
To be a church that is FOR our city, we must be a people who consistently serve others.
18 as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day. —Matthew 20:18–19 (ESV)
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. —Matthew 20:20–24 (ESV)
25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. —Matthew 20:25–28 (ESV)”
1. A CALL TO SERVE
Greatness is not measured by how many people you have to serve you, but by how many people you serve.
2. A CALL TO BE SERVED
26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. —Matthew 20:26–28 (ESV)
25 God is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. —Acts 17:25 (ESV)
“He had nothing whatever to gain by it. Gain? What could the infinite God gain? Splendor? Behold - the stars, far away they glitter beyond all mortal count. Servants? Does he need servants? Behold - angels in their squadrons- twenty thousand, even thousands of angels are the chariots of the Almighty! No, the trumpet of fame forever proclaims him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Who can add to the splendor of that diadem that makes sun and moon grow pale by comparison? Who can add to the riches or the wealth of Him who has all things at His disposal? He comes, then, not to be served, but to serve!” —Charles Spurgeon
So how does this truth change us?
It produces humilty.
It produces joy in serving.