PENTECOST
18
September
21-23, 2024
Pastor
Timothy J. Spaude
Text:
Mark 9: 30-37
“WHO IS GOD’S
G.O.A.T?”
1.
The
Lamb!
2.
Followed
by the sheep.
Who is the greatest? The question is not
new. In centuries past pharaohs and emperors and kings wanted to be known as
the greatest ruler that ever lived. In our times that debate has been held
almost exclusively in the sports arena. Muhammed Ali proclaimed himself the
greatest. In sports everyone wants to be the GOAT, the Greatest Of All Time. Who
is the GOAT, the greatest of all time for NFL quarterbacks? Is it Tom Brady or
will he be surpassed by Patrick Mahomes? The word of God from the Gospel of
Mark deals with the issue of greatness. In it we see one who really is the
greatest of all time and some who want to be. Some questions need to be
answered. Just what is it that makes someone great? Who gets to determine what
makes someone great? Do you want to be great?
Last week Pastor Langebartels told us of a
time when Jesus cast a demon out of a young boy. It was shortly after Jesus had
taken three of His disciples, Peter, James and John to witness His
transfiguration. The time is nearing for Jesus to complete His earthly mission
with His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead. He doesn’t want
to attract crowds at this time. He wants to teach His disciples privately and
so Mark tells us, “They went on from
there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know this, 31because
he was teaching his disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man is going to be
betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill him. But three days after he
is killed, he will rise.” 32But they did not understand the
statement and were afraid to ask him about it.”
Here we get an answer to one of our
questions. What is it that makes someone great? Humble service to others. This
is not the first time that Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples about the real
nature of His mission. This is not the first time that the disciples remained
clueless even though Jesus told them plainly. Jesus’ determination to carry out
His mission as Savior shows He is the GOAT! He is the greatest of all time.
Even though He is King of kings and LORD of lords, the maker and sustainer of
all things, the Holy, Holy, Holy, I AM he humbles Himself to become man. He
allows Himself to be betrayed and crucified. Why? It’s what people needed. A
solution to the problem of sin. The only way God can remain just and punish sin
without punishing the sinners is for Jesus to come and be the perfect
substitute, the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world. He did. Jesus
is God’s G.O.A.T. because the real measure of greatness is not how many points
you score or who much money you have or how much land you control. It’s the
number of people you serve humbly, without expecting anything in return. Jesus
served all. The Lamb of God is God’s GOAT.
Who gets to
determine what makes someone great? The word goes on. “They came to
Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing
about on the way?” 34But they remained silent, because on the
way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35Jesus
sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he
will be the last of all and the servant of all.” 36Then he took
a little child and placed him in their midst. Taking the child in his arms, he
said to them, 37“Whoever welcomes one
of these little children in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me,
welcomes not just me but also him who sent me.” Jesus’ disciples wanted to be considered great. I guess
we can take a little bit of comfort, some schadenfreude, that those who got to
follow Jesus in the flesh still were thick in the head, had misplaced
priorities and got right things so wrong just like we do. It is shameful,
though, when grown children of God act like spoiled little kids. The disciples
were arguing about which one of them was the greatest among them all. From
their shamed silence it’s not hard to guess what standards they were using and
how they were acting. Peter says, “I am the greatest! Jesus let me see Him
transfigured.” “You’re not so special,” says James and John, “he took us too!”
“I’m the one He trusts with our money,” says Judas. “I’m better than you.” Like
little boys on the playground they went back and forth arguing, embellishing,
trying to make their pitiful little accomplishments bigger than they were
because the standard of greatness they were using was wrong. They used the
world’s way, power, prestige, money.
But the world does
not get to establish what makes a person great. Oh, it tries. It will list the
Forbes most wealthy, and Time’s person of the year. The sports world has
developed their own awards for their own people picked by themselves, just like
the entertainment world has done the same, Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes,
Tonies. Seriously. How many do they need to boost their fragile egos? I’ve
offered before, but no one has taken me up on it. I’ll host The Platinum
Preacher award, an award developed by pastors for pastors awarded to the pastor
whose golden tongued delivery can keep the most people awake. Foolishness. For
the followers of Christ there is only one whose standard matters. Jesus. He
gets to tell us what makes a person great. And He has. Humble service. Serving
the needs of others without expecting something in return like little children
who are by very nature takers, not givers, and in no position to repay us. This
is what makes a person great in the eyes of our Lord. Humble service. Humility.
Not thinking less of yourself or poorly of yourself. You dare not. God made
each of you fearfully, wonderfully and well. Rather thinking more of the needs
of others. Service, trying to meet those needs.
So do you still
want to be great, great in the eyes of God’s GOAT? Jesus’ disciples had to
wrestle with that question after He sat them down. And from their history
recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, every one but Judas said, “Yes. I desire
your approval Lord, more than anyone else’s.” What’s your answer? How will you
pattern your life? Jesus, the Lamb of God, the GOAT, is our leader. He’s
perfect at it. How is our following? When I was a child I wanted to be great at
what I did. I was really good at ping pong. I won every grade school tournament
I entered. Got some really cool plastic trophies. I even held on to them when
Chris and I got married. I’m sure she didn’t roll her eyes. They are all gone,
broken trashed. Didn’t mean anything anymore once I matured. I understand now
that when I meet my Lord Jesus He is not going to ask me how many ping pong
tournaments I won, but rather if I took care of His sheep and His lambs. And
after I give report I just want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Will you join me brothers and
sisters, and seek to serve rather than be served? Will you do so for the joy of
serving the Lamb who has served you so well? This weekend we as a congregation
will thank some of those who have served us in this past year. But winning our
thanks not why they served. They saw a need and filled it. You can too, through
faithful praying, words and acts of kindness to neighbors or those who live in
your senior living center, giving rides to church. A special appeal to you
parents to serve your kids. What they need is their heart tied to Jesus. I want
you to think about how zealous you are in getting your kids to every sports
practice and game and musical practice and concert and every other extra they
are in. That’s great if you can make it work without stressing the family. The
honest truth is none of them are going to make it to the pros. But they will
make it to Hell if their faith in Jesus is not fed. They need you reading Bible
stories and devotions at home. They need you to get them to church. Do you want
to be great? Serve the needs of a child. “Whoever welcomes one of these
little children in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me, welcomes not
just me but also him who sent me.” So says the Lamb, God’s GOAT. You are
His sheep. Will you follow? Amen.
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