Serving in Greatness

Preached by Brother Diony Espiritu

Mark 10:35-52

The Request of James and John

35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

36"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

37They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

38"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

39"We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

49Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

52"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Many Christians today do not get what they are praying for because they do not know what they are asking for.

Story:
There was one time when Marites (Brother Diony's daughter) got sick with fever. When she was recovering and all covered up, the rain was pouring outside. She saw other kids playing in the rain then she asked her father (Brother Diony) if she could go out and play in the rain, too.

If you are the only Christian in the family, you must be a blessing.

John 3:16-17
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

This is not an excuse ~> Let them be because they could not understand us because they are not in the LORD.

We, Christians, should be the ones to understand because we are the ones who are in CHRIST JESUS. That they might see CHRIST in us.

Our ability is to draw them nearer to JESUS. We don't have the ability to change them (their hearts or their lives).

It is not our timing but GOD's Timing.

GOD found you. It is not you who found GOD because we were the lost.

Human heart is a creation of GOD Himself so it is only reserved for HIM.

Many are transformed but do not follow JESUS.

Story:
People of long ago wear cloaks whenever they have a dirty living or considered sick/ill. But Bartimaeus threw his cloak.

The cloak is the symbol of sin, weaknesses and hindrances.

We should throw our cloaks in order to have GOD cleanse us in every way we desire HIM to.

Let us not be hindrances like the many who rebuked Bartimaeus. Let us be cleansed first before we can draw others to GOD. Let us not be selfish wanting to be the ones to have the Salvation. James and John wanted to be beside JESUS. But JESUS said...

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Serving comes first before greatness.

Testimony:
This is not my testimony but a testimony of Ernie Babaran. An Executive Chef here in the Philippines. Ernie started as a commis in the culinary world. A commis is the one who cleans the kitchen, chop spices, and do the dishes. A helper in the kitchen. Gradually, from commis, he went on top to being an executive chef. He was never able to graduate from college. Hard work and serving is his greatness.

We are called to serve the many who are lost.

GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY! FIND THE LOVE IN SERVING OTHERS! DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!

This is one of my revelations in serving, not for myself, but for our great GOD and HIS people.

Make an impact. Make a difference. Make a ripple. Tip the scale.

ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD ALONE!!!

P.U.S.H.

When you feel GOD's love, OVERFLOW!