Therefore, Part 1: Therefore, We Serve

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Why does Jesus want his people to be actively involved in serving?

Because serving connects us to the .

A Conversation About Serving – Matthew 20:20-28

²⁰ Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, and sked a favor of him.
         ²¹ “What is it you want?” he asked.
         She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

James and John—the “Sons of Thunder”

Why do we focus on serving at CTK?

Because serving changes your and your .

²² “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
       “We can,” they answered.

Application:

Most of us vastly overestimate our value to God’s kingdom in the and vastly underestimate our value to God’s kingdom in the .

²³ Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup….

…but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

²⁴ When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 

²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 

²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Application:

Greatness isn’t about elevating , it’s about elevating .

Jesus introduces another “Divine Opposite” (verses 26–27)

Application:

In the Kingdom of Jesus, greatness is not about status, title, or wealth. It’s about .

Key Question

What is your heart position in whatever position God has placed you?

Serving connects us to the humility of Jesus.

Jesus reinforces and restates his mission and his invitation:

“…the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Application:

Jesus came to serve, and he to the same mission.

Visit our serving websites:

• serve.ctk.church – opportunities here at CTK
• ctkserves.com – opportunities out in the community serving our Community Partners and the CTK Food Share & Farm

Small Group Questions

1. What was the highlight of your summer?
2. Where do you serve at CTK or in the community? Why do you do it?
3. Read the parallel passages of Matthew 20:20-28 and Mark 10:35-45. What do you learn about the heart of Jesus to serve in these scriptures?
4. How has serving changed your life? What excuses often keep you from serving?
5. Jesus is calling us all to serve. What is one way that you can be obedient to that call this week and in the weeks to come?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?