{"id":1061,"date":"2018-09-23T15:31:41","date_gmt":"2018-09-23T22:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1061"},"modified":"2018-09-23T15:34:01","modified_gmt":"2018-09-23T22:34:01","slug":"make-it-your-goal-to-be-the-greatest-servant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/23\/make-it-your-goal-to-be-the-greatest-servant\/","title":{"rendered":"Make It Your Goal to Be the Greatest&#8211; Servant!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   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\tfont-size:11.0pt; \tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\"; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1061-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Pentecost-18-09-23-18.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Pentecost-18-09-23-18.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Pentecost-18-09-23-18.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">September 23, 2018<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Mark 9:30-37<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Make It Your Goal to Be<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Greatest\u2014 Servant!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">They left that place and passed through Galilee.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He said to them, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They came to Capernaum.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When he was in the house, he asked them, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhat were you arguing about on the road?\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIf anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He took a little child and had him stand among them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Taking him in his arms, he said to them, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">What are your goals in life?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whether consciously or unconsciously, whether deliberately or by default we all have certain goals that we are striving to attain in life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For a little child their goals in life usually center on having fun, playing with their friends, having a cookie even though it is almost time for supper, and talking Mom and Dad into letting them stay up past their bedtime so they can watch a certain television show.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>By the time that child reaches middle school or high school their goals might include making it onto the varsity sports team and winning a state championship, getting their drivers\u2019 license, getting the best grades they can so that they qualify for a scholarship at the college or university of their choice, or simply getting good enough grades to graduate.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For young adults their goals may include finding that one special person, landing their dream job or buying their first house.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Middle aged adults are often focused on getting their children through college while still preparing for retirement.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And without mentioning any names I know elderly people whose goals in life include being healthy enough to go out and have fun with their friends, being quick enough to snag that dessert that their kids don\u2019t think they need and being able to stay awake long enough to watch a certain show on television!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">We all have goals in our lives, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And since we are all unique individuals with various interests and abilities our goals can be quite different from the person sitting next to us here in God\u2019s house\u2014 except when it comes to our #1 goal in our life as a saved child of God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we turn our attention to this portion of holy Scripture this morning we see that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself tells us what our #1 goal in life is to be as His dearly beloved brothers and sisters.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today, let\u2019s listen closely as our Savior puts His arm across our shoulder and says:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Make It Your Goal to Be the Greatest\u2014 Servant!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we look at this text under that theme we will focus our attention on three points.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When it comes to the goal of being the greatest servant we can be, let\u2019s consider the motivation, let\u2019s consider the malady and let\u2019s consider the method.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">What is our motivation for striving to be the greatest servant we can be?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The only proper motivation, the only God-pleasing motivation is highlighted in the opening verses of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mark writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThey left that place and passed through Galilee.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He said to them, \u2018The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They will kill him, and after three days he will rise again.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The eternal Son of God came into this world as the true Son of Man, our flesh and blood Brother, with one overriding goal\u2014 to <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">serve<\/b> us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though Jesus deserves to have everyone serve Him, even though Jesus has the power to compel everyone to serve Him Jesus willingly served us in the most glorious, the most awe-inspiring and the most necessary way possible\u2014 He came to die. (Pointing to the cross) He came to die for you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He came to die for me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He came to die so that through His innocent suffering and death all of our sins would be completely forgiven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And once Jesus served us by dying on the cross in our place He then served us by physically rising from the grave on the third day. He rose for you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He rose for me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He rose to guarantee that through faith in Him one day we too shall rise from our graves to live with Him forever in the glory and the joy, the perfection and the happiness of our heavenly Father\u2019s home. <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>Jesus\u2019 death and Jesus\u2019 resurrection now serve as our motivation for striving to be the greatest servant we can possibly be!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Unfortunately, there is a malady that we also have to contend with.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unfortunately, there are obstacles that all too often keep God\u2019s children from striving to be the greatest servants they can possibly be.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 33-34 of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThey came to Capernaum.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When he was in the house, he asked them, \u2018What were you arguing about on the road?\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Even though the disciples knew that Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Promised Messiah, even though the disciples knew that Jesus is this world\u2019s only Savior from sin, the disciples completely misunderstood Jesus\u2019 goal for coming into this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like many of God\u2019s people at this time the disciples were expecting that the Messiah would establish His Kingdom right here on this earth with Jerusalem as its capital.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like many of God\u2019s people at this time the disciples wanted the Messiah to bring the nation of Israel back to where she was in the glory days of King David and King Solomon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In line with that misunderstanding Jesus\u2019 disciples fully anticipated that when Jesus established His Kingdom here on this earth they would be given positions of honor, power and prestige.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>After all, they had been hand-picked by Jesus Himself to be <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe Twelve\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time, however, since there were indeed twelve of them they <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cargued about who was the greatest.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Isn\u2019t that the way it often is with God\u2019s children right down to this very day\u2014 including us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though we know that Jesus is our Savior, even though we know that Jesus humbly served us by suffering and dying on the cross as our Substitute we often misunderstand what His cross now means in and for our lives today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the disciples here in our text we argue and we tussle.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the disciples here in our text we compare ourselves to other servants in God\u2019s Kingdom.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the disciples here in our text we want others to look up to us and think of us as the \u201cgreatest\u201d pastor or the \u201cgreatest\u201d teacher or the \u201cgreatest\u201d friend or the \u201cgreatest\u201d giver or the \u201cgreatest\u201d member of our congregation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, all too often, my friends, pride, jealousy and ego are the maladies, the obstacles which keep us from striving to be the greatest servant we can possibly be!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Once the cross of Jesus Christ crushes these obstacles in our hearts then we will be able to truly understand, then we will be able to truly take to heart the method for greatness that Jesus gives to us here in our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mark writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cSitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, \u2018If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.\u2019\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the world in which you and I live the method for achieving greatness often stresses putting yourself ahead of everyone else.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the world in which you and I live the method for greatness often stresses pulling yourself up even if that means pushing others down.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus turns that method for achieving greatness upside down.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For a child of God true greatness is achieved by putting others ahead of yourself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For a child of God true greatness is achieved by building others up even if that needs to be done at your own personal expense.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For a child of God true greatness is achieved through humble service\u2014 serving our Lord by serving others.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">A beautiful example of the kind of servant we are striving to be, a beautiful example of the kind of service our Savior wants to see in our lives is found in the closing two verses of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mark writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe took a child and had him stand among them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Taking him in his arms, he said to them, \u2018Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Anyone who has children knows that\u2014 at times\u2014 children can be extremely exasperating.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Children don\u2019t always notice what you do for them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Children don\u2019t always appreciate what you do for them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Children are rarely in a position of being able to \u201cpay you back\u201d when you do something for them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And yet, in spite of all this we willingly do as much as we can to help (i.e. serve) our children, don\u2019t we.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I think that is exactly why the good Lord lovingly took this little child in His arms and set him up as an example for His disciples\u2014 and us\u2014 to follow!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Imagine what it would be like if each and every one of us made it our personal goal in life to humbly serve others\u2014 even when they don\u2019t notice that service.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Imagine what it would be like if each and every one of us made it our personal goal in life to humbly serve others\u2014 even if they do not appreciate our service.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Imagine what it would be like if each and every one of us made it our personal goal in life to humbly serve others\u2014 without ever expecting anything in return.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">How can we strive to achieve that goal in our own personal lives?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps the best place to start is close to home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take a moment to think about your family and your friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Who could use your help and how could you help them?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there someone who would benefit from hearing that they are loved and appreciated?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there someone who spends a lot of time alone and would absolutely love to be invited over for dinner\u2014 or perhaps be invited out to dinner?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think of your neighbors.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there anyone who is having a difficult time for whatever reason?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps they have a difficult time taking care of their house or their yard.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps they are alone now and could just use someone who is willing to sit and visit with them or help them with their shopping.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Now let\u2019s expand that circle a little more.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How could you strive to achieve that goal of serving your Lord by serving right here in His house?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Could you help with supplying the treats that we enjoy on Sunday mornings?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Could you help with the altar paraments with the banners or with the music?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Could you help keep God\u2019s house clean and presentable?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Expand the circle again.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there a way that you could achieve that goal by serving in your community?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps you could volunteer at the Senior Center or at a local food bank.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have known a number of people who loved volunteering at a school.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They became like grandparents to the little children.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we stop to look around, my friends, there are any number of ways that we can strive to achieve the goal that our Savior sets for us here in our text!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">So what are your goals in life, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whether consciously or unconsciously, whether deliberately or by default we all have certain goals that we are striving to attain in life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer this morning is that with the cross of Jesus Christ (Pointing to the cross) motivating our hearts we will daily get past the malady of pride, jealousy and ego so that we can follow the method for greatness that our Savior places before us today and make it our personal goal in life to be the greatest\u2014 servant!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Pentecost-18-09-23-18.mp3\">Pentecost-18-09-23-18.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 23, 2018 Mark 9:30-37 Make It Your Goal to Be The Greatest\u2014 Servant! &nbsp; They left that place and passed through Galilee.&nbsp; Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples.&nbsp; He said to them, \u201cThe Son of Man is going to be betrayed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1061"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1061\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}