WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.060 Mark chapter 10, there's a common acronym today that I don't remember hearing until about the last decade and that is GOAT. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:09.900 ! Who's the GOAT? 00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:25.800 The greatest of all time in NBA basketball, there's a common argument about the GOAT being the longevity of LeBron James or the dominance of Bill Russell or the marvels and championships of Michael Jordan. 00:00:25.800 --> 00:00:31.880 And I can see where young people that never saw Jordan play may not think he's the GOAT. 00:00:32.259 --> 00:00:33.719 They have a right to be wrong. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:38.859 Today our text talks about the greatest. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:43.679 It's not talking about the greatest in basketball, but much bigger than that. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:47.179 Greatness in sports is about accomplishment. 00:00:47.540 --> 00:00:52.980 It's about records, championships, and recognition and those type things. 00:00:52.979 --> 00:00:57.259 However, when Jesus speaks of greatness, it's completely different. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:01.939 And nobody demonstrates it any better than he does himself. 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:06.939 Jesus was actually born to die. 00:01:07.959 --> 00:01:18.099 He did so many other things before he died, but his greatest purpose, the one that makes an eternal impact, is his death and resurrection. 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:20.559 He has lived sinless. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:21.819 He has taught. 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:23.079 He has healed. 00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:24.819 He has raised the dead. 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:26.579 He has cast out demons. 00:01:27.140 --> 00:01:28.359 He has ministered. 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:30.019 He has discipled. 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:36.919 In today's passage, he takes a noticeable turn that I want you to see. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:43.060 It's found in Mark chapter 10, beginning in verse 32, and it says this. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:47.920 And they were on the road going up to Jerusalem. 00:01:48.859 --> 00:01:51.520 And Jesus was walking ahead of them. 00:01:52.260 --> 00:01:53.439 And they were amazed. 00:01:54.020 --> 00:01:55.740 And those who followed were afraid. 00:01:56.620 --> 00:02:01.939 And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was happening to them, saying, 00:02:02.700 --> 00:02:04.680 See, we are going to Jerusalem. 00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:09.080 And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:12.840 and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 00:02:13.100 --> 00:02:17.960 And they will mock him and spit on him and flog him and kill him. 00:02:18.260 --> 00:02:20.140 And after three days, he will rise. 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:27.400 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:30.520 Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:35.000 And he said to them, What do you want me to do for you? 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:45.340 And they said to him, Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory. 00:02:46.600 --> 00:02:50.560 And Jesus said to them, You don't know what you're asking. 00:02:51.820 --> 00:02:57.860 Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptized with the baptism from which I'm baptized? 00:02:57.860 --> 00:03:01.700 And they said to him, We are able. 00:03:02.880 --> 00:03:07.020 And Jesus said to them, The cup that I drink, you'll drink. 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:09.860 And the baptism with which I am baptized, you'll be baptized. 00:03:10.540 --> 00:03:14.640 But to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to grant, 00:03:15.140 --> 00:03:17.620 for it is for those from whom it has been prepared. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:24.540 And when the ten of them heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 00:03:24.539 --> 00:03:27.439 And Jesus called to them and said to them, 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:31.379 You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:34.439 and their great ones exercise authority over them. 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:39.539 But it shall not be so among you. 00:03:40.299 --> 00:03:43.099 But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:48.479 And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:58.539 For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:03.280 and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:13.419 This is the third time in the Gospel of Mark that Jesus has foretold his death and resurrection. 00:04:13.419 --> 00:04:18.899 He had tried to prepare them for it when they were at Caesarea Philippi. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:22.240 That's found in Mark 8, verse 31-33. 00:04:22.979 --> 00:04:25.819 And when he said it, Peter rebuked him for it. 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:30.300 And Jesus looked at Peter and said, Get behind me, Satan. 00:04:31.099 --> 00:04:35.399 Jesus knew that he had a mission to accomplish, and he didn't want to be hindered in that. 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:41.819 They came down that mountain and were down at the bottom toward the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum, 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:44.919 the home base for Jesus. 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:48.060 And he tried to tell them there in Capernaum. 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:52.839 But it says in Mark 9, verse 32, 00:04:53.479 --> 00:04:58.019 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him. 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:07.399 Now, as they approach Jerusalem, they moved from Capernaum around the top of the Sea of Galilee. 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:14.859 They are either headed or right at Jericho, because we know the next passage will be as they leave Jericho. 00:05:15.299 --> 00:05:20.639 They're on their way to Jerusalem, and Jesus tells them again. 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:25.000 Now, timing is crucial here because they're on their way to Jerusalem. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:31.379 The Passion Week of Christ is approaching, and Jesus is preparing his disciples for the days ahead. 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:35.800 His earthly ministry is drawing to a close, and they need to be ready. 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:40.160 And this time, his prediction is more graphic than it's been before. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:43.000 It's more plainly spoken than it's been before. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:46.600 And their response is worth noticing. 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:48.519 I want to ask you something. 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:55.879 If someone that you were close to were to walk up to you and say, 00:05:56.139 --> 00:06:02.379 I'm going to die in the coming days, and it's going to be savage, 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:09.539 and I want you to be ready, what would you do? 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:15.939 Would you ask them, do you like me more than anyone else? 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:21.920 Would you ask them, do you think that I'm great? 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:27.259 Would you ask them, what are you going to leave for me? 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:30.680 I hope not. 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:33.360 If that's what you're thinking to ask them, don't, okay? 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:35.259 That would be inappropriate. 00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:40.000 But what James and John did was inappropriate as well. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:42.620 They asked something like that. 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:47.120 James and John, their nickname is the Sons of Thunder. 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:50.939 And the reason why they're called the Sons of Thunder is because they wanted to 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:53.639 call down fire upon people. 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:58.740 Sons of Thunder coming up in NWA wrestling days sounds like a tag team 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.160 wrestling prep duo to me. 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:07.980 But they were concerned about who gets the place of honor in his kingdom, 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:11.100 who gets the place of honor at his great banquet. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:17.420 They're seeking to be on top and to make the most of the opportunity. 00:07:18.540 --> 00:07:21.620 Matthew's account tells us even more. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:25.660 And he tells us that their mother was involved in this as well, 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:28.640 that she even came with them for the request. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:30.180 Now, can you imagine this? 00:07:31.260 --> 00:07:34.120 Jesus turns the awkward situation into a teaching point. 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:37.780 He does it for them, and thank God he does it for us as well. 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:43.779 He has just predicted his torturous death, along with his glorious resurrection. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:49.119 And they respond like children trying to sneak an answer out of a parent. 00:07:49.459 --> 00:07:53.179 I want you to notice the question that they asked him in verse 35. 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:54.159 It said, 00:07:54.639 --> 00:08:00.079 Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. 00:08:01.159 --> 00:08:02.399 You know what that sounds like? 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:06.879 That sounds like a child wanting to get a favor out of a parent. 00:08:07.159 --> 00:08:09.560 Will you do for me whatever I ask of you? 00:08:10.419 --> 00:08:11.379 Will you do me this favor? 00:08:12.159 --> 00:08:17.659 It's an attempt to get someone to agree before they even know what they're agreeing to. 00:08:18.359 --> 00:08:20.060 And what they wanted was position. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:22.719 What they wanted was promotion. 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:27.100 And what makes this request so troubling is the timing of it. 00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:30.300 Because Jesus had just told them that he was approaching death. 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:37.220 And here they are trying to outmaneuver their fellow disciples for positions of power. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:42.180 Kind of makes the whole bunch of disciples look seedy and selfish, doesn't it? 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:43.720 Well, the rest of them didn't like it. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.560 They got upset about it. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:48.040 What exactly were they asking for? 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:56.159 Well, the seat on the right was the place of greatest honor. 00:08:57.059 --> 00:09:03.219 While the seat on the left was generally considered the second in honor. 00:09:03.959 --> 00:09:07.039 So why were they asking this? 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:09.599 Well, there's a couple of reasons. 00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:14.579 For one, they were familiar with Old Testament prophecy. 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:19.800 And in Old Testament prophecy, they might have been thinking of Daniel 7, verse 27. 00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:22.240 And Daniel 7, verse 27 says this, 00:09:22.520 --> 00:09:36.300 In other words, when they ask him for the right and the left, 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:43.580 they're asking to have a hand in governing a restored Israel as they saw was his position. 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:44.139 Position. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:48.660 But they also had another reason. 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:53.120 If you dig a little deeper, it gets a little interesting in what you'll find. 00:09:53.580 --> 00:10:01.240 Because Matthew 27, verse 55 and 56 tells us that the mother of the sons of Zebedee 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:07.379 was at the cross watching him die with the mother of Jesus. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:16.200 Mark 15, verse 40 seems to speak of the same woman and tells us that her name is Salome. 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:22.559 John 19, verse 25 seems to identify her as Mary's sister. 00:10:22.939 --> 00:10:28.720 If she's Mary's sister, then James and John were Jesus' cousins, 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:33.820 which possibly explains they don't get Johns mixed up. 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:35.960 John the Baptist was his cousin as well. 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:40.720 But now James and John apparently are cousins as well. 00:10:41.140 --> 00:10:45.040 That possibly explains why they wanted a special spot of recognition, you know. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:49.320 They're warming up saying, hey, cuz, why don't you do for us, you know. 00:10:50.040 --> 00:10:51.100 Now, I'll be honest. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:53.920 Most scholars believe that there is that connection. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:11:01.339 But even if there's not that connection, remember they left their daddy's fishing business to follow him. 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:05.139 Like some of the other disciples, they followed at a great cost. 00:11:05.439 --> 00:11:09.679 And now they want to secure their next position. 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:15.860 And Jesus responded to them by warning them that a greater cost would come to them. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:19.079 He speaks of the cup. 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:24.180 Now, the cup is a symbol of suffering and agony. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:28.440 In other words, before honor ever comes, there's going to be heartache. 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:35.040 Now, for Christ, the cup that he drank was enduring the wrath of God for our sins 00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:37.740 and paying for the cost of our salvation. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:45.900 For James and John and for the followers of Christ, the cup symbolized the misery of persecution. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:50.600 When you study the cup in Old Testament prophecy, as they would have understood it, 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:55.079 we find that the cup is a symbol of a kind of suffering. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:12:02.199 And that kind of suffering is compared to the curse of alcohol or drug addiction. 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:06.879 And if you've ever seen anyone or experienced it, and most families have, 00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:12.500 someone who's dealing with alcohol and drug addiction, you see the misery that it causes. 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:16.340 Not only to them, but also to those around them. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:20.639 People are haunted by such addiction with great misery. 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:28.480 And there was a lot of misery that was to follow for Christ's followers after their death and resurrection, 00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:30.840 after his death and resurrection and ascension of Christ. 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:32.779 Now, don't misunderstand me. 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:36.120 They thought the message of Christ was worth the persecution. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:41.460 But the martyrdom was misery, and the misery was bad. 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:48.320 The church was heavily persecuted, and many were killed for their stand of faith. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:56.399 In the second generation after Christ, there was a man named Polycarp that was quite a Christian leader. 00:12:56.500 --> 00:13:00.680 He was appointed the bishop of Smyrna by some of the disciples. 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:06.819 He took on a common heresy of that day that Scripture speaks to as well, Gnosticism. 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:11.699 It was around during the days of Jesus, and it was around during the book of Acts. 00:13:11.979 --> 00:13:14.799 And Paul writes against it some. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:18.159 You don't name it by name, but you can tell that's what he's speaking of. 00:13:18.599 --> 00:13:22.279 And that Gnosticism invaded the church and led many away from Christ. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.939 Polycarp fought it hard. 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:30.059 However, at the age of 86, he made the wrong people mad. 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:34.219 And the authorities pursued him to kill him. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.279 They interrogated him. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:39.919 And as they interrogated him, he appeared unfazed. 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:48.959 The procouncil got so mad at him because it wasn't bothering him that he told him that he'd throw him to wild beast or he would burn him at the stake. 00:13:48.960 --> 00:14:02.460 And Polycarp told the authorities that the procouncil's fire lasts but a little while, but the fires of judgment that they could face could not be quenched. 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:09.280 He said that God had showed him a vision that he was to burn at the stake. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:14.339 And he looked at the procouncil and said, come do what you will. 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:23.659 When they went to nail him to the pyre, that's the heap they would burn him on top of, he stopped them. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:27.639 And he said, leave me as I am. 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:40.939 For he who grants me to endure the fire will enable me also to remain on the pyre unmoved without the security you desire from nails. 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:45.480 And as he prayed out loud, they lit the fire. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:15:03.700 His biographer said that he did not burn as burning flesh, but instead as bread baking or as gold and silver refining in a furnace. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:09.460 The fire was surrounding him, but he was not being consumed. 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:16.360 And an executioner stepped up and stabbed him with a spear to take his life. 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.660 What a man of God. 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:24.660 However, I brought him up because when talking about the cup of persecution, 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:30.320 because he was once prayed, he once prayed on that burning stake. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:43.700 He said, I bless you in that you may deem me worthy that I might take a portion among the martyrs in the cup of your Christ. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:49.920 That's the kind of cup that Jesus was speaking to. 00:15:50.640 --> 00:15:52.260 He also spoke of baptism. 00:15:53.020 --> 00:15:56.520 But it's not the baptism that we celebrate when one gets saved. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:16:02.120 The baptism that he speaks of here is a baptism of the fires of persecution. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:08.639 In other words, he's warning them that they would be, in the real meaning of the word baptism, 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:14.600 that they would be submerged, that they would be dumped into deep persecution. 00:16:15.439 --> 00:16:18.679 And what Jesus said about them was true for them. 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.759 James died by the sword. 00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:22.000 We know that. 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:24.259 It's recorded in Acts chapter 12, verse 2. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:30.679 And we also know that John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos at an old age 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:33.899 because he would not stop sharing the gospel. 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:38.019 It was from that Isle of Patmos that he wrote the book of Revelation 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:40.259 that we have in the back of our New Testament. 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:43.559 Christ's predictions were fulfilled. 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:48.419 He told them that it was not his place to seat them. 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:52.799 But when they gave their lives to him and even for him, 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:58.379 there would be an eternal reward place, rewarding place for them. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:05.480 We need to be aware, folks, that there are still many who die for their faith today. 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:08.339 And I don't want us to grow numb about that 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:11.019 because people are still being martyred for their faith. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:15.980 Two weeks ago, 30 Christians were killed in Nigeria for their faith. 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:20.420 60 Christians were killed last week in Ethiopia. 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:29.059 I think the American Christian church has become so Americanized in our thinking 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:32.400 that we fail to notice the evil in the world. 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:39.599 And if we ignore that, and if we're not careful, we'll open ourselves up to just that. 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:43.599 James and John did not hear that, though. 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:46.519 They were jockeying for position. 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:51.579 All this talk of positioning and importance caused an upheaval among the disciples. 00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:52.379 You can only imagine. 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:57.019 Verse 41 says they were indignant with the two of them that made that request. 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.019 And that's what self-promotion does. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.759 Self-promotion will cause upheavals. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:04.659 Selfishness will destroy the work of the Lord. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:08.599 When we promote ourselves, it will always cause upheavals. 00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:09.740 You can count on it. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:14.900 Instead of focusing on self, we instead ought to focus on Christ. 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:16.240 How do we do that? 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:19.599 Well, first, we listen to Jesus. 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:22.539 Jesus' words here are clear. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:26.279 He speaks of what we do to fulfill the gospel. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.599 They didn't hear it. 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:33.359 They heard that it was a time to jockey for position. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.759 It was not a time for them to do that, though. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:38.259 And it's not a time for us to do that now. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:41.119 We need to stick to the gospel. 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:44.259 I want you to hear me, and I hope you hear my heart when I say this. 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.900 We've got to stick to the gospel. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:53.240 There's a lot of things that can distract us today for being everything that we need to be as Christians and as a church. 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:58.299 There are matters that I could bring up today that we may all be in agreement on. 00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:05.339 Some people say today that preachers ought to focus today on telling people how they need to vote. 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:10.359 Other people are scorning pastors that even bother to mention it. 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:18.299 All I'm going to tell you is this, that you need to pray and you need to vote. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:23.199 And if you need guidance on how to do that, just see me afterwards, I'll tell you. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:26.620 However, I want you to hear me. 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:35.960 If we're not careful, that kind of talk will become a distraction for what we're here for. 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:42.160 That kind of talk will become a distraction for the job that we're to do. 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:43.779 What's the job that we're to do? 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:48.420 It's the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:51.779 Listen, my job is not to reform Washington. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.300 I'm about to give up on Washington. 00:19:55.380 --> 00:20:02.039 My job is to share the clear, unmistakable, simply explained gospel. 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:06.400 We need not be ashamed of the gospel. 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:11.240 Let everything else get out of the way. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:14.320 Let nothing else come in the way of the gospel. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:21.859 As Romans 1.16 says, the power of God for salvation to everyone is the gospel. 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.339 So you listen to Jesus. 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:25.859 He does not speak on every topic. 00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.579 You know what he talks about? 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:30.000 He talks about the gospel. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:33.480 And that will change lives. 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:35.259 Listen to Jesus. 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:37.779 Second thing is this, be like Jesus. 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:43.779 Notice the lesson that he wants them to learn in our passage. 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.940 And there's actually two. 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:49.119 The first one is found in verse 43 and 44. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:52.859 And he said this, whoever would be great among you must be your servant. 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:56.500 And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:21:02.740 It's interesting to me that those that strive to be recognized and be great tend not to be. 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:09.200 Those that strive to serve and treat others before they treat themselves tend to be the ones that people look to. 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:16.819 Jesus' concern for them was that they lead in the interest of others and not themselves. 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:22.680 Years ago Life Magazine did an editorial comparing the lives of great people. 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:25.220 And they brought up people like Winston Churchill. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:28.279 And they brought up Pope John Paul XXIII. 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:30.720 And they brought up Albert Switzer. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:35.299 And none of them aspired to greatness as their primary goal. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:40.400 Each of them sacrificed himself in order to be a servant to the people. 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:49.819 And according to the conclusion of this article, they were great because they chose first to be good. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:52.019 They weren't choosing to be great. 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:54.079 They just wanted to be good. 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.100 I got news for you. 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:59.139 Jesus said that before Life Magazine did. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:03.899 Because we have Jesus, we ought to respond differently to others. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.779 We ought to be like Christ. 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:10.000 Serve others instead of serving ourselves. 00:22:10.699 --> 00:22:11.919 Just like he did. 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:16.259 And then lastly, we ought to look to Jesus. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:22.359 Notice in verse 32, in the very first passage that I read today, 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:26.839 that Jesus is walking ahead of them. 00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:31.339 It's always better when Jesus walks ahead of us. 00:22:32.459 --> 00:22:35.039 We always do better when we're following Christ. 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:37.039 We don't need to run ahead of him. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:39.139 We don't need to lag behind. 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.979 We need to follow Christ. 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:45.219 And the second lesson he taught them was the most valuable. 00:22:45.939 --> 00:22:48.639 It's found in verse 45 of our passage today. 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:52.300 For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:56.540 and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:22:57.320 --> 00:23:00.620 My friend, that's where the power is. 00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:06.120 It's in the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:23:07.520 --> 00:23:12.560 Some years ago, one of the world's renowned scholars of the classics, 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:19.659 Dr. E.V. Rowe completed a great translation of Homer in modern English 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:21.980 for the Penguin Classic series. 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:24.119 He was 60 years old. 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.799 He had been an agnostic all of his life. 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:32.839 And the publisher enjoyed his interpretation and translation of Homer so well 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:36.799 that he approached him again, and he asked him to translate the Gospels. 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:44.259 When Rowe's son heard that he said that, they asked him to do that, 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:50.339 he said, it'll be interesting to see what Father will make of the four Gospels. 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:56.779 It'll be even more interesting to see what the four Gospels will make of Father. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:24:03.480 He didn't have long to wonder, because within a year, Dr. E.V. Rowe, 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:08.740 the lifelong agnostic responded to the Gospels that he was translating, 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:12.480 and he gave his heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.380 and he became a committed Christian. 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:20.099 And his story is a marvelous testimony to the transforming power 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:22.900 of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:28.180 The greatest that ever lived is Jesus Christ. 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:36.019 The greatest achievement we can ever accomplish in life is serving Christ by serving others. 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:42.940 And the greatest decision that we could ever make is to give our life to Christ. 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:45.980 I want you to make no mistake today. 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:49.380 He is the greatest. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:53.820 With every head bowed and every eye closed, I want to ask you this morning, 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:58.099 if you've ever surrendered your life to follow the Lord Jesus. 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:01.759 I didn't ask if you were a member of church. 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.819 I didn't ask if you were a member of this church. 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:06.859 I didn't ask if you held some leadership position somewhere. 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:11.639 I didn't ask what people think of you and how well they think you are. 00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:14.559 I ask you, has there ever been a time in your life 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:18.579 when you've surrendered your life to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:21.899 It's not enough just to become familiar with him. 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:25.400 It's not enough just to be close beside him. 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:29.500 Instead, you need to commit your life to follow him. 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:32.640 And if you've never committed your life to follow Christ, 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.900 we're going to stand in a moment and we're going to sing. 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:37.420 And as we do, I encourage you to come and say, 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:41.240 Pastor, I need to give my life to Jesus Christ today. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.640 I need to surrender who I am to Christ. 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:47.519 I'll be happy to guide you in that. 00:25:47.840 --> 00:25:51.380 Maybe you're here this morning and you have done that. 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:54.000 But you've never acknowledged that publicly. 00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:57.620 Jesus, by his commission and by his example, 00:25:57.780 --> 00:26:01.420 show us that the first step in obedience to follow Christ 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:04.400 after we give our life to Christ is through baptism. 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:07.720 And if you've never acknowledged Christ through baptism, 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:10.080 I encourage you to come this morning and say, 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:13.680 Pastor, I need to line up and be baptized as a believer. 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:17.539 I've never publicly confessed my faith in that way. 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:20.560 We'll be happy to line that up for you. 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:23.600 Maybe God's drawing you to Pickens First Baptist Church, 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:27.000 and this is the place that God would have you to serve. 00:26:27.560 --> 00:26:33.560 I want to assure you that I'll never ask you to do anything that God's not leading you to do. 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:37.899 But I also want to assure you that I never want you to feel comfortable 00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:41.619 with not doing everything that God would have you to do. 00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:44.299 And if this is the place that God would have you to serve, 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.799 I encourage you to come. 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:49.960 We'll be happy to join you with us and with our family. 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:54.200 Or maybe you're here this morning and there's matters in your life 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:56.519 where Christ is not the greatest. 00:26:56.519 --> 00:27:06.379 Christ, you've placed yourself in a position of leadership that he deserves in your life. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:17.259 And there's traits and there's habits and there's lifestyles that's not pleasing to God in you. 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:20.079 Will you make that right today? 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:25.359 I'm thankful for the grace and mercy of Christ that accepts us as we are 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:27.579 and makes us what he'd have us to be. 00:27:28.479 --> 00:27:31.099 So if you need to get something right with the Lord today, 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:33.240 I encourage you to do that. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:35.439 You can come to this altar to do that. 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:37.639 You can do it in the pew where you'll stand. 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:40.019 I'll be happy to pray with you. 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:45.299 Whatever you feel like you need to do to make it right with the Lord today, 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:49.639 I encourage you, don't leave here the same as you was when you came in. 00:27:50.219 --> 00:27:55.179 Allow God to do what he wants to do in your heart and life right now. 00:27:55.699 --> 00:27:59.740 Heavenly Father, I love you and I thank you for the love that you have for us. 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:03.159 And I ask right now that, Lord, not only will you guide us, 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:07.339 but I pray that you'll give us the boldness and the obedience to respond 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:09.719 to exactly what you would have us to do. 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.559 Right now we pray. 00:28:11.979 --> 00:28:13.839 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.699 Thank you. 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.039 Thank you. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.139 Thank you. 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:15.220 Thank you. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:15.299 Thank you. 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.399 Thank you. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.500 Thank you. 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:15.619 Thank you. 00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:15.720 Thank you. 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:15.919 Thank you. 00:28:15.959 --> 00:28:16.199 Thank you. 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.439 Thank you. 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:16.579 Thank you. 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:16.819 Thank you. 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:17.319 Thank you. 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:17.559 Thank you. 00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:17.939 Thank you. 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.299 Thank you. 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:18.480 Thank you. 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:18.639 Thank you. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.119 Thank you. 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:19.419 Thank you. 00:28:19.459 --> 00:28:19.559 Thank you. 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:19.720 Thank you. 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:19.939 Thank you. 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.199 Thank you. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.500 Thank you. 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:20.740 Thank you. 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.399 Thank you. 00:28:21.459 --> 00:28:21.599 Thank you. 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:21.980 Thank you. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.339 Thank you. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:22.599 Thank you. 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:22.899 Thank you. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.399 Thank you. 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:23.659 Thank you. 00:28:23.699 --> 00:28:24.059 Thank you. 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:24.639 Thank you. 00:28:24.699 --> 00:28:25.339 Thank you. 00:28:25.459 --> 00:28:26.000 Thank you. 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.500 Thank you. 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:26.939 Thank you. 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.500 Thank you. 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:27.980 Thank you.