Category: True Greatness

Mark 9:42-48 (NIV)
⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. ^[44] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. ^[46] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”

Because Jesus radically conquered sin and death on the cross, he has full authority and power over all. He knows our frailty and dealt with our sins, so that we can radically reject what stumbles us from being a part of his kingdom. The greatest commandment means that we love with the whole of who we are – hands, feet, eyes. The path of discipleship and thus greatness lies in his supernatural holiness taking hold of you in overcoming sin so that you fully live in loving God and others.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in response to your holy love, we bring the whole of our lives before you. Thank you for being near to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing to our King with “Holy Forever” by Chris Tomlin (click here).

– CHH

Mark 9:37-41 (NIV)
³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

“Τhe key is that we welcome, love, and serve ‘in his name’… Jesus isn’t limiting his ministry and authority to a certain few. He wants everyone to be a part of his kingdom and to be involved, whether that’s giving a cup of water or doing a miracle. The point is that we’re all in this together ‘in his name’ and that things are actually happening ‘in his name.’” [Adapted from P. Jason Han’s message]

Prayer: Lord, may your Spirit stir in us renewed vision and hope for your kingdom to come. May we take the next step to serve and love in the name of Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s lift up the name of our Lord with “All Praise (Sing Praise)” by Matt Redman (click here).

– CHH

 

Mark 9:36-37 (NIV)
³⁶ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

“What, after all, would ‘greatness’ in God’s kingdom look like? Wouldn’t it mean being the sort of person through whom God’s powerful presence would become real? Wasn’t that what had happened back at the start of chapter 6 when they went out and healed people and announced that God was becoming king? Well, yes. But if you want to know how God’s powerful presence comes most easily into the world, go and welcome a child in Jesus’ name. You will be welcoming Jesus himself – and, by doing so, you will be welcoming ‘the one who sent me’ (verse 37). Here is, as it were, the hot line into the powerful presence of God. It isn’t a matter of senior, seasoned leaders going off with their noses in the air and making it all happen. It’s a matter of the least of all, the servant of all, being the greatest.” [N.T. Wright, Lent for Everyone, 92]

Prayer: God, thank you for welcoming and embracing me when I was lost and helpless. May I grow to embrace your heart for me and others in the fullness of your love and power. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s respond to the Lord’s invitation as we worship with “Hymn of Surrender” by Matt Redman (click here).

– CHH

 

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV)
³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

“The kingdom of God is counterintuitive to how the world works, a reign in which everything is turned on its head, following the character of the God who chooses the younger over the older, who triumphs through the cross, and who manifests his kingship by self-giving love.” [T. Gombis, The Story of God Bible Commentary, 325]

“Jesus is giving them a key kingdom principle: sacrificial love. He himself became last. He didn’t cling on to any status or privilege but took the humble position of a servant. He lived a selfless life and died a selfless death on the cross. Jesus lived what he taught. Look how he’s helping the disciples to see how their understanding of greatness is backwards. They were arguing about being the greatest, but Jesus is telling them that true greatness lies in servanthood.” [Adapted from P. Jason Han’s message]

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may we take the humble position of learning from your example, starting with serving and loving those you have placed in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship with “The Cross Stands” by Worship Central (click here).

– CHH

Let’s read aloud the following scripture and prayer.

Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that there is more for our lives and our churches. Help us to see afresh your everlasting kingdom – how you have authority, glory, and sovereign power over all things. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Let’s sing and give our hearts to the Lord with “Holy Forever” by Chris Tomlin (click here).

– CHH