“What Greatness Looks Like”
Series Title: The Greatest Among You Pastor Jim Lowe III
Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream 08/09/26 (2nd Sunday Message)
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{All scriptures are “NIV84” unless stated}
New Series:
The Greatest Among You
This is a new series we’re starting today.
We’re going to talk about greatness and what it looks like according to the Lord.
Message Title:“What Greatness Looks Like”
When you think of greatness what do you think of? Most think of:
Power Importance Influence Recognition Accomplishments Value
These are things we’re taught… it’s been part of identity.
being great.
It’s something even the disciples had to deal with. So let’s set the scene:
Jesus has a conversation with his disciples.
He told them he would be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers. He would be condemned to death and handed over to the Gentiles. He’d be mocked, spit on…flogged and killed.
but he would also rise up three days later.
Right after this:
Mark 10:35-37
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
They want to sit at his right and his left hand when he comes into his glory.
They are thinking about themselves… and opportunity.
they’re thinking about position.
They have been with Jesus. they’d seen miracles they’d seen teachings they’d seen importance…
and now they were concerned with STATUS.
Where they sit…
for the rest of time…they wanted to be known as some of the greatest.
They Were Following Jesus, But They Were Still Thinking About Their “Seats.”
We can make this personal real quick. Many of you are doing well in life.
many of you are successful… you have influence…
you have status…
but you MIGHT have some people around you… who are following you…
but also thinking about their “seats.”
Many People Around You Might Have A Decent Heart But Be Careful Of The Ones Looking Out For Their Own…..“Seats!”
But WHAT does this teach us? It teaches this:
Point 1: The World Connects Greatness To Position!
We see it in how the request was even asked!
Was that a selfish request? of course it was!
But they thought they were special. they were prideful.
But this had happened a few times before.
They argued a few times on who was the greatest of them.
But James and John wanted to do more than just talk… they know they needed to ask the man himself.
In Matthew we learn that it wasn’t JUST the two of them… their mother came along also!
They were trying everything they could! It definitely continues today.
We know people want to either be or LOOK like someone who’s “high up.” It gives status…it gives bragging rights.
being close to the “boss” means YOU get heard… being close to the top person gets you seen.
and maybe you get favors.
And Jesus even confirms it when he talks to them about it.
Mark 10:42
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
Those with status tend to throw it around a lot… that’s why people seek it so much.
the idea that others want the status the notoriety
the paycheck.
the ability to order others around
The World Says: “You Are Someone If You Have Others Under You.”
Jesus says more:
Mark 10:43-45
43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
This takes us to point number 2:
Point 2: Jesus Connects Greatness To Service!
Jesus responds to them and tells them that there IS a such thing as “status.” There is a such thing as being “great.”
But there is a worldly greatness and a Godly greatness
Jesus Says If You Want To Be Great You Need To Understand The Real Definition!
There’s nothing wrong for wanting to be great… but are you willing to do what’s necessary?
“whoever wants to be great must be your servant”
If You Want To Be Great - You Have To Serve Others!
If you want to be great - serve! do you want to be first?
be willing to help someone else
want to be of importance in the Kingdom? do you want to be known in heaven?
do you want to make the best of your time here while on earth?
Then be great!
How do we do that?
The Greatest Among You Will Be The One Willing To Serve!
So so far:
The World Connects Greatness to Position Jesus Connects Greatness To Service!
Jesus also points out the next point really well:
Point 3: Jesus Didn’t Ask Us To Do Something He Wouldn’t!
Mark 10:45
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus said it himself - for the Son of man did not come to BE served… but TO serve.
Let’s look at that.
Jesus was God.
He is the greatest. No one before him… every one after him!
Yet HE said that he came to serve!
He even called himself the “Son of Man.”
He is the son of the Father…
yet he also shows his service to us… That same Son of Man in John…
at the Passover Feast, Jesus was eating with the Disciples. Judas would soon be betraying him.
but before all that Jesus does something first.
John 13:3-5
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Jesus KNEW the Father had put ALL things under his power.
He had all authority…all power…
but what does he do with that power?
He begins to wash everyone’s feet. He makes it to Simon Peter.
Simon asked if Jesus was going to wash him as well.
John 13:7
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
Simon Peter didn’t understand at the time…but they all needed to pay attention to:
-
who this was
-
what he was doing.
John 13:13-17
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Jesus didn’t just say it… he did it.
he set the example
and showed how he defined it.
Jesus Showed That Even With All Power - To Be Great Means To Serve Someone Else!
We sometimes might look at doing some things as diminishing…but Jesus washing feet didn’t diminish his greatness. his Service DEMONSTRATED his greatness.
This takes us to Point 4:
Point 4: Serving Is Love In Action!
Galatians 5:13 (NCV)
13 My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love.
God called us to be free…
but we shouldn’t use that freedom with ONLY what makes us happy… we should be using it for someone else.
in love…in love…in love.. serve…in love!
The bible says servants are supposed to serve!
When you came in here…you are seeing where someone is serving. Someone has to:
Greet and welcome you Encourage you
Teach you
Teach your children Prepare the room for you Clean up when you leave
Work behind the scenes for you
Church Service starts at 9:30 but there are people serving hours and days before many of you get here!
There are people each week who experience the love of the church… because someone SERVED them.
Many of you might not know the name of the person who served for you…
but Jesus knows.
Because they are following his example.
Point 3: Jesus didn’t ask us to do something he wouldn’t Point 4: Serving is Love in Action!
Point 5: Following Jesus Means You Eventually Have To Get Out Of Your Seat
There is a time and a place for everything.
There is a time where we should learn. There is a time we should sit.
Worship…grow…elevate. But that’s not ALL we’re here for.
What the Lord put in us should show in our actions to others.
Jesus said he SHOWED us an example… that example was washing others feet.
he said…”now that I have served you…you should serve others.” how has he served us?
Think about the things you have… you weren’t owed anything… it was his love in service to us.
Even salvation wasn’t free… to us yes…to Jesus no.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 it says…
you are not your own…you were bought. therefore honor God with your body.
{Closing}:
Here are the 5 points one last time:
Point 1: The World Connects Greatness To Position! Point 2: Jesus Connects Greatness To Service!
Point 3: Jesus Didn’t Ask Us To Do Something He Wouldn’t!
Point 4: Serving Is Love In Action!
Point 5: Following Jesus Means You Eventually Have To Get Out Of Your Seat
This is how we wrap up today. Where is your service?
Where are you serving?
Jesus said the greatest among you will be the servant. Serving is love in action.
