3.2.12 "It's Different with You"

"It's Different with You"

Leviticus 25:47-27:13
Mark 10:32-52
Psalm 45:1-17
Proverbs 10:22

Promotion is a big deal. When I was a kid in Sunday School, I can remember a few times when we had "Promotion Sunday". During the "opening exercises" (flashback for some?) they would parade us up to the front and we would move to the next class. There was a sense of pride over the accomplishment. (the only real accomplishment was getting older...)

There's that same sense of pride in society. I need a promotion... I need a raise... I need to move up... Depending on the work environment, some think there's an "entitlement" to the promotion, or the elevation of leadership. People want position.

Can you imagine walking with Jesus in the last days? In today's reading in Mark it says the disciples were following Jesus full of fear. Jesus pulled them aside and explained to them about what was going to happen to him. He would be arrested, beaten and killed. I can imagine the disciples listening intently.

Then get this... "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him in a low voice. 'Master,' they said, 'we want you to do us a favor.' 'What is it?' he asked. 'We want to sit on the thrones next to yours in your kingdom ..." (Mark 10:35-37)

Hard to imagine isn't it. Even in a dark hour there's such a focus on self promotion.

If I was Jesus I would have turned to the other disciples and said, "Wanna see something cool?" And then had a bolt of lightning fry the sons of Zebedee! "How do you like that, 'Sons of Thunder!'?" But Jesus didn't do that. He used the opportunity to teach them (and us!) that we are not like the world.

"as you know, the kings and great men of the earth lord it over the people, but among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all. For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45)

We need to understand that leadership is not a matter of height. It is a matter of depth. As a leader you are entrusted with the lives of those in your care. There are not more people to serve you, there are more people you serve. There is more obligation to do what is best for others.

This sounds like it's backwards in the worlds eyes, but as your responsibilities increase, your submission to the needs of others must increase. Who had the greatest responsibility of all time? Jesus. What did he have to do as an act of submission to the needs of others? Give his life as a ransom for many.

We need to model this in our daily existence. This is the point where Active Ministry Involvement (responsibility) and Relationships Devoted to Unity (submission) meet. We need to lead as Christ led. This is not just a message for those high up the corporate ladder. This is a message for every believer. It is different for us. We don't look as promotion the way the world does. In reality, a promotion is a "demotion" we are "promoted" to a deeper level of service.

Remember, "it's different with you."



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ