Sermons on San Mateo 20:20:

Greatness: The Pathway To Greatness Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 3, 2013

Jesus redefined greatness for His disciples - not to go for positions of privilege and power, but to be a servant and serve the needs of others.

Jesus redefined what it means to be great, at Christmas • Phil 2:6-9 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Mother's Impressions Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 7, 2014

The mother of James and John made a special request of Jesus based on her impression of him. She in turn made an impression on him.

1. Mothers Job Interview -- http://www.ijreview.com/2014/04/129697-24-people-interviewed-impossible-job-paying-nothing-found-everyday/ 2. Mothers make lasting impressions on their children. 3. Matthew 20.20-28 I. A Mother's Impression OF Jesus A. Qualities She saw in Him 1. He was Torah-Observant ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cup Of Discipleship!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Mar 4, 2016

Do the PERFECT WILL OF THE FATHER. In this, we also can see what it takes to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. All disciples are believers but not all believers are disciples. The

Cup of Discipleship! (Mat 20:20 KJV) Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. (Mat 20:21 KJV) And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

God Is Unselfish Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Mar 20, 2017

William Gladstone said, "Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race." Think about it; if everyone just looked out for #1 then no one would be satisfied; including #1. I can gain a lot by being selfish...except what's truly important.

GOD IS UNSELFISH William Gladstone said, "Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race." If you think about that there's much truth in it. If everyone just looked out for #1 then no one would be satisfied; including #1. There's a lot to be gained by being selfish except what matters most. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can You Drink The Cup? - Mark 10:32-40 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 27, 2024

True greatness is when God says, “Well done” and has nothing to do with how you compare to others.

Mark 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. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-40, Matthew 20:20-23

"Kingdom Power: Politics Or Service” Lent 5

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 12, 2024

The illustration is a fictional story about "knowing the day of our death". Jesus knew why He was going to Jerusalem. The disciples believe the "kingdom" of the Son of Man, Daniel 7 is about to be fulfilled. Jesus turns Daniel upside down. Service!

In Jesus Holy Name March 21, 2024 Text: Mark 10:43b-45 Redeemer “Kingdom Power: Politics or Service” Years ago I heard or read a fictional story about a man who wanted to make a lot of money in the stock market. But there were just too many ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:43-45, Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Wow! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 1, 2023

When is the last time you stopped to think about the WOW moments God has placed in your life? Consider these thoughts as our Family Minister walks us through several WOW moments in the life of the apostle John.

Our current sermon series is entitled “Words to Live By.” Last week, we talked about “Help.” Today, we’re going to look at the word, “Wow.” We’re going to look at how God acts in our lives and leaves us saying, “Wow!” I was once told a story about a boy that was drawing a picture. When his father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:4-7, Luke 8:40-42, Luke 8:49-56, Luke 9:28-36, Matthew 20:20-28, Luke 9:49-50, Luke 9:52-55, Mark 13:1-3, Mark 14:32-42, John 19:25-27, Revelation 4:1-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Crucified The Lord Jesus Christ?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Oct 13, 2023

There are many misconceptions in life. A magician with his pet parrot was performing tricks on a cruise ship.

Each night while performing his tricks, he would wave his magic stick and “poof,” something would disappear. However, his parrot kept telling on him saying, • “It's up his sleeve!” • “It's in his pocket!” • “It's in his shoe!” • “It's in his back pocket!" This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:35-42, Matthew 20:20-24

Denomination: Baptist

Christian: What Kind Of Disciple Are You? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 6, 2022

How can we be better disciples? 1. Avoid distractions (vs. 17-21, 23). 2. Accept the difficulties of following Jesus (vs. 22-23). 3. Avoid pointless disputes (vs. 24). 4. Live with Christlike devotion (vs. 25-28).

Christian: What Kind of Disciple Are You? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 20:17-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 6, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 20:17. In this verse of Scripture, Jesus has started His trip to Jerusalem to die on the cross for our sins. And by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Baptist

Service Entrance

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 2, 2023

In God’s kingdom it’s how we handle our everyday lives, not whether or not we make a big splash, that truly matters.

Anybody remember the riots that broke out some years ago when Sony’s PlayStation 3 was scheduled for release? Nearly 400 people in Boston’s Copley Place mall overwhelmed mall security. Nearly a dozen police cruisers responded to the call. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the crowd dispersed when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28, 1 Peter 5:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Serving Like Jesus Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 28, 2024

One of God's major objectives for us is to be conformed into the image of His Son and one of the primary ways God wants us to conform to the likeness of Jesus is in our service. Jesus came to serve and to give and so we must also serve and give.

A. One day a weathy woman was interviewing a prospective butler and asked him, “Are you trained to serve guests?” 1. The prospective butler replied “Yes, ma’am, I have been trained to serve guests both ways.” 2. The woman looked puzzled and asked, “What do you mean both ways?” 3. The prospective ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28, John 13:1-17, Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Believe Following Jesus Means Serving Like Jesus Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Feb 6, 2025

A Servant is Faithful, Available, and Teachable

Good morning! Please open your Bibles to Matthew 20:20-28. Before we begin, let’s pray? [pray] In 1859, three businessmen began work on an express mail service that promised to get messages between Missouri and California in ten days or less—an unheard of speed at the time. They began to build a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Towel And The Throne: Greatness Redefined Series

Contributed by Kory Labbe on Oct 25, 2025

True greatness in God’s Kingdom isn’t found in titles or positions, but in the humility of serving others. Jesus redefined leadership by trading the throne for the towel, showing us that to lead is to love through service.

Introduction: “The CEO with the Mop” Good morning, everyone. It’s great to see you here today. We’re continuing in our “Live” series, where we’ve been looking at what it really means to be different — to live in this world, but not be shaped by it. Each week we’ve seen that following Jesus isn’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

James The Servant And Leader

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 21, 2025

We must expect daily to serve others and do so happily even to death. Jesus will provide the grace to enable our service.

Feast of St. James the Greater (Santiago) July 25, 2025 Today’s psalm is anchored in a particular moment of Israelite history. In 539 BC, King Cyrus of Persia conquered the Neo-Babylonian empire and issued a decree that permitted, even encouraged the people exiled to Babylon to return to Judea and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Matthew 20:20-28, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Catholic

The Kingdom Way – Grace Over Fairness. Matthew 20 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 9, 2025

MATTHEW 20: GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. GOD’s kingdom operates on grace, not human merit. GOD’s grace defies human fairness, greatness is measured by servanthood, and spiritual sight is found in recognizing JESUS.

2025.08.10. Sermon Notes. THE KINGDOM WAY – GRACE OVER FAIRNESS. Matthew 20. GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1 BIG ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational