WEBVTT 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:03.359 So this morning we continue with the series on Mark. 00:00:03.520 --> 00:00:10.080 So we are gonna read in Mark chapter 9, verses 30 to 37. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:13.119 This is the word of God. 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:22.480 They went on them again, they went uh on from there and passed through Galilee. 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:36.079 And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:40.399 And when he is killed, after three days he will rise. 00:00:41.119 --> 00:00:46.799 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. 00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:55.280 And they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, What were you discussing on the way? 00:00:55.759 --> 00:01:03.520 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:15.120 And he sat down and called the twelve, and he said to them, If anyone will be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:32.799 And he took child and put him in the midst of them, and talking him in his arms, he said to them, Whoever received one such child in my name receive me, and whoever received me received not me, but him who sent me. 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:34.319 Let us pray. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:44.959 Father, thank you for your word, and uh thank you for because uh this is uh your holy word and you want to talk to us. 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:59.439 And I I pray that you can really open our hearts, open our minds, that we can be able to understand in a deeper way, in a clear way, what you wanna tell us and how you want to lead us. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:03.200 Please, God, talk to us today in Jesus' name. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:04.159 Amen. 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:12.159 Once in a cemetery, these phrases were read on tombstones. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:16.400 One is uh, he was a great man. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:21.759 Another one, his greatness did not fit in this world. 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:30.319 If you search for the word big on Google, you will get virtually endless results. 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:40.719 Likewise, other words with similar meaning to big, including major, colossal, magnificent, to appear quite a bit as well. 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:50.240 Nowadays it is very normal to hear the key to success is trusting yourself. 00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:55.039 No one can tell you how to live your life. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:57.280 That is very normal these days. 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:02.719 The question is, what is the criterion to measuring the greatness of a man? 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:10.479 A certain theological school has emphasized for years, discover the champion within you. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:16.960 Today greatness is defined by appearance, last name, and possessions. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:20.800 But God defines greatness in other terms. 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:25.759 We live today in an age, in the age of self-exaltation. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:31.759 So let's review the context of this passage a little bit. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:38.560 Christ's dead is the ultimate expression of humility and death to self. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:42.400 As verses 30 to 32 point out. 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:46.800 Jesus' public ministry in Galilee had ended. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:52.159 He was now focused on private teaching to his disciples. 00:03:52.800 --> 00:04:01.039 The goal was to reach Jerusalem where Jesus was headed to give his life for his people and resurrect. 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:07.680 For them was irrational to think of a dying Messiah. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:13.759 This was uncomprehensible and unacceptable to an average Jew. 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:21.439 They might have been worried that if Jesus died, who will resurrect him? 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:24.240 That was maybe a question they had in their mind. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:26.560 They were struggling with that question. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.480 They had missed the heart of the message. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:34.079 They were not focused on what Jesus was trying to teach. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:35.680 They didn't understand anything. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:41.279 And this first part of the text, Jesus' humility is evident. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:47.680 So in verse 30, he says to them that no one should know. 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:53.759 And Jesus was not after fame, his purpose was far greater. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:57.040 Today we want everyone to know about us. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:04.879 Though social media or true social media were a call of the ego is appreciated. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:10.240 However, Jesus did not come to appear in the media to feed his ego. 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:11.519 Not at all. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:20.639 As they traveled, Jesus taught his disciple and he said to them, the Son of Man will be betrayed. 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:26.959 This means that he was being handed over for judgment and punishment. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:41.680 It is not only about Judah's betrayal, but about the Father's sovereign surrender, who gives his son as part of the eternal plan of redemption. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:47.279 And at the same time, Jesus freely submit to his divine purpose. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:53.680 Let's say your child does something wrong according to the law. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:58.720 I wonder how many parents will hand their children over. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:07.839 The Heavenly Father gave His Son for us, demonstrating the ultimate humility and servant heart. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:18.800 Jesus, in humble obedience and loving service, freely submitted to an unjust trial and was sentenced to die as a criminal. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:29.040 His submission reveals not only his perfect righteousness, but also his humility and dedication to God's redemptive plan to humanity. 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:38.240 The disciples did not understand everything Jesus said because they were spiritually blind. 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:39.839 They couldn't see. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:11.920 So the past tense verb discussing in Greek means to argue and quarrel as well as pondering. 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:17.439 So they were fighting intensely to secure a privileged place. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:23.120 The disciples expected really a kingdom in this world. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:38.879 And it is clear when Jesus was resurrected, and they asked him later in Acts chapter 1, verse 6, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:45.600 And Jesus in the same passage, he clarified three points where the disciples misinterpret interpreted. 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:53.680 The first one that his focus is set on the spiritual, not the temporal. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:59.279 The second one, the kingdom would be for everyone, not just for Israel. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:08.000 And the third one, that it would be established in God's time and not immediately as they wanted. 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:19.920 So John Stott says the following The verb restores shows that they expected a political and territorial kingdom. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:27.040 So the paradox here is this to truly live, you must die. 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:31.920 To be great, you must serve. 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:38.559 All of this leads us to the first major call of this passage. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:43.039 God called us to resist the temptation of pride. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:49.919 At the Transfiguration, Jesus revealed his glory to Peter, James, and John. 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:57.679 Then they come down the mountain and Jesus frees a demon-possessed young man. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.720 So imagine the disciples' emotions. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:05.840 They were so excited to see Jesus' power and action. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:13.840 And then probably they were thinking, okay, with this leader, this Messiah, we are gonna be able to conquer the world. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:31.440 But suddenly, for the second time, he tells them how he will be betrayed, tortured, and killed in Jerusalem, and that he will rise again on the third day. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:34.639 These are deep prevalent topics. 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:39.200 But they argued about who would be the greatest. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:46.080 They wanted Jesus to guarantee them a life of princess by royal decree, basically. 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:49.600 Jesus reserved the order of this way of thinking. 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:52.240 The gospel is counter-cultural. 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:59.360 We all deal with this issue since our ego only wants to be great. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:09.679 How many times have we heard about the cross, which represents renunciation, surrender, humiliation? 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:18.720 And yet how easily we forgot we need to hear constantly about the cross of Jesus. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:31.279 As my pastor friend Rob Emsler says, have you noticed that when you look at a group photo you are in, the first thing you do is check how you look. 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:33.200 Isn't it? 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:38.799 Before paying attention to anyone else, we focus on ourselves. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:44.559 Have you noticed that we are constantly arguing about who is the greatest? 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:53.279 President, for instance, or the greatest baseball player in the history, or the greatest scientist, etc. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:55.200 The greatest, the greatest. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:59.200 The essence of sin is self-centeredness. 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:05.600 The disciples thought in terms of power, wealth, position, and name. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:13.039 Did you notice that when Jesus asked them, What were you talking about? 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.559 They were silent. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:18.080 They knew they were wrong. 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:21.120 They felt ashamed and embarrassed. 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:26.240 How far they were from understanding the heart of God. 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:39.759 This can be a good wishes. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:49.120 But the Bible warns against selfish ambition that makes you put your foot down on other people. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:57.440 And Christianity with true greatness is not in domination, but in service. 00:11:58.799 --> 00:11:59.759 In service. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:10.320 The scripture warned in Romans 12, verse 3, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:19.679 So come to me this chapter, this passage in Daniel chapter 4 and the whole chapter. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:25.679 And tells how God taught Nebuchadnezzar how he was the true king. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:29.039 Because of his pride, God humbled him. 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:34.559 He lived like the animals of the field for seven years. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:40.000 After those seven years, Nebuchadnezzar repented and prayed. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:50.720 And prayed this way, my reason was restored to me, and I bless the Most High and praise and glorify him to live forever. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:55.039 Hopefully, we can pray that prayer. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:13:00.480 Don't let pride blind you to reality. 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:06.639 You haven't surrendered to Jesus, stop carrying the weight alone. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:14.240 God calls you to humbly trust that his sacrifice is enough to save you. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:22.240 May God reveal who we are so that we may find simplicity of heart. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:26.320 And Jesus in this chapter already finds greatness. 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:29.519 The greatest is the servant. 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:32.159 The greatest is the servant. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:41.600 And verse 35 of our text highlights if anyone wants to be first, must be last of all and servant of all. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:49.919 In today's world, the goal is to reach the peak of success, but the kingdom of God is the opposite. 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:54.879 James Montgomery Boyce tells the following story. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:14:04.320 The Japanese saint Toyohiko Kagawa, upon embracing Christianity, passionately prayed, O God, make me like Christ. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:15.600 Though battling tuberculosis, he deliberately chose to live amid the harsh condition of a Tokyo's lamp to serve those in need. 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:19.679 He shared his bed with a man suffering from scabbies. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:26.639 He gave his clothes to beggars and was left with nothing but an old kimono. 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:33.440 At first, his humble and sacrificial lifestyle invited mockery. 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:37.519 However, over time he earned great respect. 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:46.080 Weak and coughing, walking through the rain, he boldly proclaimed, God is love. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:50.000 Whatever there is love, God is present. 00:14:50.639 --> 00:15:03.039 Kahwa taught that God doesn't reside in grand temples, just only temples, but among society outcasts, the sick, beggars, and prisoners. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.759 His message was unmistakable. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:10.720 To truly encounter God, one must serve the needy. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:17.519 In the kingdom of God, the way down is actually up. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:21.919 If we want to go up, we need to go down. 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:27.600 The upside down kingdom. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.720 That is the title of this message. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:36.799 James 4, 6 says, God receives the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:48.000 Jesus not only spoke powerfully about service of humility, but showed it by washing his disciples' feet. 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:59.759 He didn't come with a fancy degree, but with a towel and water, symbol of humble service given to others, not for self-exaltation. 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:12.559 The greatest of a man who claimed to follow God is not determined by how many servants he has, but by how many people he serves. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:21.279 In the time of Christ, governors, kings, and authorities had slaves in their service, and the world considered them great. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.679 But Jesus changed the course of history. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.840 He set new values. 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:40.559 So in this passage, he wants show an example, and so in verse 35 it says that Jesus sat down and that was a specific action. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:44.720 And Jesus did teachers remained seated to instruct. 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:47.200 So it's time for a lesson. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:49.039 Jesus is gonna teach. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:52.639 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:17:04.480 And so Jesus, to demonstrate the importance of humility and redebunk their arrogant argument about who was the greatest, took a child and put him close by. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:10.319 Back then, children were considered the lowest in society. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:17.839 Even though they could be easily distracted and misled, Jesus used them to teach an important lesson. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.799 So D.A. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:34.000 Carson, a theologian, he said, the child is a model in this context, not of innocence, faith, or purity, but of humility and indifference to social status. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:39.039 We are not humbled by nature. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:43.119 We are selfish and consumed by pride. 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:48.960 That is my reality, and I need to fight with that every day, all the time. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:53.759 For those who wonder, how can I truly be a Christian? 00:17:55.279 --> 00:18:01.519 He who wishes to be a follower of Christ must possess the humility of a child. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:07.359 We need to profound a profound work of the Holy Spirit in our heart. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:18.720 God called us to humble ourselves and admit that we cannot accomplish anything on our own, and that we must trust in Jesus alone for our salvation. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:28.880 Jesus, after lifting the child in his arm, according to verse 37, he declared, Whoever received one such child in my name, received me. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:35.839 And whoever received me, received not me, but Him who sent me, the Heavenly Father. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:43.519 The apostles had to humble themselves, knowing they had to rank, not rank, to earn the kingdom. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:51.440 And Jesus uses the lease of to show what it means to be truly great. 00:18:52.400 --> 00:19:04.240 Pride drives people to exalt themselves, to impose their orders, to achieve their ambition at any cost, and to receive praise from others. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:19.759 Great people in the celestial kingdom aren't those who push their way through the or seek honor, but those who humbly submit to others and look after the interests of others. 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:25.599 One of the qualities appreciated in child is confidence. 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:28.400 However, children are overconfident. 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:33.519 That is why we teach them do not talk to strangers, right? 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:47.839 So one day I was uh watching my granddaughter, she is uh 10-month already, and so suddenly she was surprised by uh the sound of a vacuum cleaner in my home. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:57.440 So it was the first time she had heard uh the noise, and and then she turned to me and she hugged me, you know. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:01.920 And then uh I could see she was afraid. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:09.279 At the same time, she trusted me as a grandfather. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:26.799 Today some claim that children must be like adults to understand enough to trust in Jesus, but nevertheless, Jesus said the adults must be like children to be part of the kingdom of heaven. 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:36.799 A pastor once said, the whole Christian life is rooted in three key commands of Jesus. 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:40.559 First, he said, Come to me, that is salvation. 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:44.000 The second one, follow me, that is discipleship. 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:49.519 And the third one, he said, abide in me, and that is the spirit, fill life. 00:20:50.720 --> 00:21:00.319 These three statements contain the truth that only by being humble and filled with the spirit, God will do wonderful things through us. 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:09.119 The more we invite the spirit in, the more we open ourselves up and yield control to the spirit. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:14.720 Remember, to be filled with the spirit is to be controlled by the spirit. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:26.319 To be filled by the spirit is to say, search me, oh God, and know my heart. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:35.839 Show me what is getting in the way, what is blocking fellowship with you and with other people. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:45.839 We need to surrender to the Holy Spirit, to Jesus, and open our hearts. 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:52.000 And God is gonna be doing amazing things in your life. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.960 For sure. 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.400 I guarantee that. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.119 Trust in Him. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:04.319 Beware of arrogance and pride that will distance you from God. 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:08.480 Jesus uses children to encourage us to humility. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:18.880 Friends, when you die, will someone say he was a great man or she was a great woman. 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:41.599 Psalm 103, verses 15 and 16 says, As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes flourishes like a flower of the field, for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:47.759 Popularity is fleeting, success is temporary. 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:58.960 The best reward we will receive will be when we heard the master say, My son, well done, good and faithful servant. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:01.759 Welcome to your new home. 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:04.160 Welcome to your home. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:11.440 We must not cling to professional, financial, or social achievement. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.759 Only Christ is lasting. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:19.680 The disciples, even while walking with Jesus, often had their eyes covered. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:23.839 They didn't understand what he was really doing. 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:26.720 And many times neither do we. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:31.839 What we truly need really is Jesus. 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.960 Jesus. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:37.599 We need to know him more so that his character is formed in us. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:43.039 Jesus didn't call his disciples to become spiritual celebrities. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:48.960 He called them to be humble, to co-workers in the kingdom of God, in his kingdom. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:55.920 And that same calling is still true for you and for me today. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:59.599 So embrace success with caution. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:04.000 Receive it with gratitude, but with restraint. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:08.240 Always recognizing Jesus in everything. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:14.480 Someone wrote about the Wild West the following. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:28.880 Telling of a weaker native tribe fleeing from a stronger one at night, the sheep told his people to wait until midnight, then escape under cover of darkness. 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:37.839 They arrived at a stream solemn by melting snow, its current rushing powerfully. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:52.000 The sheep ordered the young braves to carry the sick, elderly, and children across, and some ignored him and tried crossing along, but the current swept them away one by one. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:25:02.559 Those carrying other found the extra way kept their feet firm, and all of them reached the far shore safely. 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:19.519 If we live our lives concerned only with ourselves, as the disciples suggested, when we argue about who will be the greatest, we risk being carried off by the powerful current of today's culture. 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:31.119 Let your true diploma not be human recognition, but a towel and basin to wash your neighbor's feet. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:43.920 In Matthew 20, 28, Jesus remarked, Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:46.400 That is the weight of the kingdom. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:49.359 That is the path to true greatness. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:54.880 God can keep leading us and showing us our heart. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.319 Let's pray. 00:25:56.640 --> 00:26:00.079 Father, thank you so much for this message. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:03.200 We come before you with empty hands. 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:14.720 Nothing we achieve is in this life, whether success or popularity, can be taken with us on the day we go to our heavenly home. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:24.480 Make us sensitive to your Holy Spirit that we may see who we truly are and humble ourselves before you, the King of Kings. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:31.279 Help us to be among those who carry a towel to serve others with humility. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:35.759 I pray all this in Jesus' name. 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.720 Amen.