How to Be Great in God's Kingdom | Mark 9:30-37 | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Series)

What a blessing. What a blessing indeed. And what a joy last week's service was. Would you agree if you were able to be here for the baptisms? And if you were with us, you hopefully remember that we discussed briefly about the greatness of God.

The greatness of God. Not in a complete or exhaustive way, of course. We just skim the surface of his supremacy as we meditated on the God the God the God of all comfort. But even though we're returning back to Mark, we can still keep that theme in mind because we will continue to behold the greatness of God, the glories of God in the person of Jesus Christ. And the Lord Jesus Christ, where we're at today, who just finished teaching his disciples about the necessity of depending on God through prayer, exercising your faith in that privilege of supplication, is now going to continue to give his attention to these disciples and teach them more very important things.

In fact, what we're gonna see is these interactions, these intimate interactions become more common as Jesus increasingly distances himself from public ministry in order to disciple his own in preparation for his near departure. That's what the Lord is doing as he is now ready to make way to Jerusalem in order to do what he came to do for the world. And the text that we're going to read today, I've read it over and over this week, and the one dominant thought that came to mind and warmed my heart was the obvious observation of the strong and enduring patience of Jesus. You just look here and you realize, and you're gonna realize that I hope today, the the considerate and the careful and the constant patience of Christ as he coaches his disciples. You know why that's comforting?

It's comforting because the attitude that the Lord has toward his 12 here is the attitude that you can expect for yourself as you follow him. And the example that Jesus presents us in dealing with his 12 disciples who were very slow in understanding things, very stubborn even in their slowness, Christ presents us a model, lest we succumb to the temptation of becoming wearied by the slowness and the dullness of others around us. And so my prayer is that you would leave with that impression in your soul just to be swept up by the steadfastness of Christ. And more than that, to also be impressed by the very truths that he is patiently trying to instill in the hearts and minds of his 12 disciples. And so we're gonna read today in Mark chapter nine beginning in verse 30.

And if you wanna take anything away from this message today, it is this, how to be great in God's kingdom. How to be great in God's kingdom. Jesus is gonna qualify what true greatness is in his kingdom. And these disciples were very very much excited and invested in their greatness. And we're gonna see how the Lord teaches them about that.

Let's look at verse 30. They went on from there and passed through Galilee, and he did not want anyone to know for he was teaching his disciples saying to them, the son of man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise. But they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum.

And when he was in the house, he asked them, what were you discussing on the way? But they kept silent. For on the way, they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the 12, and he said to them, if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives not me, but him who sent me.

Let's pray. It is our sincere prayer, oh Lord, that the Holy Spirit would help us today. Help us, Lord, be who you want us to be. Help everyone here to see Jesus. We want to see Jesus.

In Jesus' name, amen. This is now the second time. The second time that Jesus in great detail and emphasis turns to his disciples and tells him about his coming death. He wants them to know what's about to happen. And so this is the second time.

It won't be the last time. And the details are very similar to the initial moment that he had introduced this to them. But what's amazing is how Luke, who parallels the same account, gives an extra detail of Jesus' teaching of what we just read in the opening verses of this message. So turn with me Luke chapter nine very quickly and look here at verse 44. In Luke nine forty four, and notice what the physician by the spirit adds that is rich with instruction.

Luke nine forty four. Here's how Jesus opens this teaching, the same teaching that we just read. Let these words sink into your ears. The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. That phrase is profound.

Let these words sink into your ears. You know, when a preacher says, pay careful attention. Listen to what I'm about to say. That's what Jesus is doing here. But what does this mean exactly?

To let the words of Christ to sink into one's ears implies that we are to take his words and to set them in a certain way, to put them in a certain place. The charge that he is making here is that when you hear what Christ has to say, you must be careful to assess it and you must be careful to evaluate it. Unfortunately, what tends to happen, and God forbid that it is happening as I am speaking now, That the words of Jesus skip over our ears like a rock on a calm face of water instead of sinking deep within. And what this tells me here is that you and I have the responsibility to let the words of Jesus sink into our ears. And what that essentially implies is that if we're gonna truly benefit from the words of Christ, you and I have a duty to receive his words cautiously and to receive it attentively.

Revelation does not come to those who are in a rush. Yeah? We want everything in a rush. Revelation doesn't come to those who are hasty. Revelation doesn't come to those who do not have the discipline to shoo away distractions.

True reward when it comes to insights concerning the spirit, concerning our faith, comes to those who make an effort to let the words of Christ sink into your ears. You know what it means to have the words of Christ sink into your ears? It means you have to think about the words of Christ. For them to sink, you have to think. And you have to think about what?

You gotta think about its meaning. You gotta think about how that truth that you just heard, the truth that you're about to hear this afternoon, how does that truth relate to other truths that I know? How does this truth either confirm or deny other things that I believe wholeheartedly? What are the applications of this truth? What what is it that Jesus is saying here in Mark nine thirty down, what does this mean for me?

What are the implications of that truth? That's how you let the words of Christ sink into your ears. It's to audibly in a sense, chew on the words of Jesus. Did the disciples do that this time? Did they let the words of Christ sink into their ears?

We're gonna find out if that's true, but one thing that is first for certain at this point is that their reaction to Jesus' teaching about his death and resurrection was much different than the initial interaction they had with it. You remember what happened early in Mark chapter eight when Jesus, after Peter had that amazing revelation of Christ being the Messiah, Jesus being the Christ. And Jesus, from there, goes on to elaborate about what it means for him to be Messiah, that he's going to also suffer. What does Peter do? He foolishly rebukes him.

But this time, there is no hostile reaction. Right? There is no retaliation. There is no argument. There is no debate.

What you and I read here in verse 32 is quite interesting. But they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him. They're afraid to ask him. Afraid of what? Why are they fearful?

Could it be that in asking questions, follow-up inquiries that they would prove their ignorance further? Could it be that including Peter, maybe more Peter than anybody else, in asking a question, they might receive another rebuke? Or could it be that this was a defense mechanism? And then in refusing to ask further clarification, they're essentially not wanting what Jesus said to be true. In other words, they don't want to entertain what Jesus just taught because they don't want to confirm what he just said to actually be what he said it would be.

I believe that these disciples are very uncomfortable to pursue this further because they don't wanna be proven wrong. And that makes sense, doesn't it? Because they had a perception of the Messiah so ingrained that they were so stuck on. And here's Jesus now presenting a different picture of the fate of this Messiah. Not interested.

And they were fearful. They were distressed. They were disturbed by this, and so they just wanted to cancel it. They wanted to remain in ignorance gladly. And I looked at it and I thought to myself, you know, there are many today who are experiencing spiritual paralysis for the very same reason that these disciples are.

And maybe that's you today. Ask yourself this question. Do you refuse to put yourself on the path of an honest investigation of your belief system? Because you have adhered to something for so long and those beliefs have shaped your convictions and your outlook for years. Have you ever have you ever been confronted by a a truth claim and its veracity demanded you to abandon something that you've believed, the worldview that you've had since as early as you can remember.

Something that's almost intrinsic to your reality. A reality that, you have cozied up to and has provided a sense of security because of familiarity. And whenever anybody, or an idea, or a sermon, or a conversation, or a blog, or an article, or even your own reading of the scriptures has challenged that belief, you you defend it. You defend it because it would cost you too much to believe it. What you see here is the disciples doing just that.

And I'm not just speaking about those with alien beliefs. That's even true for those who are within Christendom. People who have held on to certain doctrines and traditions, maybe even generationally. And they see something that's so clear in the word of God, they heard it expounded to them and they just they they are afraid to embrace it. And perhaps there are some people who in embracing that know that they will forfeit a membership in some denominational club.

Or some circle or some arena of fellowship where your friends and family are supremely loyal to. In some sense, the fear that the disciples are experiencing here is not just out of ignorance, it's a stubbornness within their ignorance. They wanna hold on to what they believe to be true about the Messiah. They don't wanna let it go. And listen to me very carefully, there are some people who will not pursue truth, who will not accept truth for one simple reason, they don't want it to be true.

They don't want it to be true. I can't tell you that now, Peter, if you people who are in different, expressions of Christianity and you present the Bible to them, you've probably had those conversations and the Bible has no authority. Because they're they're comfortable where they're at. That goes for traditions within evangelicalism. That goes for secondary and other kind of doctrines within those who are protestants even.

If you and I wanna know what it means to be in truth, if you wanna know how you can be protected from any form of deception, here's what you and I have to endeavor to do. It's very simple. Love the truth. Love the truth. What did Paul prophesy concerning the last days?

That there is gonna be a strong deception that's gonna permeate the earth, and it will capture those who do one thing, who refuse to love the truth, Who refuse to love the truth. And if that's true negatively, then see it positively. That if you love the truth, if you want the truth no matter what, if you wanna be in the light as much as possible, then you have created for yourself a shield from great deception. Love the truth no matter what it means for you, no matter what it'll demand from you, no matter if it shakes your world. I'd rather be in the truth than anything else.

These disciples at this point in their walk with the Lord can't really embrace that. And it might be frustrating, but let your frustration be met with comfort because you see the patience of the Lord with these men. How profoundly touching that Jesus, in more than one attempt, tries to get this across and Jesus, the one who's never spoken a lie. There's no deceit found in his mouth. Everything that he has ever said was purely and perfectly true.

And these guys don't wanna embrace it. They don't wanna accept it. And what does the Lord do? He doesn't kick him to the curb and say, you know what? You guys are you guys are exhausting.

He endures. He sits down and he brings them clothes. What a master. What a friend. And yes, he is giving us another reason to adore him, but he's also giving us an example because you and I, even as believers who who have the truth and love the truth and pursue the truth, are also called to a level of forbearance and steadfastness with others who are wrestling with what to believe with.

One of the most challenging verses about that is found in second Timothy four two where Paul tells Timothy how to be a preacher. Preach the word in season and out of season. That's important for us to understand. No matter how crazy politics get, right, no matter what conspiracies are out there in season, out of season, what must the church do? Preach the word.

The word. Preach the word. Yes. Give biblical answers and clarification to current events, but don't let the substance of what you have to see say be void of the word. And then he goes on to say how the word should be preached.

And he says, at the end of it, with complete patience and teaching. Why would Paul have to tell Timothy with complete patience? You know why? Because people don't get it right away. As fiery as you might preach it, as simple and as slow as you might deliver it, You need patience, Timothy.

Believers, we need patience too. You need patience with your children. You need patience with your spouse. You need patience with your cousin. You need patience with your coworkers because the heart is is a very stubborn thing.

The word can overcome it but there is a realistic application to that and how we'd be changed by the word of God. And so these disciples are afraid. And notice what happens here. If if you are moved by the patience of the Lord at this moment, it only gets better and gets more impressive. In verse 33, and they came to Capernaum so they left Galilee.

Now they're going to Capernaum. They found themselves in a home and it's believed to be Peter's house. He lived in Capernaum. They enter into this home and Jesus turns to his 12 companions and he asked them the question, hey guys, what were you talking about on the way? We know this by Jesus.

Right? Jesus is not ignorant here. He's not in the dark. He's not asking for information. He knows very well what they were talking about.

And if you have any doubt about that, then let me read to you Luke nine, the same passage that we read from earlier in verse 47. Notice what Luke says about Jesus in this moment. In Luke nine forty seven, but Jesus knowing the reasoning of their hearts. He already knows. He doesn't just know what they're saying with their lips, he knows what's in their hearts.

Knowing the reasoning of their hearts took a child and put him by his side. And so the Lord is aware. He's just giving the invitation to his disciples to come into the light and to be honest with him. And so Jesus asked them, what were you discussing on the way? And the the the reaction of the disciples is quite telling.

Verse 34, but they kept silence for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. So the Lord looks and he says, hey boys, from Galilee to here, what were you guys arguing about? What were you guys discussing? And the air was sucked out of the room. And these disciples just stood still.

Why? Why were they silent? Because they're embarrassed. This was a shameful silence. So shameful that they didn't wanna even open up about it.

And there is a shining jewel tucked into that one little truth. Just just this this one historical brief moment, you see something that is universal and timeless. Notice the reaction of disciples. Right? When they clued in that Jesus was aware of their conversation, their attitude about the very thing that they were discussing completely changed.

In other words, when they were among themselves and they thought perhaps they were at a distance with Christ and from Christ, they were passionate about who was the greatest. They were very much consumed and even combative about who is going to be of greatest prestige and status in the coming kingdom. And when Jesus found out or actually is about to let him know as well that he found out, the very thing that they were so bold and courageous for is now something that they're shrinking in shame about. You know what that means? Here's what that means.

The awareness of Christ changed the attitude of these disciples. And when you and I believe that Jesus Christ pay very close attention let these words sink into your ears. When you and I live with the acknowledgment that Jesus Christ presence in our lives is uninterrupted and persistent and knowledgeable, that's gonna change us. That's gonna change you. Yeah?

How you talk, what you watch, what you listen to, what you converse, how you search, how you treat. Those things will be gloriously altered when you and I make the effort to believe, like the psalmist who said, you search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all of my ways. Do you see what the active presence of Jesus did to these disciples? When they did not acknowledge his presence and probably didn't even believe that he was aware, they were fighting with each other. When Jesus asked, what were you guys doing?

Do you wanna know steadfastness in your sanctification? I'll give you a simple, dare I say, Sunday school like principle and application. Here it is. Whatever you do, ask Jesus if he likes it. That's it.

Ask Jesus if he would be pleased with it. You will know growth. You will know strength. You will know a level of integrity and commitment. Just ask the Lord.

Lord, do you delight in this? Brothers and sisters, please be holy. Be holy. See Christ in a relational way. Love him in everything that you do.

Honor him. He's acquainted with your ways. For some people, that's a very fearful thought. That's unfortunate. For me, it's a reminder that I have a love relationship with the savior.

And though I may not perceive with my eyes or with my touch or with my ears, I believe that he sees and knows. And that's enough for me to say, Lord, every step that I take, I want you to be happy. A lot of believers would get free from a lot of trouble if they live like that. But unfortunately, Jesus to some is just a doctrine. He's just a theology.

No. He's a friend, and he's close, and he can be commune with, and he can communicate with you. The acknowledgment of the presence of Christ altered something in these disciples. It would do us good to acknowledge Christ as well. He is worthy.

They had argued with one another about who was the greatest. This almost seems comical. Who does that? When was the last time you had a lunch with friends or family, talked about who's the best? Best at what?

Greatest at what? Well, it makes more sense when you understand what these disciples lived for. They abandoned everything to follow this messiah because this leader, this rabbi showed great promising signs that he was indeed the conquering Messiah that they were awaiting. And they, on top of that know, not only do we believe that this is the Messiah, we believe that we are the chosen ones. We are the closest ones to this Messiah.

And so, you can imagine. Right? Here's this King, his coming kingdom, we're closest to him, but there's 12 of us. And so, let's determine here who is going to win. The best seat, the greatest authority, to be the closest associate, to know the greatest accolades and privilege and status in this kingdom, that is what they're debating about.

And if you need proof of that, look at Mark ten thirty six, just a chapter later, because unfortunately this is not the only time they're gonna have this debate. In Mark ten thirty six thirty seven, a couple of men, the brothers James and John, thought, you know what? Why are we gonna debate about this? Let's just go straight to the source. And so they go to Jesus and they ask him for something in verse 36.

And he said to them, what do you want me to do for you? In verse 37, and they said to him, grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory. So this is this is what's in their hearts. Lord, when you come give us the best seats in the house. Give us the most glistening chairs, the heaviest crowns.

And Jesus perceives this and what makes it even more unpleasant is back in Mark nine when they are having this debate, they did it immediately after they learned about Jesus dying. They did it immediately after Jesus told them about his humiliation. I, the Messiah, I'm going to die, I'm going to suffer. Yes, I'm going to rise, but I'm gonna be handed over to evil men. And they were afraid to ask, they didn't understand, they didn't let the words of Christ sing into their ears, and then they make their way to Capernaum and here's what they're talking about.

I'm I'm gonna I'm gonna win it. I'm gonna get it. He loves me more than you. He invited me to that event. He didn't invite you to that event.

How do you do that after you hear Jesus open his heart about his passion? And be very careful criticizing these disciples because in my desire to criticize them, I realize that what they are doing here is often what happens to believers from Sunday to Monday. Right? A truth is given that is undeniably applicable and it almost becomes totally irrelevant by the evening. What a painful reminder of these disciples of how quickly we can lose sight of Christ and become so self absorbed.

We can hear profound truths about his service, his humility, his glory, his commands, and like these followers of his, make it about us and be so consumed with ourselves by Monday morning. How does that happen? You know what most people would say? Human nature. It's human nature.

It's okay. Listen. I know human nature. We can't blame everything on human nature. Okay?

You know why? Because you are a new creation. That's why. Human nature. I know it's human nature.

But what are we? Are we stuck here? That's it? So let okay. Let's just blame everything on human nature.

No. I'll tell you why these disciples did this, because they didn't let the words of Christ sink into their ears. That's it. This, amnesia is a symptom of our unwillingness to take the words of Christ seriously. And, unfortunately, this is not gonna be the first time that it's gonna happen because this is really the symptom, the fruit of a root, and that root is pride.

And that root of pride will not be immediately removed. And if you read carefully, the pride in the disciples here in this verse is actually showing the very effects of pride in the same verse. Look back at verse 34. But they kept silent for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. They had argued with one another.

Here's the lesson for us from this one verse. Pride will always produce disunity. Pride will always produce disunity. Pride will make brothers and partners into enemies. And here's the lesson for us as a church family.

If followers of Christ within a community are driven by self exaltation, then strife and division is just around the corner. It's just around the corner. Guaranteed. That's not a prophecy. When I sense my heart justifying self promotion, self importance, my needs and my desire above all else, the satisfaction of my dreams and my goals at the expense of others.

What we see here is is bound to happen. Whether that's your friend group or whether that's a congregation. And it's it's devastating to even think about that the enemy only needs a heart that thinks of self above all else to do damage to a body of people. And as devastating as that thought is, it's especially devastating here because you are talking about the 12 apostles who are going to be used to lay the foundation of the church. And already they're they're getting at each other's necks, arguing about this stuff.

And so the Lord obviously knows the danger of this, and so he's going to address it immediately, which is good practice for all of us because you and I should, the moment we we sense our hearts being inflamed, bloating in this area of pride, go to war with it right away. Just kill it in its seed form. And one of the darts that you can use to shoot against this very ugly thing is the very truth that Jesus is about to present here. And what is that truth? Well, let's see it.

Verse 35, he sat down and called the 12. And he said to them, if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. Here's the Lord. He understands the threat of this pride because the deterioration of relationship is destined to take place when any party is poisoned by pride. And so the Lord wants to now remove that pride.

He wants to suck it out. And it's gonna only happen through the force of a truth that comes from him. And here's the truth that he brings to the disciples. You wanna be great? You wanna pursue greatness in my kingdom?

Let me show you how the king qualifies greatness. Let me explain to you what you must do in terms of your ambition to be significant in my world. And he says two things. If anyone would be first, he must be one last of all. Two servant of all.

And you can't separate those two things really. What does it mean to be last of all? What does it mean for Jesus to say you must be last of all? Well, it's simple. Your pursuit for prominence and praise is totally forsaken.

You're not looking for first place. You're not looking to be the primary object of people's respect and love and appreciation. That's not what you're doing. You wanna be first in my kingdom? Seek to be last.

Seek to do something with no expectation of something in return. Be last. The same way in last place I mean, these days you give rewards for everybody, even those in last place. There was a time where if you were last, you didn't get anything. Now everybody gets something.

You're in last place. What happens in last place? Well, you don't get to step on the highest platform and you don't get the shiniest medal. Be last. You wanna be great?

Look for last place. This is so countercultural. And on top of that, don't just be last place, be a servant. Now, he could have said be a servant. And our hearts are so clever, we know what we can even do with that and make it about ourselves.

No. He says, be servant of all. Of all. And he's going to explain what he means by that. And I'll give you a heads up.

What he means by being servant of all is just really emphasizing what I just said. Seek to serve people including the people that can't give anything in return. Church, this is incredible. This is what Jesus measures as greatness in the kingdom. What comes to your mind when you think of spiritual greatness?

Revivalist. Those who have a supernatural ability to expound and explain scriptures, profound prayer life, the missionary who has seen miracle be worked through their hands, the author, the conference what's greatness in spirituality according to Christ? You know what it is? Being a servant of all. That challenges us, doesn't it?

Well, that's the point. And the Lord loves to use illustrations to get his point across, so he's going to use a very real illustration. Here he is in a home, most likely Peter's home, and he finds a child. Maybe one of Peter's children. And we're told that he brings this child into his arms, and he sets this child in front of the disciples.

And now he qualifies what he means by being last of all and servant of all. Verse 36, and he took a child and put him in the midst of them and taking him in his arms, he said to them, whoever receives one such child in my name receives me. And whoever receives me receives not me, but him who sent me. What is the Lord trying to say here? So he brings this child as a analogy.

He brings this child as, again, an illustration. And think about children, they can be overlooked in so many ways. In so many ways. Yes, they can be cared for, but they can also be overlooked. Because we look at children and we think, well, they don't offer much in terms of conversation, at least serious conversation.

They don't offer much in terms of participation and significant functions. And all of us are aware that the nature of a child is weak and dependent and so when we have a certain responsibility to invest in those children, there is nothing that crosses our mind, I hope, that you're gonna expect some return on this investment. They have nothing to give back. They are so vulnerable and needy that at that stage in their life they can only take and they need what you have to offer. And what Jesus is saying here is not, if you wanna be great, it means be a servant.

So then, you know, serve in the Sunday school ministry with the kids. That's not what he's saying. It can include, yes, looking after children. Absolutely. But again, this is an analogy.

The vulnerability of a child, the status of a child, the lack of power and significance, worldly speaking, in a child can also be understood for some of the children of God. That there are some believers who are also like that. They haven't accomplished much. They don't have an impressive resume. They don't have significant intelligence or education.

They're not famous. More than that, they might not have even the most impressive personality. And what the Lord is saying is this, to embrace this child is a representation of our call to be willing to embrace and receive the lowliest among the children of God. Those who, again, don't have any achievements. Those, again, who in a crowd, they tend to disappear, not stand out when they walk into a room.

When Jesus speaking on being a servant of all, he wants us to understand that these are the people that I want you to serve. These are the kinds of people that I want you to give intentional attention to. Come on, church. What do we want? We wanna be great in the kingdom of God.

Right? Well, this is what it looks like. And so the main point of the Lord is this, you as a servant of all, if you want to actually make that in your ambition, then you'll be willing to give your attention to those who have no affluence, no status. I'm talking about the shy one. I'm talking about the poorly dressed one.

I'm talking about the one who doesn't have anything to give you. Do you know why? Because this is how evil our hearts are, man. Our hearts are so corrupt that we are willing to go above and beyond, but we tend to make our targets clear. Right?

I'll go above and beyond. I'll make extra time. I'll do certain things because so and so might give me an opportunity. I can see a potential partnership here. They have something that I can see.

Maybe maybe they can open up my world that they're they're very known, that maybe there's networking that's available through them. Or it can be as simple as this person really entertains me. And so they have something to offer and so we determine where our service goes, where our attention and our attendance will be targeted towards those who might be able to give something back. That's not what it means to be a servant of all. That's why Jesus brings a child.

He says, I want you to look after these ones in my kingdom. And when I see you going after these ones, then you will be great in my kingdom. And he he gives extra motivation just in case that wasn't enough. He says what? Whoever receives one such child in my name receives who?

Me. Receives me. I remember I told you earlier that if there's anything that would straighten us, it's to acknowledge the presence of Christ in all things. Right? In all ways, in all activities, in all places.

And here's another thing to add now. If you wanna now go beyond that and achieve greatness, see Jesus in everyone. More importantly, how you and I go about treating those who seem insignificant or unimpressive is actually how we treat Christ according to Jesus. That's what he said. When you receive someone like this, you're actually receiving me.

Lord, open our eyes to see as you see. Open our eyes to see how you want us to see. You actually receive me. And you go to Matthew 18, he elaborates on what that means because this is the exciting part. Right?

I mean, you're telling me, Lord, that if I if I look after these ones, if I if I give time to these ones, if I serve these ones, I'm actually serving you. Yes. And then there's actually a warning with that same truth. Let me give it to you in Matthew 18 verse five. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

That's what we just heard, but look at this in verse six. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. The analogy of children for those in the kingdom of God is still continuing here. He's not just speaking about little children physically. He's speaking about little children spiritually.

Those in my church who are humble, those who my in my church who are weak, who are vulnerable, and this is the warning, because this is how closely associated the children of God are to God himself. If anybody intentionally persuades one of these little children that belong to God into sin and away from the will of God, it's better to suffer a horrific death. Not my words. I'm just the messenger. I'm just giving the message.

That's what Jesus says. To to be in a conniving and manipulative way, pulling somebody away from their walk with the Lord is dangerous. It's really dangerous. And this needs to be heralded for wolves who come into the church because they know that they can take advantage of Christians who have been called to love and sacrifice and to give people a chance. That's why Jesus gives this kind of strong warning because there are those who don't care.

And instead of being moved to repentance through the light and love of God's people, they see it as an opportunity to take advantage to satisfy themselves. And Jesus says it's better to take a giant rock, tie it around your neck, jump off a bridge into the heart of the ocean than to do that. Why? Because that Christian is God's child. And that Christian doesn't just belong to Jesus.

Jesus lives in him. Jesus lives in her. Thank God for the gift of repentance. That no matter what we've done, we can come to him and he is willing to forgive and cleanse us and wash us. He's even willing to receive a false teacher who was broken about their false teaching and all the damage that they've done to the kingdom of God.

He is willing even to receive such a one. That is the mercy of God and the patience of God even for sinners, not just his disciples. I'm challenged today. Challenged early this morning. Because like the disciples, we can hear something that's be moved by it, but return to that same way of thinking.

That true greatness looks like this and true greatness looks like that. You know what Jesus is saying? You know what true greatness is to me? You taking two hours of your time during the week to call somebody from the church who has difficulty interacting with others because of insecurities and having lunch with them. That's true greatness.

It's you willing to go above and beyond for the one who struggles in different ways. It may seem like a burden or may seem like they draw strength away from you, don't give anything in return. That person, when you do even something small, that's greatness to me. Isn't that isn't that amazing? So I don't have to go to seminary?

No. You don't have to go to seminary for different reasons. So I don't have to be this order and this eloquent, passionate presenter. No. Just be a servant of all.

Will the disciples get it? No. But we can learn from that. We can get it. We can let the words of Christ sink into our ears.

I hope more than anything else, this would motivate you to realize that that goal of acknowledgment and commendation from Christ is just before you. You can reach out and it's right there. You don't need the following. You don't need the channel. You don't need the accolades.

You just need to find some people to serve. Lord, we thank you that all of us can achieve this no matter who we are. Thank you for the reminder, father. Thank you, lord, that you desire us to put what we believe into action. Help us do that.

We pray that the words of Christ would sink into our ears, and may that birth in us a fresh motivation to say, I wanna serve. I wanna serve God's people. Lord, show me who to serve. Show me how to how to be who you want me to be. And, Lord, we just ask that even today, this this church, if it would be competitive in anything, it would be a competitive church in the place of service.

Not for self exaltation, not to be the most liked and the most popular, but to be last place. Would you help us engrave that ambition in our hearts? And would it get into our blood and maybe lived out with your power? Lord, we thank you for being so patient with the disciples. Indeed, you are patient with us.

Even if we we don't get it. You will still fight for us. Sit with us and teach us. Help us, Lord, leaving this place to live with a growing sense of your immediate presence. We wanna walk with you in this life.

We wanna know communion with you in the most intimate way possible. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Let's stand and worship the Lord together.