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True Greatness

True Greatness

Jan 11, 2026

Passage: Matt. 20:17-28

Preacher: Rob Holster

Series: Gospel of the Kingdom

Summary:

Have you ever wondered what makes a person "great"? Do you ever think about how God measures "greatness"? Our passage this week has the answer––and it's not what most people think. If we were to define greatness, I think most people would say, "a person who is successful," or "powerful," or "influential." They would probably never say, "a servant." But that's what Jesus says in Matthew 20. In fact, he even calls himself that. The God of the universe, the creator of all, the King of kings––he came not to be served––but to serve. He explained in the parable we covered last week that––in the Kingdom––the first will be last and the last first. And that completely blows our minds. We found ourselves disagreeing with the fairness of God in that statement. Because when it comes to salvation, we tend to operate under the "you get what you deserve" mentality. But we also learned in that little story that God is just, and merciful, and generous. And I should add, more than fair. I say that because when we are saved, and made right with God––forgiven, given eternal life, a relationship with Him––it's never because we earned it. Earning it is impossible. However, all things are possible with God, and therefore by his sovereign choice, we are given all these as a gift. What are we asked to do? We're asked to believe. We're asked to have faith. We're asked to live by that faith. And our lives become a response to what He's already done for us. It's not about doing a bunch of nice things for God––so he might approve of you and let you into his Kingdom. It's believing that he's already opened the door to the Kingdom and invited you in. But accepting that invitation means we will be changed––and made more like the King in the process. That's what living the Christian life is all about. It's about becoming more like Christ. So this week's passage talks about what a person who is becoming more like Christ does. Jesus' disciples thought it meant they would be great (according to human, worldly standards), but they would find out otherwise. Because they saw in Jesus––not a worldly, powerful, authoritarian leader––but a humble servant. And that's what greatness in the Kingdom looks like.

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