Saved to Serve: How to be Truly Great Matthew 20:20-28 Ed Kuriscak June 12-13, 2021

Introduction:

This is the time of year for graduations. High school and college graduations and celebrations seem especially festive this year, since it all was pretty much curtailed in 2020.

At the United States Air Force Academy outside of Colorado Springs there is an interesting tradition at each year’s graduation. Graduates receive their degrees in order of class rank. If you have the best grade point average for four years, you receive your diploma first. If you have the worst class rank, you receive your diploma last. Can you imagine? It’s both exhilarating and embarrassing, depending on where you fall.

Imagine if we were all lined up before God based on our eternal rank. Who do you think would be first? Who would be last? Where would you stand?

This was very much on the minds of the characters in our Bible passage today. It’s found in Matthew 20:20-28.

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.”

Throughout the centuries, Christians have criticized Mrs. Zebedee for asking Jesus to seat her sons at His right and left. Is that a fair criticism? In fact, Jesus himself was quite understanding. What could be better than a godly mother wanting her sons to be as close to Jesus as they can possibly get? Maybe we can cut her a little slack.

Jesus doesn’t condemn her or even the desire for greatness or the quest for higher rank. 1

He takes this opportunity to explain how to be truly great.

In this era of “Christian celebrity,” what is often mistaken for greatness in our world is the opposite by the standards of heaven.

In fact, at the end of the previous chapter, Jesus is quoted as saying, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Are you ever surprised by who God uses? Have you ever considered the “behind the scenes” people who serve and are used by God? We think it is only the up-front people God uses.

Billy Graham You may know that came to Christ during a meeting conducted by well- known preacher Dr. in Charlotte, N.C., in 1934.

Billy Graham told the story of his conversion in numerous publications, but Dr. Ham’s version adds a few interesting details.

Dr. Ham relates: “Two young high school boys attended our meeting. They thought that everything I said was directed their way; so, they decided to take seats in the choir, where I couldn’t point my finger at them. They didn’t pretend to be singers, but they wanted to be behind me.” This was Billy Graham and his friend Grady Wilson.

Dr. Ham continues, “One night a man spoke to them during the invitation and said, ‘Come on; let’s go up front.’ Billy and Grady both went to the altar. Billy was saved, and his friend Grady dedicated his life to Christian service.”

Who was that faithful servant that spoke to them and encouraged them to respond to the invitation? We don’t know. He is nameless. But his willingness to step out, to speak to these young boys, has eternal consequences no one knows, until we all get to heaven.

Let’s think about that a little more. Who else had a part in Billy Graham coming to Christ? Thousands flocked to hear Dr. Ham preach inside a “tabernacle,” actually a sprawling, ramshackle building with a sawdust groundcover, built especially for the occasion. Those who built that building, spread the sawdust, set up the chairs, and made preparation for the services. Those nameless servants had a part in Billy’s salvation and consequentially every person who came to Christ during Billy Graham’s ministry.

Who in this story was the greatest?

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For those who desire to be truly great for God, Jesus gives us this advice from our scripture passage:

I. Serve with your strengths

Jesus’ first advice is to use our strengths for others. He uses a negative example to get his point across.

Matthew 20:25-26a 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.

It was a common practice in the Roman Empire for people to use authority for selfish purposes. And it is still in practice today, right? These were people with natural strengths, physically, in leadership skills, in their position, and so on. They would use their strengths to get more and to bully people. They enjoyed bossing people around and they felt good when they made others feel badly.

Sound familiar?

This is the employer who likes to keep employees running scared. This is the parent who is always showing the kids who’s the boss. This is the big guy who pushes others around.

This is the person who abuses power and strengths- emotionally, physically, and mentally to build themselves up and tear others down.

Jesus said, in verse 26, It shall not be so among you.

Followers of Jesus Christ use their strength to help not hurt, to build up not tear down, to make others stronger, not weaker.

In simple terms: This is the Christian who has the right of way on the road or in the parking lot but gives it up to let the other car in. This is the Christian who leads from a heart of benefiting others, not building their own kingdom. This is the Christian who doesn’t always have to win the argument. This is the Christian who from a position of strength is always looking to the needs of others rather than themselves.

3 What else does Jesus say in this passage about being truly great for God?

II. Serve with a servant’s heart Matthew 20:26a - But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.

Servants were an important part of the culture during Jesus’ time. Everyone understood what Jesus was talking about.

In 1900, the number one occupation in America was farming, with 51% of the population involved in farming. Second on the list of occupations was “domestic servant.”

In our current culture, the occupation of “servant” has largely disappeared. Most of us have never even met a domestic servant.

Let’s clarify what a “servant” was in Jesus’ time.

A “servant” is defined as a person who is employed to do something for someone else. It usually is to do what others don’t want to do.

Honey Pit In college, I was on a work scholarship. It was a small school, so my tasks were varied, and basically, I was “on call” to take care of lots of different things. One day, we were having issues with the “Honey Pit” – that’s a deceptive name we gave to the septic tank of the aged building.

Apparently, I drew the short straw, because my job was to climb in and hold the pipe together while someone else (with more seniority, I guess), got it working.

I was feeling like a lowly servant. Thinking back, I don’t think my attitude was all that great at the time!

Jesus says our attitude should be “how can I serve others?” “What can I do for someone that they cannot do themselves?”

Another word we can use is “volunteer.” A volunteer is defined as “someone who freely offers to undertake a task.”

In modern affluent America, you might think there would be few volunteers for service. But the statistics are surprising.

4 Peter Drucker, business management guru, saw America’s non-profit sector as the largest employer, with every second adult volunteering time weekly.

Drucker saw volunteerism as essential to the smooth functioning of society, as well as a satisfying way of ensuring that work doesn’t consume your life. Drucker’s recommendation was simple: Find an organization and a cause you believe in—and get to work!

2018 Volunteering in America Report found 77.4M adults volunteered 3.5 hours per week.

Servants at Edgewood –

We’ve replaced the term “volunteer” at Edgewood with “servant,” as a way to remind ourselves this attitude should be a part of everything we do.

This is a “servant” organization. There are a massive amount of good things that occur here on a weekly basis. A huge portion of what gets done at Edgewood is accomplished by volunteers/servants. And it doesn’t all happen in this building. Our Edgewood family is out in the community, serving schools, organizations, and groups.

We have a member who teaches classes to fathers-to-be at Pregnancy Resources.

We have members who serve at Youth Hope, with tutoring and their food pantry.

We have faithful servants who teach children. One of these faithful servants has been teaching children’s Sunday school for 60+ years (need to check). Loretta Reynolds has touched so many lives; we will not know the true impact of her service until eternity. Last Sunday, we were able to launch our Sunday school program for kids at the 9 AM service. And Loretta was there. Ready to love on kids.

Here is a story about someone who was challenged to serve and has touched numerous lives as well.

(Jim Ekblad video testimony)

For all who serve at Edgewood, from what we might consider the least important task to more up-front stuff –thank you. Thank you for being truly great for God because of your service. You are great because whoever would be great among you must be your servant.

What else does Jesus tell us we must do to be truly great for God?

5 III. Serve in the Shadows Matthew 20:27 “and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.”

This is totally opposite of our world’s notion of greatness. We usually think of the greatest person up in front, the person with the most recognition, the person in the spotlight.

But according to Jesus, whoever wants to be great must be like a slave.

During Bible times, slaves lived in the shadows. Their job was to make their masters look good. The master was to be seen, to have his name known.

But slaves were supposed to be invisible. Anonymous.

A consistent theme throughout the Bible is that God chooses people who prefer the shadows for greatness.

Moses – insisted he could not speak. He didn’t want to be the guy up front. He suggested Aaron was better for this job. God took the stuttering, humble, broken man in the shadows and made him a great leader

Saul – a young Jewish man who hid in the baggage when Samuel wanted to anoint him king of Israel. He hid rather than be in the spotlight. God made him King.

David – was anointed as the next king but took a job as a servant to his predecessor, Saul.

John the Baptist – he was the most popular preacher in Israel for a time, but he insisted he step out of the spotlight and into the shadows. He stepped back to point people to Jesus. Jesus said John was the greatest man who ever lived.

John the Apostle – insisted he remain anonymous. Did you know he never calls himself by name in the Gospel of John? He always referred to himself as “the other disciple” or “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” John served in the shadows, anonymously.

Have you ever wondered who will be the most famous people in heaven? Humor me here…I know our value system will be totally different in heaven, but just think about it.

I suspect they will be people we have never heard of before. Humble people. Anonymous people. Servants in the shadows.

Christians who with their life always put Jesus in the spotlight.

6 Men and women who didn’t want anyone to see them or to honor them. Faithful servants who gave the glory to Jesus Christ.

If you want to be great, give the spotlight to Jesus and choose the shadows for yourself.

If you want to be great for God, you need to

IV. Serve like Jesus.

Matthew 20:28 – “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus fourth piece of advice is to be like Him. He refers to himself as the “Son of Man.”

It seems pretty basic that we should want to be like Jesus as Christ followers.

But here, especially, He says we are to be like Him in that He left heaven to become a servant.

This is the story of the Bible:

Jesus was forever the eternal Son of God. He lived in heaven where His every request was granted. He spoke worlds into existence. Angels instantly answered His every desire. Then He took upon Himself human form, to be born in a stable. He grew up simply, in the home of a carpenter. He began His public ministry at age 30. He talked about God on mountainsides and seasides, He touched people who had diseases no one else would touch, and He got down on His knees to wash the dirty feet of ordinary men.

What comparison could we make?

Bill Gates taking a minimum wage job in the computer department of Best Buy? Aaron Rogers working as a ground’s keeper at Lambeau Field? David Platt starting a small church in rural Africa? Josh Groben taking voice lessons from me?

Jesus was the most important person in the universe. He became a servant. He was great!

I personally see this happening at Edgewood – people who are considered important in their field, serving like Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve:

A Retired Moline Director of Parks and Recreation is serving by organizing groups to prepare and serve meals Friday nights at Celebrate Recovery

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A well-known Certified Public Accountant teaches a boy’s Sunday school class weekly.

A retired college Business administrator serving grieving families by organizing and preparing funeral luncheons.

They get it. They know we need to serve like Jesus.

Jesus continues telling His followers how they can be great for God.

V. Serving sacrificially.

Matthew 20:28 – “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus knows sacrifice better than anyone. He tells anyone who wants to be great for God to be ready to sacrifice.

There never has been and never will be anyone greater than Jesus. There never has been and never will be a greater sacrifice than Jesus giving up His life to die on the cross to ransom us sinners from eternal death.

Jesus wants us to know that greatness through service always has a price.

The cost of time – it takes a lot of hours to serve others. The cost of recognition – servants are seldom famous or adequately honored. There are many opportunities to serve which are behind the scenes. The cost of criticism – As a servant, it is sometimes surprising you face criticism. Even the best of servants can be criticized for what they do.

Sacrifice is giving up something you have every right to keep. Jesus had every right to remain in heaven with His Father. But He sacrificed by coming to this earth in the form of a human child. He gave the hours of His life to bring us to God. He lived a life of service and a life where He faced criticism and rejection.

He made the ultimate sacrifice when He willingly went to the cross for us, to take upon Himself the punishment for our sins. He freely gave so we could have a relationship with God, so we could be redeemed and rescued from sin and its consequences.

If you have never established a relationship with God, by accepting what Jesus did for you, today would be a great day for that to happen.

8 God loves you and gave His son so you could be with Him forever in heaven.

Conclusion:

Let’s review Jesus’ advice to His followers on how to be truly great for God: I. Serve with your strengths II. Serve with a servant’s heart III. Serve in the shadows IV. Serve like Jesus V. Serve sacrificially

Only time will reveal the impact of our service.

Henrietta Mears

Henrietta Cornelia Mears was born October 23, in 1890 in Fargo, North Dakota, the seventh child of her parents. Her mother died when she was 20, and her father, a banker, lost most of his money in the Panic of 1893. They resettled in Minneapolis, MN.

Henrietta was troubled by poor health, contracting muscular rheumatism at age 12. She also suffered from bad eyesight her whole life and her doctors advised her not to continue her studies at the University of Minnesota, telling her she would be blind by 30. However, she continued and she graduated and taught chemistry at Central High School.

She attended the First Baptist Church, and began teaching Sunday school. She applied educational standards to the Sunday school lessons she taught.

She traveled to First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, California, after hearing the pastor there speak in Minneapolis. She was offered the position of Christian Education. She led the Sunday school program there from 400 to 6500 per week.

Henrietta Mears was one of the founders of the National Sunday School Association. She founded “Gospel Light,” a publishing company for Sunday school teachers training and teaching materials. (Which we still utilize at Edgewood, by the way).

Henrietta profoundly impacted the ministries of Bill and Vonette Bright (Campus Crusade, now known as Cru), Jim Rayburn (Young Life), and Billy Graham.

Mears is believed by many theologians to have directly shaped ’s “Four Spiritual Laws,” which defined modern in the 20th century.

Henrietta Mears may not be a name many are familiar with – but she knew how to be truly great. She served through faithfully teaching God’s Word. 9

How Can You Serve?

You might be wondering, “But how can I serve?”

We tend to look at others and see their potential to impact others through service, but we struggle with seeing how God can use us.

Did you know you are SHAPED to serve?

S.H.A.P.E. is an acronym that helps us to see that no matter who we are, we can be great for God. God wants to use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

This is what S.H.A.P.E. stands for: S – Spiritual gifts H-Heart A-Abilities P-Personality E-Experiences.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit living inside of you. The Holy Spirit has given each of us certain and specific gifts which are given to us for the purpose of growing God’s church.

Everyone has at least one spiritual gift. God wants us to serve using the gift He has given us. Some examples of spiritual gifts are leadership, encouragement, evangelism, giving, helping, showing mercy, teaching, and others. Use the gift God has given you to serve!

Are you interested in learning more about Spiritual Gifts? There are resources available on RightNow Media, which we make available for free. We call it the “Netflix of Bible Studies” and you can set up your free account on the app or Edgewood website. Two recommended resources are “Who, Me? Gifted? By Michael Youssef or “Gifted for Love” by Matt Chandler.

HEART This represents your desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections. Your heart represents the source of all your motivations – what you love to do and what you care about most. What are you passionate about? This is a good indicator of where you can serve.

ABILITITIES 10 These are the things you are good at. These are our talents, things that come naturally to us. Do you… • Talk to people on elevators or airplanes? • Secretly look forward to doing your taxes? • Organize your closet by color? • Cook food people actually enjoy eating? • Build things which don’t fall down? • Know how to manage money?

These could be clues to your unique abilities you could use to become great for God through serving.

PERSONALITY

There are a lot of descriptions of categories of personality, from letter designations to what animal characteristics are displayed by your personality.

Here is the truth: God selected your personality and there is no one like you.

We need every personality type in ministry! Whether your personality is silly or serious, outgoing or reserved, action oriented or thoughtful and reflective, God will use you to help grow His kingdom if you let him.

EXPERIENCE Finally, God wants you to use your experiences to serve Him. The good, the bad, and the ugly can all be used in God’s hands to impact and serve others. God never wastes a hurt-- some of the most impactful ministry you will be able to do in your life will come from God redeeming your most painful hurts.

So, how can we be truly great?

By serving the way Jesus did.

Conclusion

I want to close with an illustration of baseball’s most memorable moments. Dave Runyon, author of The Art of Neighboring, shares this story:

On September 6, 1995, at Camden Yards in Baltimore, the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels played an unforgettable game. The sellout crowd in Baltimore and the

11 millions of people who saw the game live on television had the opportunity to witness one of the truly great achievements in the history of sports.

On that night, Cal Ripken, Jr. played in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking one of the most unattainable records in baseball history—Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive games played.

When it became official after the 5th inning, the crowd cheered for Ripken for 22 straight minutes. With 46 thousand fans screaming themselves hoarse and some wiping away the tears, Ripken ran the warning track at Camden Yards.

What did Cal Ripken do to achieve this? For fourteen straight years, he played in every single game of every single season.

He simply showed up and did his job. Even during injuries, hitting droughts, and discouragement, he was committed to the small things…Just being there.

In serving, and becoming great for God, it’s often the small things that count. So, serve faithfully, the way God has shaped you, focusing faithfully on the small things day in and day out.

To quote Dave Runyon, “Just share what you love to do. Make small steps. Give the little you have and watch God do a miracle.”

Let’s go out into our neighborhoods, our communities, our workplaces, and our world and be great for God.

Pray

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