Upside-Down Kingdom Week 2
September 7, 2025
True Greatness
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
Mark 9:30-50
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Greatness in God’s kingdom isn’t about status but about serving, fighting sin, and living at peace through Jesus.
1. True Greatness Is Found in Humble Service
Jesus points the way to true greatness: Die to self, serve others, care for those no one else cares for.
2. True Greatness Is Marked by Radical Holiness
Philippians 1:15–18
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
3. True Greatness Cultivates Gospel-Shaped Peace
Greatness in God’s kingdom is not about competition—it’s about cooperation.
Next Steps
- I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
- I commit to taking sin seriously in my life and will find accountability.
- I choose to serve others this week and will begin at home.
Deep Dive
- What does Jesus’ teaching about cutting off hand/foot/eye show about the seriousness of sin? Compare with Matthew 5:29–30.
- How can we “have salt in ourselves” and promote peace in our relationships (Romans 12:18)?
- What specific step can you take this week to serve others humbly and pursue holiness?
Springboards
- If you are married, tell the story of why you married the person you are committed to.
- What does Jesus’ teaching reveal about God’s heart for marriage?
- Read Genesis 2:24 and discuss how marriage reflects the “one flesh” reality.
