Only through humility can we come to the cross of Jesus and be rooted in a life of serving others.
Sermon Title: TRUE GREATNESS
Sermon Text: MARK 9:30-37 (ESV)
Sermon Series: THE ROAD TO THE CROSS: FOLLOWING THE SUFFERING KING
By: BRO JEREMY LEONES
Sermon Notes:
Mark 9:30-37 (ESV)
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31for 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.” 32But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. 33And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35And 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.” 36And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
Three Truths About Greatness:
1. True Greatness Begins At The Cross (vv30-31)
Jesus anchors greatness not in status, but in sacrifice.
To follow Jesus’ way of greatness, we begin by surrendering our lives fully at the cross not just in words but in daily discipleship.
2. True Greatness Is Found In Serving Others (vv32-35)
Jesus exemplifies that true greatness is through service in humble obedience to His Father’s will.
Jesus is calling us to a life of obedience to God and service to others in love.
In the kingdom of God, the way up is down, and the greatest is the one who serves.
3. True Greatness Requires Humility (vv36-37)
Humility is not thinking less of ourselves; it’s thinking of ourselves less.
The greatest in the kingdom is the one who humbles himself like a child. There is:
– Openness to learning
– Lack of pride or arrogance
– Trust and dependence
– Sincerity and authenticity
Only through humility can we come to the cross of Jesus and be rooted in a life of serving others.