Who is the greatest

• Looking to the cross… vs. 30-32
  • They left Caesarea Philippi and were passing through Galilee…
    • Jesus didn’t want anyone to know – the religious leaders were still furious with Him
    • Jesus taught the disciples – ‘He would be betrayed, killed, and on the 3^rd day rise again’
    • They disciples were upset by what Jesus was telling them – Matthew 17:23
    • Yet truth was hidden from them – they just could not grasp it – Luke 9:45
    • They did not understand – ignorant (Imperfect) – and were afraid to ask…
  • For the 2^nd time Jesus tells them about the cross – but they missed it for 2 reasons…
    • 1^st reason – the Disciples were expecting Jesus to set up His Kingdom here on earth…
      • If you’re looking for a conquering King – talk of betrayal and death don’t make sense
      • Yet Jesus had not come to rule – He came to give His life so we might have life!
      • Often we miss God’s work in our lives – cause we are looking for something else
      • Looking for God to provide a job – we miss the friend He brings to hear about Jesus
      • Or looking for God to heal – we miss the grace He wants to give in the suffering
      • II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is enough, My strength made perfect in weakness.”
      • Rather than coming to God with expectations – we need to come with an open heart
    • 2^nd reason – the disciples were ignorant because they were too prideful to stop and ask
      • When we do not understand what God is doing in our lives – we should stop and ask
      • When your children don’t understand something – you want them to come to you
      • God isn’t disappointed when we ask questions – He loves to give His kids answers

• The greatest in the kingdom… vs. 33-40
  • On the road to Capernaum – the Disciples were arguing…
    • Because they were still expecting Jesus to set Himself up as King of the whole world…
    • They all expected to be rulers / important people in Jesus’ new Kingdom…
    • What they were arguing is which one of them would be the ‘Greatest’ in the Kingdom
    • Rather than it being all about Jesus – they were still focusing on themselves…
    • We cannot look at two things at once – we cannot serve ourselves and Jesus
    • If we are focusing on ourselves – then we are not looking to Jesus…
    • If we are not looking to Jesus – it makes it very challenging to follow Jesus
  • Jesus asked the disciples when they got to Capernaum – what they were arguing about
    • They did not want to answer – because they were embarrassed to admit it…
    • So Jesus sat down – and taught the disciples about who is the ‘Greatest’…
      • I would love to have seen the surprise on the disciples face – how did Jesus know
      • They probably argued with each other – ‘who told’…
      • Often I think we get the idea we can hide our conversation and actions from Jesus
      • He knows – there is nothing we say, do, or even think that God is not aware of
      • Have you ever been at a Bible Study – and it feels like the teaching is just for you
      • You wonder does the pastor know – who told him what I am going through…
      • Jesus knows – and He has a way of sitting us down so we can hear the truth…
    • 1^st – If you desire to be the ‘Greatest’… – you must become the servant of all…
      • In the world – those who are “the Greatest” – have all the authority – often abuse it
        • Greatness in the world is like a pyramid – with the most powerful on top
        • It is the picture of a Tyrant – ‘the Greatest’ holds absolute control over others
      • In stark contrast the world – Jesus says – to be ‘the Greatest’ be the servant of all!
        • To be “Greatest” in God’s Kingdom – you must be a servant (deacon)
        • Deacon – ministering to the practical needs of others (Acts 6 – Steven, Phillip)
        • We don’t relate a servant with “Greatness” – we still have the World’s perspective
        • Greatness to us is riches / power / influence / having others who serve us
        • Not the person who empties the trash / cleans / he is just a servant!
        • We would call that person “nothing special” – but God calls them the “Greatest”
        • The question is do we want to be “Great” in the world’s eyes or God’s
    • 2^nd – Jesus then picked up a little child into His arms…
      • Jesus uses the child to show the disciples an example of true ‘Greatness’…
        • A little child has no ambition – they have no grand designs for power or authority
        • They are content with roof over their head, food on the table, and a loving family
        • If we desire to be the ‘Greatest’ in God’s Kingdom – we need to be like kids!
        • Not in the sense that we are immature – but simple in trust and faith…
        • Little kids never question if there is going to be food – or clothes…
        • They have perfect trust in their parents to take care of their needs
        • They also do not seek to be the greatest – they are content to just be kids!
        • We also should have that simple faith in our Father to take care of our needs…
        • Not seeking the world’s ‘Greatness’ – but be simple and content to be God’s kids!
      • Whoever receives one of these little children – in My name – receive Me…
        • And the one who receives Jesus – also receives the Father who sent Jesus
        • The little children’s Jesus is talking about – are those who believe in Him…
        • Galatians 3:26 – “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
        • Anyone who receive His kids (little children) – also receive Jesus
        • When we take the time to encourage and bless others…
        • When we point others to Jesus… we are in truth ministering to and blessing Jesus!
  • A brief interruption… vs. 38-40
    • John answered (Jesus did not ask a question) – perhaps trying to change the subject…
      • How many times when we have been reproved – and tried to change the topic…
      • Dad or mom is scolding us for something we did – ‘what’s for dinner?’
      • John had seen someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name…
      • But they forbid him because he was not one of THE ‘disciples’…
      • I love the patience Jesus has – He takes the time to answer John’s interruption…
    • Do not forbid him…
      • The one who does a work in Jesus name – cannot also speak evil of Him…
      • Whoever is not against us – is also on our side…
      • Men love to divide – if you are not in my group – then you are not on my side
      • Just because someone does not go to the same church – is not in our group
      • Does not mean they are not saved – a Christian – going to heaven
      • ‘The Church’ is HUGE and diverse – but it has one thing in common – Jesus!
        
• Trials and temptations…  vs. 41-48
  • Jesus goes back to the teaching on ‘the Greatest’ in the Kingdom…
    • We are to be a blessing to God’s kids – we are not to stumble them…
      • Whomever gives a cup water to drink – in Jesus’ name – will not loose his reward
      • The idea being even the smallest gesture given to a child of God – is rewarded
    • But whoever causes one of these little ones who believes to stumble (scandalidzo – sin)
      • To cause a young believer in Jesus to doubt or be temped by sin…
      • It would be better if he tied a millstone around his neck and jumped into the sea…
      • Mill stone – a HUGE stone meant to be pulled by a donkey – 200 kilos
      • Deepest part of the sea – where ocean going vessels would sail – VERY deep
    • In other words those who stumble Jesus’ kids – are in deep trouble!
      • We are to encourage each other to follow after Jesus – bless each other…
      • If we encourage others to sin – if we point others away from Jesus – not good…
  • Not that we are not going to face temptation – trials will come – Matthew 18:7
    • Don’t be surprised when you are tempted – go through tough times…
    • I Peter 4:12 – “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”
    • Instead recognize that God is using those trials to perfect you…
    • God will turn up the “heat” in life – He will put you in the refiners fire
    • Silver is refined by putting it into the heat of an intense fire
    • The fire draws out the impurities of the silver so they can be removed
    • The smith knows the silver is pure when he can see his reflection…
    • Jesus put us in the fire to draw out the impurities from our life (sin)
    • He knows when we are done – because He sees his reflection in our lives!
  • Jesus gives a radical solution to get through those temptations…
    • If your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin…
      • If your hand likes to take things that don’t belong to it – cut it off
      • If your foot like to go where it should not be – cut it off
      • If you eye looks at things it should not – pluck it out…
    • It is better to enter into life (heaven) maimed than eternal fire (hell) whole
      • Hell – gehenna – Valley of Hinnom – south of Jerusalem…
        • The place where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned
        • Where the worm does not die (trash heap) and the fire never goes out…
        • A vivid picture of eternal torment – separation from God – the 2^nd death
      • The point Jesus is making is not to pluck out your eye or cut off your hand
      • If you pluck out your right eye you can still see to sin with your left…
      • Jesus is showing the urgent extremes we should take to keep from sin
      • If we do not watch what we think, where we allow our mind to go…
      • James 1:12-15 – “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, brings forth death.”
      • We don’t just wake up one day and decide to go and sin
      • We allow our mind to dwell on a desire… when that desire gives birth… sin
      • Thoughts will come and go in our mind – it is when we are give place to it…
      • Cannot keep a birth from landing on your head, but don’t let him build a nest

• Seasoned… vs. 49-50
  • Every sacrifice must be seasoned with fire and salt…
    • We are called to be a living sacrifice – to live our lives for Jesus – Romans 12:1
    • The fire is the trials that all believers go through – as we are refined in Jesus…
    • The Salt is the effect we have on the world around us as we live for Jeuss…
      • Salt is a preserving agent in food – if you don’t want something to spoil you add salt
      • The world around us is dying – God has us in this world to preserve it 
      • Salt is a healing and purifying agent – it cleans wounds (though it is irritating)
      • The Lord has given us the Gospel that we might purify & bring life to a dying world
      • Though we are also without doubt and irritation to an impure and corrupt world
      • Salt makes you thirsty – it causes you to crave water
      • The world is thirsty – but they continually drink from the wrong well…
      • As we live for Jesus – show the love of Jesus – it creates a desire for Jesus in others
    • But if salt looses its flavor…
      • If we become like the world – rather than a purifying it – we have lost our purpose
      • If the salt looses its flavor (it’s preserving / purifying capability) then it is useless
      • It is a sad place when the church looks no different from the world
  • Conclusion…
    • So let us serve one another – be the ‘Greatest’ – as simple children of the Father…
    • Encouraging one anther to look to Jesus – especially in the trials/temptations of life
    • Being salt to a lost and dying world that need to see the only answer – Jesus!