Built For Greatness

I believe that you are built for greatness, but often times we miss the mark on what true greatness really is. When we say greatness, what we really mean is purpose. (Pause) If you define greatness the wrong way then you spend your whole life chasing a purpose that will never satisfy.

I see an incredible amount of potential in every single person here this evening that if unleashed on this city would be unstoppable. I see a group of people gathered together with all sorts of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, ethnicities, ages, and gifts, that if unified together could accomplish anything without reservation.

Nobody wakes up in the morning and says “I want to be average today.” We all have a desire to be great and pursue great things and big dreams in our lifetime. This is a natural part of who we are.

Nobody says, I want to eat at the mediocre restaurant or watch the ok movie. Or say that they want to climb the 13er if there’s a 14er right beside it. It’s hardwired into us to pursue greatness in every area of our lives.

Intro: As far back as I can remember I’ve been incredibly competitive. Several years ago I took a test called “StrengthsFinder”. After completing my questionnaires it spits out my top 5 strengths. To no surprise, number 1 on that list was “Competition”. Now, I’ve never really looked at this as a strength before but then I began to read the description… (Read out of the StrengthsFinder book.)

This is a trait that is hardwired in me since I was a child. I remember playing cards with my brother. He was 5 years older than me. And he was competitive as well. He wasn’t about to let his little brother beat him in anything! And I only saw him being 5 years older as a sweeter victory once I beat him! (I may have been a little twisted as a child.)

One game in particular I was extremely passionate about, it was the game called Speed. It was where you had a deck of cards and you tried to empty your deck the fastest. My brother had beat me at least 5 times in a row and I completely lost my mind! The story goes… that I ran and grabbed a fireplace poker and began to chase him around the house. So apparently I was not only competitive, but I had anger issues as well. That one wasn’t on my top 5 strengths haha

Thankfully, the older I’ve gotten I’ve been able to calm down quite a bit more and don’t struggle as much with the anger. But the competitor in me never went away.

Question: Do you have the same strength? Or do you wrestle with the tension between being competitive and living a humble and content life?

If we’re being honest we all want to be in first place. We want to run our race well. We want to be great. Even in our walk as a Jesus follower.

I want us to look at God’s Word this evening, and see how God defines greatness: what is that path toward greatness; and how do we walk in that path.

Title: Built For Greatness

Big Idea: Your best life is not found in what you do.

Passage: Mark 9:33-37 CSB

Background: Jesus had obviously heard that the disciples were arguing about something on the road, but he waits till he gets to Capernaum before He addresses the issue. He then asks “What were you arguing about?” and the disciples became embarrassed.

Illust: Roadtrip with the family

When you start off on any roadtrip it’s a blast. But being with the same people for an extended period of time has a way of revealing things about each other that aren’t the greatest. There’s snacks, windows down, blasting your favorite songs, but at some point the fun wears off and you start to look inward. “Are we there yet?”, “He’s pushing me!”, “Stop talking to me!” At some point in the journey the focus changes and tension rises. This is what has happened here with the disciples.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t condemn them for having the desire for greatness, but he put the attention back on the main thing.

Main Points:

1. Service Over Status

   1. Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:25-28
   2. Jesus is drawing a big contrast between people's desire to be “great” by lording over people like a tyrant, and true great leaders that have a heart to serve.

   3. Humility Over Hierarchy

      1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child and had him stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.” - Matthew 18:1-5
      2. Jesus knew that pride was in their hearts and He speaks very clearly to the attribute of humility as it relates to the greatest in the Kingdom of God.

      3. Greatness is not built on higher status but in humble service.

         4. The recipe for greatness is often competition + comparison = greatness. If we can win and beat everyone else, then what else is there.

      4. The problem with this lifestyle is that there is always another level. You never actually reach the top. You never actually find satisfaction in your destiny.

      5. Even if you reach what others define as success, then you will still feel empty because you never measured up to your dreams and vision for your life.
      6. This is when we have to come to the reality that our focus is on the wrong things. Our purpose can never truly be fulfilled in the do. But only in the who.

2. Obedience Over Opportunity

   1. It’s common for us to look back on our life and think “I should have done this or that.” Maybe had I made this decision I would be in a better or happier place. We place too much of an emphasis on opportunities and less of an emphasis on obedience.
   2. Question: What does success or greatness mean to you?

   3. Illust: Before moving to Boulder Jess and I had to ask ourselves many questions, “What does success look like?” was one of those questions. We made a decision based on God’s Word that success for us would look like obedience.

      1. There are many stories in the Bible of people that were obedient despite the outcome and were blessed by God.

      2. Obedience should never be measured on whether it lines up with the world's standard of success, but on God’s Glory being manifest in your obedience! From the world’s standards Jeremiah was a failure! He had no wife or kids, he was homeless and poor. He proclaimed the truth and the people denied him for over 40 years! But God received glory in Jeremiah's obedience.

         4. Greatness cannot be earned, because ultimately it is not about you.

      3. You don’t arrive at greatness, it’s not a destination, but a journey. There is no amount of money to make, title to achieve, or followers to reach on Instagram to achieve greatness.

      4. The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest and Jesus was sitting right beside them. The true GOAT!

      5. Focusing on Jesus will keep your insecurities and ego in check. His life, His presence, His grace, His mercy.

         5. What God starts, man cannot stop. What God builds, man cannot destroy!

      6. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6

3. Jesus Over Everything

   1. “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
   2. Jesus came that we might have life, the best life. He was sent by God to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin. The punishment for our sin was laid on His shoulders, and He bore them all on the Cross because He loves us SO SO much.
   3. Jesus paid the ultimate penalty for our sin when He died on the cross. BUT He did not stay dead. He rose victoriously on the third day, defeating sin and death, so that we could have victory in His name!
   4. “Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” - 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Walking Points: Path To Greatness

1. Serve with everything you’ve got

   1. “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:25-28
   2. “Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23

   3. Serve with the right motives

   4. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” - James 4:10

   5. “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” - Romans 12:9-13

   6. Seek the Kingdom first

   7. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. - Matthew 6:33

   8. Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Closing: The path for becoming great in the world’s eyes is based on you and what you can do. The path for becoming great in God’s eyes doesn’t require skill, talent, or fame… it’s serving people…. It’s lifting up and caring for others. It’s love and obedience.

That's what Jesus means when He says “whoever is least among you, this one is great” (Luke 9:48). Why? Because you're shy and unpopular? No. Because you're willing to wash the feet of your servants. Because you're willing to love the ones that hate you. Because you're willing to forgive the ones that don't want your forgiveness. Because you're willing to sacrifice for another when there's nothing in it for you. That's greatness. That brings a standing ovation from the Most High. All of us have this potential within us. How do we get there? How do we unlock it? Obedience. Obedience is the key that unleashes your potential greatness on the world