Sermon Notes...Saved People SERVE (2 of 3)

Luke 22:21-27 (New Living Translation) “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. ²² For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” ²³ The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. ²⁴ Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. ²⁵ Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. ²⁷ Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

Introduction: Humanity is innately geared to serve. Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money." We've been designed to serve God, yet, we serve other things and other people, with the knowledge that God is jealous (Exodus 20:5).

Transition: Saved People SERVE! We serve with the understanding that it doesn't make us weak, and it's not demeaning in any way. Christian service glorifies God, while growing us up spiritually (from getting to giving) and socially (from church members to family members).

Exposition: Let's unpack this passage, so we can learn how to improve our serve...

The Escalation (verses 21-24) At the Last Supper, Jesus is talking with his disciples. Jesus mentions the presence of his betrayer in the room and the disciples took that topic and allowed it to morph. It shifted from asking questions of each other to arrogance arising, and finally into a full blown argument. They argued over who was the greatest, but greatness is not boastful it's humble (Acts 20:19).

The Intervention (verses 25-27) Apparently a grown up had to get involved, since twelve grown men were acting so childish. Jesus intervenes and explains to them that Christian greatness isn't gauged by status but by service.

The Illustration (verse 27) Jesus is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) and there's no better example to emulate than him. Even Jesus, the son of God and the savior of the world, served! What Jesus understood was that his title meant nothing without his towel (John 13:3-4).

Conclusion: If service ever gets beneath you, then success will never belong to you.