WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.259 This we pray with thanksgiving in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:17.760 Just to mention again, for those of you who missed the announcements, as you go out, there are things to sign up for for Holiday Bible Club. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:22.179 So it's happening at the end of this month, different things that are needed. 00:00:22.840 --> 00:00:27.440 But also, Ballerina is going to be sitting at a table, we're hoping in September, to get going. 00:00:27.740 --> 00:00:33.920 The greeting, different people involved in that, and the welcome router, and creche and refreshments. 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:36.120 They are great opportunities to serve. 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:40.719 And so some of you weren't even in the church when we were last doing these things. 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:47.260 And we want to encourage you, if you can, if you want to ask more questions, ask Ballerina or myself, or others. 00:00:47.259 --> 00:00:51.799 But we'd love as many of the church regulars to be signing up for that as possible. 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:53.759 It doesn't need great skills. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:57.399 We'll find other people who can do the great skills. 00:00:57.899 --> 00:01:01.159 But if you're willing, we would love it. 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:02.140 None too young. 00:01:03.239 --> 00:01:04.620 Well, some too young on some things. 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:11.159 But we do want you to please do think about whether you can volunteer for that. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:13.180 We're going to sing Psalm 62. 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:15.060 Psalm 62. 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:18.219 My soul finds rest in God alone. 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:22.719 And during this hymn, we're going to take up an offering for the Lord's work. 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:45.719 So far, in God alone. 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:49.719 I will walk through my salvation. 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:54.099 My voice is still against my bones. 00:01:54.459 --> 00:01:57.120 And I will not be shaken. 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:01.579 For it's made by sun-castled fingers. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.719 And rise like arrows beneath me. 00:02:05.759 --> 00:02:08.439 I'll fix my heart on righteousness. 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:12.719 I'll look to him who hears me. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:15.719 Oh, praise him. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:15.719 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:16.719 Hallelujah. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:16.719 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:22.020 My delight and my reward. 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:26.579 Everlasting, ever-fading. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:31.259 My Redeemer, my God. 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:37.500 I'll ask my soul in God alone. 00:02:37.959 --> 00:02:41.459 Amid the lost temptations. 00:02:41.799 --> 00:02:45.099 When evil seems to take a hold. 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:48.280 I'll come to my salvation. 00:02:49.459 --> 00:02:52.879 The riches come and riches go. 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:56.599 Don't set your heart upon them. 00:02:56.599 --> 00:02:59.599 The fields of hope in which I sow. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:03.599 I'll be stead in heaven. 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:06.900 Oh, praise him. 00:03:07.299 --> 00:03:08.099 Hallelujah. 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:12.599 My delight and my reward. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:16.599 Everlasting, ever-fading. 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:17.599 I redeemer my grace. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:21.519 I redeemer my God. 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:27.599 God set my pace on God alone. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:30.599 And trust in him completely. 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:35.539 Will every day pour out my soul. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:38.979 And he will prove his mercy. 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:53.659 Though I'm without a beating breath, a sign to bring to measure, my King has crushed the curse of death, and I am His forever. 00:03:53.659 --> 00:04:12.060 Oh, praise Him, hallelujah, my delight and my reward, everlasting, ever failing, my Redeemer, my Lord. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:14.939 To sit. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:19.300 Turn, if you will, to Mark chapter 10. 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:26.000 If you've not got a Bible, I think there's ones just as you come in there, but Mark chapter 10, verses 35 to 45. 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:35.560 It's August, and so Donald Smith, Donald, who worked with us for a couple of years, he's going to be down next week, and he's going to preach for us, I hope. 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:41.519 And so I thought we'd do a couple of weeks on looking at some of the basics of the Christian life. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:42.899 Why did Jesus come? 00:04:43.599 --> 00:04:48.799 So with our Bibles open before us, Mark 10, 35 to 45, let's bow our heads in prayer. 00:04:54.659 --> 00:05:05.519 Heavenly Father, we do thank you for the privilege of being your people, of gathering around your word and your table, and we come as hungry and needy people. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:11.759 Would you please strengthen us as we come to your word in each of the sacraments? 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:12.159 Drink. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:14.879 I want to thank you for one another. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:17.399 We thank you for Tom and Mia and little Jonah. 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:21.459 Thank you for this little boy with us for the first time today. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:26.740 We pray that he would love you always, and he would follow you. 00:05:26.859 --> 00:05:31.199 Give Tom and Mia and all of us as parents great wisdom and help in this day. 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:42.500 And we ask that as we come to your word, your word might change us, that your Holy Spirit would take these familiar things that we'll look at this morning, that we might appreciate them in a new way. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:45.159 That we might see them from a different perspective. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.139 That you would give to us that gift of sight. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.419 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:53.099 Amen. 00:05:53.099 --> 00:05:53.279 Amen. 00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:53.359 Amen. 00:05:57.099 --> 00:06:05.919 When Jesus came into this world, he had no doubt about what he was going to give. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.399 He did not enter into this world unknowingly. 00:06:09.719 --> 00:06:12.739 When he left heaven, he knew what that would mean. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:14.779 He knew what he was going to give. 00:06:14.839 --> 00:06:17.859 So if you look at verse 45 of Mark chapter 10, 00:06:17.860 --> 00:06:27.180 The Son of Man, that's referring to himself, came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. 00:06:30.020 --> 00:06:36.220 And so, if you've not understood Christianity at all, you can understand the heart of Christianity this morning in this one short little verse. 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:41.139 That Jesus came to give the ultimate gift. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:44.420 The gift of himself for us. 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:49.379 To lay down his life on the cross. 00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:53.960 And so, Jesus came into the world that first Easter. 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:56.439 That first Christmas. 00:06:57.200 --> 00:06:59.080 To give his life that first Easter. 00:06:59.840 --> 00:07:00.080 Didn't he? 00:07:00.580 --> 00:07:05.580 He came into this world that first Christmas to give his life that first Easter. 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:07.180 He came to give his life. 00:07:09.020 --> 00:07:10.819 And so I think as we begin to reflect on that this morning, 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:17.540 Can you see how special God's people must be to God? 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:22.339 Can you see how special you must be to God? 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:25.319 We are sinners, aren't we? 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:27.000 None of us are denying that this morning. 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:33.439 We all joined in that prayer of confession because we are unworthy. 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:43.540 And so, how special we must be to God that Jesus, his one and only son, would give his life for us. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:49.459 Richard Dawkins, famous, isn't he? 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.019 Atheist. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:53.699 And you'll remember that he caused a stir earlier this year. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:59.240 A woman asked him, what should she do if she was pregnant? 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:03.039 And she discovered that the child she was carrying had Down syndrome. 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:05.159 You might remember the reply. 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:09.079 Dawkins tweeted, abort it and try again. 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:11.980 Quite shocking, isn't it? 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:19.699 And Dawkins went out to point out that his argument was perfectly rational response from an atheist perspective. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:25.879 And as much as I don't like it, I have to accept that what he said is right. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:30.039 It's perfectly rational response from an atheist perspective. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:39.100 If there is no God, and we are just naked apes, we are chemical machines, 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:43.419 then we have, you have, I have, no ultimate value. 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:48.059 None of us, whether we have disabilities or not. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:53.319 And of course, the Bible's view could not be more different, could it? 00:08:54.299 --> 00:09:00.679 The Bible screams at you this morning that you are not just a bag of chemicals in skin. 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:09.579 You are so special that Jesus came into this world to give his life for you. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:15.160 But how does Jesus giving his life for you actually help you? 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:20.400 If you're down on the south coast, and you're walking on the cliffs at Beachy Head, 00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:25.460 and a stranger comes up to you and says to you, 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:28.560 I'm going to show you how special you are to me. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:34.780 And with those words, the stranger runs and throws himself off the cliff and down to his death. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:37.100 Well, I think you'd be a bit puzzled, wouldn't you, to say the least? 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:42.580 How does him giving his life help me at all? 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:48.659 But Jesus says he came to give his life, can you see it, as a ransom? 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:58.820 And so by this time in Mark's gospel, he's predicted three times that he's going to die in Jerusalem. 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:03.300 Three times he says he will give his life as a ransom for many. 00:10:03.540 --> 00:10:04.279 So what is a ransom? 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:09.879 A ransom is a payment to set people free. 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:14.100 So let's think about it for a moment. 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:15.439 It's not that difficult to think of, is it? 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:18.699 Think about hostages in a terrorist organization. 00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:21.879 That have been taken by a terrorist organization. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:26.259 And as we hear about the hostages that have been taken, 00:10:26.939 --> 00:10:28.240 our hearts go out to them, don't they? 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.740 Our hearts go out to their families. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:33.340 It's an awful situation to have been taken hostage. 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.299 And we are thankful. 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:42.879 We are thankful that we're not in that situation. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.819 But the Bible's teaching is that we actually are. 00:10:48.979 --> 00:10:52.259 That as human beings, spiritually, we've been taken captive. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:56.600 The Bible's teaching is that spiritually we are hostages. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:02.279 We've been held captive by sin and guilt and death and judgment and the devil. 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:07.279 We are bound by the kingdom of darkness. 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:11.799 We're held captive to our passions and our lusts and our desires. 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:14.039 We long to break free of them. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.339 But we can't. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:22.180 And the message of why Jesus has come is Jesus has come to the rescue. 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:30.920 And so, God hasn't sent in the special forces, has he, to take life. 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:39.120 But God has sent his son to give his life as a ransom payment to secure our release. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:48.620 He paid the ransom payment that was ours for going our own way instead of God's way. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:54.139 Occasionally, you read of a prisoner exchange program. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.120 Not so much anymore. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:12:01.980 But let's just imagine there's some kind of CIA official that's been taken hostage. 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.539 He's been taken captive. 00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:16.899 And the terrorist organization, they say, we will release that CIA official in exchange for five of our imprisoned terrorists. 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:19.519 But the other side has imprisoned. 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:27.860 And so you look at it and you read in your newspaper and you think this one guy, this one CIA kind of head honcho, 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:33.139 he will be released in exchange for five others being released. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:39.379 And you think, well, how can one man be exchanged for five men? 00:12:40.579 --> 00:12:42.319 Well, it's a really obvious answer, isn't it? 00:12:43.339 --> 00:12:45.039 It's because of how important he is. 00:12:45.839 --> 00:12:48.980 It's because of the value that he has. 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:51.879 He's an important CIA official. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:53.039 He's worth a lot. 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:58.139 And so his one life can be exchanged for five others. 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:01.279 He's worth five others. 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:05.579 And so how many do you think the Son of God is worth? 00:13:08.099 --> 00:13:10.000 How many do you think the Son of God might be worth? 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.659 Through giving his life, how many is he worth? 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:16.159 He is worth an infinite number. 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:21.819 Jesus said in verse 45, he came to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:29.440 This countless multitude that no human being, no man, no woman, no boy, no girl can ever count. 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:34.080 To those who will receive him, he gave the right to become the children of God. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:39.060 And so verse 35, here's the question. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:43.420 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:13:43.760 --> 00:13:44.940 Are you one of the many? 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:51.920 Have you received the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:56.260 Because the Lord Jesus Christ, he came into this world. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:59.040 He entered into our captivity to set us free. 00:14:00.400 --> 00:14:05.040 To set you free from your sin and from your guilt and from death. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.940 To set you free from the punishment. 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:10.240 To set you free from the kingdom of darkness. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:14.340 But to be set free, we must receive the gift. 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:21.279 First, on birthday present, after Claire and I got married. 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:24.180 My birthday is a month after our wedding anniversary. 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:28.659 21 years ago, after we got married, Claire bought me a drill. 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:31.820 I will never forget it. 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:33.039 And I suspect neither will she. 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:40.100 Neither her nor I have ever got any benefit from that drill. 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.680 All right? 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:43.840 It's my fault. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.659 It's not hers. 00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.240 To my shame. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.799 I still can't use a drill. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:50.820 The drill was lent to someone who thought, well, they'll never give it back. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.240 And that was absolutely fine with me. 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.840 It's unused. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.820 I never even opened it. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:59.860 It was still in that plastic bag. 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:03.600 You know, those kind of thick plastic bags that the kind of power tools come in. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:07.240 I never even opened it. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:12.019 And for a gift, it needs receiving, doesn't it? 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:17.620 A gift needs to be opened if we're going to receive any benefit from it. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:22.700 And Jesus Christ came to give his life for sinful men and women. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.399 And we need to receive him. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:27.220 We need to open the gift. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.320 We need to use it. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:33.899 We need to say thank you for giving your life for me to set me free. 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:39.100 You know the tragedy of Stockholm Syndrome? 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:42.220 I don't know very much about it. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:50.059 But it seems that those who've been hostages for a length of time, they grow accustomed and gain feelings for those who've taken them hostage. 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:58.239 And so, in the end, even though these people have taken them hostage against their will, they make peace with that. 00:15:58.579 --> 00:15:59.959 And they're content with that. 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:02.599 And they're reluctant to be rescued. 00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:08.379 And they sometimes wish when they've been rescued that they were back where they were. 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:13.239 And you see, that's what often happens with people. 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:17.019 You can make peace with your sin, can't you? 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:22.259 And make peace with your guilt and make peace with living life your way, staying in the darkness. 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:29.360 But Jesus Christ has come as a ransom. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:35.899 Now, for many of us this morning, wonderfully, we've accepted that gift of the Lord Jesus. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.000 And we know why he came. 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:40.939 But what does life look like then? 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:43.139 Once you've done that, some of you have done that recently, haven't you? 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:45.240 What will life look like from now on? 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:52.320 And so, having received his life, we are to live his life. 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.080 That's the point. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.879 Having received his life, we are to live his life. 00:16:57.180 --> 00:17:01.000 And so, he came to give his life as a ransom. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:03.700 But in giving his life, he came to serve. 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.460 And we are to be like him. 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.380 So, look at verse 44. 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.900 Look at verse 44. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:15.420 And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:18.600 Must be slave of all. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:23.820 For even the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus, came not to be served, but to serve. 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:33.980 And so, we are to have the same commitment to the Master in being like him and serving like him. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:36.460 So, what will that involve? 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.860 It will involve three things from this passage. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:42.660 First of all, it will involve not glory-seeking, but humbly serving. 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:46.799 Not glory-seeking, but humbly serving. 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.640 Look at verse 36. 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:52.420 James and John, they've come up to Jesus, haven't they, with a cheeky request. 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:58.620 And they say, it is, verse 35, a really shocking question they say to Jesus. 00:17:58.840 --> 00:18:04.200 They say, teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:10.560 If you came up to me after that, I'd tell you to clear after the service, and ask me that, I'd tell you to clear off. 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:16.140 But they come to Jesus, and they say, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.600 He said to them, well, what do you want me to do for you? 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.980 It's a great question. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:25.339 They say to him, grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:33.720 And so they know, don't they, they recognize that Jesus has come to establish a kingdom. 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:40.420 They reckon, and they understand that Jesus has come, and glory will follow the Lord Jesus. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:46.200 And so they put in an early bid for the key positions in the cabinet of the new government. 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:51.580 Can we be chancellor of the Exchequer and home secretary? 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.960 They wanted to be the greatest. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.460 They wanted to be the top dogs. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.480 They wanted to be the number one. 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.680 They wanted to be the best. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:00.120 It is me first. 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:05.299 And so when the other disciples hear about this, well, look at verse 41. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.600 It tells us how they felt. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:12.259 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant with James and John. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.619 Why? 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:18.640 Why were they all cheesed off with James and John? 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:22.140 Well, it's because they wanted to be first. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:27.140 They're angry that James and John have stolen a march on them. 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.140 And who doesn't? 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:35.940 Doesn't something of selfish ambition infect us all? 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:41.160 At the time of Jesus, there were copper coins in circulation. 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:46.200 And they showed the head of Augustus, the emperor, who was reigning at that time. 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:50.140 And it had his name, and it had an inscription, which said, 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:52.320 He who deserves adoration. 00:19:52.319 --> 00:20:00.659 And isn't there something in each one of us that wants those words to be over our own head? 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.039 We want to be praised. 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.740 We want people to think well of us. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:08.700 We want our name, our reputation in the lights. 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:13.240 But Jesus, the Son of Man, he came not to be served, but to serve. 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:17.359 And if anybody deserved the glory, it was Jesus. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:21.480 The Son of Man is an Old Testament title. 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:25.700 It was for a person, Daniel tells us, who God would appoint, 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:30.099 who would come one day, and he would rule over everything and everyone. 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:34.200 And so Jesus is that Son of Man. 00:20:35.679 --> 00:20:40.519 And so if anyone deserved to be served, it was him that he came to serve. 00:20:42.679 --> 00:20:47.659 And you'll remember, at one time, he even got down on his hands and his knees, 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:51.500 and he washed the feet of his disciples during the job of a slave. 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:56.740 Listen to what the Bible says elsewhere, Philippians 2. 00:20:58.419 --> 00:21:03.460 It says that though Jesus was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God something to be grasped. 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:06.039 But he made himself nothing. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.359 He took the form of a servant. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:13.439 He was born in the likeness of men and being found in human form. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:19.059 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:24.559 And so Jesus says, isn't he, verse 43, if you glance down there, 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:27.539 but it shall not be so among you. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:33.139 Because whoever would be great among you must be your servant. 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:37.379 And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:44.700 And so what would your workplace be like if everybody lived this out? 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:51.660 To serve one another, not jostle for position, promotion. 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:57.560 To not seek glory for themselves. 00:21:57.559 --> 00:22:01.559 But serving, what would that be like? 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:08.200 Someone told me the other day about a colleague who'd done a really brilliant piece of work and analysis. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:13.779 And their boss basically took the report that they had written, tweaked it a little, 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:18.500 and then emailed it around the senior people as if the boss had written it. 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.039 Selfish ambition, isn't it? 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.220 Glory seeking. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:29.460 And you can't change your company, but you can at least begin with yourself. 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:33.980 What would your family be like? 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:37.200 What would your family be like? 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.940 If it took this into consideration. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:45.600 Secondly, it's not about power grabbing, but sacrificially serving. 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:49.839 It's not about power grabbing, but sacrificially serving. 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.660 Look at verse 42. 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:54.019 Jesus called them and said to them, 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:58.240 You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:01.339 And their great ones exercise authority over them. 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:03.860 But it shall not be so among you. 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:10.440 It shall not be so among you because it wasn't so with him. 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:14.980 As the son of man, Jesus had unlimited power. 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.039 But he came to serve. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.880 He never threw his weight around. 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:24.600 Instead, he let others throw him around and nail him to the cross. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:28.180 Instead of wielding power, he suffered in weakness. 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:35.700 I read this week of a man called James. 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:39.779 And the writer knew him in his college years. 00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:40.640 This is what he said about him. 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:44.740 He said, before becoming a Christian, James was a notorious womanizer. 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:51.539 James' pattern was basically to seduce a woman, to pursue the woman. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:56.599 And once he'd gained her, once he'd slept with her, he'd lose interest in her and move on. 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:01.319 James professed faith in Jesus Christ. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:05.240 And he quickly renounced this kind of sexual escapades. 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:08.359 And James became active in Christian ministry. 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:14.079 But in every class or study, he was argumentative and domineering. 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:19.859 In every meeting, he had to be the leader, even if he wasn't designated to be so. 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:23.000 He was abrasive and harsh. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:31.059 And eventually, it became really clear that James' meaning and value was still based in having power over others. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:34.079 That's what made him feel alive. 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.939 That's what gave him kicks. 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:39.700 You see, it was all about power for James. 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:42.220 It always had been. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:46.279 He'd just swapped it from the women to church. 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:48.019 That hadn't changed. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:55.279 The writer goes on to observe that this desire to exercise power is not only a problem for the powerful. 00:24:56.779 --> 00:25:01.980 He says you can pursue power in small, petty ways by becoming a local neighborhood bully 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:06.940 or a low-level bureaucrat who bosses around a few people in their field of authority. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:13.039 So do you recognize any of those traits in yourself? 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.000 In your own social life? 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:16.700 In your own family? 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.580 In church life? 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.180 In work life? 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.920 In your own heart? 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:27.680 The tendency to use people rather than to serve people. 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:31.920 And Jesus says, doesn't he, very, very clearly. 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.640 Can you see it at the start of verse 43? 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.539 Just look down. 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:39.720 But it shall not be so among you. 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:51.920 The third thing we see about serving is it's not about kingdom comfort, but it's about sacrificial service. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:56.720 It's not about kingdom comfort, but sacrificial service. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:26:05.700 And so James and John, verse 37, they come to Jesus and say, grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory. 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.519 And they want to sit on thrones. 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.420 And they want to rule. 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:19.640 Partly because they thought that it meant a life of privilege and comfort. 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:23.240 It meant a life of others serving them. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:27.240 One to sit at your right and the other to sit at your left. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:31.680 And so they would sit while others served them. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:35.620 While others responded to their every need. 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:40.500 The dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong-un. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:45.259 What's he, the 46th most powerful man in the world or something? 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:51.200 Somebody visited him and described the trip to his private island. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:53.880 Said it was like Hawaii or Ibiza. 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.700 But he is the only one that lives there. 00:26:58.440 --> 00:27:01.980 Meanwhile, the poor people of North Korea are dying of starvation in their thousands. 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:10.460 His wife was photographed holding a handbag which is worth an average year's salary in that country. 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:14.080 And that's a pretty extreme example, isn't it? 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:16.960 Of ruling to feather your own nest. 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:20.120 And it's a very, very long way from home. 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:27.759 But the basic dynamic of others wanting to serve me is not so far from home. 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:31.900 But I need to say to you, that is not Christianity. 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:37.799 Because even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:42.879 And the word even is a really little, it's a really interesting word, isn't it? 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.819 It's really telling. 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:47.319 Even as the Son of Man. 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:51.500 Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:57.639 And if anybody had the right to live in luxury, well surely it is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, isn't it? 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:05.359 If anybody had the right to live with other people kind of dropping grapes in their mouth, it was him. 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:10.919 But we know, don't we, that Jesus wasn't born in a palace. 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.679 He was born in a stable. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.740 With animals. 00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:21.740 He didn't wear a crown and royal robes, but simple clothes. 00:28:23.219 --> 00:28:24.859 And in the end, a crown of thorns. 00:28:24.979 --> 00:28:28.240 He had nothing apart from the very clothes he was standing in. 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:34.359 And so Jesus' life was not one of comfort with other people serving him. 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:36.139 Jesus' life is one of sacrifice. 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.979 With him serving others. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:44.619 And he calls you and I, as followers of the Lord Jesus, to follow in his footsteps. 00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:45.799 Look at verse 39. 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.419 He warns them, doesn't he? 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.759 He warns them and he says, 00:28:49.979 --> 00:28:53.500 following me is going to involve cost. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.500 Not comfort. 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:59.479 He says, serving me will involve suffering. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:02.740 You will drink the cup of suffering. 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:06.940 You will undergo the baptism of trials that I have to undergo. 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:14.640 And so what would that service of others look like in our homes? 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.880 In our marriages? 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:19.400 In our families? 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.059 In our church? 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:25.799 Putting the needs of others first. 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:31.019 Not waiting for others to come and serve me. 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:34.799 But to take the initiative in serving them. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:40.419 I'm up early on a Sunday morning. 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:43.240 And like usual this morning, I was up early in my study. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:45.539 And then I came in before everyone was up. 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:51.460 And I saw that the dishes were all stacked and needed to be put away. 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:56.480 And the washing needed to be kind of folded up. 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:59.099 And Phoebe would be up in a little bit. 00:29:59.139 --> 00:30:00.419 And I saw that a breakfast needed to be made. 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:04.720 Now normally I wander in completely oblivious to that sort of thing. 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.580 I just don't see it. 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:09.000 But because I finished preparing a sermon on serving. 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:13.740 And we're all on a learning curve, aren't we? 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:21.620 I left the warmth and the comfort of my study to enter into the kitchen and do the jobs. 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.640 What a hero. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:25.400 And now I'm boasting to you about it. 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:30.160 That is not the ultimate example, is it? 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:33.060 Of giving up comfort and costly service. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:37.820 But the reason I tell you is it is a practical example. 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.540 And I think that's the point. 00:30:41.800 --> 00:30:46.180 And so much of my preaching, I fear, doesn't actually hit the ground. 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:50.539 In the nitty gritty of our everyday lives. 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:55.060 So Christianity does affect, doesn't it? 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:57.480 Who's going to put the bins out? 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:01.820 And Christianity does affect who will change the nappy. 00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:07.820 And Christianity does affect who is going to clear up the vomit. 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:13.460 And following Jesus will affect this afternoon who is going to do the washing up. 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:19.700 Because you see, if it doesn't begin there, well where will it begin? 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.180 The kingdom. 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.000 The power. 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.840 And the glory. 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:32.500 Who do they belong to? 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:37.720 Who does all the kingdom and all the power and all the glory belong to? 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:40.000 Jesus. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:43.640 All by rights. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.859 They all belong to Jesus, isn't it? 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:47.359 But he came into this world not to be saved, but to serve. 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:50.880 And he calls us to follow in his footsteps. 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:56.880 I overheard an exchange the other day, and I won't tell you who it was. 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.940 Could you pick that up for me? 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.619 Do it yourself. 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.319 Who do you think I am? 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.180 Your servant? 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:08.200 Your skivvy? 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:11.799 Have you ever said that yourself? 00:32:13.080 --> 00:32:13.960 Who do you think I am? 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.480 Your servant? 00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:18.240 I've certainly said it. 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.500 The point of this passage is, isn't it? 00:32:21.580 --> 00:32:23.000 Why did Jesus come? 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:24.420 He came to give his life as a ransom. 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.819 He came to serve. 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.759 And so as his people, we are servants. 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.180 Of one another. 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:36.539 And if it wasn't beneath the Son of Man, it's not beneath you. 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:47.740 And so when people see followers of Jesus, it should remind them of him. 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:56.920 When I lived in Camberwell in South London before coming to this church, you'd go to the Old Kent Road. 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:58.220 And there was a great Old Kent Road. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:33:00.039 There's a Chinese restaurant with a Chinese Elvis. 00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:01.180 Have you ever seen it? 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.259 It's absolutely amazing. 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.599 Chinese Elvis. 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:08.480 First time I went there, you think, oh, this guy's nothing like Elvis at all. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:12.240 But gradually as you kind of go, you see more and more. 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:14.900 He does remind me of Elvis a little bit. 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:18.519 You look nothing like Jesus. 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:21.099 I don't know what he looked like, but you don't look anything like him. 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:27.539 But when people see and observe the followers of Jesus, it should remind them of him. 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:40.619 And so our humble sacrificial service of others will make the people who are looking at us think to themselves, you remind me of someone. 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:43.180 You remind me of someone. 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.579 There is a distant echo. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:49.619 The law of God that's written in their heart will echo and they say, you remind me of someone. 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:53.299 And so the Christian message is this. 00:33:53.379 --> 00:33:54.399 It is all about giving. 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.759 Jesus giving. 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:57.579 God giving. 00:33:58.699 --> 00:34:02.839 And it's all about serving because Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for us. 00:34:02.959 --> 00:34:05.019 And that is the gift that you need to receive this morning. 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:07.199 And to say thank you for. 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.980 And Jesus came to serve. 00:34:11.259 --> 00:34:12.759 And that is a model we need to follow. 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:16.619 Let's sing to prepare ourselves to come to the Lord's table. 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:18.500 Reflect on the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:25.780 When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died. 00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:29.380 And I've transitioned too quickly and the poor pianist is coming from the crash. 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:34.860 When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died. 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:34.940 Amen. 00:34:48.500 --> 00:35:06.920 When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died. 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:12.760 My riches gave. 00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:16.720 My count as lost. 00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:25.680 And more content of all my pride. 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:33.960 For in it, Lord, that I should boast. 00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:42.500 To say, give the post of Christ my God. 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:51.139 The very things that John be most. 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:59.900 I've sacrificed them to his blood. 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.480 To say, give the post of Christ. 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.480 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:08.400 Deep on his head, his hands, his feet, 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:16.400 Sorrow and love, the angel count. 00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:24.800 When did such love and sorrow meet, 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:29.940 For those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of those of