WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.540 And to give his life a ransom for many. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:10.359 To give his life a ransom for many. 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:15.040 The year was 1888. 00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:16.660 It was in Paris. 00:00:18.080 --> 00:00:23.839 Alfred Nobel was going down to lunch, as he would normally do, to the small cafe near where he was staying. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:28.039 Nobel was a famous entrepreneur, a munitions expert. 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:30.000 He actually invented TNT. 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:33.679 Before he just had nitroglycerin, which was very unstable. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:36.500 And he invented TNT and he invented a lot of the blasting caps. 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:41.340 The ability to mold TNT into shells and to cause a lot of destructive power. 00:00:41.479 --> 00:00:47.739 And he had amassed this massive fortune in that, in about 300 other patents that he had developed in his lifetime. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:50.739 And he sat down at the table and he opened the newspaper. 00:00:51.460 --> 00:00:56.060 And on the front page of the French paper were these headlines. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:00:59.960 The merchant of death is dead. 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:03.880 And then he began to read his own obituary. 00:01:05.159 --> 00:01:08.020 Someone in the newspaper got it confused. 00:01:09.040 --> 00:01:11.420 And it was actually Alfred's brother who died. 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:14.099 But they wrote Alfred's obituary. 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:21.659 And we're told that as he read it, he became disgusted at what he read. 00:01:21.659 --> 00:01:26.759 And he read this long obituary with platitudes like, 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:36.159 He invented and he made it possible to kill more people more quickly than anyone else had ever done in the history of mankind. 00:01:37.659 --> 00:01:41.519 Nobel convinced off his obituary and he realized two things. 00:01:42.299 --> 00:01:46.500 He realized that when he died, this is how he was going to be remembered. 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:51.459 And he also realized that that's not how he wanted to be remembered. 00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:53.959 That was not success for him. 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:55.879 That was not greatness for him. 00:01:55.939 --> 00:02:00.620 All his life he had strived to be the best, to have success, to be great. 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:03.379 And that was not the greatness that he wanted. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:07.539 And so the story goes that he ran down to this shop. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:09.240 He laid out his will. 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:12.719 And for the next several hours, he continued to rewrite his will. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:14.659 What it would look like to be successful. 00:02:14.799 --> 00:02:17.539 What it would look like to be reminded as being great. 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:20.900 We're told that he went over it several times. 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:22.379 Had men look at it and check it. 00:02:23.359 --> 00:02:26.579 And he took his fortune, which at that time was $9 million. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:30.500 So I know for all you bankers here, you're thinking in your mind, what does that translate? 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:33.920 That translates to $250 million. 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:40.780 And he took all of that and he put it into a fund to establish five awards. 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:49.240 These awards we know today as the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Prize for Humanity, the Nobel Prize for Science. 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:56.379 Because Nobel had this unique opportunity to change his history. 00:02:57.260 --> 00:03:11.460 And he wanted to make sure that success, power, greatness, all these things that he had dreamed about were translated in the correct way. 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:13.860 Why do I share that story? 00:03:14.820 --> 00:03:16.640 And why do I share that story as we begin the new year? 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:27.799 I realize even as I'm sharing and talking and preaching and coming to God's word, that there are many of us in here right now who've already started thinking about what success is going to look like for this year. 00:03:28.619 --> 00:03:35.779 I realize that some of us in here have already received goals and KPIs and things that our bosses have given to us and said, 00:03:36.339 --> 00:03:39.719 These are the numbers that I want you to meet this year. 00:03:40.399 --> 00:03:41.539 You did great last year. 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:42.500 You were a success. 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:44.459 You were incredible. 00:03:44.579 --> 00:03:46.039 But this year, this is what I need. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:48.939 And some of us are thinking, what happened to my success? 00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:53.959 Because it was quickly changed and increased a little more. 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:58.039 I realize that there's some of us in here right now who are thinking about our own lives. 00:03:58.779 --> 00:04:00.799 And we're writing KPIs for our lives. 00:04:01.379 --> 00:04:03.339 And what this next year should entail. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:04.259 What it should look like. 00:04:04.299 --> 00:04:07.319 And what would it mean for us to be successful and significant. 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:16.180 My question for us is, what would it be like if we could read our own obituary? 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:20.680 What would we want to be known for? 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:25.659 What would you hope that you would look down at the newspaper and read? 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:30.280 What would it look like to have a great life? 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:36.439 What would it look like to be a success? 00:04:37.880 --> 00:04:40.020 Well, that's what this passage is all about. 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:44.260 I come to this passage often because it talks about greatness. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:45.820 It talks about success. 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:48.439 I know sometimes we feel uncomfortable about the word great. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:49.920 If I said, do you want to be great? 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:51.300 Do you want your career to be great? 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:52.300 Do you want your kids to be great? 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:55.319 Maybe you feel, ugh, I don't know if I feel good about that. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:57.699 But what if we just say we want you to be significant? 00:05:00.219 --> 00:05:02.680 Do you want your lives to be a success? 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:06.659 Do you want your lives to be influential? 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:11.800 Do you want your lives to be significant? 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:16.160 I mean, maybe that sounds better than asking, do you want to be great? 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:22.940 But the passage talks a lot about what does it mean for us to be significant in God's kingdom. 00:05:23.760 --> 00:05:31.620 The amazing thing to me about this story that we heard Bernard read is that over and over and over, 00:05:32.520 --> 00:05:35.560 Jesus is coming to his disciples, and at least four times, 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:39.740 he's having to come into their world and talk to them about what success means, 00:05:40.579 --> 00:05:42.939 what greatness means, what does it look like to be influential, 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:44.000 what does it look like to be powerful. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:47.600 Over and over in the Gospels, he sees them arguing. 00:05:48.280 --> 00:05:52.759 Mark 9, Mark 20, Mark 10, Matthew 18, Matthew 20, Luke 22. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:57.000 Over and over, they argue about they want to be the greatest, they want to be successful. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:01.519 And over and over, it's amazing to me, I find some kind of comfort in this 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:03.259 because I feel like I struggle with this. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:07.139 I mean, I feel like sometimes I get so caught up in my world, 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:15.539 I get so caught up in my significance that I don't hear God talking to me. 00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:21.480 I don't know if you struggle with that, but his disciples did. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.079 They struggled with it over and over and over. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:30.659 And the amazing thing to me is that Jesus is so gracious because over and over and over, 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:31.839 he comes to them gently. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:34.060 Over and over and over, he comes to them kindly. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:37.699 He comes to them patiently, and he corrects their idea of success. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:40.439 He corrects their idea of greatness. 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:43.159 He corrects their idea of significance. 00:06:44.159 --> 00:06:48.060 And he talks about there's these two kingdoms, the kingdom of the world and my kingdom, 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:51.579 and those things look very different in my kingdom. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:56.259 What I want to draw in this next couple minutes is really, again, 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:58.800 I'm hoping that you will come back and read this again this week. 00:06:59.100 --> 00:06:59.959 I want to look at greatness. 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:02.840 I want to look at significance. 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:05.139 I want to look at success. 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:06.800 And I want to look at this passage. 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:08.620 I think this passage has three things to teach us. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:11.860 First thing it teaches us is what is significance in God's kingdom. 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:14.920 What does it mean to be successful in God's kingdom? 00:07:15.460 --> 00:07:20.240 The second thing this passage teaches us is what is our greatest enemy to success? 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:25.080 What is the thing in my heart that keeps me from being successful in God's kingdom? 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:28.400 This passage talks about it over and over and over. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:33.540 And the third thing I want to look at is what is the cure for that thing that keeps me from doing it? 00:07:33.540 --> 00:07:34.360 So let's see where we're going. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.819 So where is success? 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:36.560 What does it look like? 00:07:36.580 --> 00:07:37.300 What does it mean to be influential? 00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:39.980 What is the thing in my life that prevents me from doing that? 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:44.060 And then what is the thing that is a cure for my prevention? 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:45.860 And at the end I want to do a little exercise. 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:48.399 You have a little envelope in your chair. 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:49.500 Don't open it up right now. 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:54.480 But in the end we're going to open it up and do a little exercise and thought on success. 00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:56.959 First the passage says this. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:07:59.379 What is success? 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:01.819 What does success look like in God's kingdom? 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:05.740 Now remember this is the last day of Jesus' life. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:08.699 Jesus is about to be arrested. 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:10.399 He's about to go to the cross. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:12.000 He's about to be persecuted. 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.739 And it's the last day. 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:15.500 He is about to give everything. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:21.459 But all the people around him, they're acting like it is not that way. 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:26.399 I mean all the people around them, they're acting like it's the greatest IPO that's about to happen in the history of the world. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:29.399 They're acting like, okay, God's kingdom is about to happen. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:30.639 And here's the franchise. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:32.240 It's about to open up in Jerusalem. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:34.179 And I want to get a piece of that kingdom. 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:39.099 And so everybody is coming to Jesus and they all want to exercise their stock options. 00:08:39.199 --> 00:08:41.259 They all want to get in on the power play. 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:42.179 They all want to get significance. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:43.799 They all want to get power. 00:08:46.239 --> 00:08:52.139 And in verse 20 we see this amazing story of this woman, Salome. 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:54.099 She's Jesus' aunt. 00:08:54.959 --> 00:08:55.839 She's Jesus' aunt. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:56.759 She's Mary's sister. 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:58.659 And she comes to him with her two sons. 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:01.599 And it's asked different ways in different gospels. 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:03.779 In the Gospel of Mark, she basically says this. 00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:09.820 She says to him, I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer yes for whatever I ask you. 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:12.080 Whatever I ask you, I want you to do it. 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:14.700 Is that bold? 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:18.279 I mean, whatever I ask, you're going to do it. 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:19.740 I need you to do this. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:26.160 I mean, sometimes that sounds a lot like us, doesn't it? 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:29.899 That we come to God and we say, okay, God, I need you to do this. 00:09:30.060 --> 00:09:31.160 You have to do this, God. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:32.559 If you don't do this, I'm going to fail. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:37.079 And so she comes to him and she asked him something very special. 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:42.699 She asked for her sons to sit on the right and left hand of him in the kingdom of God. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:48.399 Now, the right and the left hand were the places of the greatest power and significance. 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:50.559 They were the places of honor. 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:51.819 They were the places of authority. 00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:53.980 They were the places of making people do what they need to do. 00:09:53.980 --> 00:10:01.240 And Salome says, hey, I want James and John, the sons of thunder, the sons of Zebedee, these really loud, boisterous guys. 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:02.620 I want them to have all the power in your kingdom. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.700 I want them to be the greatest success in your kingdom. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:11.740 And again, when you read the passage, what you see is that Jesus gently, you don't know what you're asking. 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:14.799 Are you able to drink the cup I'm about to drink? 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:19.539 They said we are, but in Greek, they're actually saying, yeah, yeah, we can do it. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:21.680 They don't even really know what they're doing. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:23.460 But they say they can do it. 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:31.440 And over and over and over, Jesus graciously redirects them. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:40.740 He takes his disciples' hearts and he teaches them what does it mean to be great in his kingdom. 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:44.560 In verse 25, he says this. 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:50.300 In the world, in Hong Kong, greatness is seen in power. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:53.000 Greatness is seen in authority. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.679 Greatness is seen in people under you. 00:10:56.319 --> 00:11:01.479 The words there, lord it over, means to use your power of position to control people, 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:06.899 to kind of put them in a wrestling hold and to make them do what you want them to do. 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:11.019 In Hong Kong, that's significance. 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:14.419 In the world, that's power. 00:11:15.339 --> 00:11:17.319 In the world, power is your title. 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:21.600 In the world, power is your office that looks out over the harbor. 00:11:22.640 --> 00:11:24.560 One friend told me like this. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:34.540 He said in his office, greatness, success, means doing whatever you have to do to whoever you have to do it 00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:38.140 in order to get to the top and to stay on top. 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:48.799 The verse goes on and it says, 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:58.860 The words actually mean they use their charisma, their clever, their wise. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:11:59.960 They know how to charm. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:00.899 They know how to manipulate. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:04.879 They know how to use their personality to control the people under them. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:07.340 I don't know if you've ever had that in your office. 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.980 But Jesus says, 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.840 In the kingdom of the world, 00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:13.620 that's what success is like. 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:16.360 That's what power is like. 00:12:17.079 --> 00:12:18.459 And then in verse 26 and 27, 00:12:18.579 --> 00:12:22.139 he says something very counterintuitive to us. 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:22.439 He says, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:25.879 In his kingdom, success is measured by serving. 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:30.740 Success is measured by being a servant. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:33.939 Success is measured by being a slave. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.860 Success isn't measured by how many people you can control, 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:41.279 but success is measured by how many people you serve. 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.659 When I think of the word serve in the scripture, 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.299 it basically has this idea. 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:49.179 You look at a person and you say, 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:51.580 What does that person need that I can supply? 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.740 And then you do it. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:59.779 Success in God's kingdom is measured in self-giving. 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:03.240 Success in God's kingdom, Jesus says, 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:07.360 is measured in pouring yourself out by serving others. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:09.180 I came across this article, 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:11.560 which I felt like was so powerful. 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:13.060 It was written by Helen Rubin. 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:15.440 She wrote it for the magazine Fast Company, 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.899 and this is what she said as she dealt with the idea 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:21.740 and the idols of success and power and significance 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.379 in the publishing world. 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.259 This is what she said. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.580 Of all the subjects we assess about, 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.659 success is the one we lie about the most. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:34.500 The success in its cousin money will make us secure. 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:38.500 The success in its cousin power will make us important. 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:42.179 The success in its cousin fame will make us happy. 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:44.379 It's time to tell the truth. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:48.139 Why are our generation's smartest, most talented, 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:51.360 most successful people flirting with disaster in record numbers? 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:55.799 People are using all their means to get money, power, and glory, 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.620 and then they're self-destructing. 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:00.399 Maybe they didn't want it in the first place. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:03.700 Or maybe once they got it, 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:06.220 they realized they didn't like it at all. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:10.560 She went on to say that greatness, success never last. 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.100 I mean, think about that. 00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:16.560 I can read you report after report in psychological journals, 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:19.620 and what they're telling us today is that we live in a generation 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:24.700 that is so enamored with success and power and control, 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.540 they're actually calling it a sickness. 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:31.919 And the problem is that people get so used to being successful wherever they're at 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:36.199 that it gets harder and harder to keep being successful. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:38.939 And eventually things start to fall apart, 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:42.279 and people start to fall apart. 00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:48.000 Jesus compares these two kingdoms in Scripture, 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:49.019 and he says this. 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:50.379 Listen very carefully. 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.820 He says, 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:52.860 Worldly success, 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:55.299 worldly serving, 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:59.620 requires massive external rewards and recognition. 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.879 But if you serve in my kingdom, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:07.039 it often rests in hiddenness. 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:12.720 Worldly serving is affected by our moods and our feelings. 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:14.000 We're going to do it if we feel like it. 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.740 We're going to serve if we have the time. 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.879 If we don't have something even greater to do, 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.919 we're going to do that. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:25.740 But kingdom serving serves simply and faithfully 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:28.259 just because there's a need. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.519 Worldly serving is temporary, 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:36.580 but kingdom serving is a lifestyle. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:42.019 Worldly serving in success often fractures communities. 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:44.139 I mean, you see it happen all the time. 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:46.299 When people become successful, their relationships break apart. 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:50.159 But Jesus says that kingdom success 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:55.519 kingdom greatness builds communities. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:16:00.959 Worldly success says that greatness is found in being served. 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:05.240 And Jesus says over and over and over, 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:09.120 the people who are going to be called great for eternity 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:12.980 are those who serve others now. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:15.759 The question is, 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:18.420 what kind of success do we want? 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.879 The question is, 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:24.379 what does greatness look like for us? 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.840 And what does greatness look like 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:29.659 in your home? 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:33.139 Are you serving the people around you? 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:35.419 Are they serving you? 00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:37.240 What does greatness look like in your work? 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:40.919 Are you serving the people in your work? 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:43.819 Are they serving you? 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.860 What does greatness look like in your marriage? 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:48.139 What does greatness look like with your friends? 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.639 Do you expect them to serve you? 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.779 Are you serving them? 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:55.919 Are you serving them? 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:02.360 I know that I am going to offend probably everybody in here, 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:05.079 even myself, when I say this. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:09.039 But after 10 years in Hong Kong, 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:12.639 I wonder how many of us are like Salome. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:34.240 Are we teaching them to be servants? 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.640 Are we teaching them to serve? 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:42.440 Greatness in God's kingdom 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:44.460 is seen in serving others, 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:46.200 looking at people and saying, 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:47.140 what is their need 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.820 and how can I supply that need? 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.780 The second thing we see in this passage 00:17:51.780 --> 00:17:53.540 is that greatness is hindered 00:17:53.540 --> 00:17:55.140 or our success is hindered 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.640 in verses 21 and 23. 00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:58.020 And it's the question that she asks. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.140 And the question has to do with ambition 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:03.720 and pride and self-sufficiency. 00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:04.520 And let's face it, 00:18:04.520 --> 00:18:05.920 we all struggle with ambition. 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:08.240 I mean, we wouldn't be in Hong Kong 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:10.180 if we weren't struggling with ambition, 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.519 if we weren't struggling with self-esteem, 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:13.640 if we weren't struggling with self-righteousness, 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:15.799 if we weren't struggling with self-love, 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:19.140 if we weren't thinking about ourselves 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:21.120 more often than we think about other people. 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:23.039 John Calvin once said, 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:23.359 he said, 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.039 it's within our nature, 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.660 the greatest thing that we desire, 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.460 the thing that we go after the most 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.640 in all of our life 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.799 is to be flattered 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:33.299 by other people. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.220 And the world says, 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:36.420 if you want to be great, 00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:38.000 you build yourself up. 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.700 You pad your resume, 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.859 you do a lot of other things. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.819 I mean, it's about position, 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.559 it's about power, 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.359 it's about rank. 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.460 It's what these disciples were doing. 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:51.180 They were coming into Jesus' world 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:53.160 and they were trying to build up their resume, 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:54.759 they were trying to pad themselves up. 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.120 And what the passage says is, 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.079 if we live like that, 00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:58.940 if we do that, 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:01.099 that only feeds competition. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.700 Greatness in the world's eyes 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.940 is going to separate us. 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.160 Greatness in the world's eyes 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:12.120 leads to fighting and arguing 00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:14.059 over who's the greatest. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.980 And it's interesting because 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:18.360 right after Jesus teaches his disciples this, 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:20.019 all the others see what he's doing 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.799 and they get angry. 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:21.700 The passage says, 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:24.500 they are furious at what these two guys asked. 00:19:25.340 --> 00:19:26.880 And I wonder if they're angry 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:30.380 because they wanted to ask it first. 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:33.360 But James and John got a chance 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.840 to ask it instead. 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:37.320 And he goes on and he says 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:42.400 that competition fractures God's kingdom. 00:19:44.020 --> 00:19:45.500 I mean, you see it at work, 00:19:46.020 --> 00:19:47.480 you see it at school, 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.380 you see it at home, 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:51.540 you see it sometimes in churches. 00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:54.220 I mean, sometimes as pastors, 00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:55.840 we want to build the greatest programs. 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:58.200 We want to build the greatest building. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:00.539 We want to build the greatest staff team. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.960 We want to build the greatest music. 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.819 We want to have the greatest preachers. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:05.080 We want to have the greatest sermons. 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.960 Because if we make it great, 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:09.400 then everybody's going to want to be about greatness 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.279 and they're going to want to come 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.920 because they want to be a part of something great. 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:16.259 And Jesus warns us in his passage 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.279 that if we do that, 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.640 we're not going to miss, 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.380 we're going to miss, 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.059 if we do that, 00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.819 we're going to miss his kingdom. 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:28.220 Now, please don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:31.899 I'm not saying that greatness is bad. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:34.279 I'm not saying that ambition is bad. 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:35.980 What I am saying is, 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.720 who's it for? 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.179 Who's it for? 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.839 Is it for yourself? 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.039 Is it self-centered? 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.419 Or is it God-centered? 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.939 Are you ambitious in your work 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:52.620 because you want to make God's name great? 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:57.180 Or do you want to make your name great? 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.580 Here's some questions 00:20:59.580 --> 00:21:01.100 maybe we should ask ourselves as a church 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:02.120 as we enter into the new year. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:06.940 Have I cared more about the spread of the gospel 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:09.740 than the spread of my wealth? 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:16.779 Am I more concerned about the name of Jesus 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:20.299 than my own reputation? 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:26.180 Have I neglected to seek God's will 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:28.259 and purpose in my life 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.980 or for my church 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:32.779 by being too occupied 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:35.740 by my own dreams 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:38.039 and ambitions? 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:41.440 Have I been concerned for the well-being 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:43.160 of my brother or sister in Christ? 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.960 Or have I just been concerned 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.100 about my personal needs 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:50.360 and my feelings? 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.860 And my thoughts. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.440 The passage says that 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:58.340 until we let go of ourself, 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:00.660 until we let go of our selfish ambition, 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.740 until we let go of our desire 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:04.920 to control everything 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:07.380 and think only about ourselves, 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:10.180 that we'll never become 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.900 significant 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:15.000 in God's kingdom. 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:19.780 Success for us 00:22:19.780 --> 00:22:20.700 will not look like 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.580 what God wants us 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:23.240 to look like. 00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:25.840 Success will be all about us 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:27.080 and not a lot about him 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:28.660 and his kingdom. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.940 So you see what success is. 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:32.680 Success is seeing where other people 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.259 have a need 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.820 and meeting that need. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:38.160 We see what the enemy to success is. 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.540 It's our pride. 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.140 It's our ambition. 00:22:42.040 --> 00:22:42.660 And the third thing, 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.800 the final thing I want to look at 00:22:43.800 --> 00:22:45.740 is just basically this passage answers 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:47.800 how we stop 00:22:47.800 --> 00:22:49.940 our troubles. 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:52.980 And it's found in verses 27 and 28. 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.980 Look at it in your passage. 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:57.320 Whoever wishes to be first among you 00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:58.680 shall be your slave. 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.680 Just as the Son of Man 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:02.200 did not come to serve 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:04.720 but to be served. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.259 This is the Son of Man 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.340 did not come to be served 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.120 but to serve 00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:10.660 and to give his life 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:13.100 a ransom for many. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.340 Just as the Son of Man 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.700 did not come to be served 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:19.240 but to serve 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:21.160 and to give his life 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:23.340 a ransom for many. 00:23:24.340 --> 00:23:24.880 It's interesting, 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.180 the answer to our problems, 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.279 the answer to our struggles, 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.340 the answer to our pride, 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:30.240 the answer to our selfish ambition. 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.839 And we say it all the time here. 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:33.500 The answer is Jesus 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:36.240 and what he's done 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.480 in our life. 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:39.279 If you look at that word ransom there, 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:41.240 it's a very, very special word. 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.079 It's the word lutro. 00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:43.819 It basically means to loosen, 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.559 to cut loose. 00:23:45.699 --> 00:23:46.639 But it actually has something 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.480 even stronger in it. 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.539 It's the only time it's used 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.179 in the New Testament. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:51.059 And what it says to us is this, 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.639 that you and I 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:56.439 were slaves. 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:59.379 That you and I 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.980 were in bondage. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.639 That you and I 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:03.519 were held captive 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.879 by a master. 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:06.199 And this master 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:07.439 was so bad 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:08.639 that eventually 00:24:08.639 --> 00:24:10.119 this master 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.279 was going to kill us. 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.539 And Jesus came 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:17.399 to come into that relationship 00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:20.059 and to break that hold 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.679 that that master has over us. 00:24:22.179 --> 00:24:23.059 The passage says 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.399 that we were slaves, 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:26.500 that we were held in captivity, 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.420 that we couldn't do anything 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.319 that we wanted to do. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.180 And it says that Jesus came 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:33.299 and he exchanged his life 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:35.900 for our life. 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:39.160 Jesus came 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:42.380 to pay your debt. 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.500 Jesus came 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:48.240 to set you free. 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.779 When the first disciples asked, 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.640 hey, we want to do this, 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.140 he goes, you don't know 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.559 what you ask. 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.319 Can you drink the cup 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.119 that I'm about to drink? 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.299 Well, that cup 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.359 is a huge symbolism. 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.199 It's throughout 00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:59.159 the whole Old Testament. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.339 It's seen in Isaiah 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.219 and Ezekiel 00:25:01.219 --> 00:25:01.799 and Jeremiah 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:03.019 and even in Revelation. 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:03.879 And that cup 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:05.139 is a cup of wrath. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.559 And the Bible says 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:09.119 that God's wrath 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:10.379 is in this cup 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:13.559 for all the sin 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.399 of the world, 00:25:15.219 --> 00:25:16.439 for all the wrong, 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.279 for all the things 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.119 that have been done wrong. 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:19.859 And it says that one day 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.919 that cup of wrath 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:22.599 will be poured out 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:24.599 on people. 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:28.019 But this passage says 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.459 that Jesus 00:25:28.459 --> 00:25:30.659 came into our life. 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:33.740 He came into our world. 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:36.459 He took that cup 00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:38.699 and he drank 00:25:38.699 --> 00:25:39.619 the wrath 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:41.199 of God 00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:42.759 for you 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:45.059 and for me. 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:47.940 I don't know 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.799 how you feel 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.259 when you hear 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.980 those words. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.200 I don't know 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:54.059 what emotions 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.159 come up 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:56.039 inside of you. 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.179 But the passage 00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:58.899 says that 00:25:58.899 --> 00:26:00.019 the only reason 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.960 that we're here, 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:01.960 I mean, 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.039 it says really clearly 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:04.419 that one day 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.759 someone's going to have 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.519 to drink that cup. 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.119 And there's only 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.759 two choices. 00:26:10.179 --> 00:26:11.119 Either Christ 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:13.679 or either yourself. 00:26:16.199 --> 00:26:17.439 And yet he says here 00:26:17.439 --> 00:26:18.359 on the last day 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:18.919 on earth 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:20.439 is I've come 00:26:20.439 --> 00:26:22.139 to drink that cup 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:24.259 so that you'll be free. 00:26:26.179 --> 00:26:27.279 So that you'll be free. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.659 How do you feel 00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.319 when you hear that? 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.479 It was the year 2000. 00:26:35.979 --> 00:26:36.519 Christine and I 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.159 were in China 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.979 and we were just 00:26:38.979 --> 00:26:39.779 coming out of China 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:41.379 and we'd had Rachel. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.099 We had two miscarriages 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:43.779 and we were trying 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.859 to have our second child. 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.379 We found out 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.220 that we were pregnant 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.639 when we were 00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.619 in the country of Laos. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.920 We got to Thailand 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:53.559 and we said, 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:53.720 hey, 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.779 let's go to the doctor. 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:55.639 We're at this conference 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.379 for missionaries 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.240 and let's get a checkup. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.899 We got a checkup 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.339 and the doctor 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.160 couldn't find the baby. 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.960 And he looked at us 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.160 and he goes, 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.319 well, 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.399 you're pregnant 00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:03.379 but we can't find the baby. 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.619 And I said, 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:03.819 okay, 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.500 what's going on? 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:04.680 He goes, 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:04.779 well, 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.579 maybe it's a little too small 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.559 or maybe it's 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.700 in a fallopian tube. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:09.920 You need to watch out. 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.059 So how will we know 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.080 if it's in a fallopian tube 00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:13.880 if something bad happens? 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.480 And she described 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.259 everything to us. 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.240 And right as we were 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.799 walking out, 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:18.299 for some reason, 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:19.080 I turned around to her 00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.460 and I said, 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.400 can I have your business card? 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.480 And she gave me 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.000 her business card 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.980 with her personal phone number. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.900 Ten days later, 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.900 we were playing cards 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.340 with friends 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:30.360 in our room that night 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.860 and about 11 o'clock, 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.640 Rachel was about 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.299 one and a half 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.380 and we were going to bed 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.080 and all of a sudden, 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.180 Christina sits down 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.500 in the bed 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.259 and she sits up 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:39.359 and her fallopian tube 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.000 ruptures 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:42.200 and her artery 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:43.019 starts ruptured 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.940 and she's bleeding out 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:46.279 internally inside of herself. 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.940 And we were 30 minutes 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:49.140 outside of the nearest city 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:51.460 and I grabbed her 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:53.380 and I carried her 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.000 down the stairs 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.000 in the largest hotel 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.420 in Thailand 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.960 and there was no one 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.680 at the front desk. 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.279 And I ran out 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.420 with her in my arms 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.880 and this Thai guy 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.740 just happened to pull up 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.460 in his little van 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.980 and he couldn't speak English 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.400 and I couldn't speak 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:07.720 any Thai. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:07.920 I said, 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.620 hospital, 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.240 now! 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.660 And he gets in 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.279 and he's flying 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.900 and as he's flying 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.799 I call up this doctor 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.140 and I say, 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.019 it happened. 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.420 She's had an atopic pregnancy. 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.039 It's ruptured. 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.980 She's bleeding out right now 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.620 and they said, 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.000 I'll be there, 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.360 I'll be there. 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:19.660 Get there, 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:19.920 get there, 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.220 get there. 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.000 And so we're flying 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.519 through the streets 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.400 of Patia 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.460 trying to get to this place 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.100 and all of a sudden 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.559 we get there 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.480 and as we pull up, 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.579 the doctor's there, 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.519 she has her team there. 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.640 They take Christina in, 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.259 they do a sonogram. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.180 You're right, 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:33.000 she's bleeding out. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.519 We gotta get her 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.220 into surgery right now. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.119 They send her off 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:35.579 into surgery 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:37.259 and I'm sitting in the aisles 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:39.099 and I'm thinking, 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.339 okay, 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:40.319 what am I gonna do 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:42.299 with a one and a half year old? 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.680 It'd be better 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.579 if I were to die 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:46.619 because she's a much better parent 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.240 than I am 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.700 and you know that. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.059 I can't even dress my kids. 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.579 And I sit there 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.880 hour after hour 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:56.420 wondering what's gonna happen 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:59.059 and the doctor comes out 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:00.740 and she says, 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.380 five minutes. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:04.960 And she would have been dead. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.740 But she's okay. 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.819 And I had this incredible feel 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.380 of joy 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:12.779 and I picked the doctor up 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.440 and I kiss her 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.960 and I'm like out of control. 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.700 And I had this feeling 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:20.279 of I can never pay you back 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:22.720 for what you've done for me. 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:26.319 No matter what you ask, 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.059 if that doctor were to say, 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.839 hey, can you help us fund 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.559 the new wing of the hospital? 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.220 I said, yeah, sure, 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.640 that's great, 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.220 I'll do it right now. 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:32.680 I mean, I was trying to figure out 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.960 how you say thank you in Thailand. 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.799 I didn't know how to say, 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:36.460 so I ended up just buying some plants. 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.740 I put these plants 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.660 all around her office 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:40.539 as a thank you. 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.019 I hope she likes plants. 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:42.640 I don't know. 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:46.660 But every time I go by that hospital, 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.500 I think 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:52.279 of what that doctor did. 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:57.339 how she saved Christina's wife. 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.259 The passage says, 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:07.480 until we understand the cup, 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:11.500 until we understand the cross, 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:15.220 until we understand the sacrifice 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:18.139 that Jesus made for us, 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:21.099 until we understand those things, 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.919 we'll never live a successful life. 00:30:25.719 --> 00:30:26.980 We'll never live a great life 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.659 in God's kingdom. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.179 Because it's until we understand 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:30.539 those things 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:31.679 that we're able to free ourselves 00:30:31.679 --> 00:30:32.939 and give ourselves up to people. 00:30:34.459 --> 00:30:35.240 Until we understand 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.240 what Christ has done for us, 00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:38.279 we're not able to go to people 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.159 and to serve them. 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:43.379 But if we understand what he did 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:44.419 when he took the cross 00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:45.559 and the cup, 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:49.740 our reaction should be 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.539 just like my reaction 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.200 to the doctor. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.160 Yeah, whatever you need, 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:53.960 that's great, I'll do it. 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.099 Because everything else 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:57.620 pales. 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.920 Everything else pales 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:05.299 in comparison 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.799 to taking the cup 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:08.000 of God's wrath. 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:11.559 The passage says that 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:13.140 to be great 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.299 in God's kingdom 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:16.960 is to serve. 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.839 Look at where there's a need 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.619 in people's lives, 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.519 meet that need. 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.380 The passage says 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.039 that the biggest enemy 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:25.059 for that in our lives 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.019 is going to be our pride 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:28.259 and our selfish ambition. 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.460 And the passage says 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:30.980 that the only way 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.019 that we can get past that, 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:34.180 the only way we can work 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.779 through that 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.980 is by understanding 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:39.839 that Christ took the ransom. 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.240 He took the debt. 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.339 And then anything else 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:46.920 after that, 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:49.799 anything else after that, 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.500 that's gravy. 00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:57.579 That's gravy. 00:31:57.579 --> 00:32:03.859 What does it mean 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.480 to be successful 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.199 in your life? 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.379 What does it mean 00:32:10.379 --> 00:32:10.960 to be successful 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.539 at your home? 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.839 The passage says 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:17.639 it means to serve 00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:19.759 and to think of other people 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.539 more than yourself. 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.220 Well, I don't want to do that 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:25.240 because they're not worthy of it 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.559 because if I do that, 00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:27.460 they're going to let me down. 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.059 Well, 00:32:28.659 --> 00:32:32.099 this passage is amazing 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:34.039 because Jesus is about 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.819 to go to the cross 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:37.039 and his disciples 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.720 continually let him down. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.759 And he continually, 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.379 gently, 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.559 graciously, 00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:44.599 lovingly 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.960 comes to us. 00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:47.639 He says, 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.759 Tobin, 00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:50.500 do you know 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.240 what you're really asking? 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:55.659 Tobin, 00:32:55.699 --> 00:32:56.119 do you know 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:57.159 what I'm about to do for you? 00:32:58.179 --> 00:32:58.599 I'm about to do 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.339 all these things for you 00:32:59.339 --> 00:32:59.639 and you're bringing 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:01.000 this big shopping list for me. 00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:02.839 I'm about to give everything 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:05.259 and you're asking for things 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:10.019 until we understand that. 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:14.079 would never be a success 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.859 in God's kingdom. 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.839 Would never be great. 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.879 In your chair, 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.519 there's an envelope. 00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:22.539 I want you to open that up for me 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.240 right now if you can. 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:33.299 I just want you to do a little exercise 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.019 for ourselves. 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.819 If success is serving, 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:44.099 and serving means seeing where people have a need 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:46.420 and then meeting that need, 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:49.800 we would like for us as a church 00:33:49.800 --> 00:33:50.380 to pray about 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.840 what does that look like in our lives. 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:54.620 I mean, 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.740 what does it look like for this year 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:57.720 as we think about our KPIs for this year 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:59.060 and as we look at what we want to do 00:33:59.060 --> 00:33:59.539 in our business, 00:33:59.640 --> 00:34:00.039 in our work, 00:34:00.060 --> 00:34:00.539 in our home, 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.680 in our self? 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.860 What does it look like for us 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.680 to serve God? 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:07.800 I mean, 00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.760 in light of the cross, 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.579 in light of the cup, 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:11.059 in light of all that he's done, 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:13.139 what does it look like 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:15.519 to serve him? 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.079 In light of the cup, 00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:22.199 in light of the wrath, 00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:24.119 in light of what Christ has done for us 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:27.159 in a call to be successful as a church 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:29.599 and to make God's name great, 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.960 not self-ambition, 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.239 but God's ambition. 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.480 This year, 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.360 what does it look like for us 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.579 to serve the Watermark family? 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:44.900 If success and greatness is in serving, 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:46.079 what does that look like for us 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:47.500 as a church family? 00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:51.400 Sometimes churches are a family 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:53.539 and there's like 20 people in the church 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:55.059 and only two of them are doing everything 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.880 and everybody else is just watching. 00:34:58.440 --> 00:34:59.299 That's not really a family. 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:01.199 That's a club. 00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:05.259 But God has called us to be a family. 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.099 What does that look like 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:08.019 for us to serve each other this year? 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:11.380 And finally, 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:11.880 this year, 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:14.360 I commit to serving somebody 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:18.460 by doing something. 00:35:20.300 --> 00:35:21.800 I want you to think about that. 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.860 We prayed about this a long time, guys. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.019 I mean, 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:27.059 what does it look like for you 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:28.019 as a single person 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:30.300 to serve the other singles around you? 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:34.380 And as you look at the journey 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.300 that you're on, 00:35:35.300 --> 00:35:38.140 are you being more self-centered 00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:41.300 than other-centered? 00:35:43.140 --> 00:35:44.420 Are you using your singleness 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:46.000 for the maximum of God's kingdom? 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:49.019 Are you using your singleness 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.460 for the maximum of your kingdom? 00:35:53.220 --> 00:35:53.580 Husbands, 00:35:54.140 --> 00:35:55.960 what does it look like for you 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:56.960 to serve your wives? 00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:00.700 What's the need that your wife has? 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.820 To be listened to? 00:36:03.820 --> 00:36:06.380 To be loved? 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.360 To be cared for? 00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.120 What does it look like 00:36:14.120 --> 00:36:14.640 as a husband 00:36:14.640 --> 00:36:17.100 to serve our wives? 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:19.059 I know you're sitting here going, 00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:20.200 well, she doesn't respect me. 00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:22.000 I do it. 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:23.140 I try it like five times, 00:36:23.180 --> 00:36:23.900 and every time I do it, 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.500 it just blows up in my face. 00:36:26.140 --> 00:36:26.760 But you know, 00:36:27.120 --> 00:36:28.160 I go back to this passage. 00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:28.279 Paige, 00:36:28.759 --> 00:36:29.679 some of you, 00:36:30.319 --> 00:36:31.259 as guys, 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:34.980 are tired of serving your wives 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:37.539 because you feel like 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.699 you never get what you want. 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.299 Some of you, 00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:42.980 as guys, 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:45.879 are tired of serving your children 00:36:45.879 --> 00:36:48.819 because you get more respect 00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:50.059 and acclaim 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:51.679 in the office place 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.859 than you do in your family. 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:58.019 If that's you, 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.340 then that's me. 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.980 The passage says 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:04.599 that Christ took the cup. 00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:07.420 He drank the wrath 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.539 of judgment for us. 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:12.079 He will take care of us. 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.519 We can trust him. 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:17.019 Some of you wives, 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:18.219 you don't want to serve your husbands. 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:19.019 You're tired of it. 00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:20.239 How do you serve your wife? 00:37:20.280 --> 00:37:20.900 What does it look like 00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:22.860 to be available to him physically? 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:24.960 What does it look like 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.920 to be available to him 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.920 and ask him questions 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.619 about his work? 00:37:28.219 --> 00:37:29.079 And I say that, 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:29.559 and you're saying, 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:31.139 yeah, but every time I do that, 00:37:31.239 --> 00:37:31.840 it just happens, 00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:32.400 and that happens, 00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.039 and it never turns out 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:33.519 the way I want, 00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:35.199 and it just never works out. 00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:40.139 The passage says 00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.960 to be great in God's kingdom 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:44.639 is to serve. 00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:47.480 And you can serve 00:37:47.480 --> 00:37:48.260 even though your husband 00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:49.159 doesn't come through for you 00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:50.179 the way you want him to, 00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:53.260 because Jesus did. 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.800 Jesus came through for you. 00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:59.340 And you can trust him 00:37:59.340 --> 00:38:01.900 because he'll take care of you, 00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:04.720 and he'll take care of your marriage.