receives me, and whoever receives me receives not me but 69 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:51,280 him who sent me. Let's pray. 70 00:04:54,320 --> 00:05:00,160 It is our sincere prayer, O Lord, that the Holy Spirit would 71 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:04,920 help us today. Help us Lord, be who you want us 72 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:10,800 to be. Help everyone here to see Jesus. 73 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:15,600 We want to see Jesus in Jesus name. 74 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:20,880 Amen. This is now the second time, the 75 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:26,760 second time that Jesus in great detail and emphasis turns to his 76 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:29,760 disciples and tells him about his coming death. 77 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:34,440 He wants him to know what's about to happen and so this is 78 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,760 the second time. It won't be the last time, and 79 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:40,360 the details are very similar to the initial moment that he had 80 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:44,720 introduced this to them. But what's amazing is how Luke, 81 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,720 who parallels the same account, gives an extra detail of Jesus 82 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,920 teaching of what we just read in the opening verses of this 83 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:54,000 message. So turn with me, Luke Chapter 9, 84 00:05:54,000 --> 00:06:00,600 very quickly and look here at verse 44 and Luke 944 and notice 85 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:04,400 what the physician by the Spirit adds that is rich with 86 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,520 instruction. Luke 944. 87 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:10,560 Here's how Jesus opens this teaching. 88 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:11,800 The same teaching that we just read. 89 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:19,320 Let these words sink into your ears. 90 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,320 The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. 91 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:31,760 That phrase is profound. Let these words sink into your 92 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:35,360 ears. You know when a preacher says 93 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:38,840 pay careful attention. Listen to what I'm about to say. 94 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:43,600 That's what Jesus is doing here. But what does this mean exactly? 95 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,960 To let the words of Christ to sink into one's ears implies 96 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:51,280 that we are to take his words and to set them in a certain 97 00:06:51,280 --> 00:06:54,080 way, to put them in a certain place. 98 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:58,080 The charge that He is making here is that when you hear what 99 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:02,160 Christ has to say, you must be careful to assess it, and you 100 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:07,120 must be careful to evaluate it. Unfortunately, what tends to 101 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:10,480 happen, and God forbid that it is happening as I'm speaking 102 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:16,760 now, that the words of Jesus skip over our ears like a rock 103 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:23,000 on a calm face of water instead of sinking deep within. 104 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:26,240 And what this tells me here is that you and I have the 105 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:31,760 responsibility to let the words of Jesus sink into our ears. 106 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:37,440 And what that essentially implies is that if we're going 107 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:41,480 to truly benefit from the words of Christ, you and I have a duty 108 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:46,440 to receive His words cautiously, and to receive it attentively. 109 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,480 Revelation does not come to those who are in a rush. 110 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,080 Yeah, we want everything in a rush. 111 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:58,560 Revelation doesn't come to those who are hasty. 112 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,960 Revelation doesn't come to those who do not have the discipline 113 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:06,720 to shoo away distractions. True reward when it comes to 114 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:10,400 insights concerning the Spirit, concerning our faith, comes to 115 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:17,040 those who make an effort to let the words of Christ sink into 116 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:20,960 your ears. You know what it means to have 117 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:22,960 the words of Christ sink into your ears. 118 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,960 It means you have to think about the words of Christ for them to 119 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:32,559 sink. You have to think, and you have 120 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:35,919 to think about what you got to think about its meaning. 121 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:38,520 You got to think about how that truth that you just heard, the 122 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,320 truth that you're about to hear this afternoon, How does that 123 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,240 truth relate to other truths that I know? 124 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:46,000 How does this truth either confirm or deny other things 125 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,680 that I believe wholeheartedly? What are the applications of 126 00:08:49,680 --> 00:08:50,440 this truth? What? 127 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:54,520 What is it that Jesus is saying here in Mark 930 down? 128 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:59,280 What does this mean for me? What are the implications of 129 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:01,760 that truth? That's how you let the words of 130 00:09:01,760 --> 00:09:07,200 Christ sink into your ears. It's to audibly, in a sense, 131 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:13,920 chew on the words of Jesus. Did the disciples do that this 132 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,440 time? Did they let the words of Christ 133 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:19,600 sink into their ears? We're going to find out if 134 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:22,480 that's true, but one thing that is for certain at this point is 135 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:24,960 that their reaction to Jesus teaching about his death and 136 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:27,320 resurrection was much different than the initial interaction 137 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,080 they had with it. You remember what happened early 138 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:34,640 in Mark chapter 8 when Jesus, after Peter had that amazing 139 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:39,000 revelation of Christ being the Messiah, Jesus being the Christ, 140 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:43,160 and Jesus from there goes on to elaborate about what it means 141 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,440 for him to be Messiah that he's going to also suffer. 142 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,240 What does Peter do? He foolishly rebukes him. 143 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:52,760 But this time there is no hostile reaction, right? 144 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:56,320 There is no retaliation. There is no argument. 145 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:58,720 There is no debate. What you and I read here in 146 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:02,280 verse 32 is quite interesting, but they did not understand the 147 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,560 saying and were afraid to ask him. 148 00:10:06,680 --> 00:10:10,360 They're afraid to ask him. Afraid of what? 149 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:18,000 Why are they fearful? Could it be that in asking 150 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:21,680 questions follow up inquiries that they would prove their 151 00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:23,960 ignorance? Further, could it be that 152 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:26,640 including Peter, maybe more Peter than anybody else? 153 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,000 In asking a question, they might receive another rebuke? 154 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:36,400 Or could it be that this was a defense mechanism? 155 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:42,120 And then in refusing to ask further clarification, they're 156 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:47,280 essentially not wanting what Jesus said to be true. 157 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,680 In other words, they don't want to entertain what Jesus just 158 00:10:52,680 --> 00:10:55,760 taught because they don't want to confirm what he just said to 159 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:59,040 actually be what he said it would be. 160 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,840 I believe that these disciples are very uncomfortable to pursue 161 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:07,360 this further because they don't want to be proven wrong, and 162 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,640 that makes sense, doesn't it? Because they had a perception of 163 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:14,760 the Messiah so ingrained that they were so stuck on. 164 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:19,200 And here's Jesus now presenting a different picture of the fate 165 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,600 of this Messiah. Not interested. 166 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:31,200 And they were fearful, they were distressed, they were disturbed 167 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,000 by this. And so they just wanted to 168 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:34,800 cancel it. They wanted to remain in 169 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:38,640 ignorance, gladly. And I looked at it and I thought 170 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:42,720 to myself, you know, there are many today who are experiencing 171 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:46,360 spiritual paralysis for the very same reason that these disciples 172 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:52,480 are, and maybe that's you today. Ask yourself this question. 173 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:58,680 Do you refuse to put yourself on the path of an honest 174 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:03,760 investigation of your belief system because you have adhered 175 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,560 to something for so long and those beliefs have shaped your 176 00:12:06,560 --> 00:12:10,160 convictions and your outlook for years? 177 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:16,560 Have you ever, have you ever been confronted by a a truth 178 00:12:16,560 --> 00:12:22,920 claim and its veracity demanded you to abandon something that 179 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,560 you've believed? The worldview that you've had 180 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,720 since as early as you can remember, Something that's 181 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:33,080 almost intrinsic to your reality, A reality that you have 182 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:37,240 cozied up to and has provided a sense of security because of 183 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,680 familiarity. And whenever anybody or an idea 184 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:44,560 or a sermon or a conversation or a blog or an article or even 185 00:12:44,560 --> 00:12:47,120 your own reading of the scriptures has challenged that 186 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:52,400 belief, you you defend it. You defend it because it would 187 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:59,720 cost you too much to believe. It what you see here is the 188 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:01,760 disciples doing just that. And I'm not just speaking about 189 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:05,360 those with alien beliefs. That's even true for those who 190 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:09,280 are within Christendom, people who have held on to certain 191 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:13,520 doctrines and traditions, maybe even generationally. 192 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:17,160 And they see something that's so clear in the word of God, they 193 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:21,160 heard it expounded to them, and they just they they are afraid 194 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:24,640 to embrace it. And perhaps there are some 195 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,600 people who, in embracing that, know that they will forfeit a 196 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:32,320 membership in some denominational club or some 197 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:37,200 circle or some arena of fellowship where your friends 198 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:40,120 and family are supremely loyal to. 199 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:45,840 In some sense, the fear that the disciples are experiencing here 200 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:49,680 is not just out of ignorance. It's a stubbornness within their 201 00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:53,240 ignorance. They want to hold on to what 202 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:54,920 they believe to be true about the Messiah. 203 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:57,720 They don't want to let it go and listen to me very carefully. 204 00:13:57,720 --> 00:13:59,720 There's some people who will not pursue truth, who will not 205 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:01,560 accept truth for one simple reason. 206 00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:06,480 They don't want it to be true. They don't want it to be true. 207 00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:08,720 I can't tell you that now, Peter. 208 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:12,640 If you people who are in different expressions of 209 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,320 Christianity and you present the Bible to them, you've probably 210 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:20,360 had those conversations and the Bible has no authority because 211 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:22,120 they're comfortable where they're at. 212 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:25,800 That goes for traditions within evangelicalism. 213 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:30,200 That goes for secondary and other kind of doctrines within 214 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:35,720 those who are Protestants. Even if you and I want to know 215 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,040 what it means to be in truth, if you want to know how you can be 216 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,040 protected from any form of deception, here's what you and I 217 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:42,800 have to endeavor to do. It's very simple. 218 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:46,240 Love the truth. Love the truth. 219 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:48,440 What a Paul prophesied concerning the last days that 220 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:51,320 there's going to be a strong deception that's going to 221 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,680 permeate the earth and it will capture those who do one thing, 222 00:14:54,800 --> 00:15:00,960 who refuse to love the truth, Who refuse to love the truth, 223 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:04,800 and if that's true negatively, then see it positively. 224 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:08,040 That if you love the truth, if you want the truth, no matter 225 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:11,720 what, if you want to be in the light as much as possible, then 226 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:14,480 you have created for yourself a shield from great deception. 227 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:18,760 Love the truth no matter what it means for you, no matter what it 228 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:22,760 will demand from you, no matter if it shakes your world. 229 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:27,720 I'd rather be in the truth than anything else. 230 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:31,440 These disciples, at this point in their walk with the Lord, 231 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,840 can't really embrace that, and it might be frustrating. 232 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:40,360 But let your frustration be met with comfort, because you see 233 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:42,120 the patience of the Lord with these men. 234 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:46,520 How profoundly touching that Jesus, in more than one attempt, 235 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:48,800 tries to get this across. And Jesus the one who's never 236 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,840 spoken a lie, There's no deceit found in his mouth. 237 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:56,880 Everything that he has ever said was purely and perfectly true. 238 00:15:57,560 --> 00:15:59,080 And these guys don't want to embrace it. 239 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:01,920 They don't want to accept it. And what does the Lord do isn't 240 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:03,800 kick him to the curb and say, you know what you guys are. 241 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,560 You guys are exhausting. He endures. 242 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,400 He sits down and he brings them close. 243 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:18,640 What a master, what a friend. And yes, he is giving us another 244 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:20,760 reason to adore him, but he's also giving us an example. 245 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,160 Because you and I, even as believers who have the truth and 246 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,960 love the truth and pursue the truth, are also called to a 247 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:28,960 level of forbearance and steadfastness with others who 248 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:30,920 are wrestling with what to believe with. 249 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:34,400 One of the most challenging verses about that is a found in 250 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,880 Second Timothy 4/2, where Paul tells Timothy how to be a 251 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:38,920 preacher. Preach the Word in season and 252 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:41,240 out of season. That's important for us to 253 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:43,400 understand. No matter how crazy politics get 254 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:46,080 right, no matter what conspiracies are out there in 255 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,480 season, out of season, what must the church do? 256 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:51,160 Preach the Word. The Word. 257 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:54,480 Preach the Word. Yes, give biblical answers and 258 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:57,520 clarification to current events, but don't let the substance of 259 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,760 what you have to see say be void of the Word. 260 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:03,560 And then he goes on to say how the Word should be preached, and 261 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:08,680 he says at the end of it with complete patience and teaching. 262 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:11,760 Why would Paul have to tell Timothy with complete patience? 263 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:13,880 You know why. Because people don't get it 264 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:17,680 right away. As fiery as you might preach it, 265 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:21,920 as simple and as slow as you might deliver it. 266 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:26,520 You need patience. Timothy believers, we need 267 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:28,200 patience too. You need patience with your 268 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:29,480 children. You need patience with your 269 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:31,040 spouse. You need patience with your 270 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:32,860 cousin. You need patience with your Co 271 00:17:32,860 --> 00:17:37,400 workers because of the heart is is a very stubborn thing. 272 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:42,360 The word can overcome it. But there is a realistic 273 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:48,080 application to that and how we be changed by the word of God. 274 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:50,760 And so these disciples are afraid. 275 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:55,000 Notice what happens here. If you are moved by the patience 276 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,280 of the Lord, at this moment, only gets better and it gets 277 00:17:57,280 --> 00:17:59,840 more impressive. In verse 33. 278 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:01,920 And they came to Capernaum. So they left Galilee. 279 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:04,520 Now they're going to Capernaum. They found themselves in a home, 280 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,000 and it's believed to be Peter's house. 281 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,440 He lived in Capernaum. They enter into this home and 282 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,920 Jesus turns to his 12 companions and he asked them the question. 283 00:18:13,120 --> 00:18:16,880 Hey guys, what were you talking about? 284 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:21,000 On the way we know this about Jesus, right? 285 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,640 Jesus is not ignorant here. He's not in the dark. 286 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,560 He's not asking for information. He knows very well what they 287 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,720 were talking about. And if you have any doubt about 288 00:18:29,720 --> 00:18:32,440 that, then let me read to you Luke 9, the same passage that we 289 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:35,360 read from earlier in verse 47. Notice what Luke says about 290 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:38,000 Jesus in this moment. And Luke 947. 291 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:44,760 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, he already 292 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:47,720 knows. He even just know what they're 293 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,240 saying with their lips. He knows what's in their hearts. 294 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:53,880 Knowing the reasoning of their hearts took a child and put him 295 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:57,000 by his side. And so the Lord is aware He's 296 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,280 just giving the invitation to his disciples to come into the 297 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:05,720 light and to be honest with him. And so Jesus asked them what 298 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:08,760 were you discussing on the way? And the the the reaction of the 299 00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:11,320 disciples is quite telling Verse 34. 300 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:15,800 But they kept silence, for on the way they had argued with one 301 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:17,640 another about who was the greatest. 302 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:23,200 So the Lord looks, and he says, hey, boys, from Galilee to here. 303 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:24,480 What were you guys arguing about? 304 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:27,880 What were you guys discussing? And the air was sucked out of 305 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:31,520 the room, and these disciples just stood still. 306 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:34,480 Why? Why were they signed? 307 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:39,320 Because they're embarrassed. This was a shameful silence. 308 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:43,240 So shameful that they didn't want to even open up about it. 309 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:51,120 And there is a shining jewel tucked into that one little 310 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:53,560 truth. Just just this, this one 311 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,840 historical brief moment. You see something that is 312 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:01,240 universal and timeless. Notice the reaction of disciples 313 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:05,480 right when they clued in that Jesus was aware of their 314 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,280 conversation. Their attitude about the very 315 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:10,760 thing that they were discussing completely changed. 316 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:15,320 In other words, when they were among themselves and they 317 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:18,360 thought perhaps they were at a distance with Christ, and from 318 00:20:18,360 --> 00:20:22,720 Christ, they were passionate about who was the greatest. 319 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:29,120 They were very much consumed and even combative about who is 320 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:32,960 going to be of greatest prestige and status in the coming 321 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:35,800 Kingdom. And when Jesus found out, or 322 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:38,840 actually is about to let him know as well, that he found out, 323 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:43,240 the very thing that they were so bold and courageous for is now 324 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:45,720 something that they're shrinking in shame about. 325 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:48,160 You know what that means? Here's what that means. 326 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,840 The awareness of Christ changed the attitude of these disciples. 327 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:58,400 And when you and I believe that Jesus Christ, pay very close 328 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:01,040 attention, let these words sink into your ears. 329 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:11,840 When you and I live with the acknowledgement that Jesus 330 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:19,680 Christ's presence in our lives is uninterrupted and persistent 331 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:24,280 and knowledgeable, that's going to change us. 332 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:31,640 That's going to change you. Yeah, How you talk, what you 333 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:37,600 watch, what you listen to, what you converse, how you search, 334 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:45,360 how you treat those things will be gloriously altered when you 335 00:21:45,360 --> 00:21:47,000 and I make the effort to believe. 336 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:52,160 Like the Psalmist who said you search out my path and my lying 337 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:59,640 down, and are acquainted with all of my ways, do you see what 338 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:12,030 the active presence of Jesus did to these disciples when they did 339 00:22:12,030 --> 00:22:14,230 not acknowledge His presence, and probably didn't even believe 340 00:22:14,230 --> 00:22:16,630 that He was aware? They were fighting with each 341 00:22:16,630 --> 00:22:20,030 other when Jesus asked What were you guys doing? 342 00:22:22,150 --> 00:22:23,750 Do you want to know steadfastness in your 343 00:22:23,750 --> 00:22:28,150 sanctification? I'll give you a simple dare I 344 00:22:28,150 --> 00:22:31,350 say Sunday school like principle and application. 345 00:22:31,870 --> 00:22:35,550 Here it is. Whatever you do, ask Jesus if he 346 00:22:35,550 --> 00:22:39,990 likes it. That's it. 347 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:43,560 Ask Jesus if he would be pleased with it. 348 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:48,880 You will know growth. You will know strength. 349 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:52,800 You will know a level of integrity and commitment. 350 00:22:52,800 --> 00:22:57,160 Just ask the Lord, Lord, do you delight in this? 351 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:06,720 Brothers and sisters, please be holy. 352 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:16,800 Be holy. See Christ in a relational way. 353 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:24,000 Love him in everything that you do. 354 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:30,840 Honor him. He's acquainted with your ways. 355 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:35,160 For some people, that's a very fearful thought. 356 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:42,280 That's unfortunate for me. It's a reminder that I have a 357 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:47,080 love relationship with the Savior, and though I may not 358 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:53,640 perceive with my eyes or with my touch or with my ears, I believe 359 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:58,280 that he sees and knows. And that's enough for me to say. 360 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:03,080 Lord, every step that I take, I want you to be happy. 361 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:11,360 A lot of believers would get free from a lot of trouble if 362 00:24:11,360 --> 00:24:16,600 they live like that. But unfortunately, Jesus to some 363 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:21,880 is just a doctrine. He's just a theology. 364 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:33,440 No. He's a friend and he's close and 365 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,760 he can be commune with and he can communicate with you. 366 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:41,880 The acknowledgement of the presence of Christ altered 367 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:46,640 something in these disciples. It would do us good to 368 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:51,400 acknowledge Christ as well. He's worthy. 369 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:56,440 They had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 370 00:24:56,440 --> 00:25:00,800 This almost seems comical. Who does that? 371 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:05,120 When was the last time you had a lunch with friends or family? 372 00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:07,240 Talk about who's the best? Best at what? 373 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:13,560 Greatest at what? Well, it makes more sense when 374 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,000 you understand what these disciples lived for. 375 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:18,960 They abandoned everything to follow this Messiah because this 376 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:21,960 leader, this rabbi, showed great promising signs that he was 377 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:24,800 indeed the conquering Messiah that they were awaiting. 378 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:29,720 And they on top of that know not only do we believe that this is 379 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:32,040 the Messiah, we believe that we are the chosen ones. 380 00:25:32,160 --> 00:25:34,600 We are the closest ones to this Messiah. 381 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:38,280 And so you can imagine, right? Here's this king, his coming 382 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:39,680 Kingdom. We're closest to him, but 383 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:44,200 there's twelve of us. And so let's determine here who 384 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:52,880 is going to win the best seat, the greatest authority, to be 385 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:57,200 the closest associate, to know the greatest accolades and 386 00:25:57,200 --> 00:25:59,200 privilege and status in this Kingdom. 387 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:01,240 That is what they're debating about. 388 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:04,400 And if you need proof of that, look at Mark 1036, just the 389 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:07,040 chapter later, because unfortunately this is not the 390 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:11,400 only time they're going to have this debate in Mark 103637. 391 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:15,880 A couple of men, the brothers James and John, thought, you 392 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:17,160 know, why are we going to debate about this? 393 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:18,720 Let's just go straight to the source. 394 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:23,200 And so they go to Jesus. And they asked him for something 395 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:25,160 in verse 36. And he said to them, what do you 396 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:27,080 want me to do for you in verse 37? 397 00:26:27,080 --> 00:26:29,760 And they said to him, grant us to sit one at your right hand 398 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:31,320 and one of your left in your glory. 399 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:35,560 So this is this is what's in their hearts. 400 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:41,480 Lord, when you come, give us the best seats in the House. 401 00:26:44,120 --> 00:26:53,640 Give us the most glistening chairs, the heaviest crowns, and 402 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:57,720 Jesus perceives this. And what makes it even more 403 00:26:57,800 --> 00:27:01,840 unpleasant is back in Mark nine when they are having this 404 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:04,480 debate. They did it immediately after 405 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:10,480 they learned about Jesus dying. They did it immediately after 406 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:12,440 Jesus told him about his humiliation. 407 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:15,680 I, the Messiah, I'm going to die. 408 00:27:15,680 --> 00:27:18,240 I'm going to suffer. Yes, I'm going to rise, but I'm 409 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:21,240 going to be handed over to evil men. 410 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:25,200 And they were afraid to ask. They didn't understand. 411 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:27,160 They didn't let the words of Christ sing into their ears. 412 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:28,760 And then they make their way to Capernaum. 413 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:30,160 And here's what they're talking about. 414 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:33,200 I'm going to. I'm going to win it. 415 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:37,280 I'm going to get it. He loves me more than you. 416 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:39,400 He invited me to that event. He didn't invite you to that 417 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:43,440 event. How do you do that after you 418 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:50,320 hear Jesus open his heart about his passion and be very careful 419 00:27:50,320 --> 00:27:54,400 criticizing these disciples? Because in my desire to 420 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:59,240 criticize them, I realize that what they are doing here is 421 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:05,960 often what happens to believers from Sunday to Monday, right? 422 00:28:07,360 --> 00:28:15,520 A truth is given that is undeniably applicable and it 423 00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:17,960 almost becomes totally irrelevant by the evening. 424 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,920 What a painful reminder of these disciples of how quickly we can 425 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:28,280 lose sight of Christ and become so self absorbed. 426 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:37,000 We can hear profound truths about His service, His humility, 427 00:28:37,360 --> 00:28:46,320 His glory, his commands, and like these followers of his make 428 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:53,600 it about us and be so consumed with ourselves by Monday 429 00:28:53,600 --> 00:29:00,000 morning. How does that happen? 430 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:01,480 You know what most people would say? 431 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:02,800 Human nature. It's human nature. 432 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:06,080 OK, listen, I know human nature. We can't blame everything on 433 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:07,000 human nature. OK? 434 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:09,680 You know why? Because you are a new creation, 435 00:29:10,840 --> 00:29:12,520 that's why. It's human nature. 436 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:13,840 I know it's human nature, but what are we? 437 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:16,040 Are we stuck here? That's it. 438 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:17,960 So, OK, let's just blame everything on human nature. 439 00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:19,760 No, I'll tell you why these disciples did this. 440 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:22,600 Because they didn't let the words of Christ sink into their 441 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:24,400 ears. That's it. 442 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:32,000 This amnesia is a symptom of our unwillingness to take the words 443 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:37,080 of Christ seriously. And unfortunately, this is not 444 00:29:37,080 --> 00:29:38,880 going to be the first time that it's going to happen, because 445 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:41,880 this is really the symptom, the fruit of a root. 446 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:46,000 And that root is pride, and that root of pride will not be 447 00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:50,160 immediately removed. And if you read carefully, the 448 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:55,000 pride in the disciples here in this verse is actually showing 449 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:57,160 the very effects of pride in the same verse. 450 00:29:57,520 --> 00:30:00,280 Look back at verse 34. But they kept silent. 451 00:30:00,280 --> 00:30:04,280 For on the way they had argued with one another about who was 452 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,480 the greatest. They had argued with one 453 00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:11,720 another. Here's the lesson for us from 454 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:14,880 this one verse. Pride will always produce 455 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:19,040 disunity. Pride will always produce 456 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:21,800 disunity. Pride will make brothers and 457 00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:26,280 partners into enemies. And here's the lesson for us as 458 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:30,800 a church family. If followers of Christ within a 459 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:37,000 community are driven by self exaltation, then strife and 460 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,440 division is just around the corner. 461 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:42,360 It's just around the corner, guaranteed. 462 00:30:42,520 --> 00:30:49,440 That's not a prophecy. When I sense my heart justifying 463 00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:56,480 self promotion, self importance, my needs and my desire above all 464 00:30:56,480 --> 00:31:01,000 else, the satisfaction of my dreams and my goals at the 465 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:08,120 expense of others, what we see here is is bound to happen, 466 00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:10,360 whether that's your friend group or whether that's a 467 00:31:10,360 --> 00:31:12,360 congregation. And it's it's devastating to 468 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:16,120 even think about that. The enemy only needs a heart 469 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:21,240 that thinks of self above all else to do damage to a body of 470 00:31:21,240 --> 00:31:25,080 people. And as devastating as I thought 471 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:28,000 is, it's especially devastating here because you are talking 472 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:30,920 about the 12 apostles who are going to be used to lay the 473 00:31:30,920 --> 00:31:35,040 foundation of the Church. And already they're they're 474 00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:39,120 getting at each other's necks, arguing about this stuff. 475 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:42,680 And so the Lord obviously knows the danger of this. 476 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:45,200 And so he's going to address it immediately, which is good 477 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:48,280 practice for all of us, because you and I should the moment we, 478 00:31:48,280 --> 00:31:54,880 we sense our hearts being inflamed, bloating in this area 479 00:31:54,880 --> 00:32:01,160 of pride, go to war with it right away, just kill it in its 480 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:05,200 seed form. And one of the darts that you 481 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:12,280 can use to shoot against this very ugly thing is the very 482 00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:14,480 truth that Jesus is about to present here. 483 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:18,840 And what is that truth? Well, let's see it Verse 35. 484 00:32:18,840 --> 00:32:23,400 He sat down and called the 12 and he said to them, if anyone 485 00:32:23,400 --> 00:32:27,840 would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. 486 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:32,600 Here's the Lord. He understands the threat of 487 00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:37,240 this pride because the deterioration of relationship is 488 00:32:37,240 --> 00:32:41,760 destined to take place when any party is poisoned by pride. 489 00:32:42,440 --> 00:32:44,720 And so the Lord wants to now remove that pride. 490 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:47,480 He wants to suck it out, and it's going to only happen 491 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:49,720 through the force of a truth that comes from him. 492 00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:52,800 And here's the truth that he brings to the disciples. 493 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:58,360 You want to be great. You want to pursue greatness in 494 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:01,280 my Kingdom. Let me show you how the king 495 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:05,600 qualifies greatness. Let me explain to you what you 496 00:33:05,600 --> 00:33:11,760 must do in terms of your ambition to be significant in my 497 00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:14,560 world. And he says two things. 498 00:33:14,840 --> 00:33:20,040 If anyone would be first, he must be one last of all, two, 499 00:33:20,320 --> 00:33:22,560 servant of all. And you can't separate those two 500 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:23,000 things. Really. 501 00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:24,920 What does it mean to be last of all? 502 00:33:27,040 --> 00:33:29,840 What does it mean for Jesus that you must be last of all? 503 00:33:29,840 --> 00:33:34,080 Well, it's simple. Your pursuit for prominence and 504 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:38,360 praise is totally forsaken. You're not looking for first 505 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:41,000 place. You're not looking to be the 506 00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:47,120 primary object of people's respect and love and 507 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:49,360 appreciation. That's not what you're doing. 508 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:54,840 You want to be first in my Kingdom, seek to be last, seek 509 00:33:54,840 --> 00:33:59,120 to do something with no expectation of something in 510 00:33:59,120 --> 00:34:02,640 return. Be last the same way in last 511 00:34:02,640 --> 00:34:03,760 place. I mean, these days you give 512 00:34:03,760 --> 00:34:05,960 rewards for everybody, even those in last place. 513 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:08,040 There was a time where if you were last, you didn't get 514 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:11,199 anything. Now everybody gets something. 515 00:34:14,360 --> 00:34:16,800 You're in last place. What happens in last place? 516 00:34:17,040 --> 00:34:19,159 Well, you don't get to step on the highest platform and you 517 00:34:19,159 --> 00:34:21,320 don't get the shiniest medal. Be last. 518 00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:24,840 You want to be great. Look for last place. 519 00:34:24,840 --> 00:34:30,320 This is so countercultural. And on top of that, don't just 520 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:32,080 be last place. Be a servant. 521 00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:34,239 Now, he could have said be a servant. 522 00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:39,639 And our hearts are so clever. We know what we can even do with 523 00:34:39,639 --> 00:34:40,639 that and make it about ourselves. 524 00:34:40,639 --> 00:34:45,800 No, he says. Be servant of all of all. 525 00:34:46,239 --> 00:34:48,760 And he's going to explain what he means by that. 526 00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:52,000 And I'll give you a heads up. What he means by being servant 527 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:54,239 of all is just really emphasizing what I just said. 528 00:34:54,520 --> 00:34:58,160 Seek to serve people, including the people that can't give 529 00:34:58,160 --> 00:35:02,800 anything in return. Church, This is incredible. 530 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:05,800 This is what Jesus measures as greatness in the Kingdom. 531 00:35:05,920 --> 00:35:08,400 What comes to your mind when you think of spiritual greatness? 532 00:35:09,800 --> 00:35:14,800 Revivalist. Those who have a supernatural 533 00:35:14,800 --> 00:35:18,240 ability to expound and explain scriptures, profound prayer 534 00:35:18,240 --> 00:35:20,440 life. The missionary who has seen 535 00:35:20,440 --> 00:35:22,240 miracle be worked through their hands. 536 00:35:23,160 --> 00:35:25,480 The author, the conference. What's greatness and 537 00:35:25,480 --> 00:35:27,440 spirituality according to Christ? 538 00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:35,640 You know what it is being a servant of all that challenges 539 00:35:35,640 --> 00:35:38,240 us, isn't it? That's the point. 540 00:35:38,840 --> 00:35:41,440 And the Lord loves to use illustrations to get his point 541 00:35:41,440 --> 00:35:43,960 across, so he's going to use a very real illustration. 542 00:35:44,040 --> 00:35:48,000 Here he is in a home, most likely Peter's home, and he 543 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:54,280 finds a child, maybe one of Peter's children, and we're told 544 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:59,040 that he brings this child into his arms and he sets this child 545 00:35:59,040 --> 00:36:04,240 in front of the disciples. And now he qualifies what he 546 00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:06,520 means by being last of all and servant of all. 547 00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:10,920 Verse 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them. 548 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:14,440 And taking him in his arms he said to them, Whoever receives 549 00:36:14,640 --> 00:36:19,440 one such child in my name receives me, and whoever 550 00:36:19,440 --> 00:36:23,040 receives me receives not me, but him who sent me. 551 00:36:25,040 --> 00:36:26,560 What is the Lord trying to say here? 552 00:36:26,840 --> 00:36:31,120 So he brings this child as analogy. 553 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:35,640 He brings this child as again an illustration and think about 554 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:37,040 children. They can be overlooked in so 555 00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:41,320 many ways, in so many ways. Yes, they can be cared for, but 556 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:44,240 they can also be overlooked because we look at children and 557 00:36:44,240 --> 00:36:48,520 we think, well, they don't offer much in terms of conversation, 558 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:52,520 at least serious conversation. They don't offer much in terms 559 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:55,080 of participation and significant functions. 560 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,720 And all of us are aware that the nature of a child is weak and 561 00:36:59,720 --> 00:37:02,160 dependent. And so when we have a certain 562 00:37:02,160 --> 00:37:05,320 responsibility to invest in those children, there is nothing 563 00:37:05,320 --> 00:37:07,600 that crosses our mind. I hope that you're going to 564 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,480 expect some return on this investment. 565 00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:15,600 They have nothing to give back. They are so vulnerable and needy 566 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:19,800 that at that stage in their life they can only take and they need 567 00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:24,400 what you have to offer. And what Jesus is saying here is 568 00:37:24,400 --> 00:37:27,680 not if you want to be great, it means be a servant. 569 00:37:27,840 --> 00:37:29,960 So then, you know, serve in the Sunday school ministry with the 570 00:37:29,960 --> 00:37:31,160 kids. That's not what he's saying. 571 00:37:32,320 --> 00:37:35,440 It can include, yes, looking after children, absolutely. 572 00:37:35,600 --> 00:37:42,120 But again, this is an analogy. The vulnerability of a child, 573 00:37:42,120 --> 00:37:46,200 the status of a child, The lack of power and significance, 574 00:37:46,600 --> 00:37:53,920 worldly speaking, in a child. It can also be understood for 575 00:37:53,920 --> 00:37:57,800 some of the children of God that there are some believers who are 576 00:37:57,800 --> 00:38:01,080 also like that they haven't accomplished much. 577 00:38:02,240 --> 00:38:04,000 They don't have an impressive resume. 578 00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:08,240 They don't have significant intelligence or education. 579 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:13,640 They're not famous. More than that, they might not 580 00:38:13,640 --> 00:38:18,040 have even the most impressive personality. 581 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:21,920 And what the Lord is saying is this. 582 00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:26,440 To embrace this child is a representation of our call, to 583 00:38:26,440 --> 00:38:30,560 be willing to embrace and receive the lowliest among the 584 00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:36,600 children of God. Those who again don't have any 585 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:40,680 achievements, those again who in a crowd, they tend to disappear, 586 00:38:40,680 --> 00:38:45,720 not stand out when they walk into a room, when Jesus speaking 587 00:38:45,720 --> 00:38:49,200 on being a servant of all, He wants us to understand that 588 00:38:49,880 --> 00:38:51,640 these are the people that I want you to serve. 589 00:38:54,240 --> 00:38:56,600 These are the kinds of people that I want you to give 590 00:38:56,880 --> 00:39:00,360 intentional attention to. Come on, church, what do we 591 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:01,360 want? We want to be great in the 592 00:39:01,360 --> 00:39:05,040 Kingdom of God, right? Well, this is what it looks 593 00:39:05,040 --> 00:39:07,320 like. And so the main point of the 594 00:39:07,320 --> 00:39:10,400 Lord is this. You, as a servant of all, if you 595 00:39:10,400 --> 00:39:12,400 want to actually make that of your ambition, then you'll be 596 00:39:12,400 --> 00:39:15,320 willing to give your attention to those who have no affluence, 597 00:39:15,320 --> 00:39:17,880 no status. I'm talking about the shy one. 598 00:39:19,240 --> 00:39:21,000 I'm talking about the poorly dressed one. 599 00:39:23,360 --> 00:39:28,720 I'm talking about the one who doesn't have anything to give 600 00:39:28,720 --> 00:39:30,680 you. Do you know why? 601 00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:34,160 Because this is how evil our hearts are, man. 602 00:39:35,240 --> 00:39:40,360 Our hearts are so corrupt that we are willing to go above and 603 00:39:40,360 --> 00:39:43,120 beyond. But we tend to make our targets 604 00:39:43,120 --> 00:39:46,680 clear, right? I'll go above and beyond. 605 00:39:46,680 --> 00:39:50,160 I'll make extra time. I'll do certain things because 606 00:39:50,160 --> 00:39:55,040 so and so might give me an opportunity. 607 00:39:56,200 --> 00:39:58,760 I can see a potential partnership here. 608 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:03,200 They have something that I can see maybe, maybe they can open 609 00:40:03,200 --> 00:40:05,800 up my world that they're very known that maybe there's 610 00:40:05,800 --> 00:40:07,560 networking that's available through them. 611 00:40:07,960 --> 00:40:11,440 Or it can be as simple as this person really entertains me. 612 00:40:13,000 --> 00:40:14,080 And so they have something to offer. 613 00:40:14,080 --> 00:40:18,440 And so we determine where our service goes, where our 614 00:40:18,440 --> 00:40:23,120 attention and our attendance will be targeted towards those 615 00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:26,000 who might be able to give something back. 616 00:40:26,040 --> 00:40:28,600 That's not what it means to be a servant of all. 617 00:40:31,080 --> 00:40:38,000 That's why Jesus brings a child. He says I want you to look after 618 00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:43,960 these ones and my Kingdom and when I see you going after these 619 00:40:43,960 --> 00:40:47,960 ones, then you will be great in my Kingdom. 620 00:40:50,960 --> 00:40:54,600 And he. He gives extra motivation just 621 00:40:54,600 --> 00:41:00,160 in case that wasn't enough. He says what whoever receives 622 00:41:01,080 --> 00:41:07,680 one such child in my name receives who me receives me. 623 00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:12,960 I remember I told you earlier that if there's anything that 624 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:16,600 would straighten us, it's to acknowledge the presence of 625 00:41:16,600 --> 00:41:19,200 Christ in all things, right? In all ways and all activities 626 00:41:19,200 --> 00:41:21,560 in all places. And here's another thing to add 627 00:41:21,560 --> 00:41:24,720 now, if you want to now go beyond that and achieve 628 00:41:24,720 --> 00:41:28,960 greatness, see Jesus in everyone. 629 00:41:30,680 --> 00:41:35,480 More importantly, how you and I go about treating those who seem 630 00:41:35,480 --> 00:41:40,160 insignificant or unimpressive is actually how we treat Christ 631 00:41:40,160 --> 00:41:44,680 according to Jesus. That's what he said. 632 00:41:45,120 --> 00:41:50,880 When you receive someone like this, you're actually receiving 633 00:41:50,880 --> 00:41:55,120 me. Lord, open our eyes to see as 634 00:41:55,120 --> 00:41:58,400 you see. Open our eyes to see how you 635 00:41:58,400 --> 00:42:07,160 want us to see. You actually receive me, and you 636 00:42:07,160 --> 00:42:08,960 go to Matthew 18. He elaborates on what that 637 00:42:08,960 --> 00:42:10,160 means. Because this is the exciting 638 00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:12,000 part, right? I mean, you're telling me, Lord, 639 00:42:12,000 --> 00:42:15,480 that if I, if I look after these ones, if I, if I give time to 640 00:42:15,480 --> 00:42:18,040 these ones, if I serve these ones, I'm actually serving you. 641 00:42:18,640 --> 00:42:19,840 Yes. And then there's actually a 642 00:42:19,840 --> 00:42:21,680 warning with that same truth. Let me give it to you. 643 00:42:21,680 --> 00:42:28,480 In Matthew 18, verse five, whoever receives one such child 644 00:42:28,480 --> 00:42:30,640 in my name receives me. That's what we just heard. 645 00:42:30,640 --> 00:42:33,960 But look at this in verse 6. But whoever causes one of these 646 00:42:33,960 --> 00:42:38,040 little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him 647 00:42:38,040 --> 00:42:41,240 to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to 648 00:42:41,240 --> 00:42:43,360 be drowned in the depths of the sea. 649 00:42:47,040 --> 00:42:51,560 The analogy of children for those in the Kingdom of God is 650 00:42:51,560 --> 00:42:53,520 still continuing here. He's not just speaking about 651 00:42:53,520 --> 00:42:56,440 little children physically, He's speaking about little children 652 00:42:56,440 --> 00:42:59,840 spiritually. Those in my church who are 653 00:42:59,840 --> 00:43:02,560 humble, those who might in my church who are weak, who are 654 00:43:02,560 --> 00:43:05,520 vulnerable. And this is the warning, because 655 00:43:05,520 --> 00:43:08,840 this is how closely associated the children of God are to God 656 00:43:08,840 --> 00:43:12,880 himself. If anybody intentionally 657 00:43:13,280 --> 00:43:17,600 persuades one of these little children that belong to God into 658 00:43:17,600 --> 00:43:21,400 sin and away from the will of God, it's better to suffer a 659 00:43:21,400 --> 00:43:26,200 horrific death. Not my words. 660 00:43:26,200 --> 00:43:29,560 I'm just the messenger. I'm just giving the message. 661 00:43:30,320 --> 00:43:35,000 That's what Jesus says. To to be in a conniving and 662 00:43:35,000 --> 00:43:38,760 manipulative way. Pulling somebody away from their 663 00:43:38,760 --> 00:43:45,040 walk with the Lord is dangerous. It's really dangerous. 664 00:43:46,040 --> 00:43:48,520 And this needs to be heralded for wolves who come into the 665 00:43:48,520 --> 00:43:50,920 church, because they know that they can take advantage of 666 00:43:50,920 --> 00:43:54,480 Christians who have been called to love and sacrifice and to 667 00:43:54,480 --> 00:43:57,240 give people a chance. That's why Jesus gives this kind 668 00:43:57,240 --> 00:43:59,680 of strong warning, because there are those who don't care. 669 00:44:04,440 --> 00:44:07,560 And instead of being moved to repentance through the light and 670 00:44:07,560 --> 00:44:11,000 love of God's people, they see it as an opportunity to take 671 00:44:11,000 --> 00:44:12,760 advantage, to satisfy themselves. 672 00:44:13,000 --> 00:44:15,520 And Jesus says it's better to take a giant rock. 673 00:44:15,840 --> 00:44:19,200 Tie it around your neck, jump. Off a bridge into the heart of 674 00:44:19,200 --> 00:44:23,680 the ocean than to do that. Why? 675 00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:30,880 Because that Christian is God's child, and that Christian 676 00:44:31,360 --> 00:44:35,440 doesn't just belong Jesus. Jesus lives in him. 677 00:44:36,600 --> 00:44:42,320 Jesus lives in her. Thank God for the gift of 678 00:44:42,320 --> 00:44:46,320 repentance that no matter what we've done, we can come to him 679 00:44:46,320 --> 00:44:49,080 and he is willing to forgive and cleanse us and wash us. 680 00:44:49,320 --> 00:44:52,520 He's even willing to receive a false teacher who was broken 681 00:44:52,520 --> 00:44:55,400 about their false teaching and all the damage that they've done 682 00:44:55,400 --> 00:44:58,200 to the Kingdom of God. He is willing even to receive 683 00:44:58,200 --> 00:45:01,560 such a one. That is the mercy of God and the 684 00:45:01,560 --> 00:45:04,480 patience of God even for sinners, not just his disciples. 685 00:45:08,240 --> 00:45:14,440 I'm challenged today, challenged early this morning, because like 686 00:45:14,440 --> 00:45:17,000 the disciples, we can hear something that's be moved by it, 687 00:45:17,120 --> 00:45:20,840 but return to that same way of thinking that true greatness 688 00:45:20,840 --> 00:45:23,840 looks like this and true greatness looks like that. 689 00:45:25,800 --> 00:45:27,680 You know what Jesus saying? You know what true greatness is 690 00:45:27,680 --> 00:45:31,040 to me? You taking two hours of your 691 00:45:31,040 --> 00:45:35,680 time during the week to call somebody from the church who has 692 00:45:35,680 --> 00:45:38,400 difficulty interacting with others because of insecurities 693 00:45:38,400 --> 00:45:45,760 and having lunch with them. That's true greatness If you 694 00:45:45,760 --> 00:45:50,600 willing to go above and beyond for the one who struggles in 695 00:45:50,600 --> 00:45:54,200 different ways, it may seem like a burden or may seem like they 696 00:45:54,200 --> 00:45:57,160 draw strength away from you. Don't give anything in return, 697 00:45:57,600 --> 00:46:02,120 that person when you I do even something small, that's 698 00:46:02,120 --> 00:46:04,520 greatness to me. Isn't that? 699 00:46:04,840 --> 00:46:07,600 Isn't that amazing? So I don't have to go to 700 00:46:07,600 --> 00:46:09,480 seminary? No, you don't have to go to 701 00:46:09,480 --> 00:46:16,280 seminary for different reasons. So I don't have to be this order 702 00:46:16,280 --> 00:46:22,560 and this eloquent, passionate presenter. 703 00:46:22,640 --> 00:46:30,680 No, Just be a servant of all. Will the disciples get it? 704 00:46:32,960 --> 00:46:37,280 No. But we can learn from that. 705 00:46:37,520 --> 00:46:40,200 We can get it. We can let the words of Christ 706 00:46:40,200 --> 00:46:43,400 sink into our ears. I hope more than anything else, 707 00:46:43,400 --> 00:46:46,640 this would motivate you to realize that goal of 708 00:46:46,640 --> 00:46:50,240 acknowledgement and commendation from Christ is just before you. 709 00:46:50,240 --> 00:46:52,760 You can reach out, and it's right there. 710 00:46:53,040 --> 00:46:55,320 You don't need the following. You don't need the channel. 711 00:46:55,400 --> 00:47:03,030 You don't need the accolades. You just we need to find some 712 00:47:03,030 --> 00:47:09,390 people to serve. Lord, we thank you that all of 713 00:47:09,390 --> 00:47:12,950 us can achieve this no matter who we are. 714 00:47:14,230 --> 00:47:15,750 Thank you for the reminder, Father. 715 00:47:16,830 --> 00:47:19,910 Thank you, Lord, that you desire us to put what we believe into 716 00:47:19,910 --> 00:47:21,550 action. Help us do that. 717 00:47:21,550 --> 00:47:25,710 We pray that the words of Christ would sink into our ears and may 718 00:47:25,710 --> 00:47:31,280 that birth in us a fresh motivation to say, I want to 719 00:47:31,280 --> 00:47:32,720 serve, I want to serve God's people. 720 00:47:32,720 --> 00:47:36,600 Lord, show me who to serve. Show me how to how to be, who 721 00:47:36,600 --> 00:47:41,600 you want me to be. And Lord, we just ask that even 722 00:47:41,600 --> 00:47:46,160 today this, this church, if it would be competitive in 723 00:47:46,160 --> 00:47:50,120 anything, it would be a competitive church in the place 724 00:47:50,120 --> 00:47:57,000 of service. Not for self exaltation, not to 725 00:47:57,000 --> 00:48:02,000 be the most liked and the most popular, but to be last place. 726 00:48:03,360 --> 00:48:10,080 Would you help us engrave that ambition in our hearts, and 727 00:48:10,080 --> 00:48:15,080 would it get into our blood and maybe lived out with your power? 728 00:48:16,040 --> 00:48:19,200 Lord, we thank you for being so patient with the disciples. 729 00:48:19,200 --> 00:48:22,760 Indeed, you are patient with us. Even if we we don't get it, you 730 00:48:22,760 --> 00:48:27,720 will still fight for us. Sit with us and teach us. 731 00:48:28,640 --> 00:48:33,720 Help us for leaving this place to live with a growing sense of 732 00:48:33,720 --> 00:48:38,120 your immediate presence. We want to walk with you in this 733 00:48:38,120 --> 00:48:40,440 life. We want to know communion with 734 00:48:40,440 --> 00:48:42,240 you in the most intimate way possible. 735 00:48:42,920 --> 00:48:45,000 In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. 736 00:48:45,400 --> 00:48:47,640 Amen. Let's stand and worship the Lord 737 00:48:47,640 --> 00:48:48,040 together.