WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.580 And turn if you go to Matthew 20. Matthew chapter 20, that's page 825 in the Church Bible. Matthew chapter 20. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:24.820 ! I'm going to look at verses 17 to 34. 00:00:27.460 --> 00:00:29.300 When it comes to greatness, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.719 there's one man that comes into my mind, and I expect it comes into many of your minds. 00:00:34.899 --> 00:00:42.219 He's the three-time heavyweight boxing champion, Cassius Clay, or we might know him as Muhammad Ali. 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:49.500 Do you remember him? He had five career losses, 56 wins, 37 of those were knockouts. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:57.320 The sports illustrators, BBC, Laureus, they needed to be named the greatest sportsman of the 20th century. 00:00:57.320 --> 00:00:59.799 What was his catchphrase? 00:01:01.939 --> 00:01:03.700 I am the greatest, wasn't it? 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:05.859 I am the greatest, that's exactly right. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:07.879 He would speak about how great he was. 00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:10.420 He would build himself up. 00:01:10.460 --> 00:01:11.480 So listen to some of his quotes. 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:14.680 It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am. 00:01:15.960 --> 00:01:18.159 I'm not the greatest, I'm the double greatest. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:21.480 Not only do I knock them out, but I kick them around. 00:01:22.880 --> 00:01:27.060 His autobiography was imaginatively called the greatest in his own words. 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:29.780 Cassius Clay was a man on a mission. 00:01:31.380 --> 00:01:34.280 A mission to be the greatest boxer in this world has ever seen. 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:38.879 And in Matthew 20 we come across another man on a mission. 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:42.500 Another candidate for greatness. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:44.820 Like Cassius Clay, he was great. 00:01:44.980 --> 00:01:49.719 Like Cassius Clay, he had profound things to say that people around him didn't like. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:53.040 But his mission could not have been more different. 00:01:54.939 --> 00:02:00.159 His closest followers identify him, this man, as the promised ruler of the world. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:06.399 And they say, Jesus, you are the holder of the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 00:02:06.479 --> 00:02:07.119 You let me live. 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:09.300 You're the one who can give entry. 00:02:10.519 --> 00:02:12.979 You are the very son of God. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:16.079 And that is who his followers think he is. 00:02:17.359 --> 00:02:19.800 But this is how Jesus outlines his mission. 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:21.859 His mission. 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:23.599 And look at verse 18, you see. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:27.359 Jesus says in Matthew 20, 18. 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:28.800 We are going up to Jerusalem. 00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:34.340 And the Son of Man, that's his way of describing himself, will be delivered over the chief priests and scribes. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:36.180 And they will condemn him to death. 00:02:37.900 --> 00:02:42.280 They'll deliver him over the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:45.260 And he will be raised on the third day. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:52.460 To see greatness for Jesus looks very, very different, doesn't it? 00:02:54.240 --> 00:02:58.380 And the Jews, his own people, they are about to condemn him to death. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:01.719 Not because he did anything wrong, but because he offended them. 00:03:02.920 --> 00:03:04.580 Because he caused them problems. 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:05.860 They're not very followers, are they? 00:03:06.760 --> 00:03:10.480 And in order to keep the peace of the Romans through the ignition of the time, 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:16.080 they mock him, they flog him, and they will publicly execute him. 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:19.240 They'll nail his hands and his feet to a plank of wood. 00:03:19.240 --> 00:03:24.620 They'll hoist his naked body into the air for all to see a criminal's death. 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:28.760 And so Muhammad Ali, he punches the air. 00:03:30.379 --> 00:03:32.379 He stands on his arms aloft. 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:35.100 And Muhammad Ali says, I am the greatest. 00:03:37.140 --> 00:03:41.460 But the Lord Jesus allowed his arms to be nailed to the cross for us. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:45.340 And so let me ask you, what's your idea of greatness? 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:50.260 What is your idea this morning of greatness? 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:57.640 Jesus has barely finished explaining how he's going to pour out his life, 00:03:57.740 --> 00:03:58.600 how he'll be crucified, 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:02.960 when the mother of James and John, two of his closest followers, 00:04:03.659 --> 00:04:05.020 comes up to Jesus. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:09.180 She's got a sore sore on her knees. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:10.260 She's looking for a fever. 00:04:10.380 --> 00:04:12.439 She's dragged her two sons, 00:04:12.640 --> 00:04:15.340 slightly embarrassed, I think, with her. 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:18.840 And if you thought pushing pear in the sleep room was the thing of today, 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:19.579 don't be mistaken. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:25.360 So here is James and John's mum coming up, 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:28.540 saying, I want something for my sons. 00:04:30.720 --> 00:04:34.259 Jesus says to her, what is it that you want? 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:39.279 And she says literally this, promise me. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:41.779 Promise, she says. 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:45.519 You know, it's like when somebody asks you to promise something 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:46.799 before they tell you what it is. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:50.680 That's so that you'll say yes on the spot. 00:04:50.919 --> 00:04:51.879 Promise me this. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:53.919 Say that. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:55.719 Verse 21. 00:04:59.219 --> 00:05:01.479 One of my sons, these two sons of mine, 00:05:01.599 --> 00:05:03.240 one of them is able to sit at your right hand, 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:04.680 and the other on your left at the kingdom. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:07.759 Do you remember what Jesus said he's going to do? 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:10.879 Remember what he said he's going to do when he gets to Jerusalem? 00:05:12.459 --> 00:05:14.879 He said, I will pour out my life. 00:05:15.099 --> 00:05:16.419 I will be crucified. 00:05:17.039 --> 00:05:20.439 But all the disciples could think of as their position in the coming kingdom. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:25.719 Now it's true, in the previous chapter we looked at a few weeks ago, 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:29.240 that Jesus had told the twelve disciples they would have a special place. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:30.759 Chapter 19, verse 28. 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:33.180 Truly I say to you, in the new world, 00:05:34.660 --> 00:05:36.540 when the son of man will sit on his glorious throne, 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:39.639 you who followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:41.259 judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:45.120 And everyone who's left, 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:46.740 or brothers, or sisters, or father, 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.039 or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:50.659 they'll receive a hundredfold, 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:52.120 and they'll inherit a certain life. 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:54.699 And the many who are first will be last, 00:05:54.779 --> 00:05:55.620 and the last first. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:06:00.720 You see, that's all they heard. 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:03.379 The one of the disciples heard, 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:05.240 there's something in it for them. 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:07.199 They are like moths, 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:09.879 spellbound by a great light, 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:10.720 flapping around, 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:12.240 they're not able to see anything else. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:16.480 They're totally oblivious to what Jesus says about death. 00:06:16.740 --> 00:06:17.800 All they can see is, 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:19.160 I'm going to get some glory, 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:21.199 and it will be awesome. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:23.600 And Jesus is saying, 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:24.900 the first shall be last, 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:26.240 and the last shall be first. 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:28.340 And he is living it out, isn't he? 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:32.640 That Jesus is about to pour out his life. 00:06:32.960 --> 00:06:35.160 He's about to become the last. 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:38.340 So that others can become the first. 00:06:40.260 --> 00:06:42.180 But all the apostles are doing, 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:44.700 is they are worrying that they get the first place. 00:06:46.200 --> 00:06:49.040 They've completely misunderstood the mission of Jesus. 00:06:50.640 --> 00:06:53.120 You don't know what you're asking Jesus as to the Lord. 00:06:54.520 --> 00:06:57.240 Are you able to drink the cup that I will drink? 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:00.840 So the disciples, they think, don't they, 00:07:01.020 --> 00:07:03.360 that glory and greatness 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:04.840 come from political positions. 00:07:06.140 --> 00:07:08.120 From kind of worldly power, 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:09.020 and conquest, 00:07:09.200 --> 00:07:10.020 and lofty schemes. 00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:11.320 That's what's in their minds. 00:07:12.020 --> 00:07:13.080 Ruling and reigning. 00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:19.639 That's what is in their minds about what Jesus is going to do, 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:21.000 despite what he said. 00:07:23.419 --> 00:07:25.800 But the cup that Jesus is speaking of in this passage, 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:26.719 it's not the kind of, 00:07:26.719 --> 00:07:29.899 the royal silverware. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:34.699 It's not the royal doulton that you have in a special box. 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:36.479 It's not high tea condiments 00:07:36.479 --> 00:07:38.299 that you need. 00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:40.639 When Jesus speaks about a cup here, 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:42.479 he's using a figure of speech, 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:44.199 an Old Testament picture. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:46.179 A picture of God 00:07:46.179 --> 00:07:49.359 pouring out his judgment on the world 00:07:49.359 --> 00:07:51.139 because they are in rebellion against him. 00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:53.599 And it's a serious issue. 00:07:53.719 --> 00:07:54.800 And Jesus says, 00:07:55.599 --> 00:07:57.120 I'm about to drink that cup. 00:07:59.899 --> 00:08:02.759 I'm about to drink the cup of God's anger 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:04.560 against what you and I have done. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:09.159 Against how you and I have rebelled against him 00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:10.860 and lived without a thought frame. 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:15.220 And that drink is about to be poured out 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:16.400 into Jesus' mouth. 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:17.259 James and John, 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:18.860 do you really think you're able to drink the cup 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:19.800 from which I'm about to drink? 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:22.620 And ironically, 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:23.280 the brothers say, 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:23.800 well, we are. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:24.300 We are able. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.600 And they don't know what they're asking. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:29.000 They've got no idea. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:30.340 But Jesus knows, doesn't he? 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:33.600 He knows the massiveness 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.500 of what is about to go on 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:36.460 in the next few years. 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:40.659 He knows that James will be 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:42.860 the first apostle to die. 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:45.679 He knows that King Herod 00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:46.559 will cut his throat 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:48.600 of the sword 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.699 for being a follower of Jesus. 00:08:50.939 --> 00:08:51.959 He knows that John 00:08:51.959 --> 00:08:53.480 will live a long life, 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.480 a long life of persecution 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:56.360 and suffering, 00:08:56.719 --> 00:08:58.579 exiled to an island called Patmos. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:03.579 Where he has a life 00:09:03.579 --> 00:09:04.860 which is suffering for the gospel. 00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:07.360 And so Jesus is like, 00:09:07.439 --> 00:09:07.620 doesn't he? 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:08.179 Verse 23, 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:08.720 if you look at this. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:11.699 He says, 00:09:12.219 --> 00:09:14.039 you will indeed. 00:09:15.959 --> 00:09:17.639 You will drink my cup. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:20.759 But to sit at my right hand 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:22.339 and my left is not for mine to grant, 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.360 but it is for those 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:24.679 for whom it is to be prepared 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:25.319 by the Father. 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:27.699 Now, 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:28.939 I want you to notice something here. 00:09:29.179 --> 00:09:29.819 Do notice, 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:32.279 Jesus doesn't compliment 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:32.980 our mission. 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:37.940 He doesn't say anything 00:09:37.940 --> 00:09:39.519 about their desire for greatness. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:42.019 Instead, 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:43.340 what he does here 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:43.860 is, 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:45.080 he says, 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.279 if you want to share 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.639 in his glory, 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:48.539 then you have to share 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:49.019 in his suffering. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:52.000 Let me say that again. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:52.899 If you want to share 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:53.879 in Jesus' glory, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:55.879 then you need to share 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:56.420 in his suffering. 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:59.599 Who sits at the right hand 00:09:59.599 --> 00:10:00.559 and the left hand 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:01.000 for Jesus 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:01.639 is irrelevant. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:02.899 He's not coming to sell 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:04.199 box seats in his kingdom. 00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:07.519 He's coming to make his kingdom. 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:10.000 And he does that 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.099 by drinking the cup 00:10:11.099 --> 00:10:11.839 of God's anger, 00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:13.799 of God's judgment, 00:10:13.979 --> 00:10:14.740 so that you and I 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.379 don't need Jesus. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:18.279 By exhausting 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:19.319 the penalty 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:20.899 that we deserve 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.399 by dying on the cross 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:23.419 in our place. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:26.419 And in this long, 00:10:26.599 --> 00:10:27.419 before the other ten 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:28.459 disciples get wind 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:29.519 of what James and John 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.379 and their man had asked, 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.699 they hear that 00:10:32.699 --> 00:10:35.139 James and John 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:35.699 are asking 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:36.860 for the plush seats 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:37.399 in the kingdom. 00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:38.539 So Matthew tells us 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.599 in verse 24, 00:10:40.719 --> 00:10:41.319 when the ten 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:42.000 heard about it, 00:10:42.099 --> 00:10:43.199 they were indignant 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:45.479 at the two brothers. 00:10:46.479 --> 00:10:47.659 They were furious. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:50.719 And you think 00:10:50.719 --> 00:10:51.860 that they would be angry 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:52.939 at James and John. 00:10:52.940 --> 00:10:54.000 You've just not 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.880 got it, boys. 00:10:55.020 --> 00:10:55.600 You've just not 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.380 understood it. 00:10:56.760 --> 00:10:57.700 What the kingdom is like. 00:10:57.760 --> 00:10:58.240 But it's nothing 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:58.900 like that at all. 00:11:00.020 --> 00:11:01.200 They are furious 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:02.300 that they didn't get it first. 00:11:03.420 --> 00:11:04.340 They figure that 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:05.100 they've missed out 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:05.900 on the best tickets. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:08.040 That James and John 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:09.080 have jumped the gun 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.120 and now they're going 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:10.700 to have to settle 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:11.900 third and fourth 00:11:11.900 --> 00:11:12.840 and fifth place. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:14.520 And so Jesus 00:11:14.520 --> 00:11:15.100 calls them over 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:16.180 and he sets the record straight. 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.660 And he explains 00:11:18.660 --> 00:11:20.060 how this world works. 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:22.259 And he says 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:22.939 in this world 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:23.839 rulers dominate. 00:11:25.219 --> 00:11:26.439 Men of high position 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:27.799 they exercise power. 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:28.879 That is how the world 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:29.619 works, isn't it? 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:32.879 Greatness in this world 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:33.819 is about status. 00:11:34.939 --> 00:11:36.139 It's about having people 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:36.879 under you. 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:38.059 It's about calling 00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:38.879 the shots 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.119 and being able 00:11:40.119 --> 00:11:41.079 to do whatever 00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:41.639 you want. 00:11:42.199 --> 00:11:42.779 It's about being 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.059 better than anybody else. 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:45.819 whether that's 00:11:45.819 --> 00:11:46.659 in your business. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:47.939 Whether that's 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:48.919 better than your neighbours. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:49.939 Whether that's 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:50.899 better than your friends. 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:52.139 That's what greatness is. 00:11:55.699 --> 00:11:57.099 But Jesus says 00:11:57.099 --> 00:11:58.959 not so 00:11:58.959 --> 00:12:00.099 with you. 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:00.659 Verse 26 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.579 it shall not be so 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:02.019 among you. 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:06.279 It shall not be so 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:06.779 among you. 00:12:09.459 --> 00:12:10.219 I want us to be 00:12:10.219 --> 00:12:11.039 really careful here. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:13.639 I think we need 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:13.980 to be careful 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.599 because Jesus 00:12:14.599 --> 00:12:15.240 is not saying 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:15.719 that greatness 00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:16.419 is wrong. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:19.579 Greatness 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:20.579 is not wrong. 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.439 We were made 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:24.259 to be great. 00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:27.620 The Bible says 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.519 that every human being 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.399 was made in the image 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:29.879 of God. 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:32.000 The Bible says 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.099 that every human being 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:34.019 has been crowned 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:35.179 with glory and honour. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.839 And we are 00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:38.579 the greatest 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:39.659 of God's creation. 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:44.459 for the New Testament 00:12:44.459 --> 00:12:44.899 tells us 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.360 for those of us 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:46.279 who follow Jesus 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:48.079 that we now 00:12:48.079 --> 00:12:48.839 are seated 00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:50.199 in the heavenly realms 00:12:50.199 --> 00:12:51.000 with Jesus Christ. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.039 We have an inheritance 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.980 that never perishes 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.059 or spoils or fakes 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:54.860 and is kept in heaven 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:55.500 for us. 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.179 The Bible says 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:58.100 to the New Testament 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.500 Christians 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:58.919 it says 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:00.000 we will rule the world 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:00.519 with Christ. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.419 We will judge the world. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.120 We will share 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.860 in the inheritance 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.759 of God's own son. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:07.220 We will be called 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:08.100 children of the 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.019 creator of the universe. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.199 He will call us 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:13.419 as sons 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:14.100 and daughters. 00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:16.579 And so 00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:17.219 human beings 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:18.980 striving for greatness 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.459 that there is 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:21.740 inside of every human being 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.779 and you look at our culture 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.539 and it's there 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.059 isn't it? 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.199 That is not wrong. 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:28.439 There's nothing wrong 00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:29.079 with greatness. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.339 You strive for it. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:31.759 You don't have to be 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.699 embarrassed about it. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:34.179 Because greatness 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:35.259 is not the problem. 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:37.279 The problem is 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.179 how we get there. 00:13:38.179 --> 00:13:41.719 that's the issue. 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.139 I've only already 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:46.579 wanted to follow 00:13:46.579 --> 00:13:47.059 this sermon. 00:13:48.699 --> 00:13:49.479 And this is the point. 00:13:49.599 --> 00:13:50.620 It's true greatness 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.899 comes from service. 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:54.439 True greatness 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:55.279 comes from service. 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:55.799 That's what Jesus 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:56.419 showed us. 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.299 Look at verse 26. 00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:00.639 Whoever would be 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.959 great among you 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:03.779 must be your servant. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.139 must be 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.720 a slave. 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:08.699 And whoever would be 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:09.220 first in man 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:10.139 you must be your slave 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.379 even as the son of man 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.240 again that's referring to 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.579 Jesus 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:13.939 came not to be served 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:14.740 but to serve 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.779 and to give his life 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.659 as a ransom for money. 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:19.740 And Jesus takes this 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:21.279 worldview of greatness 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.079 and he just turns it 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:22.600 on his head. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.719 He shows us that 00:14:25.719 --> 00:14:26.480 the way that we 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.319 picture greatness 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.719 is just the wrong 00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:29.139 way round. 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:30.299 So greatness in the world 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:31.219 works like this 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:31.659 doesn't it? 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.199 We strive for 00:14:33.199 --> 00:14:33.659 greatness. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.819 It goes like that. 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.059 But he says 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:39.100 greatness in my kingdom 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:39.839 goes the exact 00:14:39.839 --> 00:14:40.639 opposite way. 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:41.779 It goes down. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.579 The greatest 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:44.519 will be the slave. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:47.600 Greatness is about 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.360 being a servant. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:48.939 It's about being 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:50.079 a slave to others. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:50.879 Now let's think 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.779 about that for a moment. 00:14:55.579 --> 00:14:56.139 Let's think 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.360 how do men work? 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.139 How do guys work? 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:02.340 Well the way we 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:02.720 take a lot 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.279 comes down to 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.259 power and status. 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:05.559 Doesn't it? 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.159 So the first question 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:09.939 when I walk into 00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:10.819 a room full of guys 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.519 the first question 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.419 I ask when I meet 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.000 someone I haven't 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.679 seen in a while 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:13.899 is 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:16.740 what do you do 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.279 with yourself 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.500 these days? 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:21.860 What are you up to 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:22.600 now? 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:25.259 I want to know 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.819 how I fit 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.740 how I compare 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.159 to them. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.519 I want to know 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:29.980 if their job 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.480 is better than 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.360 my job. 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.819 I want to know 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:34.480 if they earn 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.559 more money 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:36.139 than I do. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:38.799 I want to know 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.419 who's the greatest. 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:43.299 I think we 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.639 would struggle 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:43.959 with this 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:44.439 in a similar 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:44.839 but different 00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:45.259 way. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.899 How many times 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.219 do you think 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:49.539 to yourself 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.259 do I look 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:50.979 as fat as her? 00:15:53.099 --> 00:15:53.979 Do I look 00:15:53.979 --> 00:15:54.779 as skinny as her? 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:56.819 Am I that short? 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:58.699 Or what about 00:15:58.699 --> 00:15:59.299 if you've got kids? 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.860 At least our 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.519 kids don't behave 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:03.159 as badly as 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:04.099 so and so's kids. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:07.519 There's so many 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.379 ways we do it 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:08.940 aren't there? 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:11.840 So many ways 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.360 that actually 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.600 we don't like 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.019 to repent. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.120 We compare 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:17.759 we build 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.840 ourselves up 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:20.080 and we say 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.379 we aren't 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:20.740 great. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:22.920 You want to be 00:16:22.920 --> 00:16:23.320 great says 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:23.560 Jesus? 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.820 Be a slave. 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.600 Be a slave. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:30.080 Such sharp 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:30.500 language. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.600 It's so you 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.100 can get through 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:33.680 the disciples 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.800 thick skulls 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:35.300 and you can 00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:35.639 get it through 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.540 my thick skull. 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.060 And there's 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:39.759 no romance 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.120 is there? 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:40.759 There's no 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.779 prestige. 00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:42.360 There's no 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.100 power in 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.240 being a slave. 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.720 You've not 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.300 got control 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:49.639 of it. 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:51.720 You are 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.160 serving. 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:52.779 You are 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.940 pouring yourself 00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:54.560 out to love 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:54.920 others. 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:56.800 You're doing 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.160 things that 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.779 don't benefit 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.579 you but 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.279 benefit others. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:16:59.799 You're doing 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.439 it just like 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:00.980 Jesus did. 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.319 Jesus didn't 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:04.940 do it to 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.440 build himself 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.700 up. 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.519 But to 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.420 pour himself 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.159 out to 00:17:09.159 --> 00:17:09.619 those he 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:09.960 loved. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.779 Not so he 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.519 felt comfortable. 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.420 Not so that 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:13.940 he felt he 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:14.299 got his 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.940 desires but 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.399 so that he 00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:15.779 could sue 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.039 others. 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:16.460 That is 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:16.659 too 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.259 greatness but 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.599 it's not 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.379 easy is it? 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.659 It's not 00:17:23.659 --> 00:17:24.079 easy being 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.599 a slave. 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:27.240 And as I 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:27.559 try to 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.079 think through 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.519 what is 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:28.719 it that 00:17:28.719 --> 00:17:29.019 makes it 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.679 so hard 00:17:29.679 --> 00:17:30.339 I think 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.679 it comes 00:17:30.679 --> 00:17:31.000 down to 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.419 this. 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.639 It comes 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.019 down to 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.599 the one 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:37.259 sin. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.859 The base 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.419 sin. 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:41.980 And it's 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.339 a sin of 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:42.799 pride. 00:17:44.959 --> 00:17:45.379 That I 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:45.899 want others 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.819 to see me 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.539 as great 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.299 for who I 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.639 am. 00:17:48.719 --> 00:17:48.980 So I 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.439 don't want 00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:50.159 to serve 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:50.679 others. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:53.620 one of 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:53.680 the 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.080 reformers 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:54.220 said 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:54.380 really 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:54.680 helpful. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.120 That pride 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.799 was the 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.720 undergarment 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.560 of sin. 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.400 It's the 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:00.720 first thing 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.259 we put on 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.779 as Christians 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.140 and it's 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.600 the last 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:02.940 thing we 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.400 take off. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:03.680 It's like 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.320 a vest in 00:18:04.320 --> 00:18:04.620 winter. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.100 It's the 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.519 first thing 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.019 you put on 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:07.240 in the 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.640 morning and 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.180 the last 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.500 thing you 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:08.920 take off 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.420 at night. 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.299 It sits 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:11.600 there 00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.180 festering 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.620 away. 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:15.820 Amongst 00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:16.160 everything 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.799 we do 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.980 and it's 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.360 a hard 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:19.640 one to 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:19.860 kick 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.240 isn't it? 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:22.900 And so 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.180 we need 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:23.460 to watch 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.140 our pride. 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.500 We need 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.799 to admit 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.019 it. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.039 But I 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.340 have to 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:32.799 say that 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.039 as I 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.440 thought more 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.900 about this 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:34.779 this church 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.539 is full 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.240 of greatness. 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:39.779 Look 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.320 around you. 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.160 You've 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.539 got people 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.759 who selflessly 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.360 hear 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:46.920 coming early 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:49.580 who run 00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:50.299 rotas 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.559 who 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:55.879 give up 00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.019 their 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.519 time on 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.299 Thursdays 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.440 so 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:57.839 children 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.339 can learn 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:58.619 about 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:58.899 the 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.059 Lord 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.299 Jesus. 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.099 People 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.500 sitting 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:02.859 next to 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:02.940 you 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.059 who 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:03.279 spend 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:03.480 their 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:03.659 time 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:04.079 preparing 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.579 lessons 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:04.980 to teach 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.359 English 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:05.659 as a 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:05.899 second 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:06.259 language 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.940 and get 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.339 the Bible 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:07.779 open. 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.440 People 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:10.839 who open 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.159 up their 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:11.779 homes to 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.220 visitors 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.119 and strangers 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:13.659 even when 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:13.839 they're 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.279 tired 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.460 and 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:14.899 exhausted. 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:18.140 people 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.620 who come 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:20.120 to a 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.360 parent 00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:20.740 toddler 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.000 group 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.320 on a 00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:21.540 Monday 00:19:21.540 --> 00:19:21.860 morning 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:22.140 when it's 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.540 the last 00:19:22.540 --> 00:19:22.880 thing they 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.220 want to. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.180 People 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.620 committed 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.740 to serving 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.200 the church 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.800 week in 00:19:28.800 --> 00:19:29.620 week out 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.420 year in 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.259 year out 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.920 decade in 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.600 decade out. 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:35.560 Families 00:19:35.560 --> 00:19:36.140 that cut 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.800 back so 00:19:36.800 --> 00:19:37.080 that they 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:38.060 could give 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:39.019 sacrificially 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.379 to the 00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:39.819 church. 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:43.500 Families 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.059 that stay 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.460 in a 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:44.920 smaller 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.480 house 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.180 in the 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.420 Ealing 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.960 area 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:49.879 instead of 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.220 being able 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.579 to move 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:50.940 to the 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.400 leafy 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:51.779 countryside 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.099 and have 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.480 a great 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:52.799 larger 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.099 house 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.279 and a 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.400 better 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:53.680 stop 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:53.779 to 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.180 live in. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:56.759 Folk 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:56.859 who 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.859 put their 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.259 hand up 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.839 again and 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.220 again. 00:19:59.559 --> 00:19:59.900 Friends 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.220 who look 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.539 out for 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:00.920 one another 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.519 and call 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.019 one another 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.500 up and 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.019 text one 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.220 another 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.500 when the 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.740 chips 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.200 are down. 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:06.960 Who 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.440 go out 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:07.940 and enjoy 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.480 one another's 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:08.700 company. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.100 Not because 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.400 it's good 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:09.700 for them 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.019 but because 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.259 they want 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:10.600 to serve 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.120 each other. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.220 And so 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.600 when I look 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:15.059 around and 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.559 as I think 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:15.779 of the 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.220 church this 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.900 morning I 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.259 see a 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:17.740 church full 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.400 of greatness. 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.420 A church 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:21.840 where people 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:22.440 do serve 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:22.819 one another 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.400 actually in 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.059 a great 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:24.680 way. 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.120 The other 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.400 are still 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:29.860 things out 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.299 that get 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.519 in the 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:30.779 way of 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:30.900 our 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.200 greatness. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.440 There are 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.819 still little 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.240 things that 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.559 hold us 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.100 back from 00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:35.460 serving. 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:40.860 as a 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.340 minister of 00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:41.500 this 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:41.799 church 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.580 that very 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:43.360 title is 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:43.660 supposed to 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.299 mean servant. 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.360 And yet we 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:47.660 all know 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.019 can't we 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.700 that that 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.100 can be a 00:20:50.100 --> 00:20:50.620 way of 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:51.600 holding power 00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.220 and authority 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.620 in a way 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.120 that's very 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:53.860 very unhelpful. 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.699 I'm not 00:20:55.699 --> 00:20:56.000 saying that 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.919 authority is 00:20:56.919 --> 00:20:57.959 bad but I 00:20:57.959 --> 00:20:58.379 am saying 00:20:58.379 --> 00:20:58.619 that you 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.079 can use 00:20:59.079 --> 00:20:59.679 your title 00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:00.019 to get 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.179 your 00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:00.500 greatness. 00:21:03.219 --> 00:21:03.639 And 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:03.879 whatever 00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:04.459 title we 00:21:04.459 --> 00:21:04.979 have we 00:21:04.979 --> 00:21:05.919 must find 00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:07.819 our 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:08.159 greatness 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:08.699 not in 00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:09.019 that. 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:10.839 But our 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.099 greatness 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.439 should be 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:12.299 derived from 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.019 our serving 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.419 others. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:13.799 That's what 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.139 it means 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.500 to be a 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.740 leader. 00:21:17.659 --> 00:21:18.000 And then 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.399 as servant 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:18.859 hearted 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.279 people we 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.439 find ourselves 00:21:20.439 --> 00:21:22.819 often 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:24.079 serving only 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.559 those who 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.299 are attractive. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.319 I don't 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.299 mean that 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.899 in a physical 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.419 sense though 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:31.700 that is 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.019 possible 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.419 isn't it? 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.579 But we 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.179 can find it 00:21:36.179 --> 00:21:36.639 easy to 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:37.299 serve some 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:37.679 people. 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:41.859 It struck 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.179 me that 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:42.759 Jesus didn't 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.359 say serve 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:43.679 the people 00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:43.919 that you 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:44.279 like being 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.639 around. 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:47.740 And he 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.099 didn't say 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.579 serve the 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:48.879 ones that 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.019 you're 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.659 well with. 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:50.980 And he 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.319 didn't say 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.740 serve the 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.159 people just 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.799 like you 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.919 or people 00:21:53.919 --> 00:21:54.159 that have 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.440 the same 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:54.879 background 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.759 as you 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.299 or serve 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.619 the people 00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:56.899 that wear 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:57.220 the same 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.519 kind of 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:57.919 clothes 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:58.659 as you 00:21:58.659 --> 00:22:00.720 or serve 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.079 the people 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.539 of the same 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:01.799 kind of 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.119 parenting 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:02.819 style as 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.119 you 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.740 or the 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.099 ones who 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.259 have a 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.659 good sense 00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:05.220 of humour 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.659 and you 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:05.940 get on 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.559 well with. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.259 So let's 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.500 call it 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:10.819 speed to 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.019 speed. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.200 Do you 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.480 know why 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:11.879 it's hard 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:12.379 to serve 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.000 other people 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.700 who are 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.059 not like 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.419 us? 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.220 Because deep 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:18.579 down we 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:18.819 think we're 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.220 better than 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.419 them. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:21.919 We 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.339 actually think 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.039 more important 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.720 or significant 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:26.439 that it 00:22:26.439 --> 00:22:26.679 doesn't 00:22:26.679 --> 00:22:27.039 actually 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.659 matter if 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.179 I don't 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.639 look after 00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.179 or serve 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:29.879 this person 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.159 or that 00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:30.480 person. 00:22:32.959 --> 00:22:33.359 Sometimes 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:33.619 the wrong 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.079 isn't just 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.019 us despising 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.659 others and 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:36.980 thinking we're 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.720 better than 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.240 others but it's 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:38.759 exactly the 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.039 opposite. 00:22:40.959 --> 00:22:41.639 We look around 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.220 and we see the 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.699 gifts of other 00:22:42.699 --> 00:22:42.939 people. 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.959 We see their 00:22:43.959 --> 00:22:44.559 intelligence, 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.799 their way with 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.619 people, how good 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.000 they are with 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.559 people and we 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.319 draw comparisons 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.899 and we feel 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:49.599 so inferior. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.799 And then we 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.539 just back out 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.099 of services 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.519 altogether. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.899 We back out 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:55.519 of relationships 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.240 because I'm 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.699 not as good 00:22:56.699 --> 00:22:57.119 as that. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:58.839 I couldn't 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.399 possibly do 00:22:59.399 --> 00:22:59.559 that. 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.019 Do you want 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.579 to break free 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:00.959 from those 00:23:00.959 --> 00:23:01.419 ways this 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:01.659 morning? 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.899 Then take 00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:05.339 a risk. 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:08.339 Serve 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.839 someone. 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.219 Don't worry 00:23:11.219 --> 00:23:11.500 about what 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.719 they're going 00:23:11.719 --> 00:23:12.119 to think, 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:12.899 what they're 00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.279 going to say 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.740 about you 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:16.039 or what 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.799 they think 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.139 you think 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:17.579 about them. 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:19.179 just serve 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:19.379 them. 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.839 Look at the 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.439 example of 00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:22.899 our Saviour 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.740 we follow in 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.419 his footsteps. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.059 You see the 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.980 last weapon 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.559 against the 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.339 problem of 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:29.039 pride that 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.480 we see in 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:29.919 this passage 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:30.399 I think is 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:30.679 the Lord 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:30.980 Jesus. 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.679 He is the 00:23:33.679 --> 00:23:34.199 greatest one 00:23:34.199 --> 00:23:34.659 of all. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.399 He is the 00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:36.699 one who 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.639 spoke and 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.179 things came 00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:38.720 into being. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.720 He's the 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.059 one who 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.659 sustains 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.679 all things. 00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:46.240 So our 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.539 comes and 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:46.839 thanks for 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.279 Muhammad Ali 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.879 is great. 00:23:50.439 --> 00:23:51.000 But we 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.319 remember 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.879 Muhammad Ali 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.319 at the end 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:53.559 of his 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:53.879 life. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.679 Those last 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.220 10-15 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.119 years shaking 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.619 the 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:56.980 targets. 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.500 So fragile 00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.919 trying to 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:00.399 light the 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:00.959 flame 00:24:00.959 --> 00:24:03.439 at the 00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:03.919 Olympics. 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.139 I can 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:06.519 push him 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:06.740 over. 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:09.919 And in 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.419 Jesus he's 00:24:10.419 --> 00:24:10.839 risen to 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.220 the right 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.659 hand of 00:24:11.659 --> 00:24:12.319 God and 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.819 is ruling 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.220 over the 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.379 world. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:13.659 That's what 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:13.819 we're going 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.139 to look at 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.539 gloriously 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.059 tonight and 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.419 next Sunday 00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:15.699 night. 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.019 Jesus is 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.519 a man on 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:18.879 a mission 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.659 and his 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.019 mission is 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.359 not to 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.819 lord it 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.259 over his 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.619 people. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.259 Jesus' 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:22.740 mission is 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.059 not to 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.779 pulverize 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.259 his enemies. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.079 It's not 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.399 to be 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:26.279 served like 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.779 some royal 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.259 prince, 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:27.819 although that's 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.079 what he 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.419 is. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.019 Rather, 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.379 Jesus' 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:29.859 mission is 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.099 to be 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.279 served up 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.699 like a 00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.039 lamb. 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.119 To be 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.500 served up 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.740 like a 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.159 lamb to 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:35.519 slaughter. 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:37.679 And he 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.119 takes the 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.619 penalty that 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.199 you and I 00:24:39.199 --> 00:24:39.699 deserve and 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.519 Jesus drinks 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.379 that cup of 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:41.759 punishment. 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.539 And he 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.160 says to you 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.619 this morning, 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.379 let me 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:45.160 serve you. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.900 Let me 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.700 save you. 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.759 And that 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.000 is the 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.559 right response, 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:52.940 isn't it? 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.140 So let 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.319 this great 00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:59.539 one serve 00:24:59.539 --> 00:24:59.920 us. 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.940 To save 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.279 us, to 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.759 trust in 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.099 what he's 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.319 done. 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.160 And then, 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.079 and only 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.660 then, we 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.339 can live 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.900 lives serving 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.640 one another 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.440 because our 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.300 hope, and 00:25:10.300 --> 00:25:11.000 our status, 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:11.900 and our 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:14.380 identity, is 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.940 secure in 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.220 him. 00:25:17.520 --> 00:25:17.940 Look at 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.400 verse 29 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:18.940 with me. 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.360 As they 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:21.660 went out of 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.120 Jericho, a 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:22.700 great crowd 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.140 followed him. 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.580 And behold, 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:24.880 there were two 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.480 blind men 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:25.920 sitting by the 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.520 roadside, and 00:25:26.520 --> 00:25:26.759 when they 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.140 heard that 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.600 Jesus was 00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:28.080 passing by, 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.500 they cried 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:28.700 out, 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:28.980 Lord, 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.380 Lord, 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.160 have mercy 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:30.660 on us. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:32.540 Son of 00:25:32.540 --> 00:25:32.820 David. 00:25:35.040 --> 00:25:35.520 The crowd 00:25:35.520 --> 00:25:35.800 grew a big 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:36.020 window. 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.020 Shut up. 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:38.620 Be quiet. 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.500 But they 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:39.960 cried all 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.280 the more, 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.320 Lord, have 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:42.080 mercy on 00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.560 us, son of 00:25:42.560 --> 00:25:42.780 David. 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.400 And stopping, 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:46.160 stopping, 00:25:46.280 --> 00:25:46.780 Jesus called 00:25:46.780 --> 00:25:47.020 them and 00:25:47.020 --> 00:25:47.300 said, what 00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:47.440 do you 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.000 want me to 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.440 do for 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.720 you? 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.320 Same 00:25:51.320 --> 00:25:51.800 question that 00:25:51.800 --> 00:25:52.100 he asked 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:52.420 James and 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.660 John's 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:52.840 honor. 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.520 And they 00:25:55.520 --> 00:25:55.740 said to 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.300 Lord, let 00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:56.640 our eyes 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.040 be opened. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.360 Jesus 00:25:59.360 --> 00:25:59.700 in pity 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.020 touched 00:26:00.020 --> 00:26:00.620 their eyes, 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.100 and immediately 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.580 they recovered 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.000 their sight 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.340 and followed 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:02.580 him. 00:26:05.040 --> 00:26:05.960 So what's 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.140 Matthew 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.460 trying to 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:06.820 do here? 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.200 Matthew 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.680 is trying to 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.060 show you 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.799 the contrast 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.379 between 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.179 James and 00:26:10.179 --> 00:26:11.339 John and 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.599 the two 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.079 blind men. 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.819 Lord, have 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.819 mercy on 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.259 me, they 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.619 cry. 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.220 Those 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:21.319 are the 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:22.099 words of 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.460 the blind 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:22.700 men. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.240 There's no 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.940 I am the 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.460 greatest 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.240 here. 00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.119 These two 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.700 blind men 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.619 recognize Jesus 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.079 for whom he 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.480 is, that he 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.259 is the son of 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.119 David, the 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:34.579 promised 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.419 savior, and 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.039 they cry out 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.639 for mercy, and 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.039 they follow 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.299 him. 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.180 And the 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.839 disciples, they 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.200 are so 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.940 thick, so 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.099 stupid, so 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.779 blind, that 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.180 they are 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.220 striving for 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.819 greatness in 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.200 the worldly 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.659 way. 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.279 Not the 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.539 kingdom 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:50.899 way. 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.980 As I was 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.519 writing this 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.039 sermon, I 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:56.180 was thinking, 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.539 I want this 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.059 sermon to be 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:58.460 great. 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.759 And I 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.599 actually, I 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:02.980 want this 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.420 sermon to be 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.240 seen as 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.759 great. 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:05.819 I want it 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.220 to be a 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.200 great sermon. 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.480 You 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:08.940 hypocrite 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.400 leave me. 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.460 But I 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:12.759 like you 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.079 have to 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.000 run from 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:15.019 seeking my 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.819 glory, to 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.339 seeking the 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.259 glory of 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.660 my savior, and 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.319 the glory of 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.859 others. 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:22.319 By serving 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.779 others. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.079 True 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.400 greatness 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.259 comes from 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.039 service. 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.859 True 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.519 greatness in a 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.240 sermon comes 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.620 from the 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.160 plain 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.000 explanation 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.299 of God's 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.640 word. 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.140 And seeing 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:38.579 that, all 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.279 of us, and 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.900 how we need 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.460 to change 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:40.900 because of 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.220 what God 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.660 says to 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.019 us all, it's 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.279 not about 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.640 the preacher. 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.420 It's about 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:46.059 putting our 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.660 lives at the 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.500 feet of our 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.200 great God. 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.039 As I want to 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.380 say to you 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:51.799 this morning, 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.440 if you've 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.779 not seen 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.200 Jesus, it's 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.619 really great 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.079 for so many 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.119 visitors here 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.579 this morning. 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.279 It feels like 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.880 Sarah's brought 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.299 half the 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.839 school over 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.059 there. 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.099 But if you 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.559 do not yet 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.039 follow him, I 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.519 want you to 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:02.960 look around. 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.379 I want you to 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.720 look around 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.319 this room and 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.900 see a 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.519 community of 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:07.960 people who 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.359 are so 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.039 convinced of 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.420 the greatness 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.099 of Jesus 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.700 and of his 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.339 death in our 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.940 place that we 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.400 take him at 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:15.519 his word and 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.119 we trust him. 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.319 And so, like 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.940 Jesus, there's 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.379 no need for 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:20.799 gruesome 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.680 dictatorships. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.599 There's no 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.200 need for 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.819 one-upmanship 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.420 over one 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:24.700 another. 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.980 And I hope 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.500 that if you 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.079 come along to 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.359 this group, 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:28.779 what you'll 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.480 see is a 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.200 loving community 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.799 of Christians. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.039 who find 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.720 their greatness 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.119 in what 00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:34.559 Jesus has 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:34.919 done for 00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:35.119 them. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.039 And so the 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.619 Christian life 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:38.899 is you 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.339 follow the 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.819 example of 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.180 the Master 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.460 and you 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:41.759 serve. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:48.180 And if 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.700 you're not a 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.460 follower of 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:49.759 the Lord 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:53.079 Jesus, and 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.339 if you've 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.640 come here 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.200 this morning 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.740 and you've 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.259 not really 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.000 seen him 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.779 as he is, 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.740 maybe you're 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.259 working out 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.759 this morning 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.099 that there's 00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.660 something about 00:28:59.660 --> 00:28:59.879 it. 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.599 And can I 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:02.940 urge you to 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.619 cry out for 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:06.299 mercy to 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.879 call out to 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.480 this, the 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.099 greatest man 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.319 that the 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.640 world has 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.359 ever seen, 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:11.879 who became 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:12.839 the slave 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.179 of God. 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.439 And to 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:16.039 ask him to 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.399 take the 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:17.099 penalty that 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.919 you deserve, 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.219 that he 00:29:21.219 --> 00:29:22.000 takes the 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:23.199 cup that 00:29:23.199 --> 00:29:23.819 you should 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.740 really drink, 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.959 the cup of 00:29:26.959 --> 00:29:27.219 God's 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:29.619 anger, so 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.099 you can 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.839 drink today 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.859 at this 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:34.619 table from 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:34.979 the cup of 00:29:34.979 --> 00:29:35.219 God's 00:29:35.219 --> 00:29:35.500 blessing. 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.079 God's 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.079 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:38.680 trust him. 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.480 Let's 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:40.640 pray.