WEBVTT 00:00:00.479 --> 00:00:08.160 As we turn our attention back to God's word this morning, we turn back to Mark chapter 9. 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:11.759 Mark chapter 9, we're going to be picking up in verse 30 in just a few moments. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:14.080 If you don't have a Bible, there are some in the pew back in front of you. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:17.519 We're going to be on page 906 in those pew Bibles. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:29.600 As we continue our walk through the Gospel of Mark, I was just struck sitting there on the front row, praising God, singing along with you. 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:35.520 Once again, those words, I pour contempt on all my pride. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:43.920 I'm just letting that phrase resonate in my heart right now as we turn to this passage on humility. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:50.719 Do I truly pour contempt on all my own pride? 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:58.799 Social media is a relatively new phenomenon in our culture. 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:04.560 It has burst onto the scene over the last two decades. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:11.280 When it first came out, I was baffled by this new thing. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:23.359 People taking pictures of themselves and the food that they ate and constantly posting it online as if I cared what food they were eating all the time. 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:27.200 A new word has been coined in our society. 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:28.879 It's called a selfie. 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:35.200 Where we take pictures of ourselves all the time. 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:41.920 I'm not picking on our younger generation because I know many of you in the older generations, you also use social media. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:43.840 I'm not picking on the younger generation. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:45.519 I just don't get it. 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:48.239 I'm not a social media guy. 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:58.480 But I understand that often social media is used to promote self, to put the best version of yourself out there. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:05.519 In fact, if you watch social media and you follow other people, I dare say you rarely see them at their worst. 00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:07.920 You only see them at their very best. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:22.800 How exhausting that must be to try to constantly put a better version of ourselves out there. 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:37.199 Statisticians tell us that social media allows us to measure the fact that we are more self-centered today than we've ever been. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:42.319 I don't know that I agree with that. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:46.719 I think we're just as self-centered as we've ever been. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.919 We just have new tools to demonstrate it. 00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:53.280 We've always been self-centered. 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:59.199 It's amazing how self-centered human beings can be. 00:02:59.919 --> 00:03:08.000 It's amazing how centered on ourselves, and each day the majority of our thoughts are turned inward. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:15.439 They're turned to our comforts and our thoughts and our needs and our whatever it may be. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:20.080 We are selfish by nature. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:25.840 My parents did not have to teach me how to be selfish. 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:29.280 No one had to do that. 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:33.599 I came by it naturally in my fallen state. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:45.680 In fact, my parents had to teach me, and I continually have to learn how not to be selfish, how to care for others, and how to put others in front of myself. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:52.560 In fact, if we're all honest, most of us would rather be served than serve. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:59.759 Most of us would rather receive than give. 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:06.159 Most of us would rather get our way than allow someone else to get theirs. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:09.680 We don't want to say those words out loud. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:12.080 We don't want to admit those things. 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:17.360 But that's the truth of who we are in our fallen selves. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:20.399 Self-centered. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:26.399 It's a common battle for all humans in all places at all times. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:29.519 All humans face this because we all have the same nature. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:30.160 We're all fallen. 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:34.000 We are all naturally selfish. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:41.360 I imagine some fight it or resist it more than others. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:44.720 But yet it is a battle for all of us. 00:04:45.439 --> 00:05:00.079 For those that bear the name of Christ, it is a daily battle that must be fought, waged, so that we don't put ourselves out there instead of the name of Christ. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:12.639 Charles Spurgeon, the famous British preacher, once said that selfishness is as foreign to Christianity as darkness is to light. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:20.319 Selfishness is as foreign to Christianity as darkness is to light. 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:24.639 Selfishness is the opposite of the light of Christ. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:28.959 It goes against the very aims of Christianity. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:43.759 To promote self, to seek higher status, to place ourselves above others goes exactly opposite of what Christ came to do and what he has called his followers to do. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:57.600 We're in a section of Mark's gospel, chapter 8, 9, and 10, where Jesus has turned his attention to training his disciples, to teaching his disciples. 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:00.319 And we're just taking these lessons one by one. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:05.839 Last week we saw a lesson on you can't accomplish supernatural things in your own ability. 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:09.759 Stop trying to do what God's called you to do in your own ability. 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:14.959 Today we're going to look at a lesson he teaches them on humility. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:20.319 Next week we'll see another lesson as we continue through. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:30.800 This is just a series of lessons that Jesus taught his 12 disciples that the disciples who live even today, that's us, his Christ followers, we still need to learn. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:35.600 We still need to grasp these truths. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:41.759 These disciples had upside-down aspirations. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:50.160 They were thinking more of self and temporary than they were thinking of others and eternal. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:59.040 They were thinking more of what position they could get in an earthly kingdom rather than bringing other people into a heavenly kingdom. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:06.240 And Jesus was about to turn their upside-down aspirations right side up. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:09.600 And we would pray that he would do the same for us. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:12.240 If you're willing and able, would you stand again with me? 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:16.319 Mark chapter 9, verses 30 through 37 this morning. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:19.120 Jesus teaching us about humility. 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:26.560 From there they went out and began to go through Galilee. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:29.600 And he did not want anyone to know about it. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:43.439 For he was teaching his disciples and telling them, The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be killed, and he will rise three days later. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:49.920 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask him. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:58.560 They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house, he began to question them What were you discussing on the way? 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:06.240 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was to be the greatest. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:14.639 Sitting down, he called the twelve, and he said to them, If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:30.160 Taking a child, he set him before them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, Whoever receives one child like this in my name receives me, and whoever receives me does not receive me, but him who sent me. 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:36.720 Father, we pray that as we open your word, that you would open our minds and you would open our hearts. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:47.360 Father, I pray that you would teach us to pour contempt on our own pride, that we would boast in nothing but the cross of Christ. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:56.480 That we would see our worth in the name of Jesus, and we would be satisfied in your love for us. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:01.440 Father, help us to turn our upside-down aspirations. 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:04.399 Right side up we pray in Jesus' name. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:05.360 Amen. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:06.639 Thank you. 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:16.240 In our text for this morning, there are no miraculous events. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:21.279 Jesus doesn't perform a miracle, he doesn't heal anybody, he doesn't cast out a demon. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:24.320 He simply has a conversation with his disciples. 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:29.279 He simply has a conversation with the men who are following him and learning from him. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.320 And in that conversation, we see three things. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:40.240 We see a prediction of suffering, we see a preoccupation with status, and we still see an illustration of service. 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:47.519 We see a preoccupation with status and an illustration of service. 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:51.519 Jesus and his disciples have been up near Mount Hermon. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:10:06.480 They've been in the very extreme north, and now they're making their way south, back towards Capernaum, back to their home base of ministry for the last two years in the region of Galilee. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:14.480 This is his final stop as he is now about to head towards Judea and Jerusalem for the very last time. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:34.879 As Jesus is taking his disciples to Capernaum, he knows within six months he will be arrested, he will be tried, he will be convicted, he will be crucified, he will die, he will be buried, and he will be resurrected. 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:38.000 He knows this is what lies ahead. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:46.320 He has prepared himself for it, and now he begins to prepare his disciples for what lies ahead. 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:48.639 They could not have possibly understood. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:58.159 They could not have possibly figured all that was going to take place, and so Jesus is helping them as they move towards the cross. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:08.000 The cross is always prevalent in Mark's gospel, but from this point forward, the shadow of the cross looms over everything that takes place. 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:20.799 This conversation, Jesus is starting to help his disciples understand exactly what is going to take place, and so we see this prediction of suffering. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:25.200 He tells them exactly what's about to happen. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:37.840 Verses 30 and 32, he says, We're gonna go, they're gonna mistreat me, they're gonna kill me, I'm gonna be buried, I'm coming back to life three days later. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:40.720 He tells them exactly. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:46.399 He doesn't sugarcoat it, he doesn't try to hide it, he needs them to understand. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:55.039 This is, by the way, the second of three times that Mark records the exact same thing that Jesus taught his disciples. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:57.759 He's told them this before. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:00.960 He's telling them now, he will tell them again. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.200 These are just three times that Mark recorded it. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:11.519 I can imagine Jesus said it many times to his disciples, trying to get it to sink in about what was going to happen. 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:14.960 Why did he have to keep telling them over and over again? 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:18.799 Why didn't they just get it the first time? 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.960 Over and over again, he has to just drive home. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:24.639 Guys, you don't understand. 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:27.759 We're not heading to a victory parade. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:30.879 We're not heading to an earthly kingdom. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:36.159 When we get to Jerusalem, there's not going to be a mighty battle where we take over. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.879 There's going to be a crucifixion. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:42.559 The Messiah is going to die. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:46.879 And they could not wrap their heads around it. 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:50.240 Mark tells us they could not understand it. 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.399 Why couldn't they understand it? 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:53.840 It was just as plain as day. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:13:00.480 He's telling them as clear as he possibly can, and yet their hearts and their minds would not accept it. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:03.039 They were mystified by it. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:07.679 He uses a phrase, he says, the Son of Man is going to be arrested. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:09.679 The Son of Man is going to be crucified. 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:11.120 The Son of Man is going to die. 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.799 The Son of Man is going to rise again. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:15.840 Son of man is a term they would have understood. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.879 It comes from Daniel chapter 7. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:23.039 That prophetic voice in the Old Testament. 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:30.879 In Daniel chapter 7, it describes the Messiah, the Son of Man, approaching the throne of Almighty God. 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:33.840 And there he is given honor. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.679 There he is given glory. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.679 There he is given dominion. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:44.480 There he is given a kingdom to reign over, and all the nations of the earth come and worship him. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:50.159 And it tells us in Daniel chapter 7 that his reign will never end. 00:13:51.519 --> 00:14:07.039 When he referred to himself as Son of Man, which was his personal preference for referring to himself, and he did so rightly, he was claiming to be the Messiah who one day would reign, every nation would worship him, and his reign would never come to an end. 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:17.360 And the disciples, after two years, have finally gotten to the point where they recognize that the man they serve is actually the Messiah. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:22.240 They believe him to be the Son of Man of Daniel chapter 7. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.799 That part they're not confused about. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:38.320 The part they're confused about is when it says, and he will be handed over and killed. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:42.480 He said, the Son of Man is going to be delivered over. 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:54.799 The word delivered there is a technical term meaning a criminal who is delivered over to trial and judgment. 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:58.559 This is what they tripped over. 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:02.480 This is what they could not comprehend. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:15.840 They could not comprehend the Son of Man who is going to reign and rule forever, being delivered over, handed over, and killed. 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:20.559 They surely had to be thinking, who would do that? 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:25.039 Who would hand over our Messiah for death? 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.919 Who in the world would do that? 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:29.519 No one would do that. 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:40.000 And yet, as we continue in our gospel and as we know the story, there's one of his own named Judas who does exactly that. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.480 He turns them over. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:50.639 There's the religious leaders of the day, the scribes and the Pharisees, who don't like Jesus, and he's threatening their authority and their power. 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.759 So what do they do? 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.519 They turn him over. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:16:11.360 There's the Roman governor named Pilate, who's in a rock and a hard place, having to keep the peace, but finding no guilt in Jesus, and yet the threat of the Jews rising up if he does not do something about Jesus. 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.759 What does Pilate do? 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:16.399 He delivers him up. 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:26.000 But there's one other that delivers Jesus up that we really need to understand. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:30.080 It's not Judas. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.919 It's not Pilate. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:42.080 It's Almighty God who delivered Jesus up. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:48.399 It's his own father who handed him over for judgment. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:17:07.200 Peter after the resurrection, after the ascension and Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has fallen, and Simon Peter, the same one who just a few days before had said, You're the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:19.200 That Peter stood up before a group of people, and he gave one of the greatest messages, one of the greatest sermons ever preached. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:22.799 I want you to hear just a few words of that message. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:27.200 Men of Israel, listen to these words. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:38.079 Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:47.839 This man was delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:54.079 You nailed him to a cross by the hands of godless men and put him to death. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:18:03.119 But God raised him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it is impossible for him to be held in its power. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:06.240 He said, Men of Israel, you know who Jesus is. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:09.920 He came, he is God, he did things only God could do. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:11.200 But what happened? 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:14.799 The Father delivered him over. 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:29.839 It was God's eternal plan for Jesus Christ to go to a cross, to die for our sins. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:38.640 This is why the Father sent the Son. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:47.200 The same Son of Man who we read about in Daniel chapter 7, we also read about in Isaiah 53. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:19:04.240 Except in Isaiah 53, he's a suffering servant, who was wounded for our transgressions by the plan of God. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:12.640 The same Son of Man that we read about, who is given an authority and a dominion which will never end in Daniel chapter 7. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.799 We also read about in Psalm 22. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:23.279 Who is mocked and beaten and crucified. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:29.039 And cries out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:32.559 Not a question he didn't know the answer to. 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:34.079 It was a cry of victory. 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:38.000 God, you have done this because of your great plan. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:48.880 Before Jesus, our Creator, ever said, Let there be light, Jesus said, I will go to the cross. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:53.920 This is what tripped up the disciples. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:57.279 This is what mystified them. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:05.440 This is what caused them to pause to say, Yes, I believe Jesus is the Messiah, but who would kill the Messiah? 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:08.000 Who would hand him over? 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:11.440 Who would deliver him up for death? 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:15.839 And the answer is God. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:19.200 And you say, why would God do that? 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:23.519 Why would God do that to his own son? 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:30.480 Romans chapter 4, verse 25 says, He was delivered for our transgressions. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:32.720 Why did God hand him over? 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.160 Because of our sin. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:39.839 And he was raised for our justification. 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:43.200 He was delivered over because of our sin. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:53.200 He was crucified, taking our place, but he was raised back to life so that we might be justified with our Heavenly Father. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:21:04.640 This is what they kept tripping over because they had preconceived ideas of who the Messiah was, and none of this fit it. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:11.839 They were good with a Son of Man coming and reigning forever, but that Son of Man being delivered over for sin. 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:16.559 They were mystified. 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:20.480 The same Son of Man who's glorified. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:28.240 They couldn't comprehend being humiliated. 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:34.160 So what did he keep telling them? 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:36.720 Guys, this is the mission. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.559 We're going to Jerusalem. 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:40.000 The Son of Man's going to be delivered over. 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:40.640 I'm going to die. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.559 Three days later, I'm coming back. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.640 They couldn't understand it. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.680 Why not? 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:48.640 Because they couldn't wrap their heads around it. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:52.799 And they they they were afraid to ask. 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:59.359 Mark tells us they didn't understand, but verse 32 says they were afraid to ask questions. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.319 Why were they afraid to ask? 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.960 I can come up with two reasons. 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.799 I think the first reason is this. 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:14.000 Just a few days earlier, Jesus asked the disciples, Who do people say that I am? 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:18.960 And they said, Some people think you're Elijah, some people who think you're another prophet, think you're John the Baptist. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:20.960 And he said, Fine, who do you say that I am? 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:23.119 And Simon Peter stood up and said, What? 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:25.599 You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:28.000 Remember what Jesus said next? 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.160 Good job, Simon. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.039 You got this one right. 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:35.279 Flesh and blood didn't reveal that to you, but my father who is in heaven, here's what's about to happen. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.359 Son of man is going to go to Jerusalem. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:41.039 He's going to be delivered over, he's going to be killed. 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:43.759 He's going to be buried, and then he's going to rise again. 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:47.279 And Simon Peter said, Let's go, Jesus, I'm with you. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:49.759 No, what did Simon Peter say? 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.880 God forbid, I will not let that happen. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:23:00.480 And Jesus said to him, Simon, Satan, get behind me. 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:03.759 You don't have in mind the things of God, but the things of man. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:09.039 And you don't think that's in their minds while they're having the same questions Peter had? 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:12.880 While Jesus is describing it, they're like, I don't understand it. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:17.039 I'm not about to ask them though, because remember what he called Peter? 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:23.039 That has to be in their minds. 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:31.920 But I think even more than that, I think they're starting slowly through the Spirit to put two and two together. 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:40.000 They're starting to slowly allow their minds to come around to what God is teaching them, and they're starting to understand. 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:44.880 He said he's going to go and they're going to mistreat him and crucify him. 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:46.160 He's our leader. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:51.119 If they're going to do that to him, what will they do to me? 00:23:54.559 --> 00:24:00.880 And they understood enough to understand that they didn't want to understand anymore. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:07.680 They did not like where that conversation was going. 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:11.119 And so they just shut it down. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:16.400 I've been guilty of that. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:22.720 I've been guilty of understanding that God's leading me in a certain direction. 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:28.880 And just shutting the conversation down because I didn't like where it was going. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:34.240 I've heard God calling my name to go do something. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.880 And I'm not asking questions. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.480 I'm just keeping my mouth shut. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.759 I'm just keeping my head down. 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:44.240 Because if I keep my mouth shut and my head down, maybe he will change his mind. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:53.680 There was a prediction of suffering. 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:58.480 There's also a preoccupation with status. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:02.960 Jesus has told them what's going to go on. 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:06.799 They arrive in Capernaum, and Mark tells us they go to a house. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:15.839 It's probably the same house that they were in when they were in Capernaum before, more than likely Simon Peter's house or a relative of Simon Peter's. 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:21.519 They go into this house, and Jesus asked them a simple question. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:26.799 Hey guys, what were you discussing on the road as we traveled here? 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:33.759 You know, they had over a 20-mile walk, which was through dangerous passes. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:37.680 They weren't walking in a clump where everybody could hear each other. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:42.319 Jesus was probably out front, and then they kind of straggled behind two by two, three by three. 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:54.240 So Jesus couldn't hear the whole conversation, but he could hear that they were having a conversation, and he could tell it wasn't just a conversation, because the other gospel writers tell us that it was more of a heated debate than it was a conversation. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:58.240 Matthew tells us that they were arguing about who was the greatest in the kingdom. 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:02.799 They were arguing about when he gets to his kingdom, I'm going to be better than you. 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:05.920 He's going to appoint me to the highest position. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:14.240 James and John were plotting to go get their mommy to come talk to Jesus so that she might influence it. 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:18.079 And Jesus said, What were you talking about? 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:21.759 And not a one of them said a word. 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:25.759 They did not answer. 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:34.640 Certainly they did not answer because they were embarrassed about the conversation they had been having. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:42.960 Jesus had been teaching them about his suffering, his humiliation. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:55.519 He had been teaching them about setting aside self and serving others. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:27:05.759 But despite all that he had been teaching them, their hearts were still centered on self. 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:18.559 And a heart that is centered on self and pride will desire status and recognition above all else. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:28.160 And these disciples, despite of all that Jesus has just told them, have a selfish heart, a prideful heart. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:30.720 Their aspirations are upside down. 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:37.839 They're still thinking worldly, they're still thinking temporarily, they're still thinking of self. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:45.200 And Jesus is wanting to turn those aspirations right side up. 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:51.359 Micah chapter 6, verse 8 says, What does the Lord require of us? 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:54.720 But to walk humbly with the Lord our God. 00:27:55.519 --> 00:28:01.279 Colossians chapter 3, verse 12 teaches us to walk in humility. 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:11.200 James chapter 4, verse 6 says, God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to those who will humble themselves. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:15.839 Man, humility is a hard lesson to learn. 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:23.599 We've all been humbled before in our lives, but learning to be humble is a hard lesson. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:26.000 It was a hard lesson for them. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:28.240 It is a hard lesson for us. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:36.319 Because in our own fallen nature, we don't have to be taught how to be selfish. 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.720 We're really good at it. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:49.440 For these people, it was hard to find a good example of humility. 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:57.680 Even in their own religion, maybe especially in their own religion, it was hard to find somebody who was humble. 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:01.759 Their religious leaders were not humble. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:03.359 They weren't known for being humble. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:06.720 They were known for making much of themselves. 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:19.759 They were known for standing on the street corners, wearing tassels that were longer than everybody else, wearing phylacteries that were bigger than anybody else's, saying, look at me. 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:24.079 And these were their religious leaders. 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:35.200 It breaks my heart when I see a culture of celebrity ministers in our society. 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:47.279 It breaks my heart when men of God, supposedly men of God, draw more attention to themselves than they do to the name of Jesus Christ. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:51.519 And people flock to it. 00:29:58.000 --> 00:30:02.799 In our world, meekness is often seen as weakness. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:09.440 Jesus was meek, and in no way was he ever weak. 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:16.240 And those who would be his followers, he calls us to meekness. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:23.599 There is finally just an illustration of service. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:27.119 Jesus predicts his suffering. 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:37.839 He asks them about what they're talking about, and we see their upside-down concern, more concerned about themselves, more concerned about power than kingdom. 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:42.000 And then Jesus taught them a lesson. 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:44.640 And he does so in three ways, I think. 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:49.680 He takes a little child that is there, a little boy that is there. 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:57.759 A boy that's not an infant, but small enough that he can be picked up and placed in Jesus' lap. 00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:04.799 And he said, if you want to be first in my kingdom, then the first shall be last. 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:12.880 Literally, it says, if you want to be first, you shall be last of all and of all servant. 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:17.039 He teaches them with a principle. 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:24.480 With a proverb. 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:32.880 If you want to be first in my kingdom, don't put yourself first. 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:38.960 You want to be first in my kingdom, be last. 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:46.400 Put others above yourself. 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:49.680 Jesus is not renouncing greatness. 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:55.119 He's not saying it's not okay to strive towards greatness. 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:57.839 He's not saying don't try to be great. 00:31:58.319 --> 00:32:01.200 He's just simply redefining what it means. 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:06.960 He says, your world tells you that in order to be great, you have to put me first. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:13.039 But in my kingdom, put everyone else first. 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:27.839 And he took this little child and he brought them into his lap and he said, if you will receive me, if you receive this child, then you will receive me and my father. 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:32.559 That little child, children were looked on differently in that time, by the way. 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:38.720 They really had no value until they got much older and can contribute to society. 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:42.000 This child was the lowest on the rung. 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:49.440 They were almost considered unworthy of time and consideration. 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:58.240 This child, if you did something nice or kind for them, had nothing that they could give you in return for what you had done for them. 00:32:58.640 --> 00:33:14.319 And Jesus said, if you will take someone who is like this, who society sees as worthless, and who has nothing to give you in return for your kindness, if you will receive them, then you understand how I received you. 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:21.599 Because you had nothing to give. 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:23.599 And yet I received you. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:28.160 And when you receive a child like this, you receive me and my father. 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.519 He taught them in principle. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:31.599 He taught them with the picture. 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:35.519 I also think Jesus taught them with practice. 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:38.880 He taught them by the way he lived. 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:42.319 He taught them by the way he served amongst them. 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:46.079 He taught them by the way he served the crowds that would gather around. 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:50.960 And when he was tired and exhausted, he would still give everything he had to those crowds. 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:53.359 He taught them by caring for the down and out. 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:57.599 He taught them by caring for those who were in need. 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:12.880 At the Last Supper, he demonstrated this truth by going and getting a bowl of water and a towel and washing their dirty feet. 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:17.280 Something the lowest of slaves was not required to do. 00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:23.519 And then he stood up in front of them and he said, You call me mastered and lord, and rightly so. 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:25.039 That's exactly who I am. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:27.840 I am the master, I am the Lord. 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:33.679 But I've come not to be served, but to serve. 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:40.000 And just as I've served you, you should serve one another. 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:44.639 Jesus taught them in his life, he taught them in his ministry. 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:50.079 He taught them in washing his feet, and then he ultimately taught them because he went to the cross. 00:34:50.559 --> 00:35:02.800 Philippians chapter 2 says he humbled himself, taking on flesh, and humbled himself to the point of dying on a cross for us. 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:12.639 Jesus is just wanting them to see, if you want to be greatest in the kingdom, serve others. 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.440 Lay your pride down. 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:18.000 Humble yourself. 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.679 Just a couple minutes. 00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.719 What do we do with this? 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.400 How do we wrap this up? 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.440 How do we take this home? 00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:27.119 What difference does this make? 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:30.480 What practical applications can we make in our lives? 00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:32.159 Just three words of response. 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:34.239 The first one to me is humility. 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:46.559 As I read this story, I easily see myself as one of the disciples walking down that path, arguing with the other guys about who was going to be more important than the other. 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:54.320 It doesn't take me much imagination to see myself in this story. 00:35:55.039 --> 00:36:06.320 It doesn't take much imagination for me to feel the pull of my heart towards the praise of men and the adoration of a world as opposed to what God has called me to. 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:09.199 And I need to be humbled by that. 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:14.400 I don't need to look down my nose at these disciples and go, how could you not get it? 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:17.199 I've been walking with Jesus for almost 50 years. 00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:18.079 I got news for you. 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:20.719 I'm still struggling to get it sometimes. 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:26.000 I see humility. 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:27.840 I also see gratitude. 00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:34.719 Gratitude because Jesus didn't say, alright, boys, I'm done. 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:36.880 You guys are killing me. 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:43.360 I keep telling you this, and I keep telling you this, and you just don't get it. 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:45.840 He told them, he's telling them. 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.480 Guess what? 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:48.320 He's gonna tell them again. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:52.400 God does not give up on us. 00:36:53.519 --> 00:37:03.360 Even when we are selfish and prideful and want the conversation to end, God does not quit. 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:12.800 And for that I'm eternally grateful that God didn't quit on me when I didn't want to know where the path was going to lead. 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:16.079 Finally, awareness. 00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:19.039 Humility, gratitude, and awareness. 00:37:19.280 --> 00:37:28.239 Awareness of just how devastating pride can be in a believer's life and in the life of a church. 00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:33.679 Pride can absolutely wreck the unity of a church. 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:39.760 These disciples who should have all been on the same page, who should have all been saying, Jesus, this is your agenda. 00:37:39.840 --> 00:37:48.400 We're following your agenda, they all were arguing with each other, jealous of one another, angry with one another because they all had their own agenda. 00:37:49.840 --> 00:38:00.480 And that happens far too often in churches where we get our own pride and our own self-centeredness and we get our own agendas instead of following after Jesus' agenda. 00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:03.360 And there's competition that comes up. 00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:09.199 It happens within churches, it happens amongst churches. 00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:14.159 There's not a church in this city that we are in competition with. 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:17.920