Vision: Branching out together for the kingdom

Mission: Tend my garden my preparing and stewarding my people

Mark 9:33-34

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.

Mark 9:35

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Mark 9:36-37

Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

“I am third. Jesus is first. Others are second. I am third.” Gale Sayers

Mark 9:35

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Mark 9:36

Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.

The pathway to greatness in the Kingdom of God is humility expressed through serving others.

1. GO LOW IN HUMILITY

Matthew 18:4

Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Humble: to make low, humble oneself, someone without arrogance or self-exaltation.

“Pride is our greatest sin. Humility is our greatest need.” Joy Dawson

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6b

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is thinking of yourself less.” C. S. Lewis

1 Peter 5:5a

And be clothed with humility.

Philippians 2:8b

He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

I have sinned! I need a Savior!

I am sorry! Please forgive me!

2. STEP OUT TO SERVE

Mark 10:37

They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.

Mark 10:42

But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Mark 10:43

Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

Philippians 2:7

But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

The anointing flows through a heart to serve.

3. REACH UP TO BE RESCUED

Luke 22:24

Now there arose also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

Luke 22:27

For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Ransom: a release from slavery or captivity brought about by the payment of a price.

The blood of Jesus forgives us and sets us free as we repent and reach up to Him!

Jesus changes us when we receive Him and continues to change us as we surrender to Him!

Discussion Questions

1. What are some of the ways the world defines greatness?

2. How does Jesus define greatness?

3. What are some of the ways pride has manifested in your life?

4. What is one way you can humble yourself?

5. How can you serve others?  In your family? In your church family? At work or school?

6. Have you accepted the ransom of Jesus’ Blood? How is He changing you?