Matthew 20:20-28; Philippians 2:1-11

Introduction:

1. This is another universal temptation we must overcome in pursuit of holiness.

2. Pursuit of worldly happiness incentivizes self-serving attitudes and behaviors, but Christlikeness (true holiness) demands we conquer this tendency.

3. As always, the rewards for so doing far outweigh the costs.

Discussion:

I. The Temptation (Matthew 20:20-21)

A. James and John, with their mother, came with self-serving motives.

B. Christ’s kingdom would soon arrive, and they sought to occupy the places of highest honor, even above the others.

C. Such position would no doubt bring “happiness” in the worldly sense.

II. The Trouble (Matthew 20:22-24)

A. Jesus probed their hearts about their capacity to hold the positions sought.

B. They both fancied themselves able to “drink the cup…” of Christ’s sufferings, but the position they sought was not to be (20:22-23; cf. Matthew 26:39).

C. Such jockeying for position caused a rift among the twelve (20:24; cf. Matthew 18:1).

D. The promise of twelve thrones which each would occupy forms the background of the matter (Matthew 19:28).

E. These were not content to be coequal in the kingdom with the others.

III. The Turnabout (Matthew 20:25-27)

A. Jesus compared their self-serving desire for position to that of the Gentiles.

B. Such a comparison would have shocked their Jewish sensibilities powerfully.

C. Their mindset was both common to humanity and antithetical to the kingdom ethic holiness demands.

D. Jesus turned it upside-down, making greatness the outgrowth of servitude.

IV. The Template (Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:1-8)

A. Jesus demands nothing of us He would not do Himself (20:28; Philippians 2:5-8).

B. His self-sacrificial service is the template we are to imitate (Philippians 2:1-4).

C. He lived a life of servitude to inferiors

D. On this basis, He demands we live lives of servitude to our equals.

Conclusion:

1. Like so many things we will ponder in these discussions, this is a challenge to us because of the pleasurable effects self-serving delivers.

2. We must remember three key elements in this internal struggle.

a. A disciple is not above his/her master (Matthew 10:24; John 15:20).

b. God will humble the proud and exalt the humble in His own time (Philippians 2:9-11; James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:5-7).

c. The world and its pleasures are perishing (1 John 2:15-17), but the joy the Lord will give is eternal (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 1 Peter 5:10)

Further Food for Thought

1. How would you grade yourself in your struggle against self-serving ways?

2. What are some things you find helpful in engaging this struggle?

3. Do you think of it in terms of what it says about how you compare your worth to that of Christ? None of us would consciously elevate ourselves above Him.