Sermon Title: "Not to Be Served" Scripture: Mark 10:35-45 Date: October 20, 2024
The Highest Places of Honor
35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”
36 “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”
37 “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”
38 Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”
39-40 “Sure,” they said. “Why not?”
Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. There are other arrangements for that.”
41-45 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”
Sermon Title: "Not to Be Served"
Scripture: Mark 10:35-45
Date: October 20, 2024
Let me hear you say, "Not to be served!" Now, we’re going to walk through this Word today like we’re walking with Jesus Himself. Somebody say, "Walking with Jesus!"
In our text today, we find James and John, the sons of Zebedee, stepping up with a request. They want the highest seats of honor in Jesus' coming glory—one at His right, the other at His left. It’s bold, isn’t it? But it’s human. They’re asking for power, for prestige, for recognition.
But Jesus does what Jesus does—He flips the script. He says, "You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I’m about to drink?" That’s the cup of suffering, y’all. That’s the cup of sacrifice. And then Jesus lays down a principle that ought to shake every one of us to our core:
"Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.
Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
As we approach the First day in Early voting here in South Carolina on October 21, it’s important for us to reflect on what it means to choose leaders who serve, not for their own gain, but for the betterment of their community. Our scripture today from Mark 10:35-45 helps guide us as we consider the qualities of leadership rooted in service.
Point 1: Leadership Is About Service, Not Power
Let’s talk about this. Too often, we confuse leadership with positions of authority. James and John thought that being close to Jesus meant power. But Jesus says, “No, no, no, my kingdom operates differently.
Leadership here is not about lording it over others—it’s about service!” Real leadership doesn’t climb up—it bows down! Real leadership doesn’t seek to be served—it seeks to serve!
Jesus is telling us something profound. He’s saying, It’s not about you; it’s about others. We need to look at leadership not as a way to gain status but as a way to lift others. In your job, in your home, in your church—are you serving or are you seeking power? Jesus showed us what leadership really looks like when He washed the disciples' feet. The King of kings and Lord of lords, on His knees, washing feet. That’s the heart of a servant-leader!
Point 2: True Leaders Embrace the Sacrifice of Service
Now, Jesus doesn't sugarcoat it. He talks about drinking the cup, being baptized in the baptism of suffering. Real leadership costs something. It means stepping into the difficult places. It means giving up your comfort for somebody else’s breakthrough. Too many folks want the title without the trial, the crown without the cross. But Jesus says, If you want to lead, you’re going to have to walk the hard road of sacrifice.
Look at our world today. We’re coming up on a major election, and we need to ask ourselves: Who’s willing to drink the cup? Who’s willing to make the tough calls, stand in the fire, and fight for justice, even when it’s not popular? As we vote, we need to be discerning. Don’t just look at what candidates say; look at what they’re willing to sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed everything—are our leaders willing to do the same?
Point 3: Leadership Means Serving with Integrity and Compassion
When the other disciples heard what James and John were up to, they got mad. But Jesus brought them together and said, "This is not how it’s going to be with you." He makes it plain: "Whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all." Not some. Not the ones who can pay you back. Not the ones who look like you or think like you. All.
In a world obsessed with power, integrity is rare. But Jesus calls us to something higher—He calls us to compassionate leadership. When we look for leaders, we need to see their hearts. Are they in it for the people, or are they in it for themselves? Are they leading with compassion, or are they using people as stepping stones? Leadership with integrity is about holding fast to your values, even when it’s hard, and leading with a heart full of love for the people.
Illustration: Bryan Stevenson – A Modern-Day Example of Leadership in Service
Let me tell you about a man who’s walking out this kind of leadership—Bryan Stevenson. If you’ve heard his name, you know he’s a lawyer and social justice advocate who founded the Equal Justice Initiative. Stevenson didn’t just talk about serving; he stepped into the messiest, most painful parts of our legal system. He has devoted his life to defending those who have been wrongly convicted, the poor, and the marginalized—people society forgets.
Stevenson has spent years on death row, not as a prisoner but as an advocate. He’s walked into the courtrooms of power and said, "I am here to serve the least of these." He has sacrificed his time, energy, and reputation to fight for justice. In his book, Just Mercy, he says, "The opposite of poverty is not wealth. The opposite of poverty is justice." His work reminds us that real leaders go where the need is greatest, where the pain is deepest, and they bring light and hope to the broken places.
Conclusion: Walk in the Footsteps of the Ultimate Servant-Leader
Jesus says, "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." That’s the model of leadership we follow. That’s the kind of leader we need to be looking for as we vote tomorrow. Don’t just choose someone who wants to sit in the seat of power. Choose someone who’s willing to get on their knees and serve, someone willing to pay the price, someone who leads with integrity and compassion. ,
Illustration two in the movie "Superman II", there is a scene where the President of the United States is forced to kneel before the Kryptonian villain, General Zod, who has taken over the White House, effectively demonstrating his power and demanding submission from Earth's leader but in the movie the president kneels but promises that there is one he knows that will never bow to Zod.
We’re called to walk with Jesus, to walk the road of service, to lead by example. Let’s choose to be the kind of people, the kind of church, and the kind of nation that reflects the heart of the ultimate servant-leader—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
