The Towel And The Throne: Greatness Redefined Series

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 about blending in; it’s about standing out — not through pride or perfection, but through love, humility, and grace.

And today, we’re going to talk about one of the clearest ways we can live differently: by serving others. Because when the world says, “Make it about you,” Jesus says, “Give your life away.”

Let’s open our hearts this morning and ask God to help us live that kind of life — a life that reflects Him.

Illustration: A few years ago, there was a story that made its way around social media — not because it was flashy or controversial, but because it showed real humility.

It happened at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Alabama. There had been a heavy rainstorm, and water started flooding the parking lot and seeping toward the doors. Employees were scrambling, trying to keep the restaurant open while cleaning up the mess.

Then a man in khakis and a polo shirt walked in, grabbed a mop, and started pushing water out the door with everyone else. Nobody paid much attention at first — until someone realized who he was. It wasn’t just another worker. It was Dan Cathy, the CEO of Chick-fil-A — a billionaire businessman who could have been anywhere else that night.

But there he was, mopping floors alongside teenagers and cashiers.

Later, when someone asked why he did it, Cathy said simply:

| “IF YOU’RE TOO BIG TO SERVE, YOU’RE TOO SMALL TO LEAD.”

That’s the image I want you to keep in your mind today — a leader with a mop, a Savior with a towel.

That’s the kind of greatness Jesus talks about.

In Matthew 20, two of Jesus’ disciples — James and John — were after positions of honor. They wanted seats of power beside Jesus. But He stopped them in their tracks and said, “That’s not how it works in My Kingdom.”

Because true greatness isn’t measured by how high you climb, but by how low you’re willing to go to serve.

Today we’re going to look at how Jesus redefines greatness — and why real leadership begins with a towel, not a title.

Read Matthew 20:20-21

1) The Wrong Kind of Ambition (vv. 20–21)

Let’s picture the scene.

Jesus has just finished explaining that He’s about to go to Jerusalem — to be mocked, beaten, and crucified.

And right after that sobering moment… James and John’s mother comes up and says,

“Hey, Jesus, when You take Your throne, can my boys sit on Your right and left?”

Talk about awkward timing! I can picture James and Jon hiding their faces, and saying under their breath…ma! Not now! Leave Jesus alone.

It’s like someone interrupting a funeral planning meeting to ask who gets Grandpa’s truck.

Her request was bold, but also very human. She wanted success for her sons.

And honestly, we can relate. We want our kids to succeed — to be recognized, to do well, to have influence.

But sometimes we chase success according to the wrong definition.

Illustration:

In 2019, a group of wealthy parents were caught in the college admissions scandal — paying money to fake their kids’ achievements to get into top schools. They wanted greatness for their children — but they went about it the wrong way.

The world says: “Do whatever it takes to get ahead.”

Jesus says: “Do whatever it takes to serve.”

Biblical Reflection:

This isn’t a new problem.

Even back in the Old Testament, there was a man named Baruch — Jeremiah’s scribe — who wrestled with the same issue.

He was faithful, hardworking, and determined, but when things got difficult, he started to feel overlooked. In Jeremaih 45, God sends him a message

Read Jeremiah 45:1-5

Baruch was Jeremiah’s scribe — faithful, hardworking, and ambitious. But somewhere along the line, his ambition started to shift from serving God to seeking significance. When the weight of his assignment got heavy, he began to complain: “Haven’t I had enough pain already?”

God responds gently but firmly: “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it.”

That’s not because God was against Baruch’s growth — it’s because self-focused ambition can’t coexist with obedience. Baruch wanted to be remembered; God wanted him to be faithful.

So God gives him this promise: “You won’t get everything you hoped for — but I’ll give you your life as a reward.”

In other words, “Baruch, your survival and faithfulness will matter more than your success.”

God’s words to Baruch are clear: “Stop chasing recognition — start trusting Me.” Baruch wanted his name remembered. God wanted his heart aligned. And in the end, God said, “Your faithfulness will be your legacy.”