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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 3rd 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 2nd time Jesus tells them about the cross – but they missed it for 2 reasons…
- 1st 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
- 2nd 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
- 1st reason – the Disciples were expecting Jesus to set up His Kingdom here on earth…
- They left Caesarea Philippi and were passing through Galilee…
- 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…
- 1st – 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
- In the world – those who are “the Greatest” – have all the authority – often abuse it
- 2nd – 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!
- Jesus uses the child to show the disciples an example of true ‘Greatness’…
- 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!
- John answered (Jesus did not ask a question) – perhaps trying to change the subject…
- On the road to Capernaum – the Disciples were arguing…
- 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…
- We are to be a blessing to God’s kids – we are not to stumble them…
- 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 2nd 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
- Hell – gehenna – Valley of Hinnom – south of Jerusalem…
- If your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin…
- Jesus goes back to the teaching on ‘the Greatest’ in the Kingdom…
- 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!
- Every sacrifice must be seasoned with fire and salt…
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