Kingdom Greatness

One of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game was Willy Mays. He was one of my hero's from a young age. As a young boy I was listening to the Giants playing the Dodgers. Willy hit four home runs in that game. As a 10 year old I went to my first Big League game at the Los Angles Coliseum, and watched Willy hit one over the big fence in left field. That fence was only 201 ft. from home plate. Thirteen years later, in 1972, I found myself pitching batting practice to the New York Mets. It was Willy's last year, and he was now playing for the Mets. It was a moment I won't forget. When he came to bat, I thought if I could throw a few pitches past him, maybe make him look bad, I would be noticed…After every pitch I threw for a strike, all I saw was a white streak, line drive. Even in his last year he was great. Why was Willy Mays great? Because he was the best, the first, the greatest at what he did.

I, personally, still have that competitive spirit. Paul had it. He said, “run the race to win.”
The disciples also had that desire. One day Jesus asked His twelve men, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest (Mark 9:33-34). Why were they silent? Guilt…shame…Their silence was a wordless confession.

Jesus recognizes in his disciples' desire for greatness a good thing…But they defined greatness by the standard and morality of the kingdom of this fallen world. Here's how Jesus set them straight.

35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." 36 Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me" (Mark 9:35-37).

True greatness is not wanting to be first while others are second and third and fourth, but true greatness is the willingness to be last.

And true greatness is not positioning yourself so that others praise and serve you, but true greatness is putting yourself in a position to serve everyone else.

So Jesus doesn't condemn the quest for greatness. He radically transforms it. Go ahead and pursue it, he says. But the path is down, not up.

EX: Take pastors for example…The measure of true greatness is not how many people attend the church.
Or how much praise he receives.
Or how many books he has written.

But rather, how much heartfelt desire exists to serve others.
How much willingness to decrease while others increase.

Why did Jesus use the child as an example? In Jesus day, children and women were largely auxiliary members of society. Girls under 12 could be sold by their fathers as slaves. He is teaching us, we are to receive children, the least, the insignificant of society. When we do, we are receiving Him, ministering to Jesus, but more than Jesus, to God Himself. If a man receives the poor, the people who have no influence, and no wealth, and no power, the people who need things done for them, Jesus says he is receiving Me.

Getting old is not for sissies

When we walked out of the building this time, we were crying. Donna's uncle Bob is 92, blind, can hardly hear, and can't walk. He's in an assisted care facility in Glendale, CA. Now add confusion, and dementia.

Donna and her sister are the only family he has.

I wheeled uncle Bob out to the patio. We talked and ate lunch. He's had no desire to eat, so Donna fed her uncle. He actually ate. We carried on a good conversation for the first couple hours. After lunch Donna left the table for a moment, and uncle Bob told me, "Dave, you married one great woman." "You're right uncle Bob, I married up."

I said, "Uncle Bob, the most important thing now, is where you are going to spend eternity." He broke in and asked me what hell is like. I told him what the Bible says, and finished with, "Bob, you don't want to go there." I once again explained the gospel to him. It's interesting, because you have to speak loudly for him to hear. Therefore, all the other people on the patio could easily hear the gospel also.

Shortly after this uncle Bob completely left us. He went to another place, another realm, driven by dementia. It must have been an awful place, because it was "so hard" to listen to him like that. He did not come back. We left...until next time. Getting old is not for sissies.

Back To The Future

Ok, go to Mark 8:27. Travel with me into the future. But first, mark your place in Mark, and then turn back to Matthew 7. We're going back...to the future. Here's the scene. It's the great day of God's judgment. We see many people standing before the throne of Jesus Christ. Many of these people have preached in Jesus name most of their lives on earth. Many have done miracles, and all in the name of Jesus. And now, here they are...finally standing before the Person of Jesus, the Christ, the One in whom they have invested their lives., the One in who's name they were ministering. There's only one problem! ALL of them...all of these people were believing in the wrong Jesus.

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS'"
(Matthew 7:22-23).

Now go to Mark 8:27. "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Who do you say that Jesus is? It's eternally important. If one is believing in a different Jesus, they are also believing a different gospel. Believing a different gospel will not result in salvation.

Partially Back. (Read "Time Marches On" first below)

Before I left the care facility last night I told uncle Bob, "You're safe here." When Donna and I arrived at the facility today, the staff told us they did not have to sedate uncle Bob last night. That was great news. He was sleeping when we entered into his room. When he awoke, we heard something wonderful. Uncle Bob was in his right mind. All day he spoke with us, laughed with us, and complained a little to us about this most recent change point in his life. He ate the donut and Donna helped him sip the coffee we bought for him. Although very weak, and with an injured back, uncle Bob came back mentally and emotionally. I pray tomorrow will be the same.

We were all amazed when he began recounting my wedding day 39 years ago. He told me some of my baseball friends were writing all over my GTO. He remembers them questioning if Dave would like this. They said they didn't care...Uncle Bob laughed. He has a great laugh. Then he told me he was one of the ones who wired dozens of tin cans to the rear of my car. He laughed again. I never knew that. Do you know what? I really want to see this man in heaven with us...I really do!

Time Marches On

He was one of those young boys who put on a uniform, was trained to kill, and went to fight a war on the other side of this world. The war was WW ll. His name is Robert Ingram. I know him as Uncle Bob. After surviving the fighting in Europe and Africa, he came home and married the sister of my wife's mother. All the years I've known him, I've not been able to get him to talk about his war experiences. Uncle Bob is now 92 years old. I performed his wife's funeral ten years ago in Los Angeles, and he asked me to do his also. This man has lived in the same house in Pasadena for over 50 years. The last several years he's lived without sight, with very little hearing, and mobility. They never had children. He has outlived his other family members. Donna and her sister Joyce Lindsey are his family.

Monday, while at the hospital comforting a friend, I received a phone call. Uncle Bob had fallen.
His care person found him on the floor Monday morning unable to get up. She had cooked his dinner on Friday and went home. How long was he there on that floor? From Friday night? He doesn't remember how he fell or how long he was there. When we arrived that evening at the Glendale Memorial Hospital, we found this man dehydrated, confused, fearful, and at times knowing who we were, and at times not.

When we were cleaning his house today, memories, and sadness came over me. Uncle Bob may never again enter his house. He's entered another "change point" in life. We all have these change points. Some are easier than others. Just by being here in this motel room is a change point in our lives also.

We found a care facility for our uncle. It's a great facility. But at best it's not good. Tomorrow will be our last day here. My brother-in-law and us will be visiting him every other week.

Donna's uncle is still there in that tent that has almost completely worn out. Here's the real scarry part. His spirit will never wear out and will exist eternally in heaven or hell. But the preaching of the cross has always been foolishness to him. We're asking our Lord not to require his soul until the blinders are removed from his mind and uncle Bob receives the gift of God...His eternal salvation.

Travel with me in your imagination...

Travel with me in your imagination for a few moments. You just heard that one of the greatest preachers, not only in our era, but possibly of all time would be preaching and presenting the gospel at Dodger Stadium. You are asked to bring your friends and family to hear the gospel from this man.

Many from your church and community are driving to the stadium. When you arrive at the parking lot you see that many people are already there. There are many busses and vans. You know that not only will there be thousands of non-believers in attendance, but there’s also thousands of Christians from many different churches and denominations. There will be many very well known Christian leaders in attendance. All desire to hear this man in person. They all want to know just how this man of God is so successful.

The stadium is packed. And after some great singing this man of God walks up to the podium and microphone. There’s a giant screen in left-center field for all to be able to see this man up close. The first thing you notice is that he’s not very tall. As a matter of fact, he’s not impressive looking at all. But most know it’s not how a person looks, but rather, what he says that’s important. As he begins to address this huge crowd, you quickly have a sense of uneasiness. It’s not long before you realize he’s not all that great of a speaker either. But you think to yourself, “Well, he’s not impressive looking, not a dynamic speaker, it must be what he says that makes him one of the greatest preachers.”

As you listen, question marks are forming in your mind, as he teaches the following.
“There is no one here who is righteous.
There’s no one here who understands God’s truth.
Not one of you seeks after God.
There is not one of you here today that is good, not even one.”

You are thinking, “What?” At the same time you begin to hear a noise of rumbling across this great crowd. It’s the sound of thousands of people talking, looking at each other…question marks. As he continues to speak, you begin to see people rising from their seats and actually leaving the stadium. Those who teach the health and wealth gospel are almost sprinting out of the stadium. They’re saying, “What kind of positive confession is this? Doesn’t he
know you receive what you sow, what you say?

Many unbelievers are now out of their seats and also heading for the stadium gates. They have been taught on TV and elsewhere that God is love. They’ve heard that God has a wonderful plan for their lives. God is supposed to build you up, not tear you down. He’s suppose to make you feel good about yourself, to build up your self-esteem, not make you feel so bad about yourself.

He continues...
Your words are rotten.
Your heart is deceitful.
Your mouths are full of bitterness, void of peace…”

The church growth experts were found walking up the isles shaking their heads. It was certain they were not going to find anything here to help them attract unbelievers into their churches. Let’s face it, every student of “The Basic Principles of Church Growth” knows you don’t invite unbelievers in and then tell them how sinful and horrible they are. The church must become relevant, and meet their needs. It must never offend, or condemn.

Many post-modernists and other pastors were out of there. They know that the
church only properly functions when it’s tolerant, loving, and inclusive. All this emphasis on sin, and unrighteousness will not draw people to God’s love. And it will certainly not keep people in the church. People need to feel accepted, not rejected and condemned.

Many of the best-known and successful pastors were seen leaving the stadium.

Well, as unbelievable as it sounds, there was now only a small group of people left sitting in the stands listening to this preacher. And as you look more closely at this small number, you see that most of them do not appear to be numbered among the upper crust of society. And as you continue to look at them, you can’t believe what you are seeing. Most are crying…sobbing. Some actually on their hands and knees with faces to the ground.

Then the Apostle Paul walks down from the platform, down to this little group of men and women, and he shares with them the incredibly good news of Jesus Christ. That He died, taking upon Himself God’s wrath that you deserved. He was buried, and rose again from the dead. All who believe in Him are forgiven of their sin because Jesus bore their sin and it’s penalty on the cross.

Matthew 5:3-4
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Of course, the points of Paul’s message are taken from Romans chapter 3. What do you think? Might the list of responses be similar in “Christendom” today?

What Defiles A Man?

I'm now at that age when I must be very careful what I eat. The three C's - Calories, Carbs, and Cholesterol, are now on my radar, and I try to keep much of them from entering into my stomach. Why? For very real physical reasons. Do you know that's hard to do as a pastor? There are so many great cooks in this church. And most of them specialize in deserts. UG! But even though our physical bodies will become physically defiled, I'm excited about what Jesus said.

Mark 7:18-23
Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,
19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.)

Food is physical. I'm glad eating food, (though the 3 C's may hurt the body), does not defile the heart, which is spiritual. But keep reading. Then I have a question.

20 And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.
21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."


According to verse 20 and 23 the works, deeds (sins) that come from within defile the man. This then raises the following question: Which of the following statements is more accurate?
1. A person is sinful because he sins. Or
2. A person sins because he is sinful.

Or stated another way:
1. A person’s heart is defiled because he sins. (v. 20, 23) Or
2. A person sins because his heart is defiled.

Number 2 is the more accurate statement. So here's a multiple choice question.

What then will God judge mankind by on judgment day?
a. Whether he believed in Jesus from his heart, or not.
b. Whether he accepted Jesus into his heart, or not.
c. Whether his works, deeds were good, or not.
d. Whether he was baptized, or not.


Correct answer: Read the following verses.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

John 5:28-29
“do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds, to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”

Matthew 16:23
“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds.”

Romans 2:5-8.
“But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation”


Q. What will God look at on judgment day?
Yes, our deeds, our works, actions. It reveals the spiritual condition of our hearts.

In that courtroom, standing before the Judge, your heart will be on trial.

Prov 27:19
As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man. (NIV)

And deeds reveal the heart.
answer (C)