{"id":979,"date":"2025-05-10T23:15:49","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T23:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/?p=979"},"modified":"2025-05-14T23:16:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T23:16:55","slug":"the-greatest-servant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/2025\/05\/10\/the-greatest-servant\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greatest Servant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scripture Reference:<\/strong>&nbsp;Matthew 20:25\u201326<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Speaker:<\/strong>&nbsp;Pastor Jeff Kern<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Main Points<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The desire for power and control is a strong motivator in our world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>True leadership in God\u2019s kingdom is modeled by servanthood, not authority.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jesus redefines greatness through humility and service, not hierarchy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Scripture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Matthew 20:25\u201326 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cYou 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; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Supporting Illustrations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Historical figures like Roy Cohn and Julius Caesar were driven by a desire for power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The disciples\u2019 request (through their mother) to sit beside Jesus reflects worldly ambition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jesus\u2019 ultimate act of servanthood\u2014washing the disciples\u2019 feet\u2014teaches that true greatness comes through humility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Our Message: Reflective Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In what ways have I sought recognition or authority over others, rather than serving them?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How does Jesus\u2019 model of leadership challenge my understanding of success and influence?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Am I drawn more to titles and roles, or to the opportunities those roles provide to serve?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Our Conduct: Reflective Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How can I intentionally lower myself to uplift others in my church, family, or community?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What does it mean to lead from a place of spiritual influence rather than positional power?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I respond when others are given roles or recognition I hoped for?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Practical Application<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify one area in church or community where I can serve quietly and faithfully this week.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reject the world\u2019s model of leadership by embracing humility, especially in conflict or competition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice spiritual disciplines that keep my heart aligned with Christ\u2019s servant nature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Personal Commitment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Will I commit to serving even when no one sees or applauds?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can I commit to being a vessel through whom Christ\u2019s love and humility are shown to others?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Am I willing to let go of ambition in order to be available for God\u2019s mission?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prayer Points<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For a servant\u2019s heart:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLord, strip away my pride and replace it with the humility of Christ.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For wisdom in leadership:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cHelp me lead with love, patience, and sacrifice, reflecting Your example.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For church unity:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cUnite us in service, not position, that we may reflect Your kingdom on earth.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scripture Reference:&nbsp;Matthew 20:25\u201326 Speaker:&nbsp;Pastor Jeff Kern 1.&nbsp; Main Points 2.&nbsp; Key Scripture Matthew 20:25\u201326 (NKJV) \u201cYou know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon-notes"],"featured_image_src":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Jeff Kern","author_link":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/author\/jkern\/"},"featured_media_urls":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=979"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":980,"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/979\/revisions\/980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lw-sda.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}