Welcome to Timeless Truth with Pastor Jim Thomas. In season 2, Pastor Jim is leading us in a study of Mark. Today’s passage is Mark 9:30-42.
True greatness is found in self-giving, not self-aggrandizing.
“It would be hard to improve on Luther’s description of fallen man as *homo in se incurvatus*, ‘man curved in on himself’. Human fallenness is human selfishness. Most ambition is selfish ambition. People who ‘succeed’, because they attain wealth, fame or power, do so mainly because they are driven by an inner urge to self-aggrandizement. This is not pessimism, but the sober realism of Christians who want to look facts in the face.”
John Stott, Life in Christ
“The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28 & Mark 10:45
“Astrophysicists assure us the universe has no center, therefore, you cannot be it.””
David McCullough Jr., Wellesley High School graduation speech
“He would have us know that His death was the great end for which He came into the world. He would remind us that by that death the great problem was to be solved–how God could be just, and yet justify sinners. He did not come upon earth merely to teach, and preach, and work miracles. He came to make satisfaction for sin, by His own blood and suffering on the cross.”
J. C. Ryle, Mark
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3
True greatness is found in self-giving not self-aggrandizing.
“Selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself.”
David McCullough Jr., Wellesley High School
Jesus came to free us from our obsessive need to be the center of attention, to constantly be propped up by adulation and affirmation, to always have the last word in every discussion, to always be proven right, to always be regarded, rewarded and respected.
