"Who Is the Greatest" TRANSCRIPT [Message] - Amazon Web ...

T h e S e rm o n s o f D a n D u n c a n M a rk 9 :3 3 -5 0

M a rk 9

" W h o Is th e G re a te s t "

T R A N S C R IP T

[M e s s a g e ] T h a n k y o u , H o w a rd . O u r te x t is M a rk c h a p te r 9 . W e 'll lo o k th is m o rn in g a t v e rs e s 3 3 th ro u g h 5 0 . Y o u 'll re m e m b e r th e y h a v e b e e n in C a e s a re a P h ilip p i in th e f a r n o rth e rn re g io n o f th e la n d , a n d th e y 're n o w o n th e ir w a y b a c k to G a lile e . A n d w e re a d in v e rs e 3 3 : T h e y c a m e to C a p e rn a u m ; a n d w h e n H e w a s in th e h o u s e , H e b e g a n to q u e s tio n th e m , " W h a t w e re y o u d is c u s s in g o n th e w a y ? " B u t th e y k e p t s ile n t, f o r o n th e w a y th e y h a d d is c u s s e d w ith o n e a n o th e r w h ic h o f th e m w a s th e g re a te s t. S ittin g d o w n , H e c a lle d th e tw e lv e a n d s a id to th e m , " If a n y o n e w a n ts to b e firs t, h e s h a ll b e la s t o f a ll a n d s e rv a n t o f a ll." T a k in g a c h ild , H e s to o d h im in th e m id s t o f th e m , a n d ta k in g h im in H is a rm s , H e s a id to th e m , " W h o e v e r r e c e iv e s o n e c h ild lik e th is in m y n a m e is re c e iv in g m e ; a n d w h o e v e r re c e iv e s m e is n o t re c e iv in g m e , b u t H im w h o s e n t M e . " J o h n s a id to H im , " T e a c h e r, w e s a w s o m e o n e c a s tin g o u t d e m o n s in y o u r n a m e , a n d w e trie d to h in d e r h im b e c a u s e h e w a s n o t fo llo w in g u s ." B u t J e s u s s a id , " D o n o t h in d e r h im , fo r th e re is n o o n e w h o s h a ll p e rfo rm a m ira c le in m y n a m e a n d b e a b le s o o n a fte rw a rd to s p e a k e v il o f m e . F o r h e w h o is n o t a g a in s t u s is fo r u s . W h o e v e r g iv e s y o u a c u p o f w a te r to d rin k b e c a u s e o f y o u r n a m e a s f o llo w e rs o f C h ris t, tru ly I s a y to y o u , h e s h a ll n o t lo s e h is re w a rd . A n d w h o e v e r c a u s e s o n e o f th e s e little o n e s w h o b e lie v e to s tu m b le , it w o u ld b e b e tte r fo r h im if, w ith a h e a v y m ills to n e h u n g a ro u n d h is n e c k , h e h a d b e e n c a s t

-2"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

in to th e s e a . If y o u r h a n d c a u s e s y o u to s tu m b le , c u t it o ff; it is b e tte r f o r y o u to e n te r lif e c r ip p le d th a n , h a v in g y o u r tw o h a n d s , to g o in to h e ll, in to th e u n q u e n c h a b le f ire ." N o w , in v e rs e 4 4 a n d in v e rs e 4 6 , s o m e o f y ou r v e rs io n s h a v e w h a t is re c o rd e d in v e rs e 4 8 , "w h e re th e ir w o rm d o e s n o t d ie a n d th e f ir e is n o t q u e n c h e d ." N e w A m e ric a n S ta n d a rd B ib le d o e s n o t in c lu d e th a t, w h ic h I'm re a d in g f ro m , b e c a u s e th e e a rlie r te x t s , th e b e tte r te x ts , d o n o t h a v e th a t. It w a s p ro b a b ly a la te r in s e rtio n b y a s c rib e , s o w e w o n 't re a d th a t h e re b u t w e w ill w h e n w e c o m e to it. V e rs e 4 5 : " A n d if y o u r f o o t c a u s e s y o u to s tu m b le , c u t it o f f ; it is b e tte r f o r y o u to e n te r lif e la m e th a n , h a v in g y o u r tw o f e e t, to b e c a s t in to h e ll. A n d if y o u r e y e c a u s e s y o u to s tu m b le , c a s t it o u t; it is b e tte r fo r y o u to e n te r th e k in g d o m o f G o d w ith o n e e y e th a n , h a v in g tw o e y e s , to b e c a s t in to h e ll, w h e re th e ir w o rm d o e s n o t d ie , a n d th e f ir e is n o t q u e n c h e d . F o r e v e ry o n e w ill b e s a lte d w ith fire . S a lt is g o o d ; b u t if th e s a lt b e c o m e s u n s a lty , w ith w h a t w ill y o u m a k e it s a lty a g a in ? H a v e s a lt in y o u rs e lv e s , a n d b e a t p e a c e w ith o n e a n o th er." M a y th e L o rd b le s s th is re a d in g o f H is W o rd a n d b le s s o u r tim e o f s tu d y in it to g e th e r. L e t's b o w n o w in a w o rd o f p ra y e r. [P ra y e r] G ra c io u s H e a v e n ly F a th e r, w e d o th a n k y o u th a t w e h a v e th is tim e to c o m e to g e th e r, a n d w e c o n s id e r it a g re a t p riv ile g e to g a th e r to g e th e r a s th e p e o p le o f G o d , a p e o p le c h o s e n b y y o u fro m e te rn ity p a s t. Y o u r e le c t p e o p le w h o m in tim e y o u re d e e m e d fo r y o u rs e lf th ro u g h th e s h e d d in g o f th e b lo o d o f y o u r S o n . A n d w e c o n f e s s th a t th e re 's n o th in g in th a t c ro s s th a t w a s p e rf o rm e d f o r u s d u e to a n y m e rit th a t y o u s a w in u s , b u t w h e n y o u lo o k e d d o w n th ro u g h tim e a n d y o u s a w m a n k i n d , y o u s a w th a t th e re w a s n o n e w h o w a s s e e k in g a fte r y o u . T h e re is n o n e w h o s e e k s a f te r y o u . T h e re 's n o n e w h o d o e s g o o d . T h e re 's n o th in g th a t c o u ld b e f o u n d in u s th a t w o u ld c o m m e n d u s to y o u rs e lf. T h a t's y o u r g ra c e a n d y o u r m e rc y a lo n e , a n d w e c o n fe s s th a t a n d p ra is e y o u f o r it a n d th a n k y o u f o r th e m e rc y a n d th e g ra c e th a t h a v e b e e n e x te n d e d to u s . H e lp u s to a p p re c ia te th a t m o re . H e lp u s to

-3"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

a p p re c ia te th a t a s w e c o m e to o u r te x t th is m o rn in g a n d c o n s id e r th e lif e o f d is c ip le s h ip th a t is s e t f o rth , th e re q u ire m e n ts o f it, th e life th a t y o u c a ll y o u r p e o p le to , a n d h e lp u s to s e e th a t in lig h t o f a ll th a t y o u 'v e d o n e fo r u s , a n d to re m e m b e r y o u r g ra c e , th a t it e x te n d s n o t o n ly to th e m o m e n t o f fa ith b u t a ll th e w a y to th e e n d . T h a t y o u b e g in a w o r k a n d y o u c o m p le te th e w o rk , th a t w e a re y o u r w o rk m a n s h ip , c re a te d fo r g o o d w o rk s , c re a te d in C h ris t J e s u s to g lo rify y o u . W e th a n k y o u fo r th a t w o rk o f g ra c e , p ra y y o u b le s s o u r tim e a s w e s tu d y th e S c rip tu re s . T e a c h u s b e c a u s e u ltim a te ly th a t is y o u r w o rk . Y o u 'v e g iv e n u s a n e w h e a rt, y o u 'v e g iv e n u s th e c a p a c ity to u n d e rs ta n d tru th th a t b e f o re , w e w e re b lin d to . A n d y o u 'v e g iv e n u s a te a c h e r in th e H o ly S p irit, a n d w e p ra y th a t H e w o u ld b e p re s e n t w ith u s a n d te a c h in g u s th is m o rn in g , g iv in g u s a n u nd e rs ta n d in g o f y o u r tru th a n d g iv in g u s th e d e s ire to s e e k to d o it a n d to p le a s e y o u . T h a n k y o u th a t w e c a n p ra y f o r o n e a n o th e r, a n d th e re a re s o m a n y th a t n e e d o u r p ra y e rs . W e p ra y f o r th o s e w h o h a v e g o n e to th e h o s p ita l th is w e e k a n d h a v e re tu rn e d h o m e . W e th a n k y o u fo r th e im p ro v e m e n ts in s o m a n y o f th e m , a n d w e p ra y f o r th o s e th a t a re re c o v e rin g . W e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld g iv e th e m a s p e e d y re c o v e ry . W e p ra y fo r th o s e w h o a re s ic k a n d p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld e x te n d h e a lin g to th e m , p ra y f o r e n c o u ra g e m e n t to th o s e w h o a re s tru g g lin g s p iritu a lly , th o s e w h o h a v e f a m ily p ro b le m s . W e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld b rin g b le s s in g th e re a n d re p a ir th e d a m a g e th a t is d o n e in th o s e re la tio n s h ip s a n d h e lp in d iv id u a ls to lo o k to y o u a n d fin d c o m fo rt in C h ris t, fin d c o m fo rt in th e f a c t th a t y o u 're w o rk in g a ll th in g s to g e th e r for good. W e p ra y f o r o u r a s s e m b ly , L o rd . W e p ra y th a t y o u 'd b le s s u s w ith a re n e w e d in te re s t in th e S c rip tu re s a n d a d e s ire to s tu d y th e m a n d a d e s ire to liv e a c c o rd in g to th e m a n d a d e s ire to b e lig h ts in th is c o m m u n ity . B le s s u s th a t w e w o u ld b e th a t a n d th a t w e w o u ld b e a p e o p le th a t s e rv e y o u a t a ll tim e s , s e e k in g to g lo rify th e S a v io r. W e p ra y fo r th o s e w h o a re tra v e lin g a n d p ra y th a t y o u 'd b le s s th e m th is w e e k d u rin g s p rin g b re a k fo r m a n y o f the s c h o o ls , a n d p ra y th a t y o u 'd

-4"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

b rin g th e m b a c k s a fe ly . W e p ra y fo r o u r n a tio n , p ra y fo r o u r le a d e rs . G iv e th e m w is d o m . G iv e th e m a s e n s e o f th e ir n e e d o f y o u r w is d o m . W e p ra y th a t m a n y w o u ld tu rn to y o u a n d p ra y th a t y o u 'd b le s s th e s e m e n , e v e n th o s e th a t d o n o t tu rn to y o u . W e p ra y th a t y o u 'd b le s s th e m w ith w is d o m th a t w ill b e a b le s s in g to o u r n a tio n a n d b e a b le s s in g to th e c h u rc h th ro u g h o u t th is n a tio n , th a t w e m ig h t g ro w in tim e s o f p e a c e a n d th a t w e m ig h t h a v e v e ry s ig n if ic a n t in f lu e n c e in th is c o u n try a n d in o th e rs a s w e ll. W e p ra y f o r o u rs e lv e s to th a t e n d , th a t y o u w o u ld p re p a re o u r h e a rts f o r th e w e e k to c o m e , th a t w e m ig h t s e rv e y o u w e ll. P re p a re o u r h e a rts n o w w ith th e fin a l h y m n th a t w e s in g , th a t y o u w o u ld m a k e u s re a d y to re c e iv e y o u r tru th . H e lp u s to th in k c le a rly a n d to g iv e a tte n tio n to th e th in g s th a t o u r L o rd s p o k e to H is d is c ip le s . W e p ra y th e s e th in g s in H is n a m e . A m e n . [M e s s a g e ] O u r p a s s a g e th is m o rn in g in M a rk 9 c o n s is ts o f a s e rie s o f s a y in g s b y o u r L o rd w h ic h c o m b in e to in s tru c t u s o n th e n a tu re o f d is c ip le s h ip , th e n a tu re o f th e life to w h ic h w e 'v e a ll b e e n c a lle d a s C h ris tia n s . It b e g in s w ith th e s u b je c t o f g re a tn e s s , w h o is g re a t o r w h o is th e g re a te s t, a n d w h ile it m o v e s to o th e r m a tte rs o f im p o rta n c e , in th e e n d I th in k it c o m e s f u ll c irc le a n d c o n c lu d e s o n th is s u b je c t o f g re a tn e s s , w h ic h is a s u b je c t th a t a ro u s e s a v a rie ty o f im a g e s in o u r m in d s . F o r m e , h a v in g g ro w n u p in th e '6 0 s , I c o n f e s s th a t th e im a g e th a t in v a ria b ly c o m e s to m in d is th a t o f M u h a m m a d A li. I th in k s o m e o f y o u w e re a n tic ip a tin g th a t. A n d I w a s a J o e F ra z ie r fa n , b u t M u h a m m ad A li c a p tu re d th e s p o tlig h t lik e fe w c e le b ritie s e v e r h a v e . E v e n m o s t o f y o u la d ie s w h o m ig h t n o t k n o w th e d if f e re n c e b e tw e e n a le f t h o o k a n d a f a s tb a ll a n d c o u ld c a re le s s k n o w th e n a m e M u h a m m a d A li, if n o t b e c a u s e o f h is s k ill a s a b o x e r, b e c a u s e o f h is fa m o u s b o a s t, " I a m th e g re a te s t." A n d f o r a lo n g tim e , it w a s h a r d to d is p u te th a t. B e f o r e h is f ir s t f ig h t w ith S o n n y L is to n , h e h e ld u p e ig h t fin g e rs a n d h e s a id , " T o p ro v e I'm g re a t, h e 'll g o in e ig h t," a n d th a t's h o w it h a p p e n e d . L is to n c o u ld n 't g e t u p fo r th e e ig h th ro u n d , a n d M u h a m m a d A li b e c a m e th e h e a v y w e ig h t c h a m p io n o f th e w o rld .

-5"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

N o w , in 1 9 6 4 , I th o u g h t th a t w a s p re tty g re a t. H e c o u ld flo a t lik e a b u tte r f ly a n d s tin g lik e a b e e . H e w a s a g r e a t b o x e r , a g r e a t e n te rta in e r, a n d h e w a s a g re a t e x a m p le o f th e w o rld 's id e a o f g re a tn e s s . O n e w h o fig h ts h is w a y to th e to p , to w e rs a b o v e e v e ry o n e e ls e in h is f ie ld , w h ip s e v e ry c h a lle n g e r to h is c ro w n , a n d h a s m il lio n s o f a d m ire rs . W h o w o u ld n 't w a n t a p ie c e o f th a t? W h o w o u ld n 't lik e to ta s te s o m e o f th a t g lo ry ? W h o o f u s d o e s n 't h a v e s o m e d e s ire to b e th e w o rld c h a m p io n o f s o m e th in g ? T h e g re a te s t fo o tb a ll p la y e r in th e w o rld , th e m o s t b e a u tifu l w o m a n in th e w o rld , th e m o s t a d m ire d a n d th e m o s t p o w e rfu l b u s in e s s m a n in th e c o m m u n ity ? T h a t's th e w o rld 's s ta n d a rd o f g re a tn e s s , a n d w e c a n d is m is s th a t p io u s ly – c o rre c tly – a s th e w o rld 's s ta n d a rd fo r g re a tn e s s , b u t I th in k th e tru th is th a t w e 'v e a ll g o t a little n ic h e in o u r h e a rt fo r th a t s ta n d a rd a n d th a t d e s ire . T h e re w a s a n ic h e in th e h e a rt o f th e d is c ip le s f o r th a t. In f a c t, th e y g o t in to a d is c u s s io n o n th is v e ry s u b je c t a n d a rg u e d o v e r w h ic h o f th e m w a s th e g re a te s t. It o c c u rre d a s th e y w e re re tu rn in g to C a p e rn a u m fro m C a e s a re a P h ilip p i. It w a s a fa irly lo n g jo u rn e y o n f o o t, a n d s o th e y h a d tim e a n d th e y f ille d th e ir tim e w ith d is c u s s io n s o n , n o d o u b t, th e s ig n ific a n t th in g s th a t h a d ta k e n p la c e u p in th e n o rth , th e tra n s fig u ra tio n w h e re th e L o rd h a d u n v e ile d fo r s o m e o f th e d is c ip le s H is d iv in e g lo ry , a n d th e n th e fa ilu re o f s o m e o f th o s e d is c ip le s to c a s t o u t th e d e m o n a t th e fo o t o f th e m o u n ta in , a n d th e n th e L o rd 's s e c o n d p re d ic tio n o f H is d e a th a n d re s u rre c tio n . N o w , a s y o u 'll re m e m b e r, th e y d id n't u n d e rs ta n d e v e ry th in g th a t H e h a d to s a y a b o u t H is d e a th a n d re s u rre c tio n , b u t m e n tio n o f th e re s u rre c tio n m a y h a v e le d th e m to th in k th a t th e k in g d o m w a s a b o u t to c o m e b e c a u s e if H e 's to d ie a n d th e n H e 's to ris e a g a in , th e n s u re ly th e k in g d o m is g o in g to f o llo w f ro m th a t. A n d a fte r a ll, d id n 't th e L o rd s a y e a rlie r th a t s o m e o f th e m w o u ld n o t ta s te d e a th u n til th e y s a w th e k in g d o m c o m in g in p o w e r? S o th e y b e g a n to th in k a b o u t th a t a n d d is c u s s it a m o n g th e m s e lv e s a n d d is c u s s th e p o s itio n s th a t th e y m ig h t o c c u p y in th a t k in g d o m .

-6"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

A n d a s th e y d is c u s s e d it, e a c h o n e b e g a n to s ta k e o u t h is o w n c la im o f th e m o s t e x a lte d p o s itio n in th e k in g d o m , a n d y o u c a n ju s t im a g in e h o w th e c o n v e rs a tio n m ig h t h a v e g o n e a n d h o w it m ig h t h a v e b e g u n . J o h n o r P e te r m ig h t h a v e s a id , " W e ll, n o w , y o u n e e d to re m e m b e r th a t w e w e re u p o n th a t m o u n ta in w h ile y o u w e re d o w n a t th e f o o t o f th e m o u n ta in f a ilin g to c a s t o u t th a t d e m o n . W e s a w th e g lo ry o f th e L o rd re v e a le d . A n d n o t ju s t u s , M o s e s a n d E lija h w e re w ith u s . W e a ll h a d f e llo w s h ip to g e th e r u p th e r e o n th e m o u n ta in . A n d b e s id e s th a t, G o d s p o k e d ire c tly to u s . H e g a v e u s s o m e s p e c ia l in s tru c tio n . N o w , th a t h a s to c o u n t f o r s o m e th in g ." T o w h ic h A n d re w m ig h t h a v e re s p o n d e d , " L is te n , P e te r, re m e m b e r th is : Y o u 're in th is g ro u p b e c a u s e o f m e . I re c o g n iz e d J e s u s a s M e s s ia h b e fo re y o u d id . In fa c t, I b ro u g h t y o u to H im ." A n d th e M a tth e w m ig h t h a v e s a id , " W e ll, I d o n 't w a n t a n y o f y o u to f o rg e t th is : I g a v e u p m y jo b , m y w h o le c a re e r, to f o llo w J e s u s C h ris t. I s a c rific e d a g re a t d e a l a n d th a t h a s to c o u n t f o r s o m e th in g ." A n d o n it w e n t, e a c h o n e e x to llin g h is v irtu e s , in o n e w a y o r a n o th e r s a y in g , " I a m th e g re a te s t," a n d a ll o f th is a fte r th e L o rd p re d ic te d H is s u ffe rin g s a n d d e a th . H e h a s g iv e n th e m a g lim p s e o f H is g l o ry , th e g lo ry th a t H e s e t a s id e , th e g lo ry th a t H e le ft fo r th e ir s a k e . H e 's to ld th e m o f th e c ro s s th a t H e w o u ld s u ffe r fo r th e ir s a k e , a n d a ll th e y w e re c o n c e rn e d a b o u t w a s th e ir p e rs o n a l ra n k , th e ir o w n e x a lta tio n . S h o w s h o w in f lu e n c e d th e y w e re b y th e s p irit o f th e ir a g e , h o w th e s ta n d a rd s o f th e w o rld h a d a p la c e in th e ir h e a rt, a n d y e t w h a t a m a g n if ic e n t c o n tra s t th a t g iv e s to th e c ro s s th a t th e L o rd h a s ju s t a n n o u n c e d b e c a u s e it w a s f o r s u c h a s th e s e th a t H e c a m e to d ie . H e d id n 't c o m e to d ie fo r th e rig h te o u s . P a u l m a k e s th a t v e ry c le a r in R o m a n s c h a p te r 5 . C a m e to d ie fo r s in n e rs . H e c a m e to d ie fo r th o s e w h o w e re h e lp le s s . H e c a m e to d ie fo r th o s e w h o w e re H is e n e m ie s . H e c a m e to d ie fo r s e lfis h , s e lf-s e e k in g m e n ju s t lik e th e s e d is c ip le s , ju s t lik e y o u a n d m e . It p ro v e s th e lo v e o f G o d . Y o u w a n t to k n o w w h a t th e lo v e o f G o d is , lo o k to th e c ro s s b e c a u s e th e re w e s e e th a t w h ic h is u n c o n d itio n a l. It d o e s n 't lo v e lik e m e n lo v e . W e

-7"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

lo v e th o s e w h o h a v e e a rn e d o u r a f f e c tio n o r h a v e a c lo s e c o n n e c tio n w ith u s , b u t H e d o e s n 't d o th a t. H is lo v e is n o t h u m a n lo v e ; H is lo v e is u n c o n d itio n a l lo v e , a n d w e s e e th a t, I th in k , in th a t c o n tra s t a t th e v e ry o u ts e t. N o w , n o n e o f th is h a p p e n e d in th e L o rd 's p re s e n c e . H e w a s e v id e n tly w a lk in g s o m e d is ta n c e a w a y , p e rh a p s w a lk in g in f ro n t o f th e m , m e d ita tin g , b u t h e k n e w w h a t w a s g o in g o n . H e k n e w w h a t th e y w e re ta lk in g a b o u t a n d s a y s n o th in g a b o u t it u n til th e y a rriv e a t C a p e rn a u m w h e re H e b ro u g h t u p th e s u b je c t. W h e n th e y e n te re d a h o u s e , p e rh a p s P e te r's h o u s e , H e a s k e d th e m , " W h a t w e re y o u d is c u s s in g o n th e w a y ? I h e a rd s o m e s p irite d c o n v e rs a tio n b a c k th e re . W h a t w a s th a t? " W e ll, th e y w e re o b v io u s ly e m b a rra s s e d b y th e q u e s tio n b e c a u s e v e rs e 3 4 s ta te s th e y k e p t s ile n t. D o w n d e e p , th e y k n e w th e y w e re w ro n g a n d th e y w e re a s h a m e d th a t th e L o rd h a d d is c o v e re d th e ir a m b itio n a n d th e ir je a lo u s y . S o th e L o rd s its d o w n , w e re a d in v e rs e 3 5 , th e c h a ra c te ris tic p o s tu re o f a ra b b i w h o is g o in g to te a c h h is s tu d e n ts , a n d H e g iv e s th e m a le s s o n o n g re a tn e s s , o n w h o is re a lly g re a t. T ru e g re a tn e s s , h e e x p la in s , d o e s n 't c o m e b y f ig h tin g y o u r w a y to th e to p . It d o e s n 't c o m e b y h o ld in g ra n k a b o v e o th e rs . It c o m e s th ro u g h s e rv ic e to o th e rs . If a n y o n e o f y o u w a n ts to b e firs t, " h e s h a ll b e la s t o f a ll a n d s e rv a n t o f a ll." T h a t's a c o m p le te re v e rs a l o f th e w o rld 's s ta n d a rd f o r g re a tn e s s . I h a v e a frie n d w h o e a rly in h is b u s in e s s c a re e r w a s g iv e n s o m e a d v ic e b y a m o re e x p e rie n c e d c o lle a g u e , n o t m u c h m o re e x p e rie n c e d b e c a u s e h e 's a b o u t th e s a m e a g e , b u t h e h a d a little m o re e x p e rie n c e th a n m y f rie n d w h o w a s ju s t s ta rtin g o u t , a n d h e g a v e h im th is a d v ic e : E a t o r b e e a te n . S tu c k in m y m in d lik e it d id in to h is . W a tc h o u t f o r th e o th e rs . D e v o u r th e m o r th e y 'll d e v o u r y o u . If y o u 're g o in g to s u c c e e d , y o u 'v e g o t to b e v e ry a m b itio u s a n d y o u 'v e g o t to lo o k o u t f o r n u m b e r o n e . T h a t's th e w h o le s p ir it o f th a t s ta te m e n t a n d th a t's re a lly , I th in k , w h a t lie s b e h in d s o m u c h o f w h a t w e c o n s id e r to b e g re a t. A n d y e t th e L o rd s a y s ju s t th e o p p o s ite .

-8"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

H . P . S w e e t p u ts it th is w a y in h is c o m m e n ta ry o n M a rk : T h e s p irit o f s e rv ic e is th e p a s s p o rt to e m in e n c e in th e k in g d o m o f G o d . A n d th a t p rin c ip le fin d s its s u p re m e e x a m p le in o u r L o rd H im s e lf, w h o w o u ld la te r ta k e a to w e l in h is h a n d , k n e e l d o w n , a n d w a s h th e d irty fe e t o f H is d is c ip le s , a n d th e n H e w o u ld in s tru c t th e m to w a s h o n e a n o th e r's fe e t. In o th e r w o rd s , s e rv e o n e a n o th e r. T h a t's w h a t y o u 're to d o . H e w a s th e s e rv a n t w h o s e w h o le life w a s a n a c t o f s e rv ic e , a w h o le life o f s to o p in g d o w n a n d s e rv in g o th e rs . P a u l d e v e lo p s th a t in P h ilip p ia n s c h a p te r 2 – w e 'v e to u c h e d o n th a t m o re th a n o n c e in th e p a s t f e w w e e k s – w h e re h e w rite s th a t H e , th e e te rn a l S o n o f G o d , e m p tie d H im s e lf, ta k in g th e fo rm o f a b o n d -s e rv a n t. T a k in g th e f o rm o f a s la v e . T h a t's w h a t H e c a m e to d o . A n d th a t's w h a t H e c a lls u s to d o . A n d H e d e m a n d s n o th in g o f u s th a t H e h a s n 't d o n e H im s e lf. T h is is th e p a tte rn o f th e C h ris tia n lif e . T h is is th e p a tte rn o f th e lif e o f th e d is c ip le : s e lfle s s s e rv ic e , a n d th e im p o rta n c e o f it is s e e n in th e f a c t th a t it's re p e a te d . It's re p e a te d la te r o n in c h a p te r 1 0 . W e 'll c o m e to it in a f e w w e e k s , w e 'll tu rn to th is v e ry s u b je c t, th e ro a d to g re a tn e s s , a n d a g a in w e 'll s e e th a t o n e b e c o m e s g re a t in th e e y e s o f G o d , w h ic h is to s a y tru ly g re a t, b y s e rv in g on e a n o th e r. It's th ro u g h th a t s p irit, th ro u g h th e s p irit o f h u m ility , th ro u g h th e s p irit o f s e rv ic e , th a t je a lo u s y is a v o id e d , th e v e ry je a lo u s y th a t w e s e e g o in g o n h e re , a n d th a t p e a c e is p re s e rv e d . N o w , to illu s tra te H is p o in t, th e L o rd ta k e s a little c h ild w h o w a s p la y in g n e a r H im , m a y b e P e te r's c h ild , a n d p u ts h im in th e m id s t o f th e d is c ip le s . T h e s ig h t o f c h ild re n a ro u n d th e L o rd is n o t a n u n c o m m o n s ig h t a s y o u re a d th ro u g h th e g o s p e ls . T h e y fe lt s a fe n e a r H im a n d th is c h ild w a s n o t a fra id , e v e n th o u g h th e L o rd p u t h im a m o n g a ll th e s e b ig m e n . B u t h e w a s w ith th e L o rd a n d h e fe lt s a fe th e re . A n d th e n w ith a f f e c tio n , a s h o w o f te n d e rn e s s o n th e p a rt o f o u r L o rd , H e p ic k s u p th e c h ild in H is a rm s a n d H e s a id to th e d is c ip le s – v e rs e 3 7 – " W h o e v e r re c e iv e s o n e c h ild lik e th is in m y

-9"W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

n a m e is re c e iv in g m e , a n d w h o e v e r re c e iv e s m e is n o t re c e iv in g m e b u t H im w h o s e n t m e ." It w a s a n o b je c t le s s o n fo r th e s e s e lf-c e n te re d , s e lf -s e e k in g , s e lf-in te re s te d d is c ip le s . T h is is w h a t th e y w e re to b e in te re s te d in . N o t in th e m s e lv e s , n o t in e x a ltin g th e m s e lv e s o v e r o th e rs . T h e y w e re to b e in te re s te d in c h ild re n ; th a t is , w h a t c h ild re n re p re s e n te d . A p ic tu re o f y o u a n d m e , a p ic tu re o f th e d is c ip le s o f J e s u s C h ris t. N o w , w h a t a re c h ild re n ? W e ll, th e y a re th e w e a k o f th is w o rld . T h e y a re h e lp le s s . T h e y a re d e p e n d e n t c re a tu re s th a t h a v e n o th in g to o ffe r. T h e y c a n o n ly ta k e , th e y c a n 't g iv e . T h e y h a v e n o in f lu e n c e th a t c a n a d v a n c e o u r c a re e r o r o u r p re s tig e . A fte r th e firs t s e rv ic e , o n e o f th e m e n c a m e u p to m e , a n d h is d a u g h te r h a d b e e n s ittin g n e x t to h im , a n d a s I s a id th a t, a s I s a id c h ild re n a re h e lp le s s , s h e tu rn e d to h im , s a id , " I'm n o t h e lp le s s ." W e ll, th is is a v e ry y o u n g c h ild , a to d d le r, a n d th e o ld e r th e y g e t, th e le s s h e lp le s s th e y g e t, b u t I th o u g h t a b o u t th a t. I la u g h e d a b o u t it, to o , a n d I th o u g h t b u t h o w m u c h th a t is lik e u s . W e d o n 't lik e to h e a r th a t. W e 're a ll c h ild re n in th e f a m ily o f G o d . T h e re a re m a tu re c h ild re n a n d th e re a re le s s m a tu re c h ild re n b u t w e a re a ll c h ild re n in th e s e n s e th a t w e 're a ll h e lp le s s . W e 're a ll to ta lly d e p e n d e n t o n H im . W e d o n 't lik e to h e a r th a t. P e rh a p s w e d o n 't h e a r m u c h o f it b e c a u s e o f th a t, b u t th a t's th e c a s e , a n d w e 're to b e lo o k in g o u t fo r o n e a n o th e r. S o th e L o rd 's p o in t h e re is th a t tru e g re atn e s s in v o lv e s re c e iv in g c h ild re n , re c e iv in g s u c h a s th o s e in to th e c h u rc h , in to th e f e llo w s h ip o f th e C h ris tia n c o m m u n ity a n d in s o d o in g , c a rin g fo r s u c h . E v e n fo r th e m o s t in s ig n if ic a n t, lik e c h ild re n , w ith th e c a re a n d th e c o n s id e ra tio n th a t o u r L o rd h a d , w h ic h I th in k H e 's d e m o n s tra tin g h e re in p ic k in g u p th is c h ild a n d h o ld in g h im in H is a rm s . T h a t ta k e s h u m ility . T h a t ta k e s s e lfle s s n e s s b e c a u s e it's e a s y fo r u s to s e rv e th e g re a t. T h a t's h o w w e a d v a n c e in o u r c a re e rs . W e a tta c h o u rs e lv e s to th e g re a t a n d in a tta c h in g o u rs e lv e s to th e m , w e s e e m to b e a b it g re a t

- 10 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

o u rs e lv e s , a n d w e s e e k to s e rv e th e m b e c a u s e to s e rv e th e m is to g a in s o m e a d v a n ta g e fo r o u rs e lf. B u t to s e rv e th e in s ig n ific a n t, th o s e w h o h a v e n o th in g to o ffe r u s , th a t ta k e s h u m ility a n d it g iv e s n o p la c e to s e lfis h a m b itio n , b u t to d o th a t, e v e n th o u g h it's a n a c t o f h u m ility to d o th a t, is to re c e iv e C h ris t H im s e lf, a n d n o t o n ly C h ris t b u t th e F a th e r a s w e ll b e c a u s e a ll o f C h ris t's p e o p le , a ll w h o a re in H is n a m e , e v e n th e w e a k e s t a m o n g u s , re p re s e n t H im a n d re p re s e n t th e F a th e r, a n d s e rv ic e to th e m is th e w a y o f g re a tn e s s . N o w , th is s ta te m e n t th a t th e y w e re to re c e iv e o th e rs in H is n a m e c a u s e d J o h n to re c a ll a n e a rlie r in c id e n t w h e n h e a n d th e o th e r d is c ip le s s a w a m a n w h o w a s n 't p a rt o f th e ir c o m p a n y c a s tin g o u t th e d e m o n in C h ris t's n a m e , a n d th e y re b u k e d h im . " W e trie d to h in d e r h im ," J o h n s a y s in v e rs e 3 8 , " b e c a u s e h e w a s n o t fo llo w in g u s ." A n d th a t re a lly a n n o y e d th e m . H e re w a s a m a n d o in g th e L o rd 's w o rk b u t n o t d o in g it w ith th e m , n o t d o in g it in th e ir c irc le . H e w a s n 't a n o rd a in e d m in is te r, h e w a s n 't a tru e m a n o f th e c lo th , a n d w h a t w a s s o d is tu rb in g a b o u t it w a s h e w a s s u c c e s s fu l in w h a t h e w a s d o in g . H e w a s d o in g th e v e ry th in g th a t e a rlie r th e s e d is c ip le s c o u ld n 't d o b e c a u s e o f th e ir la c k o f fa ith . A n d y e t h e re 's a m a n w h o 's n o t in th e ir c irc le , n o t ru n n in g w ith th e m , n o t m in is te rin g w ith th e m , a n d h e 's d o in g th e v e ry th in g th a t th e y c o u ld n 't d o , w h ic h s u g g e s ts th a t h e h a d fa ith w h e re th e y d id n 't, th a t h e h a d tru e f a ith . A n d s o th e y trie d to s to p h im , a n d n o w J o h n 's w o n d e rin g , " W e re w e w ro n g in w h a t w e d id ? " A n d th e L o rd 's re p ly to th a t s h o w s th a t th e y w e re , th e y w e re to o e x c lu s iv e in th e ir a ttitu d e to w a rd h im . V e rs e 3 9 : B u t J e s u s s a id , " D o n o t h in d e r h im fo r th e re 's n o o n e w h o s h a ll p e rfo rm a m ira c le in m y n a m e a n d b e a b le s o o n a fte rw a rd to s p e a k e v il o f m e ." In o th e r w o rd s , th o u g h h e w a s n o t fo rm a lly a s s o c ia te d w ith th e m , h is d e e d s s h o w e d th a t h e w a s n o t a g a in s t th e m . A n d if h is w o rk s w e re in fa v o r o f th e L o rd , h is w o rd s w o u ld b e a ls o . N o w , it's k in d o f a c h a n g e o f o rd e r fro m w h a t w e 're u s e d to s e e in g . W o rd s o f f a ith f u ln e s s to th e L o r d a r e s u b s ta n tia te d b y d e e d s , b u t h e r e it's d e e d s

- 11 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

th a t w ill b e s u b s ta n tia te d b y th e w o rd s , a n d th e re a s o n is b e c a u s e th e s e a re d e e d s o f fa ith . T h is m a n is a g e n u in e m a n o f fa ith , h e 's tru ly tru s te d in th e L o rd . T h a t's c le a r f ro m h is a c tio n s , a n d it's in e v ita b le th e n th a t h e w ill s p e a k f o r th e L o rd b e c a u s e h e is o f th e L o rd . H e w a s n o t a n e n e m y , in o th e r w o rd s. H e w a s o n th e ir s id e , h e w a s fig h tin g th e s a m e b a ttle a s th e y w e re , s o th e y s h o u ld b e s u p p o rtiv e . It's a s w ro n g to o p p o s e th is m a n a s it w o u ld b e fo r a n a rm y th a t's f ig h tin g a g a in s t a n e n e m y to tu rn u p o n its e lf f o r re a s o n s o f je a lo u s y o r w h a te v e r. T h e L u th e ra n c o m m e n ta to r R . H . L e n s k i p o in ts o u t th a t th e L o rd w a s e n c o u ra g in g h is d is c ip le s to b e p a tie n t w ith th is m a n a n d g iv e h is f a ith tim e to d e v e lo p . I t's n o t th a t th e m a n w a s d e te r m in e d n o t to jo in th e L o rd a n d H is b a n d o f d is c ip le s b u t h is k n o w le d g e w a s lim ite d , h i s f a ith w a s y o u n g , a n d s o h e w a s to b e e n c o u r a g e d . H e w a s lik e a c h ild in th e f a ith . H is a c tio n s s h o w e d th a t h e w a s n o t o p p o s e d to th e L o rd , h o w e v e r, a n d s o th e L o rd a d d s in v e rs e 4 0 : F o r h e w h o is n o t a g a in s t u s is fo r u s . S ta n d s to re a s o n th a t th o s e w h o a re n o t a g a in s t H im , th o s e w h o a re n o t a c tiv e ly u n d e rm in in g H is m in is try a n d H is w o rk , a re f o r H im . H e th e n illu s tra te s in v e rs e 4 1 w h a t it m e a n s to b e fo r H im : F o r w h o e v e r g iv e s y o u a c u p o f w a te r to d rin k b e c a u s e o f y o u r n a m e a s f o llo w e r s o f C h r ist, tru ly I s a y to y o u , h e s h a ll n o t lo s e h is re w a rd . E v e n th e s im p le s t a c t o f k in d n e s s lik e o f f e rin g a c u p o f w a te r to a p e rs o n b e c a u s e h e o r s h e b e lo n g s to C h ris t, b e c a u s e h e o r s h e is a C h ris tia n , is s ig n ific a n t a n d illu s tra te s h o w w id e th e ra n g e o f C h ris tia n m in is try re a lly is . W e th in k o f C h ris tia n s e rv ic e a s b e in g g re a t a c ts o f s a c rific e o r b e in g m in is trie s lik e te a c h in g o r e v a n g e lis m a n d , o f c o u rs e , th a t's p a rt o f C h ris tia n m in is try . B u t a ll o f th e C h ris tia n life is a n o p p o rtu n ity fo r m in is try . E v e n th e m o s t s e e m in g ly in s ig n ific a n t th in g s a re o p p o rtu n itie s f o r m in is tr y a n d w e 'r e n o t to d is m is s a n y th in g a s tr iv ia l. G o d d o e s n 't. H e is a w a re o f e v e n th e s m a lle s t a c ts o f k in d n e s s a n d c o n s id e rs th e m im p o rta n t b e c a u s e , a s v e rs e 3 7 in d ic a te s , to d o th em f o r a C h ris tia n is

- 12 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

to d o th e m f o r C h ris t, a n d n o th in g p le a s e s G o d m o re th a n s e rv ic e to H is S o n . N o w , if th e s m a lle s t k in d n e s s h a s its re w a rd , w h a t a b o u t th e la rg e r a c ts o f k in d n e s s ? If g iv in g a c u p o f w a te r to s o m e o n e w h o 's th irs ty is p le a s in g to th e L o rd a n d it s h o w s its e lf a s C h ris tia n s e rv ic e , w h a t a b o u t o p p o s in g S a ta n ? O b v io u s ly , th a t's C h ris tia n s e rv ic e . T h e ra n g e o f C h ris tia n s e rv ic e is w id e e n o u g h , th e L o rd is s a y in g , to in c lu d e th is u n k n o w n e x o rc is t, e v e n th o u g h h e 's n o t w ith in o u r im m e d ia te c irc le , a n d s o th e y w e re to b e c a re f u l a b o u t th is a ttitu d e o f e x c lu s iv is m a n d , o f c o u rs e , th a t a p p lie s to e a c h o f u s a s w e ll. W e 're to b e c a re f u l a b o u t th a t a s w e ll. It's a p ro b le m a m o n g th e p e o p le o f G o d . It's a lw a y s b e e n th a t w a y , I th in k . Y o u s e e th a t b a c k in th e O ld T e s ta m e n t, s e e it w ith J o s h u a . H e h a d a p ro b le m w ith h is a ttitu d e . In N u m b e rs 1 1 :2 6-2 9 , th e s to ry is re c o rd e d o f a n e v e n t in w h ic h M o s e s a n d th e 7 0 e ld e rs , a s w e ll a s J o s h u a a n d m u c h o f th e c a m p o f Is ra e l, w e n t o u ts id e th e c a m p to th e p la c e w h e re th e ta b e rn a c le w a s s e t u p , a n d th e re th e S p irit o f G o d c a m e u p o n th e 7 0 e ld e rs . T h e S p irit o f G o d w a s th e re u p o n th e m , b u t th e re w e re tw o m e n w h o , fo r s o m e re a s o n , h a d n o t le ft th e c a m p . T h e y re m a in e d b a c k a t th e c a m p . T h e ir n a m e s w e re E ld a d a n d M e d a d , a n d th e y b e g a n to p ro p h e s y , a n d it w a s g e n u in e p ro p h e c y b e c a u s e w e re a d th a t th e S p irit re s te d u p o n th e m . B u t th e y w e re n 't p ro p h e s y in g in th e p la c e th a t o n e m ig h t e x p e c t th e m to b e p ro p h e s y in g . T h e y w e re n 't o u t th e re a t th e ta b e rn a c le w h e re th e 7 0 e ld e rs a n d M o s e s a n d J o s h u a a n d m e n o f im p o rta n c e w e re , th e y w e re b a c k in th e c a m p w ith o th e r p e o p le , p ro p h e s y in g . A n d s o m e o n e s a w th is a n d ra n a n d to ld J o s h u a , a n d it u p s e t J o s h u a . H e w a s a p p a lle d b y th is , p a rtic u la rly u p s e t th a t th e s e m e n w e re p ro p h e s y in g a n d it's M o s e s th a t's th e g re a t p ro p h e t. H e w a s d is tu rb e d th a t h is m e n to r s e e m e d to b e n o t g e ttin g a ll th e a tte n tio n , a n d s o h e s a y s to M o s e s , " R e s tra in th e m ," b u t M o s e s s a id , " A re y o u je a lo u s fo r m y s a k e ? W o u ld th a t a ll th e L o rd 's p e o p le w e r e p ro p h e ts , th a t th e L o rd w o u ld p u t H is S p irit u p o n th e m ."

- 13 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

N o w , th a t's g re a tn e s s . M o s e s w a s m e e k , m e e k e s t m a n in a ll th e e a rth , a n d y e t M o s e s w a s g re a t b e c a u s e h e d id n 't u s e h is a u th o rity , h e d id n 't u s e h is p o s itio n to s u b d u e p e o p le , to b rin g th e m u n d e r h im , to m a k e th e m h is s e rv a n ts , to lo rd it o v e r th e m , s o to s p e a k . H e u s e d h is a u th o rity , h e u s e d h is in f lu e n c e , to b e a b le s s in g to th e m , to e n c o u ra g e th e m . " W o u ld th a t e v e ry o n e w a s d o in g th e w o rk o f th e L o rd ," h e s a id , a n d G o d d o e s H is w o rk in u n e x p e c te d w a y s in p e o p le a n d p la c e s o u ts id e o u r c irc le , in c h u rc h e s th a t a re n o t in lin e w ith u s in e v e ry m a tte r o f th e o lo g y a n d p ra c tic e , a n d s o m e tim e s th a t's n o t e a s y to s e e . B u t h e b le s s e s w h e re th e re is fa ith a n d H e b le s s e s w h e re th e W o rd o f G o d is ta u g h t a n d H e b le s s e s w h e re th e g o s p e l is h o n o re d in th e d e n o m in a tio n a l c h u rc h e s a n d e v e n , I m u s t s a y , in C h a ris m a tic c h u rc h e s . D o e s n 't b le s s th e ir e rro r a n d d o e s n 't e x c u s e th e ir e rro r, b u t H e b le s s e s w h e re th e re is fa ith a n d H e b le s s e s th a t fa ith , e v e n if it's th e s iz e o f a m u s ta rd s e e d , a n d H e b le s s e s th e W o rd o f G o d a n d th e g o s p e l w h e re it's ta u g h t. W e s h o u ld n 't b e je a lo u s o f th a t. It's n o t o u r w o rk ; it's G o d 's w o rk a n d b le s s in g w h e re v e r it o c c u rs is re a s o n fo r jo y , th e k in d o f jo y th a t M o s e s h a d . It's th e w o rk o f th e L o rd , a n d b e c a u s e it's th e w o rk o f th e L o rd , it's u ltim a te ly a b le s s in g f o r a ll o f th e p e o p le o f G o d , a n d s o w e s h o u ld re jo ic e in th a t. E v e n th o s e w h o a re w e a k in fa ith a n d s h a llo w in k n o w le d g e , a b it c o n f u s e d o n th e o lo g y , c a n s e rv e th e L o rd a n d th e y s h o u ld b e e n c o u ra g e d a n d s h o u ld b e h e lp e d a lo n g in th e fa ith lik e a p a re n t h e lp s a little c h ild . T h a t's w h e re g re a tn e s s is s e e n . T h a t's w h a t o u r L o rd is s a y in g . It's n o t s e e n in a m b itio u s e ffo rts to e x a lt s e lf b u t in h e lp in g th e w e a k a n d in s e l f le s s ly s e r v in g th e c a u s e o f C h r is t in s m a ll a s w e ll a s la rg e w a y s . T h e L o rd 's c h ild re n a re p re c io u s to H im a n d H e w a n ts u s to c a re f o r th e m w ith th e s a m e c o n c e r n th a t H e c a r e s f o r th e m , a n d s o p e r h a p s w ith th e little c h ild s till in H is a rm s , H e g iv e s a w a rn in g in v e rs e 4 2 a g a in s t le a d in g H is c h ild re n a s tra y . " W h o e v e r c a u s e s o n e o f th e s e little o n e s w h o b e lie v e to s tu m b le , it w o u ld b e b e tte r f o r h im if a h e a v y m ills to n e h u n g a ro u n d h is n e c k , h e h a d b e e n c a s t in to th e s e a ."

- 14 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

N o w , h e 's re fe rrin g h e re to the w o rld a n d its s tu m b lin g b lo c k s . T h a t's c le a r f ro m M a tth e w 1 8 :6 -7 w h e re th e c o n te x t is th e w o rld a n d its s tu m b lin g b lo c k s , w h ic h h e c a lls in e v ita b le . T h e y 're g o in g to b e th e re , a n d s o th e w a rn in g w a s n e c e s s a ry b e c a u s e e v e ry g e n e ra tio n h a s th o s e w h o p re y u p o n th e w e a k , w h o p re y u p o n th e y o u n g , w h o p re y u p o n C h ris tia n s th a t a re n o t w e ll e s ta b lis h e d in th e f a ith , a n d th e y 're e a s y p re y b e c a u s e o f th a t, b e c a u s e th e y 're y o u n g , b e c a u s e th e y la c k k n o w le d g e a n d th e y la c k e x p e rie n c e a n d th e y la c k w is d o m . T h e y n e e d to b e p ro te c te d a n d g u id e d b y th o s e w h o a re m o re m a tu re, a n d s o to p ro m o te th a t a n d to d is c o u ra g e s p iritu a l s e d u c tio n a n d a b u s e , th e L o rd w a rn s th a t s u c h s in is s o g ra v e th a t a g ru e s o m e d e a th w o u ld b e b e tte r. N o w , th is is n 't s o m e th in g th a t th e L o rd d r e a m e d u p , th is g ru e s o m e p ic tu re o f d e a th , th is is s o m e th in g th a t e v id e n tly a c tu a lly o c c u rre d b e c a u s e J o s e p h u s re c o rd s a n in c id e n t in w h ic h it o c c u rre d in th a t re g io n . S o m e G a lile a n s a g e n e ra tio n e a rlie r h a d re v o lte d a g a in s t H e ro d th e G re a t a n d th e y to o k so m e o f th o s e m e n w h o w e re lo y a l to H e ro d a n d th e y d ro w n e d th e m in th e s e a . T h e re 's a c a s e in w h ic h th e R o m a n s d id th e s a m e th in g to a n e a rlie r z e a lo t, a m a n n a m e d J u d a s th e G a lile a n . T h e y d ro w n e d h im in th e S e a o f G a lile e . S o w ith th e S e a o f G a lile e b e fo re th e m , th e L o rd 's w o rd s w o u ld n 't h a v e b e e n lo s t o n H is d is c ip le s . V e ry g ra p h ic p ic tu re . B e tte r to d ie th a t k in d o f d e a th th a n b e a s tu m b lin g b lo c k to H is p e o p le . T h e n v e rs e s 4 3 th ro u g h 4 7 , th e L o rd m o v e s f ro m w a rn in g th e w o rld a g a in s t c a u s in g h is d is c ip le s to s tu m b le to w a rn in g H is d is c ip le s a g a in s t c a u s in g th e ir o w n s tu m b lin g , a n d in d o in g s o , H e u n d e rs c o re s th e ra d ic a l d e m a n d s o f C h ris tia n d is c ip le s h ip . T h a t's v e ry c le a r fro m th e a lm o s t s h o c k in g w o rd s a n d s ta te m e n ts th a t w e re a d h e re . " A n d if y o u r h a n d " – v e rs e 4 3 – " c a u s e s y o u to s tu m b le , c u t it o f f ; it is b e tte r f o r y o u to e n te r lif e c r ip p le d th a n , h a v in g y o u r tw o h a n d s , to g o in to h e ll, in to th e u n q u e n c h a b le f ire . A n d if y o u r fo o t c a u s e s y o u to s tu m b le , c u t it o ff; it is b e tte r fo r y o u to e n ter life la m e th a n , h a v in g y o u r tw o fe e t, to b e c a s t in to h e ll . A n d if y o u r e y e c a u s e s y o u to

- 15 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

s tu m b le , c a s t it o u t; it is b e tte r f o r y o u to e n te r th e k in g d o m o f G o d w ith o n e e y e th a n, h a v in g tw o e y e s , to b e c a s t in to h e ll." A s v a lu a b le a s o u r h a n d s a n d fee t a n d e y e s a re , it's b e tte r to m is s th e m th a n m is s th e k in g d o m a n d p e ris h e te rn a lly . N o w , o f c o u rs e , th e L o rd d o e s n 't in te n d f o r u s to ta k e H is m e a n in g lite ra lly h e re . T h e s o u rc e o f s in is n o t in th e p h y s ic a l m e m b e rs . A fte r a ll, if y o u c u t y o u r h a n d o f f , y o u 'd s till c o v e t. I t d o e s n 't c h a n g e th a t b e c a u s e th e s in is in th e h e a rt, a n d th e L o rd k n o w s th a t. H e 's p u ttin g th e a b s tra c t p rin c ip le o f s in in c o n c re te te rm s , w h ic h is c h a ra c te ris tic o f O rie n ta l th o u g h t a n d e x p re s s io n . It's v e ry p ic to ria l in its w a y o f e x p re s s in g its e lf . A n d s in is s e e n in a c tio n . W e k n o w s in , n o t b e c a u s e w e s e e a p e rs o n ' s th o u g h ts a n d w h a t's g o in g o n in th e in n e r m a n , w e k n o w it f ro m th e a c tio n s th a t ta k e p la c e , w h a t th e h a n d d o e s , w h a t th e fo o t d o e s , a n d s o H e d e s c rib e s it in te rm s o f th e m e m b e rs w h ic h c a rry o u t th e s in . T h e p o in t is s in is s o s e rio u s , s in is s o h a rm f u l w ith s u c h f a r re a c h in g c o n s e q u e n c e s th a t w h a te v e r te m p ts a p e rs o n to b e u n fa ith fu l to th e L o rd s h o u ld b e p u t a w a y im m e d ia te ly , p u t a w a y d e c is iv e ly , e v e n a s a s u rg e o n a m p u ta te s a h a n d o r le g to s a v e a life . T h a t m a y m e a n p u ttin g c e rta in b o o k s a n d m a g a z in e s o u t o f o u r h o u s e , it m a y m e a n tu rn in g o f f c e rta in p ro g ra m s o n th e te le v is io n , it m a y m e a n te rm in a tin g a c e rta in re la tio n s h ip th a t y o u h a v e in y o u r lif e . W e c a n lo o k a t th e b a d th in g s lik e th a t b u t th e re 's a ls o th in g s th a t a re le g itim a te th a t c a n a ls o b e d e trim e n ta l, a n d if th e re is a n y th in g , e v e n if it's le g itim a te , th a t f r u s tr a te s o u r d e v o tio n to C h r is t, th e n w e 'r e to c u t it o f f . T h e L o rd is n o t d e s c rib in g th e s u p e r C h ris tia n h e re . H e 's n o t d e s c rib in g a n e lite g ro u p o f C h ris tia n s th a t re a lly e x c e l a n d s o rt o f le a v e e v e ry b o d y e ls e b e h in d . H e 's s a y in g th is is th e C h ris tia n lif e . E v e ry C h ris tia n is a d is c ip le . T h is is th e lif e o f th e d is c ip le a n d it in v o lv e s c o m m itm e n t. W e liv e in a d a y a n d a g e th a t is c o m m itte d to c a s u a l C h ris tia n ity , I th in k . I th in k w e 're a ll g u ilty o f th a t. I th in k w e 'd a ll h a v e to c o n fe s s th a t's tru e . T h is is q u ite a s ta n d a rd to m e e t,

- 16 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

a n d y e t th e tru e c h ild o f G o d w ill s e e k to m e e t th a t. T h e y w ill re s p o n d to it w ith th e h e lp o f th e H o ly S p irit b e c a u s e th a t is re a lly th e o n ly w a y w e c a n d o it, o n ly in H is p o w e r. O n ly b y m e a n s o f H is w o rk w ith in u s g iv e s u s th e in s ig h t in to th e a p p lic a tio n f o r o u rs e lv e s . H o w it to u c h e s o u r life a n d th e d e s ire to d o it, th a t c o m e s f ro m th e H o ly S p irit. W e c a n 't d o it in o u r o w n s tre n g th b u t th e S p irit o f G o d u s e s w a rn in g s a n d a d m o n itio n s s u c h a s th is to m o v e u s to d o th a t, to m o v e u s to re s p o n d , a n d a s I s a id , th e tru e c h ild o f G o d w ill re s p o n d to th a t. T h e s e rio u s n e s s o f th e m a tte r is b ro u g h t o u t b y th a t w o rd " h e ll." T h is is a w o rd th a t w e d o n 't h e a r m u c h o f a n y m o re . C h u rc h h is to ria n M a rtin M a rty o b s e rv e d in N e w s w e e k a f e w y e a rs a g o , " H e ll d is a p p e a re d a n d n o o n e n o tic e d ." W e ll, it d id n 't d is a p p e a r fro m o u r L o rd 's v o c a b u la ry . H e s p o k e q u ite fre q u e n tly a b o u t h e ll, o r lite ra lly G e h e n n a , a s th e w o rd is in o u r te x t, w h ic h re f e rs to th e V a lle y o f H in n o m o n th e s o u th e rn s id e o f J e ru s a le m a n d c a m e to re p re s e n t h e ll in th e th in k in g o f th e p e o p le o f th a t d a y a n d is v e ry p re v a le n t in th e w ritin g o f th e ra b b is o f th a t d a y b e c a u s e o f th e fire s a s s o c ia te d w ith its in fa m o u s h is to ry . It w a s th e re in th e d a y s o f A h a z a n d M a n a s s e h th a t c h ild re n w e re b u rn e d to d e a th a s s a c rif ic e s to th e g o d M o l e c h . It w a s s a id th a t th e y m a d e th e ir s o n s p a s s th ro u g h th e fire . G o o d K in g J o s ia h d e c la re d it a n u n c le a n p la c e a n d J e re m ia h p ro n o u n c e d th re a ts o v e r th e V a lle y o f H in n o m . B y o u r L o rd 's d a y , it h a d b e c o m e th e g a rb a g e d u m p o f J e ru s a le m w h e re th e re fu s e o f th e c ity w a s b u rn e d . D a y a n d n ig h t y o u c o u ld s e e th e f ire s in th e V a lle y o f H in n o m , a n d s o it c a m e to s y m b o liz e a p la c e o f d iv in e p u n is h m e n t. T h a t's h o w o u r L o rd u s e s it h e re a n d d e f in e s it in te rm s o f u n q u e n c h a b le f ire , o th e rw o rld ly f ire in a p la c e o f e n d le s s p u n is h m e n t, a n d th a t's s u p p o rte d in v e rs e 4 8 w ith a q u o te o f Is a ia h 6 6 :2 4 : " W h e re th e ir w o rm d o e s n o t d ie a n d th e fire is n o t q u e n c h e d . " T h a t's th e la s t v e rs e o f th e b o o k o f Is a ia h , w h ic h is in te re s tin g b e c a u s e th e s e c o n d b o o k o f Is a ia h , b e g in n in g w ith c h a p te r 4 0 , b e g in s w ith w o rd s o f e n c o u ra g e m e n t. " C o m fo rt, O c o m fo rt m y p e o p le," th e L o rd s a y s .

- 17 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

A n d w e h a v e in th a t s e c tio n o f Is a ia h th e g re a t M e s s ia n ic p ro m is e s o f th e o n e w h o w o u ld c o m e a n d s a v e H is p e o p le , a n d y e t it e n d s o n th a t te rrib le w a rn in g , w h ic h is to w a rn th e p e o p le to lo o k to th a t R e d e e m e r a n d n o t to lo o k a w a y , n o t to tru s t in th e m s e lv e s , a n d n o t b e c o m e th e e n e m y o f th e L o rd b e c a u s e th e p o in t is th e e n e m ie s o f th e L o rd w ill b e d e s tro y e d . T h e y w ill, a s it w e re , h a v e th e ir c o rp s e s th ro w n in to th e V a lle y o f H in n o m to b e b u rn e d b y fire a n d to b e c o n s u m e d b y m a g g o ts , a n d th a t's th e p ic tu re th a t h e g iv e s . T h a t's th e w a y th a t g re a t p ro p h e c y e n d s , w ith a te rrib le w a rn in g. It is th a t, it's a te rrib le th o u g h t, th a t p e o p le w ill s u ffe r th e e te rn a l to rm e n t o f h e ll. In f a c t, th e th o u g h t is s o te rrib le th a t s o m e e v a n g e lic a ls h a v e a b a n d o n e d th e d o c trin e o f e te rn a l p u n is h m e n t a lto g e th e r f o r a d o c trin e c a lle d c o n d itio n a l im m o rta lity . T h a t m e n w ill b e p u n is h e d fo r th e ir s in , a n d th e ir p u n is h m e n t w ill b e c o m m e n s u ra te w ith th e ir s in , b u t it w o n 't b e e te rn a l. T h e y 'll g o in to h e ll a n d th e w o rs t o f th e m , th e m o s t g u ilty o f th e m , w ill s u f f e r th e m o s t o f th e b u n c h . T h e y 'll s u f f e r th e lo n g e s t. B u t e v e n tu a lly , a ll o f th a t w ill c o m e to a n e n d a n d a ll w ill b e a n n ih ila te d s o th a t it is n o t a n e te rn a l p u n is h m e n t. J o h n S to tt, o n e o f th e le a d in g e v a n g e lic a ls to d a y , is o n e o f th o s e w h o h a s a c c e p te d th is v ie w , a n d I k n o w y o u 're fa m ilia r w ith th a t. Y o u k n o w th a t b e c a u s e y o u 'v e h e a rd it m o re th a n o n c e fro m th is p u lp it. H e 's w ritte n o n th e s u b je c t in a b o o k e n title d , E v a n g e lic a l E s s e n tia ls , a n d in th a t s e c tio n o n e s c h a to lo g y , h e c o m m e n ts o n Is a ia h 6 6 :2 4 a n d th e L o rd 's u s e o f it. H e a rg u e s th a t n e ith e r Is a ia h n o r th e L o rd s a y a n y th in g a b o u t e v e rla s tin g p a in , o n ly th a t th e w o rm w ill n o t d ie a n d th e f ire w ill n o t b e q u e n c h e d , n o r w ill th e y , h e a d d s , u n til p re s u m a b ly th e ir w o rk o f d e s tru c tio n is d o n e . B u t th e re 's n o s u g g e s tio n fro m th e te x t th a t th e ir w o rk o f d e s tru c tio n w ill e v e r b e d o n e . T h a t's a n a s s u m p tio n th a t o n e b rin g s to th e te x t, a n d th e a p o s tle J o h n w rite s in R e v e la tio n 2 0 :1 0 th a t th o s e th ro w n in to th e la k e o f f ire a n d b rim s to n e w ill b e to rm e n te d d a y a n d n ig h t fo re v e r a n d e v e r. A n d w h ile it's tru e th e e x p re s s io n " e v e rla s tin g

- 18 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

p a in " is n o t u s e d , s u re ly th a t's th e im p lic a tio n o f th e w o rm a n d th e f ir e , th e s o u r c e o f th e p a in , th e s o u r c e o f th e to r m e n t n e v e r d y in g , n e v e r b e in g q u e n c h e d . It's c e rta in ly th e m e a n in g o f M a tth e w 2 5 :4 6 w h e re th e s a m e w o rd , " e te rn a l," is u s e d o f b o th p u n is h m e n t a n d life . " T h e s e w ill g o a w a y in to e te r n a l p u n is h m e n t," th e L o rd s a y s , " b u t th e rig h te o u s in to e te rn a l life ." T h e te x t s a y s it's e te rn a l . B u t if p u n is h m e n t is n o t e te rn a l, if w e 're g o in g to lim it th a t, h o w c a n w e c o n c lu d e th a t th e p ro m is e d life in k in g d o m w ill b e e te rn a l? T h e y 're in p a ra lle l w ith o n e a n o th e r. If th e o n e is n o t e te rn a l, th e n w e c a n 't c o n c lu d e th a t th e o th e r is e te rn a l, b u t if th e o n e is e te rn a l, if th e k in g d o m a n d th e life is e te rn a l, th e n w e 'd h a v e to a s s u m e th a t it's a n tith e s is , p u n is h m e n t, is e te rn a l a s w e ll. T h a t's w h a t th e te x t s a y s . T h a t's th e p la in re a d in g o f it. A n d th a t's s u g g e s te d a ls o b y th e v e ry n a tu re o f G o d . W h a t ju s tic e c o u ld b e d iv in e ju s tic e o th e r th a n th a t in e te rn a l p u n is h m e n t? A ll s in is u ltim a te ly s in a g a in s t G o d , w h o is a h o ly G o d , a n d b e c a u s e G o d i s in f in ite a n d G o d is e te rn a l, s u c h s in c a rrie s th e w e ig h t o f in f in ite e te rn a l g u ilt, a n d s o it f o llo w s th a t th e p u n is h m e n t m u s t b e e te rn a l. I th in k D r. S to tt, w h o is a g re a t, g re a t m a n , h e 's w ritte n a n u m b e r o f b o o k s th a t h a v e b e e n v e ry h e lp fu l to m e a n d I h a v e n 't re a d n e a rly a ll o f h is m a te ria l, b u t w h a t I'v e re a d I'v e p ro fite d g re a tly fro m a n d h a v e g o n e b a c k a n d u s e d it a s a s o u rc e o f m y in s tru c tio n o f te n . B u t I th in k h e h a s p e rh a p s tip p e d h is h a n d w h e n h e w ro te re g a rd in g e te rn a l c o n s c io u s p u n is h m e n t: " E m o tio n a lly , I f in d th e c o n c e p t in to le ra b le a n d d o n o t u n d e rs ta n d h o w p e o p le c a n liv e w ith it w ith o u t e ith e r c a u te riz in g th e ir f e e lin g s o r c ra c k in g u n d e r th e s tra in ." W e ll, it is a te rrib le d o c trin e , to b e s u re . W e c a n 't c o n c e iv e h o w te rrib le it is . B u t e m o tio n s m u s t b e ru le d b y S c rip tu re a n d n o t S c rip tu re b y e m o tio n , a n d th e B ib le te a c h e s , I th in k c le a rly , e n d le s s c o n s c io u s p u n is h m e n t in w h ic h th e h o p e s a n d jo y s a n d ric h e s o f m e n p e ris h a n d th e y a re to rm e n te d b y th e ir g u ilt f o re v e r. T h a t's w h y th e a u th o r o f H e b re w s s a y s it is a te rrify in g th in g to fa ll in to th e h a n d s o f th e liv in g G o d . If it's G o d 's tru th , th e n w e m u s t a d ju s t to it a n d k n o w th a t it's

- 19 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

rig h t a n d p ro c la im it. W a rn m e n o f h e ll a n d w a rn m e n o f fa llin g in to it. A n d th e g o o d n e w s is th e re is a w a y o f e s c a p e b e c a u s e th e L o rd a ls o s p e a k s o f lif e a n d H e s p e a k s o f e n te rin g th e k in g d o m o f G o d . T h a t's th e f u tu re f o r a ll w h o lo o k to C h ris t, f o r a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im a n d tru s t in H im a s S a v io r. It's th e in h e rita n c e o f H is d is c ip le s , life th a t u n f o ld s a n d p ro g re s s e s u n h in d e re d f o re v e r w ith jo y u n e x p re s s a b le a n d fu ll o f g lo ry . N o w , th a t's o u r e x p e rie n c e e v e n to d a y a s C h ris tia n s to a g re a t e x te n t. N o t f u lly , o f c o u rs e , b u t w e e x p e rie n c e th a t. T h ro u g h C h ris t, w e h a v e th e fo rg iv e n e s s o f o u r s ins a n d s o w e a re a t p e a c e w ith G o d a n d in th a t re la tio n s h ip w ith H im , w e h a v e jo y a n d w e a re to h a v e e v e n m o re jo y . W e 're to in c re a s e a n d a b o u n d in jo y . T h a t d o e s n 't m e a n , o f c o u rs e , th a t a ll is e a s y f o r th e C h ris tia n a n d fo r th e d is c ip le . T h e life o f th e d is c ip le in v o lv e s ta k in g u p a c ro s s , a s w e 'v e s e e n e a rlie r. A n d in v e rs e 4 9 , th e L o rd d e v e lo p s th a t w h e n H e m o v e s f ro m th e f ire o f p u n is h m e n t to th e f ire o f p u rific a tio n . F ire is d e s tru c tiv e , a n d H e 's b u ilt u p o n th a t fa c t a lre a d y , b u t it c a n a ls o b e b e n e f ic ia l a s w h e n it p u rg e s m e ta ls o f th e ir im p u ritie s . A n d h e re , u n d e r th e im a g e ry o f fire , th e L o rd s p e a k s o f th e b e n e fic ia l in f lu e n c e s th a t in e v ita b le tria ls f o r th e C h ris tia n lif e w ill h a v e . F o r e v e ry o n e , H e s a y s , w ill b e s a lte d w ith fire . N o w , th a t's a n u n u s u a l e x p re s s io n , s a lte d w ith f ire , a n d m a y b e a n a llu s io n to L e v itic u s 2 :1 3 w h e re it's s ta te d th a t s a c rific e s w e re to b e s e a s o n e d w ith s a lt. In th e a n c ie n t w o rld , s a lt w a s u s e d b o th f o r its p re s e rv a tiv e in f lu e n c e – k e p t f o o d p u r e , c le a n – a n d f o r its s e a s o n in g e f f e c t, a n d s o it w a s a d d e d to th e s a c rif ic e to s ig n if y p u rity , a n d th a t's w h a t th e f ire o f tria ls p ro d u c e in th e C h ris tia n lif e . O u r liv e s a re to b e a s a c rific e to G o d . R o m a n s 1 2 :1 : P re s e n t y o u r b o d y a s a liv in g a n d h o ly s a c rific e a c c e p ta b le to G o d , a n d tria ls p ro d u c e th a t in u s . T h e y h a v e a p u rify in g in flu e n c e u p o n u s . W e m a tu re th ro u g h d if f ic u ltie s , w e le a rn p a tie n c e a n d h u m ility th ro u g h th e m , th e y c o rre c t u s in o u r b e h a v io r, a n d th ro u g h it a ll w e b e c o m e m o re lik e C h ris t, w e b e c o m e e v e n m o re d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e L o rd .

- 20 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

S o C h ris t's d is c ip le s , C h ris tia n s , a re s a lte d fo r p u rity , b u t s a lt a ls o h a s a s a v o r, a n d in v e rs e 5 0 , th e L o rd m o v e s f r o m th e a lta r to th e h o u s e h o ld w ith th e id e a o f s a lt a s a s e a s o n in g a n d a p re s e rv a tiv e . " S a lt is g o o d , b u t if th e s a lt b e c o m e s u n s a lty , w ith w h a t w ill y o u m a k e it s a lty a g a in ? H a v e s a lt in y o u rs e lv e s , a n d b e a t p e a c e w ith o n e a n o th e r." O u r liv e s a re to b e lik e s e a s o n in g . W e 're to g iv e fla v o r to lif e , jo y to lif e , a n d o n ly w e c a n d o th a t b e c a u s e o n ly w e h a v e th e g o s p e l, o n ly w e h a v e th e tru th o f G o d a n d th e w is d o m o f G o d th a t g iv e s c o rre c tio n , th a t g iv e s p re s e rv a tio n fro m th e fire to c o m e . S o p e o p le s h o u ld s e e jo y in o u r liv e s . S h o u ld n 't s e e u s a s g lu m , g lo o m y p e o p le . W e h a v e e v e ry re a s o n to re jo ic e . P a u l c o m m a n d s u s to re jo ic e . W e s h o u ld b e a p e o p le w h o a re re jo ic in g a n d th e y s h o u ld s e e it, th e w o rld s h o u ld s e e it in o u r liv e s a n d th e y s h o u ld h e a r it in o u r w o rd s . W e s h o u ld b e a p e o p le th a t h a v e th a t c h a ra c te ris tic o f s a lt a b o u t u s . B u t if w e lo s e th a t c h a ra c te ris tic b y lo s in g o u r s p irit o f d e v o tio n a n d s a c rific e to o u r L o rd , w e w ill b e o f n o v a lu e to th e w o rld . W e w ill b e o f n o v a lu e to th e p e o p le o f G o d . In fa c t, th a t k in d o f p e rs o n , th e w o rld ly , fle s h ly p e rs o n c o n n e c te d to a c h u rc h, c a n w re a k h a v o c u p o n a c h u rc h , b e v e ry d e s tru c tiv e . A n d s o th e L o rd c o n c lu d e s , " H a v e s a lt in y o u rs e lv e s , a n d b e a t p e a c e w ith o n e a n o th e r." T h a t w a s th e p ro b le m th a t o c c a s io n e d th is le s s o n in th e f irs t p la c e . T h e d is c ip le s w e re n 't a t p e a c e w ith o n e a n o th e r. T h e y w e re a rg u in g o v e r w h ic h o f th e m w a s th e g re a te s t. T h e y h a d lo s t th e ir s a v o r. T h e y 'd lo s t th e ir s a lt, th e ir d e v o tio n to th e L o rd , a n d w e re a b s o rb e d in s e lf is h a m b itio n . T h a t's th e w o rld 's p a th to g re a tn e s s b u t n o t th e L o rd 's . S h a k e s p e a re s a id s o m e a r e b o rn g re a t, s o m e a c h ie v e g re a tn e s s , a n d s o m e h a v e g re a tn e s s th ru s t u p o n th e m . W e ll, C h ris tia n s a re n 't b o rn g re a t; th e y 're b o rn s in n e rs . B u t th e y 'v e b e e n re b o rn to b e g re a t, to b e s e rv a n ts , a n d th e g re a te s t o f th e g re a t is th e s e rv a n t o f a ll, th e p e rs o n w h o u s e s h is o r h e r g ifts a n d tim e to s tre n g th e n th e c h u rc h , e v e n th e w e a k e s t e le m e n ts o f th e c h u rc h a n d to te ll a lo s t w o rld o f th e S a v io r o f th e w o rld .

- 21 "W h o I s t h e G r e a t e s t " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

D o y o u k n o w H im a s S a v io r? T h e re 's n o g re a te r q u e s tio n th a t c a n b e a s k e d . T h a t's th e g re a te s t q u e s tio n to s e ttle b e c a u s e it's a m a tte r o f h e a v e n o r h e ll, a m a tte r o f th e k in g d o m o f G o d o r th e u n q u e n c h a b le fire . P e o p le m a y n o t th in k m u c h a b o u t h e ll to d a y , b u t it h a s n 't d is a p p e a re d . F o rtu n a te ly , th e re is a w a y o f e s c a p e a n d th a t's th ro u g h J e s u s C h ris t . H e 's th e d o o r th ro u g h w h ic h w e e n te r in to life e te rn a l. H e to o k h e ll in o u r p la c e . H e to o k it in th e p la c e o f s in n e rs s o th a t a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im m ig h t n o t p e ris h b u t h a v e e v e rla s tin g lif e . If y o u 'v e n o t b e lie v e d in C h ris t, d o n 't d e la y . B e lie v e i n H im a n d b e s a v e d a n d th e n b e a s e rv a n t to th o s e a ro u n d y o u . M a y G o d h e lp u s a ll to d o th a t. S h a ll w e s ta n d n o w f o r th e b e n e d ic tio n ? [P ra y e r] G ra c io u s H e a v e n ly F a th e r, w e d o th a n k y o u fo r th e e x h o rta tio n s th a t o u r L o rd g a v e to H is d is c ip le s , th o s e th a t s u rro u n d e d H im in th a t h o u s e a n d th o s e d o w n th ro u g h th e a g e s w h o id e n tify w ith H im , w h o id e n tify w ith H is n a m e . W e a re re m in d e d th a t w e fa ll s h o rt a n d w e a re v e ry in c lin e d to liv e c a s u a l liv e s a n d n o t liv e s o f f u ll c o m m itm e n t to y o u , a n d y e t th a t's w h a t y o u c a ll u s to . N o t to h a lfw a y m e a s u re s b u t to b e c o m p le te ly d e v o te d to y o u , a n d y e t w e c a n n o t d o th a t in o u r s tre n g th . W e c a ll u p o n y o u , L o rd , to b le s s u s w ith a d e s ire to liv e liv e s th a t a re p le a s in g to y o u , liv e s th a t a re liv e d in c o m p le te d e p e n d e n c e u p o n y o u lik e c h ild re n , re c e iv in g fro m y o u a n d w a lk in g in a w a y th a t 's p le a s in g to y o u . T h a n k y o u fo r y o u r S o n w h o m y o u s e n t in to th e w o rld to d ie fo r s e lfis h , s e lf-c e n te re d in d iv id u a ls lik e th o s e d is c ip le s , lik e e a c h a n d e v e ry o n e o f u s . T h a n k y o u f o r th e life w e h a v e in H im a n d h e lp u s n o w , w e p ra y , F a th e r, to liv e th a t life in a w a y th a t's h o n o rin g to y o u . A n d if th e re b e a n y in a tte n d a n c e w h o d o n o t k n o w C h ris t a s S a v io r, w h o a re s till in th e ir s in s , u n fo rg iv e n a n d u n d e r y o u r te rrib le ju d g m e n t, w h ic h is ju s t a n d h o ly , w e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld m o v e u p o n th e ir h e a rt, g iv e th e m a n a w a re n e s s o f th e ir s in a n d th e ir n e e d o f a S a v io r, a n d tu rn th e m to H im , w h o m to k n o w is life e te rn a l. W e p ra y th e s e th in g s in o u r S a v io r's n a m e . A m e n .