Kingdom Greatness

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 20: 17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the theme of greatness in the kingdom of heaven as discussed in Matthew chapter 20. Jesus challenges the disciples’ understanding of greatness by emphasizing servanthood and humility. The narrative unfolds with Jesus foretelling his impending suffering and crucifixion, followed by a request from the mother of James and John for her sons to have positions of honor in Jesus’ kingdom. This leads to a discussion on the contrast between worldly power dynamics and the servant leadership model advocated by Jesus. The sermon underscores the transformative nature of embracing humility and selfless service in the kingdom of God.

Key Points:

• Jesus challenges the disciples’ perception of greatness by emphasizing servanthood and humility.
• The narrative highlights the contrast between worldly power dynamics and the servant leadership model advocated by Jesus.
• The disciples’ desire for positions of honor in Jesus’ kingdom is met with a call to embrace selflessness and humility.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 20:17-28

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The speaker humorously reflects on common parental sayings and personal experiences to illustrate the challenge of changing ingrained habits and thought patterns.

Key Quotes:

• “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.”
• “In Christ’s kingdom, there is no using Jesus. There is no using servanthood. There is no using the Bible to get what you want.”

Themes:

• Greatness redefined: Jesus challenges conventional notions of greatness by emphasizing servanthood and humility.
• Worldly power vs. servant leadership: The sermon contrasts the self-serving nature of worldly power dynamics with the selfless servant leadership modeled by Jesus.
• Transformation through humility: Embracing humility and selfless service leads to a transformative journey in the kingdom of God.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the concept of servant leadership differ from traditional leadership models, and why is it emphasized in the context of Jesus’ teachings?
2. Reflect on a time when you struggled with pride or selfish ambition. How can embracing humility and servanthood align with Christ’s teachings in your daily life?
3. In what ways can we actively cultivate a mindset of selfless service and humility within our communities, workplaces, and families?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The metaphor of drinking the cup symbolizes accepting suffering and sacrificial service, as exemplified by Jesus’ impending crucifixion.
• The contrast between worldly rulers lording over others and Jesus’ call to be servants and slaves highlights the radical shift in perspective required in embracing humility and selflessness.