And turn if you go to Matthew 20. Matthew chapter 20, that's page 825 in the Church Bible. Matthew chapter 20.
! I'm going to look at verses 17 to 34.
When it comes to greatness,
there's one man that comes into my mind, and I expect it comes into many of your minds.
He's the three-time heavyweight boxing champion, Cassius Clay, or we might know him as Muhammad Ali.
Do you remember him? He had five career losses, 56 wins, 37 of those were knockouts.
The sports illustrators, BBC, Laureus, they needed to be named the greatest sportsman of the 20th century.
What was his catchphrase?
I am the greatest, wasn't it?
I am the greatest, that's exactly right.
He would speak about how great he was.
He would build himself up.
So listen to some of his quotes.
It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am.
I'm not the greatest, I'm the double greatest.
Not only do I knock them out, but I kick them around.
His autobiography was imaginatively called the greatest in his own words.
Cassius Clay was a man on a mission.
A mission to be the greatest boxer in this world has ever seen.
And in Matthew 20 we come across another man on a mission.
Another candidate for greatness.
Like Cassius Clay, he was great.
Like Cassius Clay, he had profound things to say that people around him didn't like.
But his mission could not have been more different.
His closest followers identify him, this man, as the promised ruler of the world.
And they say, Jesus, you are the holder of the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
You let me live.
You're the one who can give entry.
You are the very son of God.
And that is who his followers think he is.
But this is how Jesus outlines his mission.
His mission.
And look at verse 18, you see.
Jesus says in Matthew 20, 18.
We are going up to Jerusalem.
And the Son of Man, that's his way of describing himself, will be delivered over the chief priests and scribes.
And they will condemn him to death.
They'll deliver him over the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.
And he will be raised on the third day.
To see greatness for Jesus looks very, very different, doesn't it?
And the Jews, his own people, they are about to condemn him to death.
Not because he did anything wrong, but because he offended them.
Because he caused them problems.
They're not very followers, are they?
And in order to keep the peace of the Romans through the ignition of the time,
they mock him, they flog him, and they will publicly execute him.
They'll nail his hands and his feet to a plank of wood.
They'll hoist his naked body into the air for all to see a criminal's death.
And so Muhammad Ali, he punches the air.
He stands on his arms aloft.
And Muhammad Ali says, I am the greatest.
But the Lord Jesus allowed his arms to be nailed to the cross for us.
And so let me ask you, what's your idea of greatness?
What is your idea this morning of greatness?
Jesus has barely finished explaining how he's going to pour out his life,
how he'll be crucified,
when the mother of James and John, two of his closest followers,
comes up to Jesus.
She's got a sore sore on her knees.
She's looking for a fever.
She's dragged her two sons,
slightly embarrassed, I think, with her.
And if you thought pushing pear in the sleep room was the thing of today,
don't be mistaken.
So here is James and John's mum coming up,
saying, I want something for my sons.
Jesus says to her, what is it that you want?
And she says literally this, promise me.
Promise, she says.
You know, it's like when somebody asks you to promise something
before they tell you what it is.
That's so that you'll say yes on the spot.
Promise me this.
Say that.
Verse 21.
One of my sons, these two sons of mine,
one of them is able to sit at your right hand,
and the other on your left at the kingdom.
Do you remember what Jesus said he's going to do?
Remember what he said he's going to do when he gets to Jerusalem?
He said, I will pour out my life.
I will be crucified.
But all the disciples could think of as their position in the coming kingdom.
Now it's true, in the previous chapter we looked at a few weeks ago,
that Jesus had told the twelve disciples they would have a special place.
Chapter 19, verse 28.
Truly I say to you, in the new world,
when the son of man will sit on his glorious throne,
you who followed me will also sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who's left,
or brothers, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake,
they'll receive a hundredfold,
and they'll inherit a certain life.
And the many who are first will be last,
and the last first.
You see, that's all they heard.
The one of the disciples heard,
there's something in it for them.
They are like moths,
spellbound by a great light,
flapping around,
they're not able to see anything else.
They're totally oblivious to what Jesus says about death.
All they can see is,
I'm going to get some glory,
and it will be awesome.
And Jesus is saying,
the first shall be last,
and the last shall be first.
And he is living it out, isn't he?
That Jesus is about to pour out his life.
He's about to become the last.
So that others can become the first.
But all the apostles are doing,
is they are worrying that they get the first place.
They've completely misunderstood the mission of Jesus.
You don't know what you're asking Jesus as to the Lord.
Are you able to drink the cup that I will drink?
So the disciples, they think, don't they,
that glory and greatness
come from political positions.
From kind of worldly power,
and conquest,
and lofty schemes.
That's what's in their minds.
Ruling and reigning.
That's what is in their minds about what Jesus is going to do,
despite what he said.
But the cup that Jesus is speaking of in this passage,
it's not the kind of,
the royal silverware.
It's not the royal doulton that you have in a special box.
It's not high tea condiments
that you need.
When Jesus speaks about a cup here,
he's using a figure of speech,
an Old Testament picture.
A picture of God
pouring out his judgment on the world
because they are in rebellion against him.
And it's a serious issue.
And Jesus says,
I'm about to drink that cup.
I'm about to drink the cup of God's anger
against what you and I have done.
Against how you and I have rebelled against him
and lived without a thought frame.
And that drink is about to be poured out
into Jesus' mouth.
James and John,
do you really think you're able to drink the cup
from which I'm about to drink?
And ironically,
the brothers say,
well, we are.
We are able.
And they don't know what they're asking.
They've got no idea.
But Jesus knows, doesn't he?
He knows the massiveness
of what is about to go on
in the next few years.
He knows that James will be
the first apostle to die.
He knows that King Herod
will cut his throat
of the sword
for being a follower of Jesus.
He knows that John
will live a long life,
a long life of persecution
and suffering,
exiled to an island called Patmos.
Where he has a life
which is suffering for the gospel.
And so Jesus is like,
doesn't he?
Verse 23,
if you look at this.
He says,
you will indeed.
You will drink my cup.
But to sit at my right hand
and my left is not for mine to grant,
but it is for those
for whom it is to be prepared
by the Father.
Now,
I want you to notice something here.
Do notice,
Jesus doesn't compliment
our mission.
He doesn't say anything
about their desire for greatness.
Instead,
what he does here
is,
he says,
if you want to share
in his glory,
then you have to share
in his suffering.
Let me say that again.
If you want to share
in Jesus' glory,
then you need to share
in his suffering.
Who sits at the right hand
and the left hand
for Jesus
is irrelevant.
He's not coming to sell
box seats in his kingdom.
He's coming to make his kingdom.
And he does that
by drinking the cup
of God's anger,
of God's judgment,
so that you and I
don't need Jesus.
By exhausting
the penalty
that we deserve
by dying on the cross
in our place.
And in this long,
before the other ten
disciples get wind
of what James and John
and their man had asked,
they hear that
James and John
are asking
for the plush seats
in the kingdom.
So Matthew tells us
in verse 24,
when the ten
heard about it,
they were indignant
at the two brothers.
They were furious.
And you think
that they would be angry
at James and John.
You've just not
got it, boys.
You've just not
understood it.
What the kingdom is like.
But it's nothing
like that at all.
They are furious
that they didn't get it first.
They figure that
they've missed out
on the best tickets.
That James and John
have jumped the gun
and now they're going
to have to settle
third and fourth
and fifth place.
And so Jesus
calls them over
and he sets the record straight.
And he explains
how this world works.
And he says
in this world
rulers dominate.
Men of high position
they exercise power.
That is how the world
works, isn't it?
Greatness in this world
is about status.
It's about having people
under you.
It's about calling
the shots
and being able
to do whatever
you want.
It's about being
better than anybody else.
whether that's
in your business.
Whether that's
better than your neighbours.
Whether that's
better than your friends.
That's what greatness is.
But Jesus says
not so
with you.
Verse 26
it shall not be so
among you.
It shall not be so
among you.
I want us to be
really careful here.
I think we need
to be careful
because Jesus
is not saying
that greatness
is wrong.
Greatness
is not wrong.
We were made
to be great.
The Bible says
that every human being
was made in the image
of God.
The Bible says
that every human being
has been crowned
with glory and honour.
And we are
the greatest
of God's creation.
for the New Testament
tells us
for those of us
who follow Jesus
that we now
are seated
in the heavenly realms
with Jesus Christ.
We have an inheritance
that never perishes
or spoils or fakes
and is kept in heaven
for us.
The Bible says
to the New Testament
Christians
it says
we will rule the world
with Christ.
We will judge the world.
We will share
in the inheritance
of God's own son.
We will be called
children of the
creator of the universe.
He will call us
as sons
and daughters.
And so
human beings
striving for greatness
that there is
inside of every human being
and you look at our culture
and it's there
isn't it?
That is not wrong.
There's nothing wrong
with greatness.
You strive for it.
You don't have to be
embarrassed about it.
Because greatness
is not the problem.
The problem is
how we get there.
that's the issue.
I've only already
wanted to follow
this sermon.
And this is the point.
It's true greatness
comes from service.
True greatness
comes from service.
That's what Jesus
showed us.
Look at verse 26.
Whoever would be
great among you
must be your servant.
must be
a slave.
And whoever would be
first in man
you must be your slave
even as the son of man
again that's referring to
Jesus
came not to be served
but to serve
and to give his life
as a ransom for money.
And Jesus takes this
worldview of greatness
and he just turns it
on his head.
He shows us that
the way that we
picture greatness
is just the wrong
way round.
So greatness in the world
works like this
doesn't it?
We strive for
greatness.
It goes like that.
But he says
greatness in my kingdom
goes the exact
opposite way.
It goes down.
The greatest
will be the slave.
Greatness is about
being a servant.
It's about being
a slave to others.
Now let's think
about that for a moment.
Let's think
how do men work?
How do guys work?
Well the way we
take a lot
comes down to
power and status.
Doesn't it?
So the first question
when I walk into
a room full of guys
the first question
I ask when I meet
someone I haven't
seen in a while
is
what do you do
with yourself
these days?
What are you up to
now?
I want to know
how I fit
how I compare
to them.
I want to know
if their job
is better than
my job.
I want to know
if they earn
more money
than I do.
I want to know
who's the greatest.
I think we
would struggle
with this
in a similar
but different
way.
How many times
do you think
to yourself
do I look
as fat as her?
Do I look
as skinny as her?
Am I that short?
Or what about
if you've got kids?
At least our
kids don't behave
as badly as
so and so's kids.
There's so many
ways we do it
aren't there?
So many ways
that actually
we don't like
to repent.
We compare
we build
ourselves up
and we say
we aren't
great.
You want to be
great says
Jesus?
Be a slave.
Such sharp
language.
It's so you
can get through
the disciples
thick skulls
and you can
get it through
my thick skull.
And there's
no romance
is there?
There's no
prestige.
There's no
power in
being a slave.
You've not
got control
of it.
You are
serving.
You are
pouring yourself
out to love
others.
You're doing
things that
don't benefit
you but
benefit others.
You're doing
it just like
Jesus did.
Jesus didn't
do it to
build himself
up.
But to
pour himself
out to
those he
loved.
Not so he
felt comfortable.
Not so that
he felt he
got his
desires but
so that he
could sue
others.
That is
too
greatness but
it's not
easy is it?
It's not
easy being
a slave.
And as I
try to
think through
what is
it that
makes it
so hard
I think
it comes
down to
this.
It comes
down to
the one
sin.
The base
sin.
And it's
a sin of
pride.
That I
want others
to see me
as great
for who I
am.
So I
don't want
to serve
others.
one of
the
reformers
said
really
helpful.
That pride
was the
undergarment
of sin.
It's the
first thing
we put on
as Christians
and it's
the last
thing we
take off.
It's like
a vest in
winter.
It's the
first thing
you put on
in the
morning and
the last
thing you
take off
at night.
It sits
there
festering
away.
Amongst
everything
we do
and it's
a hard
one to
kick
isn't it?
And so
we need
to watch
our pride.
We need
to admit
it.
But I
have to
say that
as I
thought more
about this
this church
is full
of greatness.
Look
around you.
You've
got people
who selflessly
hear
coming early
who run
rotas
who
give up
their
time on
Thursdays
so
children
can learn
about
the
Lord
Jesus.
People
sitting
next to
you
who
spend
their
time
preparing
lessons
to teach
English
as a
second
language
and get
the Bible
open.
People
who open
up their
homes to
visitors
and strangers
even when
they're
tired
and
exhausted.
people
who come
to a
parent
toddler
group
on a
Monday
morning
when it's
the last
thing they
want to.
People
committed
to serving
the church
week in
week out
year in
year out
decade in
decade out.
Families
that cut
back so
that they
could give
sacrificially
to the
church.
Families
that stay
in a
smaller
house
in the
Ealing
area
instead of
being able
to move
to the
leafy
countryside
and have
a great
larger
house
and a
better
stop
to
live in.
Folk
who
put their
hand up
again and
again.
Friends
who look
out for
one another
and call
one another
up and
text one
another
when the
chips
are down.
Who
go out
and enjoy
one another's
company.
Not because
it's good
for them
but because
they want
to serve
each other.
And so
when I look
around and
as I think
of the
church this
morning I
see a
church full
of greatness.
A church
where people
do serve
one another
actually in
a great
way.
The other
are still
things out
that get
in the
way of
our
greatness.
There are
still little
things that
hold us
back from
serving.
as a
minister of
this
church
that very
title is
supposed to
mean servant.
And yet we
all know
can't we
that that
can be a
way of
holding power
and authority
in a way
that's very
very unhelpful.
I'm not
saying that
authority is
bad but I
am saying
that you
can use
your title
to get
your
greatness.
And
whatever
title we
have we
must find
our
greatness
not in
that.
But our
greatness
should be
derived from
our serving
others.
That's what
it means
to be a
leader.
And then
as servant
hearted
people we
find ourselves
often
serving only
those who
are attractive.
I don't
mean that
in a physical
sense though
that is
possible
isn't it?
But we
can find it
easy to
serve some
people.
It struck
me that
Jesus didn't
say serve
the people
that you
like being
around.
And he
didn't say
serve the
ones that
you're
well with.
And he
didn't say
serve the
people just
like you
or people
that have
the same
background
as you
or serve
the people
that wear
the same
kind of
clothes
as you
or serve
the people
of the same
kind of
parenting
style as
you
or the
ones who
have a
good sense
of humour
and you
get on
well with.
So let's
call it
speed to
speed.
Do you
know why
it's hard
to serve
other people
who are
not like
us?
Because deep
down we
think we're
better than
them.
We
actually think
more important
or significant
that it
doesn't
actually
matter if
I don't
look after
or serve
this person
or that
person.
Sometimes
the wrong
isn't just
us despising
others and
thinking we're
better than
others but it's
exactly the
opposite.
We look around
and we see the
gifts of other
people.
We see their
intelligence,
their way with
people, how good
they are with
people and we
draw comparisons
and we feel
so inferior.
And then we
just back out
of services
altogether.
We back out
of relationships
because I'm
not as good
as that.
I couldn't
possibly do
that.
Do you want
to break free
from those
ways this
morning?
Then take
a risk.
Serve
someone.
Don't worry
about what
they're going
to think,
what they're
going to say
about you
or what
they think
you think
about them.
just serve
them.
Look at the
example of
our Saviour
we follow in
his footsteps.
You see the
last weapon
against the
problem of
pride that
we see in
this passage
I think is
the Lord
Jesus.
He is the
greatest one
of all.
He is the
one who
spoke and
things came
into being.
He's the
one who
sustains
all things.
So our
comes and
thanks for
Muhammad Ali
is great.
But we
remember
Muhammad Ali
at the end
of his
life.
Those last
10-15
years shaking
the
targets.
So fragile
trying to
light the
flame
at the
Olympics.
I can
push him
over.
And in
Jesus he's
risen to
the right
hand of
God and
is ruling
over the
world.
That's what
we're going
to look at
gloriously
tonight and
next Sunday
night.
Jesus is
a man on
a mission
and his
mission is
not to
lord it
over his
people.
Jesus'
mission is
not to
pulverize
his enemies.
It's not
to be
served like
some royal
prince,
although that's
what he
is.
Rather,
Jesus'
mission is
to be
served up
like a
lamb.
To be
served up
like a
lamb to
slaughter.
And he
takes the
penalty that
you and I
deserve and
Jesus drinks
that cup of
punishment.
And he
says to you
this morning,
let me
serve you.
Let me
save you.
And that
is the
right response,
isn't it?
So let
this great
one serve
us.
To save
us, to
trust in
what he's
done.
And then,
and only
then, we
can live
lives serving
one another
because our
hope, and
our status,
and our
identity, is
secure in
him.
Look at
verse 29
with me.
As they
went out of
Jericho, a
great crowd
followed him.
And behold,
there were two
blind men
sitting by the
roadside, and
when they
heard that
Jesus was
passing by,
they cried
out,
Lord,
have mercy
on us.
Son of
David.
The crowd
grew a big
window.
Shut up.
Be quiet.
But they
cried all
the more,
Lord, have
mercy on
us, son of
David.
And stopping,
stopping,
Jesus called
them and
said, what
do you
want me to
do for
you?
Same
question that
he asked
James and
John's
honor.
And they
said to
Lord, let
our eyes
be opened.
Jesus
in pity
touched
their eyes,
and immediately
they recovered
their sight
and followed
him.
So what's
Matthew
trying to
do here?
Matthew
is trying to
show you
the contrast
between
James and
John and
the two
blind men.
Lord, have
mercy on
me, they
cry.
Those
are the
words of
the blind
men.
There's no
I am the
greatest
here.
These two
blind men
recognize Jesus
for whom he
is, that he
is the son of
David, the
promised
savior, and
they cry out
for mercy, and
they follow
him.
And the
disciples, they
are so
thick, so
stupid, so
blind, that
they are
striving for
greatness in
the worldly
way.
Not the
kingdom
way.
As I was
writing this
sermon, I
was thinking,
I want this
sermon to be
great.
And I
actually, I
want this
sermon to be
seen as
great.
I want it
to be a
great sermon.
You
hypocrite
leave me.
But I
like you
have to
run from
seeking my
glory, to
seeking the
glory of
my savior, and
the glory of
others.
By serving
others.
True
greatness
comes from
service.
True
greatness in a
sermon comes
from the
plain
explanation
of God's
word.
And seeing
that, all
of us, and
how we need
to change
because of
what God
says to
us all, it's
not about
the preacher.
It's about
putting our
lives at the
feet of our
great God.
As I want to
say to you
this morning,
if you've
not seen
Jesus, it's
really great
for so many
visitors here
this morning.
It feels like
Sarah's brought
half the
school over
there.
But if you
do not yet
follow him, I
want you to
look around.
I want you to
look around
this room and
see a
community of
people who
are so
convinced of
the greatness
of Jesus
and of his
death in our
place that we
take him at
his word and
we trust him.
And so, like
Jesus, there's
no need for
gruesome
dictatorships.
There's no
need for
one-upmanship
over one
another.
And I hope
that if you
come along to
this group,
what you'll
see is a
loving community
of Christians.
who find
their greatness
in what
Jesus has
done for
them.
And so the
Christian life
is you
follow the
example of
the Master
and you
serve.
And if
you're not a
follower of
the Lord
Jesus, and
if you've
come here
this morning
and you've
not really
seen him
as he is,
maybe you're
working out
this morning
that there's
something about
it.
And can I
urge you to
cry out for
mercy to
call out to
this, the
greatest man
that the
world has
ever seen,
who became
the slave
of God.
And to
ask him to
take the
penalty that
you deserve,
that he
takes the
cup that
you should
really drink,
the cup of
God's
anger, so
you can
drink today
at this
table from
the cup of
God's
blessing.
God's
trust him.
Let's
pray.