May 03, 2020: SOAP #3804:  2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Observation:  On the walls of corporate offices around the world one can find organizational charts of those in authority.  The President or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is at the top or out front.  All others shown as under or behind the CEO.

In God’s kingdom, the greatest is not the one on top, but the one on the bottom.  The question is: How many people can the leader serve? The greatest is not the one resting in the treetops enjoying the view, but the one from which the roots draw their nourishment.

I once thought it hurtful when people “treated me like dirt.”  But in returning to the farming state of Kansas back in 1989, my attitude changed.  I learned that farmers greatly value their dirt.  The life of the farm depends on dirt.  They have many ways to care for their dirt.  I began to feel honored when the congregation, like farmers, treated me like valuable dirt.

Application:   Jesus turns organizational charts up-side-down.  He puts the most important one at the bottom.  In the kingdom, it is not how many people I can control; it is how many people I can serve.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, love turns into service.  It all starts with my love for you—How can I serve you today?  And in loving those around me, show me how I can serve them today.  May my service today please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!