012923...“True Kingdom Greatness”...Mark 9:33-42
Mark 9:30-32...“They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And He did not want anyone to know, because He was teaching His disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed 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”

Sermon In A Sentence:True greatness in Jesus’ kingdom is about living a life of godly ambition to be seen of God rather than.

Defining “Ambition” ...“A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work”

Mark 9:33-35...“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 twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’”

We Display True Greatness In Jesus’ Kingdom:
-By our godly ambition to serve others (v.34-35)
-By our godly ambition to serve children (vs.36-37,42)
-By our grace extended toward brothers who don’t follow us (vs. 38-41)

Philippians 2:3...“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Romans 15:20...“…I make it my ambition to preach the gospel…”

Mark 9:36-37...“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.’

Mark 9:36-37; 42
-v. 36-37 “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.’
-v.42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea”

Matthew 18:2-4...“Then Jesus called a child to Him and had him stand among them. ‘I assure you,’ He said, ‘unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child— this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”

Malachi 2:15...“Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are His. And what does He want? Godly children from your union.” (NLT)

Mark 9:38-41...“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”

1 Corinthians 12:3...“No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 4:5...“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God”