To Serve
Part of Christmas on Purpose
December 19, 2024

Christmas on Purpose

To Serve
December 22, 2024
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch

Mark 10:35 (NIV)
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

Mark 10:36-37 (NIV)
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

Mark 10:41-43 (NIV)
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.”

The Achievements of the Divine Augustus
Three times I triumphed at oration. Twenty-one times I was named emperor. The Senate voted yet more triumphs for me which I declined because of the victories won by me.
The Senate voted thanks for me to the immortal gods … . I have been consul 13 times. I was highest-ranking senator for 40 years. I held the office of Pontifex Maximus … .
A golden shield was given me by the senate and people of Rome on account of my courage, clemency, justice, and piety. After this time I excelled all in influence … .

Mark 10:42 (NIV)
“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them … .”

Mark 10:43 (NIV)
“Not so with you.”

Mark 10:43-45 (NIV)
“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.”

Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!

He who was higher than everybody went lower than anybody.

Augustine Quote
The Maker of man became Man …
that He, the Bread, might hunger;
that He, the Fountain, might thirst …
that He, the Way, might be wearied by the journey;
that He, the Truth, might be accused by false witnesses;
that He, the Judge of the living and the dead, might be brought to trial by a mortal judge;
that He, Justice, might be condemned by the unjust …
that He, the Foundation, might be suspended upon a cross…
that He, the Healer, might be wounded;
that He, the Life, might die.
He so loved us that, for our sake,
He was made a man in time,
although through him all times were made…
He was created of a mother of whom he created.
He was carried by hands that he formed.
He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word,
without whom all human eloquence is mute.