Service to the King of Kings - November 15, 2020

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Service to the King of Kings

 

Text: Mark 10:35-45

Thesis: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” (Colossians 3:23)

 

1. The request James and John made of Jesus revealed that they were interested in being served.

“Let one of us sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.”

1. People in general prefer being served.
2. When being served many believe that they have arrived at a place of standing in the community.
3. While serving, many believe that it is undesirable labor. Serving is beneath them.
4. James and John presented Jesus with an egregious request.
5. Jesus had just explained the horrors of his “Journey to the Cross” (vs32-34)
6. The other disciples were indignant.

“When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.” (vs 41)

 

1. Jesus states that our attitude toward serving should be different than the secular world. (vs42-43a)
2. Jesus is not impressed with the leadership style of the so-called rulers of His day.

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers…” 42b)

1. Jesus made it very clear that their leadership style was unacceptable in God’s Kingdom.
2. Jesus was making a distinction between The Kingdom of God and kingdom of this world.

• “May thy Kingdom come, and thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (The Lord’s Prayer)
• Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)
• “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” (John 17:14)

1. “Jesus said, Not so with You.” (43b)

 

III. Jesus proclaimed, “that he did not come to earth to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” (vs45)

1. Jesus came to serve humanity.

“ransom for many”

1. Jesus’ service went to the degree of death.
2. Jesus tells James and John, “You will drink the cup I drink…but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.”

 

“Don’t seek position, let position seek you.” Dr. Charles Strictland

 

1. Jesus found “Joy” in serving.

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

1. Jesus came to do the will of the father.

           “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)

1. Many have found Joy in service-oriented positions.
2. Whatever you do, do it in Jesus’ name.

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." (Mathew 10:42)

1. Never forget the Christian is in “Service to the King of Kings.”