Trust And Duty Series

Trustbusters: Guarding Against Choices that Ruin Relationships

Sermon #4 - Trust and Duty

Mark 10:32-45

Sermon Objective: Even at his own expense Jesus was determined to faithfully serve and please His Heavenly Father. By doing so He set an example for us in how to represent His kingdom as ambassadors.

Some people are just waiting to see faith make a difference in the lives of Christ’s followers. They want to see it work. They are not asking too much. As God’s Spirit is allowed to inform and transform it builds trust in those watching. If we live in such a manner as to undermine God’s values and promises it erodes trust.

In Mark 9 Jesus began to show us that discipleship expresses itself through relationships. In chapter 10 that theme is extended into more complex relationships that include elements of society. Mark 9:50 serves as a good transition between the two … it hits the nail on the head. Mk 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

We have already looked at

“Trust and Marriage” (Mark 10:1-12)

“Trust and Children” (Mark 10:13-16)

“Trust and Possessions” (Mark 10:17-27)

Next week we will look at

• Trust and Opportunity (Mk. 10:46-52)

These issues go far in enforcing or destroying the world’s confidence in us as the People of God. When they are handled with wisdom, compassion and obedience, trust is established. When they are handled in a selfish and carnal manner trust is eroded.

This week we will look at Mark 10: 32-45

Mk 10:32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.

Mk 10:33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles,

Mk 10:34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

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

Mk 10:36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

Mk 10:37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

Mk 10:38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

Mk 10:39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,

Mk 10:40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

Mk 10:41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.

Mk 10:42 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.

Mk 10:43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Mk 10:44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Mk 10:45 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.”

Does that passage give you a flashback? Do you see hints of the ever-present rivalry that seems to exist within the band of followers? Remember these words from the last chapter:

Mk 9:33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

Mk 9:34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Mk 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

The words from Mark 9:50 are still germane … 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

As we think about Trustbusters: Guarding against Choices that Ruin Relationships we must give some attention to our life’s primary “duty”. It is kin to the primary duty of Jesus. You see, even at his own expense Jesus was determined to faithfully serve and please His Heavenly Father. By doing so, He set an example for us in how to represent His kingdom as ambassadors.