The Badge Of Discipleship Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

(A). What Jesus knew (vs 1-3)

• Jesus knew about Gods timing (vs 1)

• Jesus knew the truth about Judas (vs 2)

• Jesus knew he had been given Him all things (vs 3)

(B). What Jesus did (vs 4-5).

• Humility acts unannounced (vs 4-5).

• Humility acts without embarrassment (vs 6-8).

• Humility does not play favourites (vs 5&12).

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• A man was wondering what to buy his wife for her birthday;

• When he over heard her say to a friend: "I'd like to be eight again",

• That was all the inspiration he needed:

• On the morning of her Birthday,

• He arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Coco-pops,

• He then took her to Alton Towers theme park. What a day!

• He put her on every ride in the park; the Nemesis and the Oblivion;

• As well as anything else that was fast, high and scary!

• Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park.

• Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.

• He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal;

• With extra fries and a chocolate shake.

• Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a coke, and her favourite sweets,

• What a fabulous adventure!

• Finally they wobbled home and both of them collapsed into bed exhausted.

• The husband leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked;

• 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again?'

• Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed.

• "I meant my dress size, you idiot!"

• TRANSITION:

• Our intentions might be good, but we can sure get things incredibly wrong!

Ill:

• There were two men in the Bible, two followers, disciples of Jesus;

• Who had good intentions, but they sure got things incredibly wrong!

• Their names were James & John; and their nicknames were ‘Sons of Thunder’.

• (Mark chapter 3 verse 17).

• Straight away you have to ask yourself the question;

• How in the world do you end up with a nickname like that!

• James and John were rough-cut guys—amazing, colourful characters.

• They would not back away from a confrontation.

• In fact, they might even have looked forward to one.

• They could be very aggressive. And they also could be very insensitive

• When Jesus spoke of His own impending death,

• When he spoke about how he would be betrayed;

• Mocked, spit upon, scourged, and ultimately killed,

• All they can think about is themselves and James and John blurted out:

• (Mark chapter 10 verse 35-37).

• “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

• Jesus replied: “What do you want me to do for you?”

• And they replied, “Let one of us sit at your right & the other at your left in your glory.”

Ill:

• It is like me telling you I am going to die in the next few days;

• And you respond by saying: “In that case can I have your car!”

• But these two guys just said what they thought.

• And they were just like us: hopelessly human and remarkably unremarkable!

• So for James and John – they wanted to be top dogs,

• They wanted to be number 2 & number 3 to Jesus!

• And they got a shock because Jesus told them that it does not work like that!

• (Mark chapter 10 verse 45):

• “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

• And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all”

James & John and the other disciples had to learn that:

• The way to go up the ladder of success and greatness as a Christian;

• Is always contrary to the world!

• In the Christian life ‘you go up by going down’,

• That is we only become great in God’s estimation when we are found serving others!

• Greatness for the Christian is not measured by what you have;

• Or what you can do.

• It is not measured by who you are; or by where you are in life.

• Greatness for the Christian is more about;

• Why you do and who you do it for.

• In fact Jesus taught greatness flows out of giving not getting.

• And Jesus himself is the greatest example of that:

• He went on to say (Mark chapter 10 verse 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.”