Creekside Church Sermon of November 9, 2003 "Greatness Without the Effort" Matthew 20:20-28	Rev. David Bibbee
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Putting myself into this story I wonder, "Who does this woman she think she is?" The nerve, asking Jesus to cut a deal for her sons. The nerve, ALLOWING her, or worse, ASKING her to secure them special consideration from Jesus. I understand the disciples' reaction when they heard about it. No matter who's idea it was, no one likes mama's boys.

But before we interpret this story through the lens of an over-involved mother whose adult children were still tied to her apron strings, let's compare it with the version in Mark's gospel. James and John, not mama, the Zebedee boys, ask Jesus for reserved seating next to his throne. The difference may be accounted for by the fact that Mark was the first gospel written. Matthew did not appear until twenty-five years later. By this time the church had a high estimate of the disciples. Their human frailties were glossed over. They were not seduced by power-hungry ambition. It had to be mommy's idea.

William Barclay offers a reason for the request. The gospels record the names of the women present at the crucifixion. Among them was "the mother of the sons of Zebedee," (Mt. 27: 56). Mark says her name was Salome, the sister of Jesus' mother, Mary, which made Jesus, James, and John cousins. Maybe they would benefit from "kinfolk cronyism." Cousins or not, their behavior reveals the desire for recognition.

We loathe being a nameless face in the crowd. We are like the lone sheep in the Far Side cartoon that stands up in the midst of a huge flock and shouts, "I've got to be me!" We don't want to be "like everyone else." We want to be recognized for who we are. We want others to know what fine, people we are. We want to secure a spot in the pecking order. Power, greatness, respect, admiration, authority, recognition. These are the things we seek to be somebody.

For the past three years my mother worked for a one-of-a-kind gentleman. He is a widower who lives alone. Three days a week mom did light cleaning and cooked his meals. "Ham," as he is known is ninety-six. He and his big brother who recently turned one hundred, are multi-millionaires. Ham gives generously to his church, numerous civic causes, and his alma mater, Ohio State University. A while back, OSU's president and other university officials paid Ham a visit. They spread an architect's rendering of a proposed building before him. Above the entrance was the inscription-- "A. Merle Hamilton Hall." "How much are you asking?" "Two million dollars," they said, not batting an eye. "Will it house classrooms? How will it benefit students? Why is this project necessary?" he asked. He was told the building would be a reception hall for entertaining visiting dignitaries. They were appealing to more than Ham's altruism. It was geared to making a name for himself-- to be known as a great man. Will Rogers said, "It's great to be great, but it is greater to be human." Mr. Hamilton wanted to do something good and make a difference without self glorification. Request DENIED.

James' and John's request wasn't simply a grab for power. It demonstrated their faith in Jesus. He didn't scold mommy dearest and her boys. It was a teaching moment. "You don't know what you are asking. Greatness has a price tag." Jesus knocked the accepted notions of authority and pecking orders flat:

"You see how the rulers throw their weight around. A little power goes to their heads. It won't be that way with you. If its greatness you want, be a servant. If you want to be first, be someone's slave. Look at me-- I came to serve, not be served."

Today's "mark of discipleship" is the product of what we have highlighted the past three weeks. Let's do the math-- [ Prayer + worship + Bible study = serving others. ] Christianity is more than "right beliefs." It is "right actions" as well. The Church of the Brethren emphasizes loving God through serving our neighbor. Our small denomination is known world-wide reputation for ministering to human need. We believe that discipleship is woven into all aspects of life. For the Church of the Brethren, Christianity and service are synonymous.

Let's consider four aspects of Christian service in the light of "true greatness as defined by Jesus." FIRST, the service we share is simple. We place so much emphasis upon size and statistics for measuring the value of things. Five thousand people lent a helping hand. The offering collected will provide enough food to feed an entire African village for a year. Doing such things is wonderful, but it can overshadow the importance of Christian service rendered on a much smaller scale.

Karen Eis reminded me of the great importance of little deeds. Karen has been recording her memories and reflections of all that has happened over her long year of recovery. She reminded me of one hospital visit I made. Karen had regained consciousness but he body was paralyzed. Her mouth was dry, which made speaking difficult, so I fed her ice chips.... "ice" for an "Eis." "Thank you," she said. "No problem," I replied. It didn't seem like much-- not at the time. Karen called me one Saturday. She said, "There's something you need to know. It meant so much when you fed me ice. I know it didn't seem like much to you, but never underestimate the power of little acts of kindness."

We think that BIG IMPACTS matter most, and fail to see how God uses the small stuff-- spooning ice chips, holding a hand, speaking a soft word, being there without saying a word. Our blasted pride talks us out of the little stuff. We think that service should yield dramatic results. Richard Foster reminds us that when we serve in Christ's name, "we are banished to the mundane, the ordinary, and the trivial." In the realm of the spirit we discover the real issues of life aren't always in the spectacular, but in what someone called, "the tiny insignificant corners of life."

Disciples are servants of the simple. SECOND, the service we share is selfless. Keith Miller had a three-day speaking trip coming with little time to prepare. The pressure was on and every minute counted. At the end of the day a friend called about a couple having marital problems. "They may give you a call," she said. He agreed to meet them, but he hoped they wouldn't call. Just before midnight the phone rang. In a condescending tone a man said, "Reverend Miller, I'd like to make an appointment to see you." Keith thought of complaining about the late call, but figured the guy was under pressure and had put off calling.

They set an appointment for 1:00 PM the next day. Keith was irritated at losing writing time and being treated like the guy's hired hand, and guilty about his own less than Christ-like attitude. He prayed to be open and accepting of the man. At 1:10 the phone rang. "I won't be able to make the appointment." Miller felt like saying, "Just forget it," but he realized the man might be avoiding the session, so he scheduled him for the following day.

They had a good session, but it was evident the marriage was in deep trouble. Feeling the pressure Keith went back to work. Then the wife called. After a long conversation she asked for an appointment. Sensing it was hard for her to wait, a meeting was set the next morning. He rushed home to meet her, but when he arrived there was a message. She wouldn't be able to come. He was LIVID.

They fouled up three work days and didn't have the courtesy to consider the trouble he had gone through to meet them. He wanted to call and let them know how busy he was and how self-centered they were. when it hit him... "How important I must think I am if a thing like this can make me so mad." Two people were struggling to save their marriage and facing all the terrible consequences, and he was incensed that they were treating him like a common servant.

He then realized that as a Christian he had committed himself to be a common servant to Christ and his suffering people. Instead he wanted to be treated like a big shot writer and counselor.

We tell ourselves our goal in life is to please God and help others, but it is so easy to do things for the goal of pleasing ourselves. We're "ticked-off" when people interrupt and intrude upon our limited time and precious projects. "It shall not be so among you," Jesus said. It isn't that what we do is not important. It is thinking that what we do is MORE IMPORTANT than those who need our help.

The service we share is SIMPLE. It is SELFLESS. And sometimes our service is SECRET. Wonderful things are done by individuals in our church that we know nothing about. I think this work should be acknowledged, valued, and celebrated. I'm not suggesting we pin merit medals on our servants, but we need to lift the basket that conceals the light of Jesus' love in action. By doing this we will draw more people into service and the work of ministry will be spread around and not the responsibility of the few.

But there are times when SERVICE SHOULD BE KEPT SECRET. Jeremy Taylor was a prolific Christian writer who lived in the 1600's. Listen to what he says about humility:

Do not think better of yourself because of the gifts bestowed on you. You may be better at things than others... but it is for the benefit of others, not for yourself. You are human and have nothing in yourself that merits worth except your right choices.

Do good things in secret, concealed from others and not highly esteemed because of them. Be content to go without praise. Do not be troubled when someone has slighted or undervalued you. No one can undervalue you if you know you are not worthy.

I am speaking to recipients of the anonymous servanthood of others. My sermon was written on a computer monitor that a secret servant gave me when my first monitor died. One of you drives a car that was given by a secret servant. Anonymous saints have helped you to pay medical bills, rent, and mortgage payments. Secret Service Agents do not minister to make themselves feel good, nor are their acts limited to the one who is helped. The Apostle Paul writes about treating others with the care and compassion which we have received. When you perform a hidden act of service, it not only blesses the recipient, but others who know noting about it. It unleashes an energy of love and compassion that permeates throughout the church.

Serving is expressed in simplicity, selflessness, and in secret. And through our experience we learn it must be CENTERED IN CHRIST.

A man got a job with the county highway department painting center lines on a stretch of highway. His supervisor told him he was expected to paint two miles of road a day. The next morning the man started to work. At the end of the day he had painted four miles. The supervisor thought, "This guy will be great." The next day the man only painted two miles, but the supervisor thought, "Well, that's still good enough." He talked to the man at the end of the third day and found he had only painted one mile. "What's the problem? You started out great, so why are you painting less and less highway?" The man said, "Well, I keep getting further and further from the bucket."

Early in our Christian walk we are enthusiastic and eager to serve. It is satisfying and meaningful-- easy to bear, but it begins to put on weight. Service which at first was a joy begins to fade. "Get to" turns to "have to." Serving the Lord becomes a BOTHER and a BURDEN. We feel guilty. Like the center line painter, service gets harder and harder because we get further and further from the source of our strength.

In 1832 a Quaker woman named Hannah Whitall Smith wrote, The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life. She said the Christian's goal is to "want" to do God's will as much as other people want to do "their" will:

What you need to do, if you are in bondage in the matter of service, is to put your will over completely into the hands of your Lord, surrendering to him the entire control of it. Say, "Yes, Lord, Yes!" Trust him to bring your wishes into conformity with his lovable will.

Be careful for nothing, not even your service. Why? Because we are so utterly helpless that no matter how careful we were, our service would amount to noting.... our chief fitness is in our helplessness. His strength is made perfect not in our strength, but in our weakness.

We cannot be great on our own effort, only by His. Greatness comes through service, not ours, but His. We are tools..... tools that can't do anything by themselves.... tools that only achieve their intended purpose in the hands of the Master.

So, is every one happy? It depends on your definition. Someone said, "Happiness is a good bank account a good cook and a good digestion." As disciples of Jesus we will be better off following the advise of Albert Schweitzer who said "One thing I know-- the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."

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