Finishing First
Mark 9:33-35; Matt 20:20-28
When the United States of America began the Apollo project to put a man on the moon, our motivations were not entirely scientific… In fact, the so-called space race was driven largely by the ego of the American public. The Soviet Union was the first to launch a satellite into space. They were the first to put a living creature, a monkey, into space. And Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, is listed in the history books as the first man in space. So our bid to put a man on the moon was nothing more than a response to a string of humiliating second place finishes to the Soviet space program!
So it was with great pride that the American people watched and listened on July 20, 1969 as Neil Armstrong stepped out of the Lunar module with Buzz Aldrin and spoke those famous words, “That’s one small step for man… One giant leap for mankind.” We were first!
I believe there is something bred into human nature that we crave being first. There is no glory in being 2nd or 3rd. Following Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s historic Apollo 11 mission, ten other astronauts walked the surface of the moon. Do you know any of their names? Thousands of people break the sound barrier each year while flying military jets or riding as passengers on the Concorde. Do we care? No, but we’ve all heard about Chuck Yeager, because he was the first person to go faster than the speed of sound.
Even in Christianity, we see this craving for first place… for victory. Paul writes in 1 Cor 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
I am not content to just finish the Christian walk… I want to be a winner in the KoG. I want to come in first! The Bible tells us that we are “more than conquerors in Christ Jesus”. Why is that there? Because I believe many Christians sell themselves short. They’re perfectly content with being conquerors, but Jesus says, “I want you to be much more than that!” Sure, I want to see you all make heaven your home, but if you’re perfectly content to just slip into paradise by the skin of your teeth, shame on you. I don’t just want to finish the race… I want to win the race! I want to preach this morning on Finishing First.
Mark 9:33-35 (text)
33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
Here’s an embarrassing moment for the disciples. They’re walking down the road to Capernaum acting like kids arguing about Who’s the Man? Jesus brings some much needed direction because, unfortunately, the disciples have no clue what it takes to be first in heaven. We see this lack of understanding demonstrated many times by these men, but perhaps none so clearly as an incident that took place on the road to Jerusalem shortly before Christ’s arrest and crucifixion…
Matt 20:20-28 (text)
20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." 22But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." 24And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Every time this issue comes up, Jesus tries to drive home a point and His disciples seem to miss it. I wonder if you’ve missed the point as well. Because this is one of the seeming paradoxes found throughout the Word of God. If you want to be first, you must be last. If you want to lead, serve. Doesn’t make much sense, does it?
But the whole idea falls into place when we understand that we really are living in two kingdoms at once. The Bible says that we are “in this world but not of this world.” At the same time that we live here as short-timers in this earthly kingdom, the Word of God also tells us that we are building the Kingdom of God. And while physically, we may inhabit the earth, spiritually we are already active citizens of God’s kingdom here on earth. This is why Paul is able to write in Ephesians 6 that, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The interesting thing about these two kingdoms is that they are exactly the opposite and this seeming paradox is really easily understood. If you are first in one kingdom you will be last in the other… Pick your kingdom! If you wish to engage in spiritual warfare and be victorious on the battlefield… If you seek dominion and authority in your home and in your church… If you desire to be a great man or woman in the kingdom of God… then you must be last in this world!
Or, you can be the man… look out for number one… crush people underneath you as you rise to the top in the world’s eyes… and be a nobody in God’s eyes! Your choice, your kingdom… but if you want to be first in God’s eyes you must learn to be a servant.
The problem is, nobody wants to serve… everybody wants to be served. We like people addressing our needs, but really aren’t that interested in the needs of others. Oh, we’ll help somebody out from time to time to rack up some spiritual brownie points, but it doesn’t work that way!
God’s great warriors all have one thing in common: a servant’s heart. David, whom the Bible refers to as a man after God’s own heart, always referred to himself as a servant. You and I must learn to serve, and more importantly, learn to love to serve, if we are going to be first place finishers in God’s kingdom. Specifically, three areas this morning where our service is not only needed, but required:
I. Serve Each Other
John 13:34-35
34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
A. “SERVE” IS THE ACTION OF “LOVE”
“Oh Pastor, I loooove my bro’s and sis’s” Oh yeah, what are you doing about it? “Doing? I ain’t doin’ nuthin’! Isn’t it enough that I just love them?” You don’t really understand love. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” In other words, there is more to love that just this ooey gooey, warm fuzzy feeling. The word “love” requires action… and “serve” is the action part of “love”.
You’re groaning inwardly right now saying, “But I don’t want to serve.” Fine… you don’t have to. But don’t tell me that you love the family God’s given you because you don’t. And don’t ask me how come you never experience victory in your walk with God because you’ll never be first in that kingdom unless you’re last in this one.
Do you know that people in this church have needs? Those needs aren’t going to be met just be cause you looove them. “Oh, I’m there for you, bro or sis. Just tell me your need and I’ll pray for you. I’ve got faith that God is going to move for you!”
James 2:14-17
14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Some folks pride themselves on their ability to listen. And I agree that it’s a blessing when you’re struggling to find someone you can unburden to. But a pair of ears never met a need… Hands and feet meet needs.
A hungry, scantily clothed little boy was crying pathetically. "I’m cold, I’m hungry!" he whimpered. A stranger approached him and asked, "Do you believe that God can take care of you?" "Yes," replied the starving little boy with assurance. "Why, then does He not send someone to bring you warm clothing and some food?" "I know, sir, that He asked someone to do it, but I guess this somebody has forgotten it."
I wonder how many of you have been asked by God to meet a need in someone’s life, but you’ve forgotten it or overlooked it.
Rick Warren notes the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer "takes off the bib and puts on an apron." Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who don aprons have learned the joy of serving others. Which attire are you wearing?
B. THE EXCUSE… I CAN’T
See, there is always an excuse for why we can’t meet someone’s need… I don’t have the time. I’m broke. I don’t have anything decent in the fridge. I don’t know how to help. It always revolves around “I” and the resources that “I” want to keep for myself.
Dr. Viktor Frankl was an Austrian physician who was imprisoned in one of Hitler’s death camps. He and his fellow Jewish people suffered unbelievable atrocities. Everything about their living and working conditions were deplorable, including their medical care. Dr. Frankl offered what little medical help he could to the sick and dying. Over time, he discovered a unique phenomenon he recorded in his book Man’s Search for Meaning. He said those people who kept their strength and sanity the longest were those who tried to help other prisoners and share what little they had. Their physical and mental condition seemed strengthened by their friendliness, compassion, and focus on something other than themselves. Ministry energizes, contrary to the great fear that resources will be depleted if we help others.
John 4:5-8, 28-34
5So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
28The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30Then they went out of the city and came to Him. 31In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." 33Therefore the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?" 34Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
Here Jesus is tired and hungry… Yet He doesn’t hesitate to minister to another’s need and is able to say to His disciples, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” In other words, by serving others, nothing is lost, only gained. You’re so worried about your limited resources, but they came from God to do His work, and He has plenty more where that came from.
A young man who had heard the gospel accepted Christ. A little while after this, a Christian teacher asked him: "What have you done for Christ since you believed?" He replied: "Oh, I’m still learning." "Well," said the questioner, "when you light a candle do you light it to make the candle more comfortable, or to have it give light?" He replied, "To give light." "Do you expect it to give light after it is half burned, or when you first light it?" He replied, "As soon as I light it." "Very well," was the reply, "go thou and do likewise; begin at once." Shortly after there were fifty more Christians in town as a result of the man’s work.
C. HUMILITY
The other issue in service is one of our pride. Serving is not easy on the ego.
1 John 2:15-17
15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Again? What kingdom are you looking to excel in? The pride of life is not of the Father, but is of this world. Jesus never bragged about Himself while He walked the earth… He served.
Isaiah 53:2-3
2For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
The disciples, had they understood this principle, would have gone out of their way to serve Jesus… but who washed whose feet? We like the idea of greatness in the kingdom of God, but we aren’t willing to come to terms with our pride and humble ourselves to do what it takes.
"The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves."
--D. L. Moody
A certain family had two sons. The older said he must make a name for his family, so turned his face toward Parliament and fame. The younger decided to give his life to the service of Christ and turned his face toward China and duty. He was Hudson Taylor, the missionary, who died beloved and known on every continent. "But," someone wrote, "when I looked in the encyclopedia to see what the other son had done, I found these words, ’the brother of Hudson Taylor.’ "
II. Serve the World
It is both humbling and sobering to reflect on the following statement by J. A. Holmes: "It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others."
"Unless our belief in God causes us to help our fellow man, our faith stands condemned."
--Billy Graham
Rom. 12:14-21
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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III. Serve God
[Matt. 25:34-46]
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A. MOTIVE
An Egyptian architect was commissioned by one of the Pharaohs to build a lighthouse at the mouth of the Nile. On a piece of rock that was duly selected, Cnidus, the architect, erected a fine edifice. Engraved upon the cement covering the outside of the lighthouse was the name Pharaoh. In a few years the effect of wind and rain had worn the cement away and Pharaoh’s name had vanished. Then it was discovered that the wily Cnidus had engraved his own name in the masonry beneath. Even Christian work may be done outwardly for the glory of God; but, when the underlying motive is laid bare, our own glory often turns out to be the real aim
Here’s the flip side of coin: false sense of humility… service for the wrong reason. Are you a man-pleaser?
Gal 1:9-10
10For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
The reality is, we serve each other, the world, only to serve God. Not ourselves, not our interests, we’re in this to serve God.
Conclusion
A deacon in a certain church in Boston, many years ago said to himself, "I cannot speak in prayer meeting. I cannot do many other things in Christian service, but I can put two extra plates on my dinner table every Sunday and invite two young men who are away from home to break bread with me." He went along doing that for more than thirty years. He became acquainted with a great company of young men who were attending that church, and many of them became Christians through his personal influence. When he died he was buried in Andover, thirty miles from Boston, and because he was a well-known merchant, a special train was chartered to convey the funeral party. It was made known that any of his friends among the young men who had become Christians through his influence would be welcomed in a special car set aside for them. And a hundred and fifty of them came and packed that car from end to end in honor of the memory of the man who had preached to them the gospel of the extra dinner plate.
A cross is made of two pieces of wood. The shorter piece represents your will, and the longer God’s will. Whenever our will opposes God’s will, which is to serve, we find we have made a cross. But lay the two pieces side by side, and the cross is gone.
