Greatness (Mk. 10:41-45)

Read Mark 10:41-45.

1.  Greatness is possible, but it is not automatic.

2.  Greatness is not exclusive (as if only one can be great) but it is elusive (since people prefer position and title over function).

3.  Greatness is both counter-cultural and counter-intuitive.  There is too much emphasis on rights and not enough on responsibility and opportunity.

4.  Greatness requires stopping comparison so that division is eliminated.

5.  Greatness is highly inconvenient.

6.  The difference among "great", "greater" and "greatest" is the degree of service you are willing to do and the amount of people to whom you are willing to provide it.  The "cap" on your "greatness" is you.

7.  Greatness is not mental but menial.  Greatness requires service.  Service is about action, not intention.

Heart And Hands (Mark 1:41)

Read Mark 1:41.

Jesus didn't just feel on the inside; He touched the man.  When dealing with people, both your heart and your hands need to be engaged.

• It starts with your heart.  Is your heart sensitive to the stirring of the Holy Spirit? 
• Your heart alone isn't enough.  Compassion needs implementation.  Feeling needs follow-through.
• Your hands alone aren't enough.  Implementation without compassion leads to formality, coldness and performance.  People deserve better than that!

Mary & Martha (Lu. 10:38-42)

Read Luke 10:38-42.

• Contrasts
• Mary stayed seated, focused on listening, and said nothing.
• Martha got up and down, focused on doing, and complained about Mary.
• Similarities
• They were sisters.
• They both sat at Jesus' feet and heard Him.
• Mary never got up but kept on listening.
• Martha got up to serve, which suggests that her initial posture was the same as Mary's.
• Observations
• This appears to have been Martha's house.
• Jesus didn't say Martha's service was unnecessary or unappreciated.
• No words were spoken by Mary.
• Lessons
• The issue might not be the issue.
• Martha thought the issue was Mary's neglect and selfishness.
• Jesus said the issue was Martha's anxiety and agitation.  Jesus knows your heart and will call you on what's inside it!
• It is easier to serve than to listen.
• Beware the distraction of doing!
• Listening requires delight and discipline.
• Just because something is helpful doesn't mean it is necessary.
• It is easier to monitor someone else's not serving than it is to monitor your own soul.
• Jesus said Martha was anxious and troubled about many things.  Some people attempt to ignore or minimize their lack by keeping busy.

Anna's Service (Lu. 2:36-38)

Read Luke 2:36-38.

Anna didn't allow certain things to limit her effectiveness in ministry:  her age, her sadness, her gender, her loneliness, her weakness, etc.  Though she was a prophetess, she still was allowed no further than the court of women.  Anna made every effort and no excuse.

Anna Served (Lu. 2:36-38)

Read Luke 2:36-38.

1. Who Anna served.  The Lord.  Josh. 24:15.
2. Where Anna served.  In the temple.  1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20.
3. When Anna served.  Day and night. Serving was her lifestyle. Mk. 12:30.
4. How Anna served.  In fasting and prayer, in giving thanks, in sharing testimony.  Psa. 100:1-2, 4.

Apollo On My Mind (03/03/16)

I'm encouraging my church's outreach committee to get involved with this.  Why should the church be absent when there is a call to serve?  This is a good way to get to know people and to build some bridges.

Oh! The Horror! (Mt. 7:21-24)

1.  These were opportunistic, doing exceptional, miraculous work.  No man could deny their effectiveness.  What a ministry!  What a gift mix!  What notoriety!

2.  These were known by men but not by Jesus.  Men were impressed, but Jesus wasn't.  They "knew" Jesus but He didn't know them.

3.  Perhaps the key is v. 24.  Jesus wasn't after their service but their obedience.  Obedience is the fruit or evidence of being Jesus' disciple.  Jesus prefers meticulous obedience to miraculous opportunities.

4.  The final analysis:  These men worked for Someone they never knew.