March 20, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

Jesus’ ministry began in the Judean wilderness where he was tempted to pursue worldly greatness, and become a god unto himself. After Forty days he learned that true greatness is not exercising power over others in self-serving ways. Kingdom greatness is using whatever abilities we have to serve and appreciate “the least of these”. Jesus’ first temptation was about using his powers to serve himself. “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into loaves of bread.” This was a small and timely suggestion. Jesus was hungry. Why should he not turn these stones into bread? There was no harm in it. But an important principle was at stake. Would Jesus use his powers to serve himself, or would he use them in service to others?

Jesus’ disciples had a habit of arguing over which of them was the greatest. Their obsession with the “high and mighty” kept them from recognizing the potential greatness that lies in the small and lowly.

SERMON TITLE.  “What Were You Arguing About?“ 

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE

Mark 9:33-41

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way here?” But they were silent, because they had been arguing with one another over which of them was the greatest. Jesus sat down and said, “Whoever wants to be first must be servant of all.” Then he took a little child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and the one who sent me.” John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “You shouldn’t have done that. Whoever is not against us is for us. Furthermore, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will receive a reward.

WIDE OPEN ARE THY LOVING HANDS

Wide open are Thy loving hands, to pay with more than gold,

The awful debt of guilty men, forever and of old.

Wide open are thy saving arms, a fallen world to embrace,

To take to love and endless rest, our whole forsaken race.

To these, Thy mighty faithful hands, my spirit I resign.

In life to live alone to Thee, in death alone am Thine.

by Bernard of Clairvaux 

Blessings,

Pastor Norm

March 21, 2021 Road Church service on YouTube: https://fb.watch/4njCi1EuDo/