Who's the GOAT?
August 30, 2020

Welcome to Westside Online

Westside Family Devotional—9am next Sunday (outdoors in the Kids Ministry courtyard)

Please fill out an In-touch card to let us know you’re with us online!

Offering—Thank you for your generosity! Online giving is available in the app and on our website. Offerings can be mailed or dropped off at the church office (Mon-Thu, 8am-noon and 1-5pm)

Thank You Firefighters!

Serving the City Is one of the key parts of the discipleship pathway. We are so thankful to our first responders for protecting us and setting us an example of Christ-like service and sacrifice.

Today’s The Big Idea: Jesus’ disciples want to know what it takes to be the G.O.A.T.: Greatest Of All Time. Jesus Answer? If you want to be great, get ready to serve.

Biblical References:
1. Matthew 18:1-5
2. Mark 9:30-37
3. Luke 9:46-48

The Rhythm of Discipleship

Shortly after the Transfiguration (from last week), and immediately after Jesus predicts his death on the cross for a second time, the disciples being arguing about who among them would be the greatest.

Context: A Season of Growing and Going

Disciples are students who are called in to learn from their master.
Apostles are servants who are sent out to accomplish their master’s mission.

Mark 8-10 is a long season in alternates between private teaching (called in as disciples) and public ministry (sent out as apostles):

  1. Feeds the 4,000 • Mark 8:1-13 • Sent Out
  2. Teaches Disciples • Mark 8:14-21 • Called In
  3. Heals Blind Man • Mark 8:22-26 • Sent Out
  4. Teaches Disciples • Mark 8:27-33 • Called In
  5. Teaches Crowds • Mark 8:34-9:1 • Sent Out
  6. Transfiguration • Mark 9:2-13 • Called In
  7. Heals a Child • Mark 9:14-27 • Sent Out
  8. Teaches Disciples • Mark 9:28-50 • Called In
  9. Teaches Crowds • Mark 10:1-9 • Sent Out
  10. Teaches Disciples • Mark 10:10-12 • Called In
  11. Jesus Blesses Children • Mark 10:13-15 • Sent Out

Who’s The G.O.A.T.?

Jesus Teaches His Disciples in Private:

“30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.’ 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.” —Mark 9:30-34 (NIV)

There are times in Jesus’ ministry when he prioritizes ministering to the crowds all day (like Mark 1:32-34 when a “whole town” gathered at Jesus’ door to be healed), and other times when he prioritizes quality time with his select group of disciples (see Mark 9:30). This time was so important he was willing to hide from the crowds in order to connect with his disciples.

Note that another priority for Jesus is spending private time with God—see Mark 1:35 (immediately after the long night of healing).

Did Jesus Need to Ask The Question?

Of course not! Jesus already knew their thoughts, but asked the question to convict them about their selfish attitudes. The account in Luke 9:46-47 says this: “An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts…”

How Do We Define Greatness?

  1. Smartest?
  2. Richest?
  3. Strongest?
  4. Most Instagram Followers?
  5. Nicest Car?
  6. Most Influential?
  7. Something Else?

Who’s Mega? The Bible word for “greatest” is Mega, like mega millions, Mega Man (retro video game), and Mega the mascot from Mega Sports Camp!

If You Want to be Great, Get Ready to Serve.

Jesus gives his definition of greatness in response to the disciples’ question.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”—Mark 9:35 (NIV)

The Bible word for Servant is diakonos, which is where we get the word deacon. It means to go through the dust, conveying a dedication to helping others even if it’s a messy job.

Politicians sometimes “break the ground” on a project wearing a suit and tie (with a hard hat), but the construction workers are the ones who get down into the trenches—covered in dirt and dust and mud—to make sure the project is completed.

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” —Mark 9:36-37 (NIV)

Say It Again for the Disciples in the Back

Jesus predicts his death for a third time, and once again the disciples’ response is focused on personal gain.

“Let one of us (James and John) sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”—Mark 10:37 (NIV)

Jesus reminds his disciples of the importance of a servant heart:

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. 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.”—Mark 10:42-45 (NIV)

Disciples of Jesus are called to be last, servants, and slaves. And we do this in response to the example of self-sacrifice that Jesus set us by going to the cross. His death on the cross was the payment (ransom) that set us free from a life of slavery to sin.

When Jesus predicted his death for the first time, Peter openly rebuked him.
When Jesus predicted his death for the second time, the disciples argued about who was the G.O.A.T.
When Jesus predicted his death for the third time, James and John asked him for a place of glory.

And in every conversation, Jesus teaches them that disciples of Jesus are called to lay down their lives for the benefit of others.

Growing and Going

Disciples of Jesus are called to a sacred rhythm of growing and going: Called in as disciples, Sent out as apostles.

Breathe In—Growing with God.
Breathe Out—Serving the City. 

How has the COVID-19 pandemic created new needs in our community that Westside Church of Christ is uniquely called and gifted to meet?

How has this pandemic created unique opportunities for us to reach new people with the Gospel?

Application

*Pray About Your Opportunities
Who in your neighborhood, workplace, or church family is God putting on your heart? What needs do they have and how can you help?

Pray About Our Church’s Vision
Ask God to stir in our hearts a new desire to serve our city. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead us to the right people, projects, or ideas that would help us be salt and light in this difficult time.

Breathe In, Breathe Out
Spend some time each day focusing on your breathing—and let it remind you of the sacred rhythm of following Jesus. Called in, sent out.

Response:

Tap here to Respond to today’s message
Let us know if you’d like to commit your life to Jesus, respond in baptism, or request prayers using the in touch card in our app.

Questions? Contact Bryan: (609) 356-3147 or bfojtasek@westsidelife.org.

Life Group / Reflection Questions

Welcome everyone to your group and give each person a chance to share about some recents highlights and lowlights. Then, invite a member of your group to say an opening prayer (or lead it yourself).

  1. If you were able to listen to this morning’s sermon, what were the big themes that stood out to you?

  2. Albert Einstein once said “Only a life lived in the service of others is worth living.” What does this quote mean to you, and how does it connect with this morning’s message?

  3. Bryan talked about a sacred rhythm of discipleship: growing as disciples, going as apostles. What else would you add to the sacred rhythm God wants his children to live by?

  4. Thinking about the life of Jesus, how did he balance personal time with God, training his core group of disciples, and ministering to the large crowds?

  5. As a follow up to that, do you ever struggle with knowing how to set boundaries on the different aspects of your life (Work / Family / Church / Rest)? Where are you feeling the imbalance right now?

  6. How does Jesus’ definition of leadership and greatness challenge the values of our American culture?

  7. Is it jarring to hear Jesus say we need to become slaves, if we want to be great? What does Jesus mean by that?

  8. What positive changes would you see in your family, neighborhood or workplace if a few key leaders adopted this mindset of servant-leadership?

  9. Bryan invited our church to pray about our opportunities to serve as individuals and our vision as a church to see the needs around us. What are the opportunities you see where Westside can step up and meet some tangible needs?