Who is the greatest?
"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
-Mark 9:33-37
I do not know how many of us are willing to admit that we've had a moment like the one we catch the disciples experiencing in Mark 9. We might not be arguing with one another about who is the greatest, but we've thought about it. I mean, let's be honest...no one is looking...raise your hand if you have ever thought "I'm better than her/him"...raise your hand if you have ever wondered "why did they choose him/her over me"... Well, that brings us to this passage for the week. How easy it is for us as humans to compare ourselves to one another. It is simple to do without even thinking about it. However, I believe that Jesus teaches us an important lesson in this passage. We will know the greatest among us through service! Without service, there is no leadership!
In other words, we must humble ourselves and allow God to exalt us! I know it is difficult MOST OF THE TIME to do so because it seems like others minimize and even overlook your gifts, but who cares??? I would rather every human minimize my gifts if it means that it's a choice between them and God. So, who is really the greatest?
Have you served someone else lately? Have you placed someone else's needs before your own? Have you done the job that no one else wanted to or was even willing to do? Well, you are the greatest! For you have become servant...wait-it's not that easy!!! If it was that easy, then non-believers who are philanthropists would beat out many of us Christians. It seems like the world has this "giving back/service" spirit down to a science. However, I believe that Jesus draws a line in the sand with those last two verses. He brings a child among the disciples and says if you welcome him, then you welcome me. We must check our motives!!!
Our struggle is not simply over by deciding to serve, but Jesus challenges us to change our hearts as well. A child's heart is innocent and vulnerable. Think about the friends that you may have shared moments with at 5 years old that you couldn't if you tried now. We should ask God for pure hearts...a child's heart to love one another in true service as Jesus demonstrated. For those are the ones who Jesus says is the greatest!
So, who is the greatest? I pray you are...I pray we are...I pray we will be the greatest!
Blessings,
Pastor C
Pastor "C"
Reverend Conitras M. Houston
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Question of the Week- 4.12.10
The Question:
The bible says something to the affect of "All things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." Could that also be a situation where you suffer your entire life only to have your perseverance be a testimony to inspire others? Is this referring to the greater good for everybody or is there always a "come up" for the individual sufferer?
Rev's Review:
Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible! It says (in the New International Version), "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose".
The two most important words in this verse is "GOD WORKS"! I believe that each of us can look at some situation in our life and declare that it is or was "BAD". What do we do with the "BAD" stuff in life? As the submitted question says is there a "greater good for everybody"? I am encouraged today by this question because it reminds me that my life...your life...our lives are not about us!
I do believe that most things that we go through can be utilized as some of the most powerful witnessing tools ever known! In other words, yes- I do believe that sometimes we "suffer" in order to build a testimony to inspire others. However, I believe that we cannot be so overcome by what our testimony can do for others that we neglect what it means for ourselves. In a few chapters earlier, the book of Romans tells us that we should rejoice in our sufferings because it produces perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope! (Romans 5:3-4) Now, I believe that is a benefit worth having! What this literally declares is that my experiencing a suffering is not to tear me down, but it is destined to build me up! It teaches me to persevere and it develops my character according to God's will.
So, there is a "come up" for the individual...but there is also a "come up" or benefit for those who see our suffering as well! Remember, in all things GOD WORKS for the good!!! It is not up to us to make "good" out of "bad" things or even to try and figure them out! As we trust God, we will begin to develop as believers. As we develop as believers, we are building a testimony that encourages others. However, it is that same testimony that will encourage us.
Rev's Conclusion:
When we experience moments or seasons of suffering, don't give up! When we experience moments or seasons of suffering, don't try to create the good! However, when we experience moments or seasons of suffering, let us remember that GOD WORKS it for our good! Not just a personal good, but a corporate good!!! Write down your testimony!!!
Blessings,
Pastor C
The bible says something to the affect of "All things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." Could that also be a situation where you suffer your entire life only to have your perseverance be a testimony to inspire others? Is this referring to the greater good for everybody or is there always a "come up" for the individual sufferer?
Rev's Review:
Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible! It says (in the New International Version), "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose".
The two most important words in this verse is "GOD WORKS"! I believe that each of us can look at some situation in our life and declare that it is or was "BAD". What do we do with the "BAD" stuff in life? As the submitted question says is there a "greater good for everybody"? I am encouraged today by this question because it reminds me that my life...your life...our lives are not about us!
I do believe that most things that we go through can be utilized as some of the most powerful witnessing tools ever known! In other words, yes- I do believe that sometimes we "suffer" in order to build a testimony to inspire others. However, I believe that we cannot be so overcome by what our testimony can do for others that we neglect what it means for ourselves. In a few chapters earlier, the book of Romans tells us that we should rejoice in our sufferings because it produces perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope! (Romans 5:3-4) Now, I believe that is a benefit worth having! What this literally declares is that my experiencing a suffering is not to tear me down, but it is destined to build me up! It teaches me to persevere and it develops my character according to God's will.
So, there is a "come up" for the individual...but there is also a "come up" or benefit for those who see our suffering as well! Remember, in all things GOD WORKS for the good!!! It is not up to us to make "good" out of "bad" things or even to try and figure them out! As we trust God, we will begin to develop as believers. As we develop as believers, we are building a testimony that encourages others. However, it is that same testimony that will encourage us.
Rev's Conclusion:
When we experience moments or seasons of suffering, don't give up! When we experience moments or seasons of suffering, don't try to create the good! However, when we experience moments or seasons of suffering, let us remember that GOD WORKS it for our good! Not just a personal good, but a corporate good!!! Write down your testimony!!!
Blessings,
Pastor C
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