Power Is for Serving
A Talk I Gave to the Middle and High School Students at Eastlake Church
So two weeks ago, Kaelia introduced this topic for us and talked about how God’s Kingdom is crazy, backwards, odd, and upside down compared to what we think is normal. Last week, Teroa talked about how honor is greater than power. She told the story of how, when given the chance to take his life, young David showed honor to Saul — even though Saul was hunting him down to kill him.
So Who Is the Youngest in the Room?
Share your birth date with the person next to you. If you’re younger than your neighbor, stand up. Among those standing, pair up and compare birth dates. Youngest one stay standing until we have a winner… Okay, everyone, let’s celebrate the youngest one among us — wahoo! Haha… Wait, is this normal? Stay tuned.
Who Is the Greatest Of All Time?
Is this first guy the G.O.A.T? Six Super Bowl rings — is that what defines greatness? Okay, how about this woman? She can do things that no other woman can do, with power and grace. Is she the G.O.A.T.? Okay, how about this last one…?!
Jesus’ Disciples Wanted to Know the Answer to this Question Too
They often discussed who would get to “sit at Jesus right hand” when he came into his kingdom. They were all jockeying for the seat of honor, and for the attention of Jesus. They were concerned with their status. Even at the Last Supper, the night before Jesus was killed, they were still talking about it:
…They disagreed about which of them was thought to be the most important person. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles hold power over their people. And those who order them around call themselves Protectors. But you must not be like that. Instead, the most important among you should be like the youngest. The one who rules should be like the one who serves.’ Luke 22:24-26 (NIRV) Emphasis mine
Let’s set the scene a bit:
Earlier that evening, Jesus, their teacher and rabbi served them and washed their feet.
Jesus had just finished showing them communion, you know with the bread and the wine?
Jesus is distressed here, he knows that Judas is about to betray him. He knows he’ll be arrested and beaten.
Isn’t it crazy that the disciples are arguing with each other?
He overhears them and says the crazy-amazing upside down thing. The greatest is the servant.
Now it’s easy to criticize the disciples for not seeing the bigger picture. But often I think I’m not much different than them. I get caught up in my own self. I seek status. I want to be seen as the cool old…er guy. I want to have authority and power. And if I’m really honest, I love to be served.
And here is Jesus turning all that upside down.
The Way Forward Is to be Like the Youngest
So in this upside down Kingdom, we learn that the path to greatness is to serve other people, to love them even. We learn that we are to be like the youngest. Paul wrote a letter to his friend Timothy and said this:
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIRV)
Sometimes when we get instructions like this it can be intimidating. Like, how in the world am I going to do all this? I’m just me… How can I be an example? In fact, I’m afraid to step out and serve… Welp, Paul also wrote this to Timothy:
“God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIRV)
The Spirit of God is in you and can help you to serve.
Let’s Make This Real
<Pass out note cards and pencils>
Let’s take a next step here. Pencils and note cards are being passed out right now. Who will you serve? I want you to picture someone in your mind. Say a quick silent prayer to God and ask him, “Who can I serve? What can I do for them?” Take a minute to think into this. Write down a name. Write down something you can do to serve them. This does not have to be a huge thing at all. It can be simple. It can be pure. It can be you being an example in the way you live. You have God’s spirit in you. You can be great in serving.
Before you leave tonight, show your card to someone you trust. Ask them to help you. Ask them to ask you later this week if you’ve done the service.
One More Upside Down Thought
Jesus said another crazy upside down thing. “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.” (See Matthew 25:40). Serving others is serving Jesus. Now get out there and serve!