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MARK 9:33-36

"THE PATH TO GREATNESS"

I. NATURAL DESIRE FOR GREATNESS.
        A. Motivating force behind many men.
        1. They will subject their bodies to torturous exercise routines
           to become the...
                        a. Greatest runner.
                        b. Halfback.
                        c. Kicker.
                        d. Boxer. Ali's classic statement:  "I'm the
                           greatest."
        2. The real motivating drive is for the glory and honor that comes
           to the greatest.
                a. The glory of the world is so short-lived.
                                1. Who was the M.V.P. of the '77 World
                                   Series?
                                2. The '74 Superbowl?
                b. Who won the Indy 500 in  73?
        3. Some men spend their entire life training, sacrificing, denying
           themselves, just to stand for a few minutes in the glory light.
                a. Do you know a tragic truth?
                b. Once you have stood there, it's empty.
        B. As Jesus was walking with His disciples to Capernaum, they were
           arguing with each other as to who would be the greatest.
        1. This reveals how wrong their motives were, for following Jesus.
                a. The Lord is so gracious, He just takes what He can get.
                   Imperfect man.
                b. He then seeks to improve and develop that imperfect man
                   into an instrument.
        2. Jesus said, "What were you arguing about back their on the
           path?"
                        a. They were silent.
                        b. They were too embarrassed to tell Him.
                        c. Have you ever said things that should Jesus
                           ask, "What did  you say?", you would be ashamed
                           to tell?
        3. Jesus knew what the argument was about.
                        a. He knows what you say.
                        b. He knows what you do.
                        c. You can never hide from God.
        4. How does He deal with their folly?
                        a. With patience and love.
                        b. He sits down and teaches them what true
                           greatness is and how to attain it. 

II. SO YOU WANT TO BE GREAT.
        A. True greatness is not to be found in the kingdom of man, but in
           the Kingdom of God.
                1. Greatness in man s kingdom is attained by the ambitious
                   through blood, sweat and tears.
                        a. Look at the price being paid by men who want to
                           be governor or senator.
                        b. It is like the flash of a sky rocket, it fades
                           so rapidly.
                2. Greatness in God's Kingdom is given to those who
                   serve faithfully in humility.
                a. "If you want to be great in God's Kingdom, learn to be
                   the servant of all."
                b. "He that humbleth Himself shall be exalted, but He
                   that exalteth..."
                c. Those who are great in God's Kingdom will shine as
                   stars forever.
                3. Notice there was no rebuke for the desire to be great.
                        a. That desire to be, something planted there by
                           God.
                        b. Their concept of how to achieve it was wrong.
                                1. Not attained through strife.
                                2. Reward to be given for faithful
                                   service.