From the Sept. 18 sermon, "Jesus and True Greatness," preached by Pastor Mark out of Luke 22:24–30.
Jesus’ disciples argue over who is the greatest, but Jesus doesn’t rebuke their desire, he redirects it. He redeems the pursuit of greatness, showing the difference between worldly and godly greatness. True, godly greatness is simply service. Are you selfish or a servant? When we live a life that glorifies God and serves others, we receive joy in this life and eternal rewards in the life to come.
Some of you need to aspire to more. Some of you, in the false name of humility, have not tried your hardest, have not done your best, have not presented yourself for leadership in your school or in your church or in your place of employment or in your community. And some of you say, "Well, I just want to be humble." No, you also want to be helpful. And to be helpful means you need to pursue greatness. You need to be the best version of yourself, by the grace of God, you can be. You need to maximize your skills, talents, and abilities so that you might help as many people as well as possible. But we always need to be careful that we pursue greatness in a way that is godly and not worldly.
Do you welcome Jesus to serve you? Now, this is really important. Don’t make the mistake that so many people do and simply see Jesus as a great example but not a great God and Savior. What some people do, they’ll look at Jesus and say, "He really served. I want to serve so I can be like Jesus." That’s not a bad desire, but in and of itself it is a hopeless desire. Because see, you and I are sinners and Jesus came to serve us. Unless we allow Jesus to serve us, we can’t truly serve God and we can’t truly serve others, not in the way that Jesus serves us. … You need to know this about Jesus: He delights in serving you, and when you come to him and say, "I need your help, I need your wisdom, your forgiveness. I need your empowerment. I need your people," Jesus says, "I know. And I love you. And I like to serve." The heart of God is a heart of service and humility. The heart of God is a heart of service and humility. Jesus is never too busy for you and there’s nothing he can’t handle.
Let me say this, for those of you who are serving. People may not say thanks; you may not get the acknowledgement that, quite frankly, would even just be encouraging in this life. But there will be a day when you will die, you’ll stand before Jesus. The Bible says you’ll see him face to face. You’re going to see love in his eyes. You’re going to see a smile on his face. A smile on the face of Jesus. And if he says this, while putting his hand on your shoulder, "Well done, good and faithful servant," won’t that really be the only thing that matters? Jesus said good job.
I mean, just—I’ll be honest with you, just thinking about that day I’m emotionally choked up. I want that for you. I want that to be the best day of all. Jesus may say, "They didn’t say thanks and it didn’t go like perhaps it should have had things worked out justly, but well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome to my kingdom. I have a seat here for you. You’re going to receive eternal rewards. I love you. I was glad to serve you, and I was glad to serve with you. Thank you." I promise, you won’t regret pouring your life out to the glory of God and good of others. ‘Cause here’s the truth. When we live a life that glorifies God and is good for others, we receive joy in this life and eternal rewards in the life to come. Next week: "Jesus and Peter," Luke #91.
