Redefining Greatness: A Sermon on Matthew 20:17-34

Can you imagine a world turned upside down by a radical vision of greatness? In Pastor Jim’s latest sermon, he beautifully explores Jesus’ profound teaching from the Sermon on the Mount where He declares, “You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14-16). Unlike worldly wisdom, which equates greatness with power and status, Jesus redefines it through humble service—washing the feet of His disciples as an ultimate act of love.

As Pastor Jim explains, true greatness in God’s Kingdom emerges not from how many serve us but from how many we are willing to serve. He urges us to follow this model of leadership and love, highlighting how Jesus, in His journey to the cross, displays the essence of His mission. This message resonates deeply—inviting each of us to reflect on our motivations and ambitions. Are we serving to be noticed, or are we serving because we love?

Pastor Jim challenges us with a powerful call to action: to embody the humble, sacrificial love of Christ in our daily lives. Let us heed this call, moving from ambition to action, and serve those around us as Christ served us.

Discussion Questions

1. Understanding Discipleship:
   • How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:14–16 about being the “light of the world” relate to His example of servanthood?
   • In what ways does the concept of discipleship presented in the sermon challenge our modern understanding of leadership and success?
2. The Paradox of Greatness:
   • What does the sermon suggest about the paradox of greatness in the Kingdom of God?
   • How can we apply the principle that “true greatness is measured not by how many serve us, but by how many we are willing to serve” in our daily lives?
3. The Nature of Christ’s Mission:
   • How does Jesus’ prediction of His suffering and death in Matthew 20:17–19 shape our understanding of His mission?
   • Why do you think the disciples struggled to grasp the nature of Christ’s mission, and how can we avoid similar misunderstandings?
4. Ambition vs. Servanthood:
   • What are the “good,” “bad,” and “ugly” aspects of the request made by the mother of James and John, as discussed in the sermon?
   • How can we guard against ambition that seeks personal glory rather than the glory of God?
5. The Cup of Suffering:
   • What does Jesus mean when He asks James and John if they are able to “drink the cup” that He is to drink?
   • How does the concept of the “cup” relate to our own experiences of suffering and service as followers of Christ?
6. Redefining Greatness:
   • How does Jesus redefine greatness in Matthew 20:25–28, and what implications does this have for our understanding of leadership?
   • In what ways can we embody the servant leadership that Jesus exemplifies?
7. The Gospel in Action:
   • How does the healing of the two blind men in Matthew 20:29–34 illustrate the themes of mercy and service discussed in the sermon?
   • What practical steps can we take to serve others in our communities, reflecting the love and humility of Christ?
8. Personal Reflection:
   • In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking position over posture, or climbing rather than kneeling?