WEBVTT

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 And they're kind of struggling here in Luke chapter 9 trying to figure out exactly what it looks like.

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! And I think that we can relate to that. I know I can.

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 I know the Lord wants me to do things, but sometimes I'm like, Lord, how do I do this? Where do I go?

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 And it's been a help to me, and I hope it has been to you.

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 And we're going to see the disciples, Jesus is laying his heart out, and they completely miss the point.

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 You ever been there?

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 You're like, all right, Lord, I'll do that.

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 You know, sometimes I just lay my heart out to my kids.

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 They're like, yeah, what are we going to have for dinner?

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 I'm like, good talk, guys.

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 That's kind of the disciples right here.

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 That's where we pick up our reading in verse 46.

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 We're going to read just a few verses here.

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 The Bible says this,

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 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be the greatest?

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 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child and set him by him.

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 And said unto them,

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 Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me,

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 And whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me.

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 For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

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 It's kind of one of those things, okay, Jesus lays it out.

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 And John answered him and said,

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 Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.

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 And Jesus said unto him, I can see Jesus almost just shaking his head,

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 Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us.

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 What I want to preach a message this morning entitled this,

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 The Road to True Greatness.

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 See, the disciples think they're on that road, but they're on the completely wrong road.

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 And Jesus wants to recalculate their life, so to speak, and say,

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 This is what true greatness looks like.

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 It's not about being great in the world's eyes.

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 The least among you will be the greatest.

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 So let's have a word of prayer, and then we're going to jump right into it this morning.

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 Father, thank you for this opportunity.

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 Thank you for this wonderful time that we've had to lift our voices together.

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 Thank you for the wonderful special.

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 Lord, we have so many things that we could say, but thank you seems just not adequate,

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 but it's all that we have, Lord.

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 We're so thankful for what you've done for us.

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 And Lord, I pray that if there is someone here this morning that does not know you as their Savior,

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 that today would be that day.

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 Lord, I pray for those that do and claim to follow you,

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 that, Lord, we would be living a life that you call us to,

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 that the greatness you have laid for us.

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 Lord, I pray you would just be with me now.

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 You would empty me of self.

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 You would cleanse me of sin.

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 Fill me with your spirit, Lord.

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 I need you.

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 I need you to guide my words and my thoughts, and we ask it in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 Thank you so much for standing.

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 You may be seated.

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 I love the sports debate of the goat.

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 The greatest of all time.

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 Every sport pretty much has this, and you turn on the TV, some of you sports people,

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 you turn on the, and they just are always arguing about who's the goat.

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 When it comes to basketball, you know, is it Michael Jordan?

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 Is it LeBron James?

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 Is it Kobe Bryant?

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 It's Michael Jordan, right?

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 Yeah, okay.

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 Or it's Dirk Nowitzki, actually.

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 It's actually Dirk, but that's just my own personal opinion.

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 You know, when it comes to football and quarterbacks especially,

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 it's kind of really what it comes to.

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 Is it Tom Brady?

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 Is it Joe Montana?

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 Is it Peyton Manning?

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 Is it down the list?

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 And maybe it's Uncle Rico in your book.

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 I don't know really who it is that it could have been.

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 Hockey, you're like, the only name I know is Wayne Gretzky.

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 Same here.

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 Let's just move on.

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 I was going to ask about the greatest college football team,

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 but Brother Jonathan's already mentioned from the pulpit what it is,

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 and so we're not here to cause a church division.

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 We're here in the unity of the Spirit,

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 so we're just going to move right along.

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 But it really doesn't matter if it's sports.

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 I think that we all have that desire to be great at something.

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 And there's nothing wrong with the ambition to be great at what you do,

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 and I think there's things in life that we do crave recognition.

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 We want to matter.

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 I think that lives in our hearts.

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 I mean, you don't wake up in the morning.

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 You don't wake up tomorrow morning to go to work and be like,

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 I'm setting out to be the worst of all time.

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 Now, you may work with that person, but hopefully that's not your mindset.

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 And just to say this right here, as a Christian, you should strive to do great things for the Lord.

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 But here's the problem that every human heart wrestles with pride.

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 You go all the way back to the Garden of Eden, you're going to find it there.

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 You're going to find it before the Garden of Eden.

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 It's what caused Satan to fall, that he will be like the Most High,

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 that he wanted the throne, that he wanted the preeminent.

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 And inside each of us lives a relentless worshiper of self.

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 Sometimes we hide it, but it's in there.

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 We like ourselves, and we naturally want to be first.

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 We want to be noticed.

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 We want to be applauded.

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 Humility, on the other hand, is not natural.

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 Humility is something that is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.

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 I do love when I watch the end of the game, and I mean, sometimes you want to know how good somebody is,

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 just at the end of a football game, interview them.

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 They'll tell you how good they are.

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 I mean, you know, I'm just faster, I'm better, I'm stronger.

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 Oh, yeah, I want to thank my teammates and my coaches, too.

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 But it's always, it's just out there, it just kind of creeps out.

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 But the Bible does call us to humility.

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 It calls us to, if we are following the Lord, to walk after him.

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 Micah told us, he has showed thee, O man, what is good.

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 And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

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 The Bible tells us, we're going to see it in Luke 14, he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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 The book of James reminds us that we are to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift thee up.

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 We want to be lifted up, but there's a way that that comes about, and humility,

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 while it might be alien to our fallen, to the way that we live, it's essential to our Christian walk.

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 But just because it's essential doesn't mean that we do it all the time.

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 And as we come to our text, that's kind of the rub that we see here.

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 Is it really, as we've looked over the last few weeks, Jesus is really from this moment on,

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 and especially in verse 51, his face is set towards Jerusalem.

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 He came for the cross of Calvary.

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 He's always known this.

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 In fact, before the foundation of the world, there was a lamb that was slain.

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 Jesus, the cross did not catch him by surprise, but at this moment in history, he's really moving towards it now.

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 And he's starting to lay these things out and tell the disciples things like,

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 hey, the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of the Pharisees, he's going to be killed.

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 And they're thinking, nope, we're not doing that.

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 And he tells them, if you want to follow me, here's what it's going to look like.

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 You're going to have to take up your cross daily.

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 You're going to have to deny yourself, and you're going to have to come after me.

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 And what's taking place there is they're struggling with that because that's not the plan they signed up for.

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 When they kind of got wind of who this Jesus was, they're thinking, I'll follow that guy because I can see great things in my future.

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 If this man can do these things, if he can cause all these fish to come in the boat,

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 he can feed these people and heal these people.

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 Well, I'm all in on that.

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 I mean, if he can do this, no doubt he can overthrow Rome.

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 That's kind of where the disciples were.

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 And they thought greatness, much like we think today, is about being recognized.

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 That they would walk through the streets of Capernaum.

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 They would walk through the streets of Jerusalem.

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 Why did you, that's Peter over there.

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 Yeah, it's me, I'm Peter.

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 I'm the leader over here, guys.

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 And they were struggling.

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 Many of these men were probably late teens, early 20s.

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 They were craving that.

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 But Luke 9 and these passages we looked at was a shock to their system.

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 Jesus predicting his death.

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 Really, the disciples couldn't even comprehend it.

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 They were still picturing this earthly kingdom.

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 They had visions of thrones and crowns and power and prestige.

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 And they were thinking, man, I remember that guy in school making fun of me for being a fisherman.

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 Watch this.

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 That's where they were.

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 That's what they wanted.

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 And that's what they kept striving after.

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 And so right after Jesus speaks about a cross,

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 right after Jesus is showing them that what's going to take place,

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 and he's telling them, you're going to suffer too.

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 Instead of dwelling on that, they start arguing about who's the greatest.

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 They start worrying about, hey, I'm the goat.

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 Peter said, listen, everybody knows this, guys.

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 I'm the greatest disciple of all time.

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 I'm the leader.

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 I'm the one that's going to say things.

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 You remember when I said, thou art the Christ?

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 That was me.

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 You don't read your Bible like this?

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 The disciples were trash talking with each other.

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 They were excited about their possibility of being there

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 because that's what's taking place in verse 46.

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 Then there arose a reasoning among them,

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 which of them should be the greatest?

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 You remember just a few weeks back,

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 Peter, James, and John were on the mountain of transfiguration.

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 They saw Jesus kind of pull back his humanity and saw his divinity,

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 and yet they're still arguing about who's the greatest.

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 That's a picture into our heart and our mindset as human beings

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 because really all the things he's been saying,

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 Jesus is talking about humility,

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 and they're focused on the hierarchy.

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 That's where their mind is.

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 Jesus came not to be ministered unto,

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 but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

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 Jesus is talking about serving one another

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 and loving one another and suffering for others,

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 and they're focused on status.

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 Well, I just want to at least be in the top three.

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 And James and John thinking,

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 we already got that covered.

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 Sorry, Bartholomew.

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 You know, it's Peter, James, and John.

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 Everybody knows that.

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 But before we're too hard on them,

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 I think we need to stop and look in the mirror

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 and realize we do the same things often.

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 That we do compare ourselves one with another.

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 We can come and we can say,

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 well, at least I'm better than so-and-so.

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 I mean, you know, I can do better than them.

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 I mean, we have all these things.

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 We compete with one another.

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 We crave importance.

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 And Jesus knew this was taking place.

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 So what he does is he kind of sets his disciples down,

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 and he shows them.

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 And he shows us what true greatness looks like.

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 He lays out the road map to it.

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 He said, this is the road you have to walk

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 to really experience greatness.

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 Because if we follow the world's definition of greatness,

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 we're going to be frustrated.

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 We're going to be just beat up.

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 We're going to be so upset.

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 We're going to realize this.

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 It's empty.

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 Solomon told us in the book of Ecclesiastes,

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 he sought everything the world had to offer,

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 and here's what he found out.

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 It was worth nothing.

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 It was vanity of vanities.

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 Emptiness of emptiness.

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 And the disciples are seeking and searching for that.

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 And Jesus says, here's where true greatness comes from.

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 Humility.

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 That's where it's found.

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 And he wanted the disciples,

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 and he wants us to see a few things,

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 and we're going to walk through this text here.

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 I think, number one, he wants us to see this,

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 that humble disciples value insignificant people

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 in serving Jesus.

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 Humble disciples value insignificant people.

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 You know, I've been married long enough now

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 where I just think things,

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 and she looks at me and just says, no.

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 I can't have any fun.

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 I can't do anything I want to do.

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 She just knows everything that's going on in my brain,

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 it's not fair.

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 And I just, but I'm like, but come on.

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 No.

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 You know, anybody like that?

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 Any people in that situation?

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 I mean, you just kind of get that look on your face,

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 and no, we're not doing that.

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 The disciples, they're kind of reasoning among themselves.

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 They're not arguing out loud in front of Jesus.

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 You know, maybe they're over in the corner,

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 and Jesus said, hey, what y'all talking about over there?

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 But he knows their heart,

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 and that's what the Bible says,

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 that he begins to, he reads their heart.

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 They hadn't really said a word in front of him,

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 but he knew their thoughts,

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 and here's what he found.

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 They were full of pride.

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 And he calls them out.

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 Not like we would, like, hey, stop doing that, John.

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 No, he says, hey, guys, come here.

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 I want to tell y'all something.

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 I want to teach y'all a lesson.

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 Everybody come here.

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 Verse number 47,

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 And Jesus, perceiving their thought,

00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:48.720
 the thought of their heart,

00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:51.879
 took a child and set him by him.

00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.720
 Maybe this was one of the disciples' kids.

00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:57.480
 You know, they would travel maybe in a group,

00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:59.080
 and maybe it was one of their children.

00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:00.919
 He came and said, hey, why don't you come sit down next to me?

00:13:01.579 --> 00:13:03.839
 Why don't you come hang out with me real quick?

00:13:03.979 --> 00:13:06.579
 And he's there, and with that simple gesture,

00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:07.799
 we can kind of read over and say,

00:13:08.079 --> 00:13:09.159
 okay, well, you know,

00:13:09.219 --> 00:13:10.360
 Jesus loves the little children of the world.

00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:11.159
 We know that song.

00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.000
 Everybody knows that song.

00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.519
 But with this simple gesture,

00:13:15.599 --> 00:13:16.639
 here's what Jesus is doing,

00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:19.279
 redefining what greatness looks like.

00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:21.699
 You know, because in our day,

00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:23.419
 children are celebrated, and they should be.

00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:27.019
 Children are a wonderful, beautiful gift from the Lord.

00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:28.980
 Lord, sometimes I have to remind myself of that.

00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:33.899
 You know, we went down and saw my parents

00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.439
 and were on a road trip.

00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.539
 You know, road trips just bring the best and worst

00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.220
 out of families.

00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.519
 Like, I'm going to pull this car over.

00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:43.480
 I'm the only person that's ever threatened to pull the car over.

00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:45.319
 No, I didn't think so.

00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.340
 But we celebrate our children.

00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:48.179
 We love our children.

00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:51.519
 But in the world of the first century,

00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:54.599
 children were way down the rung of the ladder.

00:13:55.839 --> 00:13:57.000
 I mean, they had no rights.

00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.359
 They had no rank.

00:13:58.739 --> 00:13:59.719
 They had no reputation.

00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:02.839
 And since they were dependent,

00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:03.959
 they were powerless,

00:14:04.239 --> 00:14:06.239
 and they were viewed as insignificant.

00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:10.539
 Many of the, even Jewish leaders of the day,

00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:11.659
 they would have thoughts that,

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:13.559
 hey, don't waste your time with kids.

00:14:13.979 --> 00:14:15.779
 They have nothing to offer you.

00:14:16.099 --> 00:14:17.379
 They're not going to help you in your business.

00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.500
 They're not going to help you move forward.

00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:21.360
 So, hey, there's nothing that they need from you.

00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.519
 Don't waste your time.

00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:27.220
 So by Jesus bringing this little child up

00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:29.159
 and setting him next to him,

00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:31.019
 you know, because they wanted,

00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.659
 here's the problem,

00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:33.299
 Peter wanted to sit there.

00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:36.019
 James and John wanted to be on the right and left hand.

00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:37.039
 He said, you know what?

00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.600
 I got somebody that can take this spot.

00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.279
 Why don't you come here?

00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:42.059
 Brings this little kid and sets him next to him.

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.659
 And what he's doing is he is shattering

00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:46.120
 their value system.

00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:49.320
 Because in their heart, they're arguing.

00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.700
 In their heart, they're saying,

00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:51.740
 I want to be great.

00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:53.120
 And as Jesus is sitting next to him,

00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.419
 he says, you want to be great?

00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:56.220
 This is what it looks like.

00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.120
 This little kid.

00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.659
 And they're thinking, what?

00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:01.759
 A kid?

00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.220
 What can he do?

00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.939
 He doesn't even have a bank account.

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.139
 He doesn't even have a job.

00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.779
 You know, he's always bugging me.

00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:09.120
 What are we going to have for lunch?

00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.100
 Like kids do.

00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:13.460
 And husbands do too sometimes.

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.580
 I hope it's good.

00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.480
 But I want us to really understand what he's saying.

00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.060
 Jesus is teaching us this.

00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.740
 To welcome the least

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:26.920
 is to welcome the Lord.

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:30.500
 To serve the small

00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:32.860
 is to serve the Savior.

00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:36.320
 This took everything that they had been taught,

00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.100
 everything their society says,

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.620
 this is what greatness looks like.

00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:41.120
 And he turns it on its head.

00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.360
 And he tells them,

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:44.659
 greatness is measured by service,

00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.720
 not status.

00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:48.899
 That in this simple, single act

00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:50.680
 of just bringing a child next to him,

00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:52.899
 that he turned their world upside down

00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:55.300
 and flipped the definition of greatness.

00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.759
 That this is what it looks like.

00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.560
 As a follower of Christ,

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:01.040
 serving others,

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.940
 serving the insignificant

00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:05.060
 is what greatness really does.

00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:07.840
 So what does it look like today in our life?

00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.160
 How does it look like

00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:11.019
 in your walk with the Lord?

00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:13.899
 Maybe it's at home,

00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:15.100
 as a parent,

00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:17.060
 serving your children in love

00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:17.720
 is greatness.

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.200
 Now yes,

00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.019
 there's a hierarchy

00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:21.000
 and there isn't a

00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:23.840
 order that God has set it up in.

00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:24.960
 But listen,

00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.320
 we are to love our children.

00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:27.879
 We are to train them up

00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.379
 in the nurture

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.879
 and the admonition of the Lord.

00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.340
 That they're not our servants.

00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.000
 That they're not there

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.700
 just to give us what we want

00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:35.080
 and hey,

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.840
 give them something

00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:37.060
 just to get them out of our hair.

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.460
 But on the other side,

00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:39.879
 kids,

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.879
 teens that are in here,

00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.220
 you know what it looks like?

00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.660
 It looks like honoring your parents.

00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.820
 Obeying your parents.

00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.840
 That's what God has called us to do.

00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:50.139
 Because I know you know this sometimes,

00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.800
 sometimes your parents

00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.840
 have no idea what they're doing.

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.379
 Just pray for them.

00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.120
 They need it, okay?

00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:58.139
 They're trying the best they can.

00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.620
 But there should be that mutual love

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.039
 and respect

00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:03.060
 that we're to serve each other.

00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:05.579
 That we're not to prefer others above.

00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:05.799
 No,

00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:07.299
 that we're to look at ourselves

00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:07.640
 and say,

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:07.960
 Lord,

00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.279
 how can I be a help?

00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.140
 Maybe at work,

00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.920
 are you the person

00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.420
 that's known for helping others

00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:15.380
 or known for stepping on them

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.380
 to get to the next level?

00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:19.279
 It looks like service.

00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.519
 That God calls us to that.

00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.240
 Maybe at church,

00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:26.259
 the question we need to ask ourselves

00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.500
 is,

00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:28.160
 are we a participant

00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.579
 or just a spectator?

00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:33.619
 I'm thankful everybody is here this morning.

00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:36.500
 But God calls us into the church family

00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:38.920
 to serve one another.

00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.660
 That we're not just to come

00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.839
 and get and get and get and get.

00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.920
 I hope you get something.

00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.000
 I hope you get something from the message.

00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.299
 I hope you get something from the songs.

00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:45.859
 I hope you got something

00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:47.059
 from the Sunday school hour.

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.160
 I know you got the donuts.

00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:51.660
 And there's certain things

00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.400
 you should get.

00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.840
 But when you come into the church,

00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.240
 are you looking,

00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:56.120
 what can I get?

00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.940
 Or what can I do?

00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.480
 How can I serve?

00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:01.460
 How can I show others

00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:03.320
 the love of Christ in this place?

00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:05.840
 You know,

00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:07.100
 sometimes it's areas

00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:08.519
 that you don't want to be.

00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:08.880
 You know,

00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.519
 I'm so thankful

00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.240
 that we have people

00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.240
 that greet you when you walk in

00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.140
 that smile.

00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:14.920
 Maybe you could do that.

00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.100
 You think,

00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:15.840
 what can I do in the church?

00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:16.860
 Maybe be a greeter

00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:18.259
 and just show up and smile

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.439
 and say,

00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:19.599
 hey, we're glad you're here.

00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:20.979
 If you don't smile,

00:18:21.199 --> 00:18:22.139
 don't sign up for that.

00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:26.740
 I'm thankful

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.779
 for our nursery workers.

00:18:29.979 --> 00:18:31.079
 I'm so thankful for them.

00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:31.679
 I'm thankful

00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:32.699
 for our Sunday school teachers.

00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.019
 I'm thankful

00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.240
 for our children's church workers.

00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:34.759
 I'm thankful

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.659
 for those that are willing

00:18:35.659 --> 00:18:36.479
 to drive a bus

00:18:36.479 --> 00:18:37.799
 and to do the things

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.879
 and come a little bit earlier

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.699
 and stay a little bit later.

00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.119
 Why?

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.819
 So people can hear the gospel.

00:18:42.699 --> 00:18:43.779
 That's what it's about.

00:18:44.159 --> 00:18:44.939
 That's what it is.

00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.620
 I'm thankful for those

00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:47.140
 that take time

00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.600
 and effort

00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.680
 and clean

00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:50.100
 and mow the yard

00:18:50.100 --> 00:18:51.100
 and all the things around her

00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:52.700
 so when you show up on Sunday,

00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.220
 hey, it looks like,

00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.700
 hey, we take care of this place.

00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.940
 Those are important things

00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.080
 and God calls us all.

00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.180
 It's simple things.

00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.039
 Sometimes we think ministry

00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.160
 is standing behind a pulpit.

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.640
 No, it's just serving people.

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.640
 How do you view people

00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.400
 in your world

00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.940
 that you come across

00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:10.720
 every day of the week

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.840
 as interruptions

00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:12.519
 or invitations

00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.680
 to love them like Jesus?

00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:16.519
 Because you're going to run

00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.160
 into somebody tomorrow

00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:17.580
 and you're going to think,

00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.220
 man, I wish they would

00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:18.860
 just leave me alone.

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.900
 I'm trying to get my work done.

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.559
 Maybe God keeps allowing them

00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.380
 to interrupt you

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.920
 because they just need to be loved.

00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:27.220
 Maybe you can just serve

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.279
 in that aspect

00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:29.720
 because Jesus says,

00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.620
 that's what greatness looks like.

00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:34.519
 For he that is least among you all,

00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:36.380
 the same shall be great.

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.980
 That's what he is calling us to do.

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.600
 And see, Jesus' example,

00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:42.039
 I can imagine they're kind of

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.820
 looking around thinking like,

00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.899
 oh my goodness.

00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.419
 Like, how did he know?

00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:46.439
 How did he know

00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:47.759
 we were talking about this?

00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.259
 And he kind of silences

00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:49.939
 their argument.

00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.819
 But I'm sure you found out

00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.339
 in your own life,

00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.059
 as I have,

00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:56.240
 that pride doesn't die easily.

00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.839
 It likes to rear its ugly head.

00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.819
 I think, okay, okay.

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.399
 I'll serve people better.

00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.299
 I'll serve them.

00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:06.119
 And you know,

00:20:06.159 --> 00:20:07.159
 I'm going to do my very best,

00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.799
 but what about these people

00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.319
 over here?

00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.439
 This is what John

00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.259
 kind of brings up

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.840
 there in verse number 49.

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.240
 Kind of like right on cue.

00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:17.340
 Because there's another kind of pride

00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.019
 that we deal with,

00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:19.019
 not just that we think

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.799
 of ourselves higher

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:21.200
 and that maybe we shouldn't serve,

00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:23.500
 but this spiritual superiority.

00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.700
 That's a deadly type of pride.

00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.860
 That, hey, you know,

00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.980
 I go to this church

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.460
 and I've been saved this long

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.519
 and we wouldn't maybe

00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.460
 say that out loud,

00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.140
 but sometimes we deal

00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.920
 with it in our heart.

00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:37.660
 Like, man,

00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.360
 I wish they'd just get

00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.039
 their act together

00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.819
 like I have.

00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:44.059
 We'll just move right along.

00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:47.039
 But here's the thought,

00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.859
 that humble disciples,

00:20:48.979 --> 00:20:49.419
 number two,

00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.339
 appreciate others

00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.759
 who serve Jesus.

00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.779
 So humble disciples,

00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:57.219
 they value those

00:20:57.219 --> 00:20:58.059
 that are the world

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.279
 consider insignificant

00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.419
 because we all are,

00:21:00.459 --> 00:21:00.879
 by the way.

00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.919
 That none of us

00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:03.959
 are significant

00:21:03.959 --> 00:21:05.639
 to be honored by Jesus.

00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:07.020
 No, he came and he loved us

00:21:07.020 --> 00:21:08.860
 despite who we are.

00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.500
 But John, I love John.

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.520
 I bet John thinks

00:21:12.520 --> 00:21:14.620
 he sounds so spiritual.

00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.280
 Verse number 49,

00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.000
 he comes and says,

00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.100
 and John answered

00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:18.380
 and said,

00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.740
 Master,

00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.800
 we saw one casting out

00:21:20.800 --> 00:21:21.740
 devils in thy name

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:23.340
 and we forbade him

00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:24.800
 because he follows not with us.

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.259
 He comes up

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.020
 and he said,

00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.320
 Jesus,

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.680
 I just want you to know,

00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.120
 yes,

00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.680
 we're going to serve

00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.140
 other people,

00:21:30.280 --> 00:21:31.540
 but we had some jokers

00:21:31.540 --> 00:21:32.580
 over there in the other town.

00:21:32.800 --> 00:21:34.040
 They were trying to serve you

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.319
 and they're not one of us.

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.240
 So I told him,

00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.420
 don't even think about it.

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.000
 That's what he's saying.

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:39.980
 You know,

00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.720
 and John's so happy

00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.799
 and he's popping his lapel

00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:44.019
 and he's very excited

00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.680
 about what God

00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.480
 has called him to do

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:47.059
 and don't forget

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.680
 that the disciples

00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.359
 just a few verses ago

00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.399
 failed miserably

00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.440
 to cast the devil out.

00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.099
 You know,

00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.039
 it's easy to see

00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:54.920
 others' problem

00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.819
 and miss our own.

00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:59.379
 But have you ever noticed

00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:00.720
 how envy hides behind

00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:02.539
 discernment sometimes?

00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.259
 We criticize others

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.000
 to make ourselves

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.940
 feel righteous?

00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:09.859
 John's got his chest

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.460
 all puffed out

00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:10.980
 and Jesus said,

00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:11.879
 man,

00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.240
 forbid him not.

00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:14.480
 Like,

00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:16.059
 he's doing a great work.

00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:18.379
 He's doing a great job

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.079
 and Jesus said,

00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:20.619
 for he that is not

00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.659
 against us

00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:23.559
 is for us.

00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.879
 In other words,

00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.659
 here's what Jesus is saying.

00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.519
 Don't stop someone

00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.339
 from doing good

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.000
 in my name

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.420
 just because they're not

00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.320
 in your group.

00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.820
 That's what he's saying.

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.120
 Listen,

00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.160
 this kingdom,

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.220
 God's kingdom

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.180
 is bigger than

00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:42.980
 our circle,

00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:44.080
 our style,

00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.060
 our label.

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.120
 It is.

00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.820
 I know it's hard

00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.680
 sometimes to think that

00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.640
 and that's what Jesus says,

00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:50.960
 that they're not against us,

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.380
 they're not for us.

00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.420
 True greatness

00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:54.060
 does not compete.

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.380
 It celebrates,

00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:56.660
 it rejoices

00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:58.259
 when Christ is glorified

00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.840
 no matter

00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.960
 who gets the credit.

00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.900
 that's what Jesus

00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.680
 is teaching us.

00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:03.539
 That's what Jesus

00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.640
 is reminding us.

00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.500
 The apostle Paul

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.200
 gives us a great

00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.420
 biblical example of this.

00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.240
 In Philippians chapter

00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.840
 number one

00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:13.000
 and the church

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.900
 at Philippi

00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.319
 and others

00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:14.940
 were worried

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.059
 that people

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.579
 were kind of

00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.759
 piggybacking off Paul

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.819
 and they were glad

00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.620
 he was in prison

00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.620
 because they finally

00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.779
 got to be the preacher

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.039
 and they finally

00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.740
 got to preach

00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.460
 the gospel.

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.120
 Paul could have said,

00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.720
 you're not the apostle Paul,

00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.380
 what are you doing?

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.000
 You know what he said?

00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.240
 He said,

00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.059
 I'm thankful

00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.200
 the gospel's going forward.

00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.279
 I'm thankful

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.299
 somebody's hearing the truth.

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:33.819
 He said,

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.680
 whether in pretense

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.299
 or in truth,

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.500
 Christ is preached

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.559
 and therein

00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.240
 do I rejoice.

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.779
 That's what Paul

00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.319
 was about.

00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.779
 He didn't care

00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.940
 who got the applause,

00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.880
 he cared

00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.680
 that Christ

00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.880
 got the glory.

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.559
 That's what God

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.380
 has called us to do.

00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.339
 God didn't call us

00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.180
 to build our kingdom.

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.880
 God didn't call us

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.859
 to build the Central Baptist

00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.500
 Church kingdom

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.460
 of Gainesville, Texas.

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.000
 No, he called us

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.980
 to build his kingdom.

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.500
 But there are other churches

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.339
 in this county

00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.240
 and in this city

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.480
 that preach the gospel

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:04.920
 of Christ

00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.779
 and here's what we should say,

00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:07.640
 praise the Lord.

00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.940
 Because I'm looking out,

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.140
 yeah,

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.779
 all of Gainesville

00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.240
 is not in here.

00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.559
 We're not the only church.

00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.839
 We're not the only church

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.880
 that preaches the gospel

00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.819
 and we need to have

00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.880
 that kingdom-minded humility.

00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.039
 That we,

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.259
 even towards other churches,

00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.140
 we need that,

00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.140
 we're not competitors,

00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.559
 we're co-laborers.

00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.940
 I love this thought,

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.799
 we can be brothers

00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.819
 and not twins.

00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.539
 That's okay.

00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:32.980
 That's okay.

00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.220
 That's what Jesus is saying

00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.759
 toward other believers.

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.000
 We don't,

00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:38.559
 we need to stop comparing gifts

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.779
 and start celebrating

00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.700
 the grace that God

00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.720
 has given us the gifts.

00:24:43.179 --> 00:24:44.079
 Paul deals with this later.

00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:45.399
 Not everybody in this church

00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:46.279
 has the same gift.

00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.639
 You know,

00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:49.259
 some of you are encouragers.

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.299
 You should be greeters.

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.319
 Some of you are just

00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.059
 truth tellers.

00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:53.079
 You don't need to be a greeter.

00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:55.399
 You wore that today?

00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.099
 Oh man,

00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.859
 come on in.

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.500
 I'm just saying.

00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.359
 We can't say,

00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:04.279
 well they get to get up here

00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.980
 and they get up here

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.559
 and they do this

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.059
 and they sing.

00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:06.639
 Listen,

00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.720
 God gave them the ability

00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.119
 to sing.

00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:08.639
 Some of you

00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:10.000
 sing a joyful noise

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.519
 in the Lord.

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.359
 I get it.

00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:12.919
 I do.

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:15.259
 But sometimes we get so worried

00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:16.019
 and we're so focused

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.079
 on comparing one another

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.960
 that we don't realize,

00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:18.319
 hey,

00:25:18.439 --> 00:25:20.119
 the gospel's going forward

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.740
 and we miss it

00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.960
 and we're not excited

00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.579
 about it.

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.420
 How does it come

00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.559
 towards differing ministries?

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.660
 I just want to say this,

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.460
 if they preach the gospel,

00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.259
 praise God.

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.079
 Don't misunderstand

00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.620
 what I'm saying.

00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.120
 Appreciation doesn't mean

00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.680
 compromise.

00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.440
 It doesn't.

00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:37.980
 It means humility.

00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.400
 Because there's others

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.640
 that we may not agree with.

00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.440
 But God didn't call us

00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.279
 to make that known.

00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:44.720
 You know what God

00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.160
 called us to do?

00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.660
 Just run the race

00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.380
 He's called us to.

00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:49.240
 To appreciate the others

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.740
 that are there

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:51.599
 in doing the work of Christ.

00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:54.180
 So Jesus is teaching here

00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.359
 that greatness

00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.400
 looks like humility.

00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.720
 It values others

00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:57.960
 that,

00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:58.940
 it values people

00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.700
 that others overlook.

00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.599
 It appreciates the people

00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.519
 that others envy.

00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:06.000
 But He has one final layer.

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.640
 And really we find it

00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.980
 in Mark chapter 9

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:10.120
 and Matthew chapter 18.

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.400
 The synoptic gospels

00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.259
 that men's this,

00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:13.900
 when you hear that word,

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.480
 they're to be seen together.

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:16.980
 Because sometimes

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.180
 each gospel writer,

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.460
 they take different lenses,

00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:21.460
 but especially in Mark's

00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:23.240
 account of this text,

00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:25.000
 Jesus reminds us of this,

00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.120
 that humble disciples

00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:27.720
 remove anything

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.860
 that hinders them

00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:30.240
 from serving Jesus.

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.160
 And that's what He does.

00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.759
 If you have your Bible there,

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.660
 why don't you flip over

00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.279
 to Mark chapter 9.

00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.420
 We'll read just a couple

00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.100
 verses here.

00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.259
 It's in the same context,

00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.319
 it's in the same story

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.200
 as He's brought

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.220
 these children here

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.519
 and He's kind of laying out

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:45.500
 what humility looks like.

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:47.819
 And Jesus kind of shifts

00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:49.140
 from this illustration

00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:51.380
 that this is what humility

00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:51.880
 looks like,

00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.799
 this is how it serves,

00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.920
 this is what it does,

00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.920
 it appreciates.

00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:57.220
 And He gives a very stern warning.

00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.900
 He shows that humility

00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:01.400
 isn't soft.

00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.799
 Sometimes we look at humility

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.720
 and meekness and we think,

00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.779
 the world's going to walk

00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.240
 all over us.

00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:07.680
 No, it's a very serious thing.

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.839
 Jesus was humble.

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.339
 He was, you know,

00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.299
 Jesus describes Himself

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:12.900
 one time,

00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:16.140
 He is meek and lowly.

00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.340
 Meekness does not mean weakness.

00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.700
 Moses, the Bible says,

00:27:20.780 --> 00:27:22.259
 Moses was the meekest man

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.900
 on the earth.

00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:25.440
 You think Moses was a pushover?

00:27:26.560 --> 00:27:27.860
 You read the Exodus,

00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.759
 you read what he did

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.720
 and the millions of complainers

00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.340
 that he dealt with.

00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.660
 I think he knew what he was doing

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.600
 and he was trusting the Lord.

00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.900
 Notice what the Bible says

00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.560
 in Mark chapter 9,

00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.920
 verse number 42.

00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:41.600
 And whosoever shall offend

00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.800
 one of these little ones

00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.980
 that believeth in me,

00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:46.220
 it is better for him

00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.659
 that a millstone

00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.940
 were hanged about his neck

00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:51.200
 and he were cast into the sea.

00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.339
 Sometimes we read these verses

00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:53.599
 and think,

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.740
 what is Jesus talking about?

00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:58.139
 He wants us to understand this,

00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.159
 that the little ones

00:27:59.159 --> 00:28:01.480
 are not just children per se,

00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.839
 not just young children,

00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:05.200
 but all of those

00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.059
 that are vulnerable,

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:08.440
 young and vulnerable believers.

00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.700
 That sometimes we,

00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.019
 sometimes we've been saved

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.539
 a long time,

00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.759
 we've been serving Jesus

00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.480
 a long time,

00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.160
 that we think,

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.660
 man, what is their problem?

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.720
 You know what he's reminding us?

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.319
 We used to be there too.

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:24.480
 And sometimes we might have

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.299
 grown in our faith

00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.799
 in some things

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:27.180
 that we were very staunch on

00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:29.400
 and very just matter of fact

00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.319
 and dogmatic about.

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.799
 It's okay to have preferences,

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.639
 it's okay to have

00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.279
 some of these things,

00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:35.460
 but we can get so hung up

00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:35.680
 and say,

00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.619
 well, if that offends them,

00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.779
 then that's their problem.

00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.839
 You know what we have to do sometimes?

00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.639
 Sometimes we have to set aside

00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:42.839
 our pride and our preferences

00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:45.379
 and our certain kind of things

00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.119
 that we like to do

00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:48.039
 for the good of the kingdom,

00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:50.339
 for the good of the gospel.

00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.000
 You can do whatever you want.

00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:53.139
 All things are lawful,

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.619
 Paul says,

00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.240
 but it doesn't mean

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.179
 everything's good to do.

00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:56.740
 It doesn't mean it's always

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:58.099
 something we can do there.

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.059
 And here's what Jesus

00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.959
 is saying in this verse.

00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.379
 Don't be the reason

00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.339
 somebody trips up.

00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:04.599
 You say,

00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:05.319
 well, it's not my problem

00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:05.899
 they're doing that.

00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:08.120
 But maybe you're the one

00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.240
 that God's placed in their life.

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.519
 And maybe they come

00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.300
 and they're looking at you

00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:11.780
 at work.

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.560
 They're looking at you

00:29:12.560 --> 00:29:13.080
 in the church

00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.920
 and how you do things

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.500
 and how you serve

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:14.860
 and they're thinking,

00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.640
 well, why does he do that?

00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:17.880
 You know,

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:19.060
 well, I don't think

00:29:19.060 --> 00:29:19.680
 that's what should be

00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.340
 taking place.

00:29:20.540 --> 00:29:22.400
 And Jesus is reminding us

00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.160
 that our life

00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.460
 should lift people up,

00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.780
 not trip them up.

00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:29.340
 That's why a follower of Christ,

00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:31.120
 we're to be the light,

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.800
 we're to be the salt,

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.780
 we're to bring others to him.

00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:35.700
 And not stick our foot out

00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.440
 so they trip over and say,

00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.339
 what's your problem, man?

00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.899
 That's what Jesus is saying.

00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.559
 See, his warning is severe.

00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.839
 But he takes it a step farther

00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.720
 in that next verse.

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:48.079
 Verse 43 of Mark 9.

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.779
 And thy hand offend thee,

00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.139
 cut it off.

00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.720
 It is better for thee

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.019
 to enter into life maimed

00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.899
 than having two hands

00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:55.519
 to go into hell

00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.160
 and to the fire

00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:58.480
 that shall never be quenched.

00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.299
 Where the worm dieth not

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.599
 and the fire is not quenched.

00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.799
 Verse 45,

00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.740
 and a knife foot offend thee,

00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.299
 cut it off.

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.039
 Verse 47,

00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:07.180
 and a knife eye offend thee,

00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.240
 pluck it out.

00:30:10.379 --> 00:30:11.980
 What is Jesus saying here?

00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.759
 Listen, he's not calling

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:15.319
 for literal amputation.

00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.259
 You know what he's saying

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.720
 the disciples do,

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.659
 humble disciples?

00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.859
 He's calling them

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:22.139
 to radical repentance.

00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:25.839
 That if something causes you

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:27.619
 or something causes others

00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.299
 to stumble,

00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.019
 get rid of it.

00:30:30.659 --> 00:30:31.659
 That's what Jesus is saying.

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:33.759
 If your hand,

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.720
 what you do offends

00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.500
 other people,

00:30:36.560 --> 00:30:37.340
 here's what Jesus says,

00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.160
 stop it.

00:30:38.800 --> 00:30:39.860
 It's not worth it.

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.259
 If your foot,

00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.200
 where you go

00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.340
 and where you visit,

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.140
 if it offends,

00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.060
 avoid it.

00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:46.200
 If your eye,

00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:47.060
 what you watch

00:30:47.060 --> 00:30:48.019
 and what you desire,

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.160
 if it offends others,

00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:51.040
 turn from it.

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.240
 He's saying if there's an issue

00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.440
 and it's causing others

00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:54.940
 to stumble,

00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:56.340
 it's not worth it.

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:58.019
 Don't try to patch it up.

00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.879
 If you walked in your house

00:30:58.879 --> 00:30:59.859
 and there's black mold

00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.160
 everywhere,

00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:02.079
 say, let's get the air freshener out.

00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:05.119
 If you find it in your house

00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:05.599
 and you know what you do,

00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.839
 rip it out.

00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.819
 Because it's not healthy.

00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.519
 It's deadly.

00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.440
 And Jesus is saying,

00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:13.660
 listen,

00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.740
 a disciple,

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.480
 a true follower of Christ

00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:18.400
 is not living for the here and now.

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.960
 It's not living for the crowns

00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.480
 and the power

00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.299
 and the prestige

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.220
 this world has to offer.

00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:22.599
 No,

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:24.519
 humble disciples live for eternity.

00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:26.460
 That's the goal.

00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.619
 Listen,

00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.319
 we're living,

00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.740
 God has called us

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.879
 to make heaven crowded.

00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.700
 That we are the ones

00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.759
 that call others

00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:35.279
 to who he is.

00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.420
 And that's what he says.

00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:38.079
 It's better to enter into life

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.779
 maimed

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:40.160
 than have two hands

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.039
 and go into hell.

00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.779
 That it's better

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:44.500
 to lose temporary comfort

00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:46.019
 than eternal life.

00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.920
 And a true,

00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:49.859
 humble disciple of Christ

00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:51.440
 values eternal reward

00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:53.440
 over earthly reputation.

00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.519
 And Jesus is trying

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.440
 to weed this out

00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:56.920
 of the disciples

00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.579
 because guess what's

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.900
 in our heart and our mind?

00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:00.839
 We want prestige.

00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.200
 Is it really worth

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.619
 that co-worker,

00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.940
 that family member,

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.079
 that church member

00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:08.200
 to miss heaven

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.720
 because they were so focused

00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.599
 on how you lived

00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.680
 and you weren't pointing to Jesus,

00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.900
 you were pointing to yourself.

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.180
 Jesus didn't call us

00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:17.160
 to bring disciples to us.

00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.779
 He called us

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.500
 to bring it to him.

00:32:20.359 --> 00:32:21.500
 That's what he's showing here.

00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:23.660
 Humble disciples,

00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.500
 they live for eternity

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:26.220
 and they live salty lives.

00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:30.080
 Verse number 49,

00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.820
 For everyone shall be salted

00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:32.340
 with fire

00:32:32.340 --> 00:32:33.100
 and every sacrifice

00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:34.360
 shall be salted with salt.

00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:35.640
 Salt is good.

00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.080
 Some of you,

00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.400
 that's your life verse right there.

00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.580
 Especially Brother Garrett.

00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.519
 He likes salt.

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:41.619
 But,

00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:43.440
 if the salt

00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.359
 hath lost

00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:45.519
 his saltiness,

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.900
 wherewith

00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:48.900
 will ye season it?

00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:50.059
 Have salt

00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.960
 in yourselves

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.759
 and have peace

00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:53.220
 one with

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.960
 another.

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:54.839
 Listen,

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.359
 salt,

00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.379
 it preserves

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.019
 purity.

00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.639
 It preserves

00:32:58.639 --> 00:32:59.139
 peace.

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.460
 And Jesus

00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.420
 calls us

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:01.980
 to be a

00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.839
 preservative,

00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:04.539
 not a pollutant

00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.079
 to the world

00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:05.740
 around us.

00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.799
 Is your life,

00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.700
 are you living a life,

00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:08.920
 you know,

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.200
 salt creates thirst.

00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.380
 Is your life,

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.460
 the way you live for Christ,

00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.940
 is it causing somebody else

00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.600
 to thirst

00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.680
 for him?

00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.299
 Or,

00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:18.980
 if you're living so much

00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.440
 for yourself

00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:20.180
 that it's just kind of like,

00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.100
 oh man,

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.180
 you've been around somebody

00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:22.720
 that kind of thinks

00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.840
 very highly of themselves,

00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:25.600
 it's very off-putting,

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:25.940
 isn't it?

00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.240
 Like,

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.500
 man,

00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:29.100
 he likes himself.

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.420
 You don't want to be around

00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:31.200
 people like that.

00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:32.460
 Jesus says,

00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:32.640
 like,

00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.620
 when people are around us,

00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:35.340
 it should be salty.

00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:37.039
 It should point others

00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.959
 to him.

00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.679
 That's what he calls us

00:33:39.679 --> 00:33:40.720
 to live like.

00:33:42.399 --> 00:33:44.079
 Just some practical examples.

00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.519
 Where all,

00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.839
 a lot of us are on social media.

00:33:48.959 --> 00:33:50.279
 Maybe you should ask yourself this,

00:33:50.659 --> 00:33:51.539
 right before you're about

00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.079
 to send something,

00:33:52.179 --> 00:33:52.619
 post something.

00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:54.480
 Will this post draw people

00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.019
 to Christ

00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:56.839
 or push them away?

00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.919
 That's a good question

00:33:58.919 --> 00:33:59.439
 to ask.

00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:00.980
 Because just because

00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.759
 you can type it

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.720
 and just because you can't

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.000
 send it

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:04.660
 doesn't mean you should.

00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.200
 At work,

00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.199
 will this conversation

00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:08.920
 you're going to have

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.820
 around the water cooler,

00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:11.159
 will it honor Christ

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.860
 or will it bring

00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.699
 reproach to his name?

00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.820
 Because it's easy

00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:15.500
 just to get caught up

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.280
 in the conversation.

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.179
 At home,

00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.260
 will your children

00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:20.059
 see Jesus

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.119
 and your patience

00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.780
 and your priorities?

00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:22.199
 Listen,

00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:22.800
 we all fail,

00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.960
 but we should be striving

00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:25.239
 for our children

00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:26.239
 to see who Jesus

00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:27.000
 really is.

00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:30.260
 At church,

00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:31.400
 will my words

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.720
 build unity

00:34:32.720 --> 00:34:34.099
 or stir division?

00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:37.500
 If any of those things,

00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:38.400
 if we're thinking,

00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.680
 hey,

00:34:38.740 --> 00:34:39.460
 get rid of it.

00:34:40.200 --> 00:34:40.720
 Ask the Lord

00:34:40.720 --> 00:34:41.340
 to help you.

00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:42.420
 See,

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.320
 humble disciples

00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:44.400
 say this,

00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.680
 if it causes another

00:34:45.680 --> 00:34:46.119
 to stumble,

00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:47.280
 I'll lay it down.

00:34:49.220 --> 00:34:49.760
 Because you know

00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.900
 what true greatness does?

00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.380
 It's going to cost you

00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:52.680
 something.

00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.720
 Jesus is going to

00:34:54.720 --> 00:34:55.400
 lay it all out

00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:55.860
 next week.

00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:56.900
 If you're going to

00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:57.320
 follow me,

00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:57.760
 this is what it's

00:34:57.760 --> 00:34:58.400
 going to look like.

00:34:59.200 --> 00:34:59.639
 You're going to

00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.519
 follow him wherever

00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.460
 and whenever

00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:02.139
 and whatever

00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:03.099
 he asks you to do.

00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:03.980
 And sometimes

00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.680
 it's going to be hard.

00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.099
 See,

00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:07.260
 Jesus didn't call us

00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.940
 to be the greatest

00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.599
 of all time.

00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:09.780
 You know who he called

00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.460
 us to be like?

00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.420
 Him.

00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:14.400
 A suffering servant.

00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.039
 That's what Jesus was.

00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.039
 See,

00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:17.639
 true greatness

00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.280
 is not about

00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:19.400
 applause or recognition.

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.700
 It's about humility

00:35:20.700 --> 00:35:21.579
 and obedience

00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.579
 and love.

00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.260
 Greatness is

00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:25.260
 walking the path

00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:26.280
 that Jesus walked.

00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:28.960
 How do you find

00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.260
 greatness?

00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.220
 You have to descend

00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:30.640
 to it.

00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.340
 The way up

00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:33.200
 in the Christian life

00:35:33.200 --> 00:35:34.000
 is actually down.

00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.240
 That's what

00:35:35.240 --> 00:35:36.019
 Philippians chapter 2

00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.440
 is all about.

00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:36.860
 Read it.

00:35:37.560 --> 00:35:38.780
 That Jesus descended

00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:40.140
 to us.

00:35:40.600 --> 00:35:41.200
 And that greatness

00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:42.260
 has found the same

00:35:42.260 --> 00:35:43.680
 path that Jesus took.

00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.600
 And I just want to

00:35:45.600 --> 00:35:46.140
 remind you,

00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:46.780
 if you know Christ

00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.420
 as your Savior,

00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:49.240
 that he calls you

00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:50.060
 to that same

00:35:50.060 --> 00:35:51.160
 type of service.

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.420
 And I ask you this

00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:53.860
 as we close.

00:35:54.080 --> 00:35:54.840
 What is the Holy Spirit

00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:55.820
 speaking to you about?

00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:58.120
 What is he calling you to?

00:35:58.340 --> 00:35:59.060
 Maybe he's revealed

00:35:59.060 --> 00:35:59.940
 an area of pride

00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.880
 that needs confession.

00:36:01.160 --> 00:36:01.620
 An attitude

00:36:01.620 --> 00:36:03.040
 that maybe in our minds

00:36:03.040 --> 00:36:03.180
 says,

00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:04.560
 I deserve that.

00:36:05.220 --> 00:36:05.760
 Instead of,

00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:06.360
 Lord,

00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:06.980
 what would you have me

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.460
 to do here?

00:36:08.140 --> 00:36:09.260
 How can I serve others?

00:36:10.060 --> 00:36:10.920
 Perhaps you failed

00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:12.000
 to value someone

00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:13.540
 the way Jesus does.

00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:14.760
 Aren't you thankful

00:36:14.760 --> 00:36:15.880
 Jesus values you?

00:36:16.840 --> 00:36:17.480
 He loves you.

00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:19.140
 Do you value people

00:36:19.140 --> 00:36:19.760
 the same way?

00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:21.860
 Maybe you've been

00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:23.019
 comparing your ministry

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.860
 and you've been

00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:24.820
 craving recognition.

00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:25.280
 You've been

00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.180
 clutching something

00:36:26.180 --> 00:36:27.340
 that's a stumbling block.

00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.580
 If you belong to Christ,

00:36:28.660 --> 00:36:29.400
 the question is not,

00:36:29.600 --> 00:36:30.300
 will I be great?

00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.100
 The question is,

00:36:31.180 --> 00:36:32.580
 will I be humble?

00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:34.580
 That's what he calls

00:36:34.580 --> 00:36:35.200
 believers to.

00:36:37.160 --> 00:36:37.840
 Right now,

00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:38.940
 I think we should all

00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:39.540
 ask the Lord,

00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:39.940
 Lord,

00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.519
 would you help me

00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.540
 live that kind of life?

00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:42.880
 Would you help me

00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:44.180
 live a life that values

00:36:44.180 --> 00:36:45.340
 the people others overlook?

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.600
 Would you help me

00:36:46.600 --> 00:36:47.880
 live a life that appreciates

00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:49.800
 the people God is using?

00:36:50.720 --> 00:36:51.680
 Would you help me

00:36:51.680 --> 00:36:52.660
 live a life that removes

00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:54.500
 anything that hinders

00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:56.339
 others from seeing

00:36:56.339 --> 00:36:57.179
 Jesus in me?

00:36:57.819 --> 00:36:58.899
 What he's called us to do?

00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.119
 That's what true

00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.899
 greatness looks like.

00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:04.239
 Maybe you're here

00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:06.219
 and you're just not sure

00:37:06.219 --> 00:37:07.199
 where you stand with Jesus.

00:37:08.279 --> 00:37:08.859
 You love him.

00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:10.519
 You enjoy the songs.

00:37:11.339 --> 00:37:12.699
 You want to follow him

00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:14.059
 and you've been searching

00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:15.379
 for meaning and truth

00:37:15.379 --> 00:37:15.839
 and peace.

00:37:16.139 --> 00:37:16.940
 You've tried everything

00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.659
 the world says.

00:37:17.859 --> 00:37:18.639
 Hey, do this

00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.319
 and you'll be great.

00:37:19.399 --> 00:37:19.980
 But you found this

00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.379
 to be true.

00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.480
 You're empty handed.

00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:23.300
 Because the world

00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.400
 has nothing to offer.

00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:26.980
 It's just going to fade away.

00:37:27.700 --> 00:37:29.059
 It's not lasting.

00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:30.820
 And I just want to remind you

00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:31.400
 here this morning

00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:32.019
 of That's You

00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:33.019
 that the greatest act

00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.480
 in history

00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.420
 wasn't performed

00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:35.059
 in a stadium.

00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:35.920
 It wasn't performed

00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.480
 on a stage.

00:37:36.700 --> 00:37:37.260
 It was performed

00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.960
 on the cross of Calvary.

00:37:41.200 --> 00:37:42.059
 The Son of God,

00:37:42.140 --> 00:37:43.140
 the only great one,

00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.720
 the true great one,

00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:46.200
 humbled himself

00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:47.599
 and took our sin

00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:48.240
 upon himself

00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:49.099
 and he died

00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:49.659
 in our place

00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.519
 so that we might

00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.139
 be forgiven.

00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:52.420
 The Bible tells us

00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.019
 in Romans 5,

00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:54.319
 but God commendeth

00:37:54.319 --> 00:37:55.159
 his love toward us

00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:56.159
 in that while we were

00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:56.679
 yet sinners,

00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:58.799
 Christ died for us.

00:37:59.799 --> 00:38:00.719
 That's why he came.

00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:01.860
 That's what he's teaching

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.420
 his disciples.

00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.900
 This is what it looks like.

00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:05.940
 But he's not on that cross

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.679
 anymore and he's not

00:38:06.679 --> 00:38:07.119
 in that tomb

00:38:07.119 --> 00:38:07.900
 because three days later

00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:09.940
 he walked out alive,

00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:11.860
 proving that death

00:38:11.860 --> 00:38:12.779
 and sin

00:38:12.779 --> 00:38:14.079
 are defeated forever

00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:15.019
 and he offers

00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:16.299
 that life to you,

00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.219
 not rules,

00:38:17.219 --> 00:38:18.099
 not religion,

00:38:18.359 --> 00:38:19.319
 but a relationship

00:38:19.319 --> 00:38:20.339
 with the creator

00:38:20.339 --> 00:38:21.199
 himself.

00:38:22.179 --> 00:38:22.739
 That's where

00:38:22.739 --> 00:38:23.719
 greatness is found.

00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:26.039
 I see these things online,

00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:27.139
 who's the most famous

00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:28.079
 person in your phone

00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:28.439
 and these people,

00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.039
 oh yeah, yeah.

00:38:29.379 --> 00:38:29.619
 Listen,

00:38:29.819 --> 00:38:30.459
 you realize you have

00:38:30.459 --> 00:38:31.299
 a direct connection

00:38:31.299 --> 00:38:32.219
 to the God

00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:32.959
 of the universe?

00:38:33.799 --> 00:38:35.019
 That he knows your name,

00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:35.959
 that he loves you,

00:38:36.119 --> 00:38:36.759
 that he cares about

00:38:36.759 --> 00:38:37.299
 what's going on?

00:38:37.399 --> 00:38:38.519
 That problem in your life

00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:38.899
 right now,

00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:40.159
 he wants to help

00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:40.639
 with it.

00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:43.639
 And here's the beautiful

00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:43.959
 thing,

00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.939
 you can come as you are,

00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:48.519
 broken and burdened

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.619
 and beaten down

00:38:49.619 --> 00:38:50.760
 and in need of grace

00:38:50.760 --> 00:38:52.079
 and he'll meet you there.

00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:54.320
 You don't have to

00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:55.119
 clean yourself up.

00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.139
 No,

00:38:56.220 --> 00:38:58.119
 he's running towards you.

00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:00.579
 Would you come to him

00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:00.840
 today?

00:39:00.940 --> 00:39:01.780
 Would you turn to him

00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:02.500
 from,

00:39:02.679 --> 00:39:03.320
 turn from your sin

00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:04.019
 and turn to him?

00:39:07.240 --> 00:39:08.099
 My time is up

00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:08.659
 but I just want to say

00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:09.179
 this church,

00:39:10.780 --> 00:39:12.220
 may we be the people

00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:14.019
 who walk the road

00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:14.980
 that Jesus walked.

00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:16.900
 because the world

00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:17.300
 is saying,

00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.300
 you want your life

00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:18.800
 to mean something,

00:39:18.920 --> 00:39:19.440
 do this,

00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.019
 go here,

00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:21.220
 take this job.

00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:22.400
 No.

00:39:23.659 --> 00:39:25.000
 Follow me

00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:26.740
 is what Jesus says.

00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:27.880
 Would we be

00:39:27.880 --> 00:39:28.760
 those kind of people?

00:39:29.220 --> 00:39:29.700
 Would we be

00:39:29.700 --> 00:39:30.220
 the kind of people

00:39:30.220 --> 00:39:30.780
 that serve

00:39:30.780 --> 00:39:31.800
 when it's inconvenient?

00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:32.980
 That love

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:34.000
 when it's undeserved?

00:39:34.260 --> 00:39:35.019
 That surrender

00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:36.820
 when it costs us something?

00:39:38.119 --> 00:39:39.539
 Because he humbled himself

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:41.059
 and became obedient

00:39:41.059 --> 00:39:41.460
 to death,

00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:43.019
 even the death

00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:44.139
 of the cross.

00:39:44.139 --> 00:39:46.779
 that's the road

00:39:46.779 --> 00:39:47.379
 to true greatness.

00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:49.559
 It begins with humility.

00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:51.379
 It leads to the cross

00:39:51.379 --> 00:39:52.619
 and it ends

00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:53.599
 in glory

00:39:53.599 --> 00:39:54.539
 with Christ.

00:39:55.819 --> 00:39:56.639
 That one day

00:39:56.639 --> 00:39:58.079
 we're going to stand

00:39:58.079 --> 00:39:58.599
 before him

00:39:58.599 --> 00:40:00.059
 and I want to hear

00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:01.500
 well done

00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.960
 thou good

00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:04.139
 and faithful servant.

00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:06.400
 You know how you hear that?

00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:07.559
 You walk the road

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:08.599
 Jesus called you to.

00:40:09.179 --> 00:40:09.799
 Not the road

00:40:09.799 --> 00:40:10.859
 the world is calling us to.

00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:12.940
 That's what true greatness

00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:13.420
 looks like.

00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:13.840
 Would you stand

00:40:13.840 --> 00:40:14.620
 with your heads bowed

00:40:14.620 --> 00:40:16.160
 and your eyes closed?

00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:17.659
 You're ending

00:40:17.659 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


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00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.679
!

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.279
 ending

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279


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00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:18.279