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St Mary's
Church Almondsbury
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To know God, build up each
other as Christians, and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to our neighbours |
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Home | Services | Mid-week | Children & Youth | Community | Groups | Who's
Who | Gallery | Links | Find Us |
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ÒSpiritual Disciplines for Ordinary PeopleÓ Sermon Series |
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Sermon 5: Practicing servanthood,
finding freedom |
ÔWhoever wishes to be great among you must be
your servantÕ (Matthew
20:27) |
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Serving is Greatness In
this world to be great is to be powerful and to be seen to be powerful. The Bible
teaches the opposite. Greatness comes from serving, not ruling. 1. Sinful Saints. Christians
are redeemed, but still sinful. (v24)
All the other 10 disciples were angry (a violent irritation, like fermenting
of wine) with James and John who had asked for seniority in the Kingdom at
their expense. This shows their hearts were after their own glory. (v20) James and John were two excellent
disciples, the 3rd and 4th disciples to be called and gave
up their family business, but still fell into wrong ambition. Our motivation is often to be honoured and
highly regarded, rather than being obedient to GodÕs call. Achievement
and merit are very difficult to weed out. 2. Servant Saints James
and John had not understood the nature of GodÕs kingdom. It was not about
glory, it was about Ôdrinking ChristÕs cupÕ (v22), that is suffering (his
passion v18-19). Greatness in GodÕs kingdom is not giving orders,
it is being obedient, it is being a slave (v26), Greatness comes from what we
do for each other and for God. We do not serve our own ego, but God. 3. SaviourÕs Service (v28) ÔGave
his life as a ransom for manyÕ. We
might say, ÔDonÕt do as I do; do as I sayÕ. We do not always follow the rules
we set down for others. Jesus
Christ was the front-runner, he led from example. Jesus
leads by example by teaching, healing without material gain. In
particular in his death paying the penalty for our sins. The King was willing
to lay down his life for his people. Almighty God is the Son of Man –
the servant of man. Application The
disciples had come near God and developed a wicked desire to reign. Greatness
comes from function, not status. From accepting suffering and sacrifice. James
and John learnt their lesson. At an early date James was martyred under King
Herod and John was exiled to Patmos (Rev 1:9). How
as a Church can we serve our community – it will cost us. How
is God asking us to serve as individuals? |
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Contact
the Church Office Rev. Philip W. Rowe, Vicar of Almondsbury and
Olveston with Aust |
Email the Website Administrator |
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