How to Become the Greatest

What comes to mind when you think of what the word "servant" means? Service is much more than just filling a “position” but a matter of the heart. The bigger issue is that you just may be missing out on something God has in mind for you by choosing to be uninvolved. We are all competitive in some way. What about being “first in line!” or beating others to the car by saying, “shotgun.” We live in a competitive world (sports, school, friendships, parents, image and more). But what about when competition enters the life of a Christian? What does the greatest person look like in the kingdom of God? The disciples had an argument of who would be the greatest. Jesus helps put everything in perspective:

Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

The word “servant” can be translated as “minister.” There is a direct connection between our faith and our involvement in ministry and service.  Jesus was equal with God, all things were His, and He still humbled himself.

 What comes to mind when you think of what service or servant is mentioned? Service is much more than just filling a “position” but a matter of the heart. The bigger issue is that you just may be missing out on something God has in mind for you by choosing to be uninvolved.

How to become the greatest?

Considers others before yourself. Jesus portrayed the ultimate example of humility and unconditional love by even washing Judas’ feet (John 13:1-11). Feet are nasty! Jesus signified spiritual washing through the cross. A servant asks, “What can I do for others?” instead of “What can they do for me? Servant leadership invites a relationship.  Jesus didn’t come to be ministered too, he came to minister.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

This week, serve where God is nudging, and trust God to do what only God can do. Serving God is where the most growth occurs! 

Not so with you. 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” Mark 10:43-45.

Refuge During Life's Storms

"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27

One principle that I've learned over the past few years is that even during life’s storms, God is in control. If you are like me, you have asked this question a lot in life, "Why God? Why have you let this storm blow into my life?" Have you ever asked these questions?

It reminds me of one of my favorite stories in scripture. The disciples were with Jesus on a boat on the Sea of Galilee. The sea of Galilee is 690 feet below sea level. Mount Hermon rises 9200 feet and many times strong winds would sweep down through the gorges in this valley causing sudden storms. Jesus was asleep! The disciples were out of control! Jesus had finished healing people, preaching the greatest sermon in history and even cast out demons. Jesus was tired so he decided to take a nap during the storm. The disciples were frantic, thinking Jesus quit caring about their situation. The truth of the matter is Jesus always comes through for his followers.

We all face life situations that are out of our own control. Three principles about storms.

1. You are in a storm. 2. You are coming out of a storm. 3. You are about to step into a storm.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” John 16:33.

“He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust" Matthew 5:45

It is not a matter of “if” but “when” storms will come. The truth is that Jesus is in control during the storm; the storm isn’t in control. Regardless of what we see of feel, Jesus has got it! God is bigger than the storm. We always want God to pick us up out of the storm. God doesn't remove us from storms, but always leads us through it! Jesus brought peace in the midst of chaos to His disciples. We all need His hand leading us through the storms of life.

If you are going through a storm, talk to someone about it. Ask for prayer and wisdom. Admit that God is bigger than the storm!

Heart Check-up

If you have been to the doctor for a heart check-up, you know that you want to know exactly the condition of your heart. In the Bible the word heart is mentioned 963 times! We protect a lot of areas of our lives (money, appearance, popularity, cell phones) but often we do not guard our hearts!

^“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23

“Guard” or “Keep” is translated preserve, observe, watchers, or watchmen. The Hebrew word "natsar" is a command calling for continual watching.

The heart is the inner core of a person. The heart refers to the “mind, will and emotions.”

God examines our heart, not our outward appearance, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7. In our culture, we often hear people say, "follow your heart!" We need to understand that our hearts reveal we are lost! “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

Jesus said:

“If you hate your brother, you are a murderer at heart…” Matthew 5:22 and “Look with lust, you commit adultery in your heart…” Matthew 5:28 ^“But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.” Matthew 15:18-19

In order to guard our heart, we need to know the condition of your heart. How do we guard our heart?

• Mind: What you think becomes what you believe.

Satan is a terrorist. He wants to poison our minds from the truth of God’s Word. If our mind is dwelling on the opposite of what God's Word says, we will be fixed upon poison (Proverbs 23:7, 27:19). Our mind is the foundation for what we focus upon and live. "Give careful thoughts to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Proverbs 4:26

• Will: The attitude and response to life flows out of your heart.

Our arteries can harden and we can have a heart attack physically. Spiritually we can allow the trash of the world to invade our mind, will and emotions and lead to a hardened, flat-lined heart. A religious hypocrite is one who can perform outwardly but does not know Jesus internally. A follower of Christ has a closer, abiding relationship with Jesus.

• Emotions: Are my feelings in line with what Jesus says?

Proverbs 28:26, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.” We have to discover what Jesus says about us and make sure our feelings are subject to His truth. God is jealous for our heart’s affection. He does not need it but desires it! Our heart finds purpose through a growing relationship with God.

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 “

If God performed open heart surgery on you, what would we find? Do you have a relationship with Jesus or just religious ritual? Are you guarding your heart emotionally and spiritually?