Young People's Group

THE QUEST FOR GREATNESS

by Pastor Mitch
April 18, 2010

Greatness Is Being A Leader With A Heart Of A Servant

Is it wrong to seek for greatness? The answer is a definite “No”. There is nothing wrong with desiring greatness in life and ministry. However, greatness is never just in terms of a position we hold. It is about being the kind of servants that the Lord meant us to be. When James and John sought the Lord to be given special positions at the right and the left hand of His throne in His kingdom, the other ten disciples were very displeased with the two of them. They were angry that James and John had sought for these special positions. The Lord Jesus had to teach the disciples that it is not just about the position that they hold. He taught them that true greatness is about being a leader with a heart of a servant.

1. Rejecting Secular Ways Of Leadership

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you'” 
Matthew 20:25-26

In the world, leaders use their great authority to rule over others. They lord over their workers by using threats or force. Such harsh means of leadership is to be rejected. When we relate to each other in the ministry, we should not rule over each other. We should reject worldly ways of exercising authority over others.

2. Practising Servant Leadership

“But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave” 
Matthew 20:26-27

The best way to lead each other is through servant leadership. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples that if they wanted to be great among themselves, then they should be a servant to each other. The word “servant” means “one who waits on people”. If they truly want to be first among themselves, then they should be a slave. The greater the position that we desire, the greater should be our humility in serving others.

3. Following The Perfect Example Of The Lord Jesus

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” 
Matthew 20:28

The greatest example of a servant is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. When He came down to earth, He did not come to be served. His focus in ministry was not self. He humbled Himself to be with us for the sole purpose of serving people. The Lord Jesus came to that He may sacrifice His life to redeem us from our sins. Let’s follow the Lord as our ultimate role model in serving others. Let’s focus on Him as we serve.

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