v30-32... In today's passage, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to die. He came to save mankind-- but will be killed by mankind. The Father is delivering the Son into the hands of men. Then in three days, he will rise! And the apostles didn't understand.

He did rise again, and that is the basis of our faith.

v33-37... It's never a good thing to think of yourself in terms of greatness. The apostles knew they were wrong to be discussing who among them was the greatest. Jesus challenges them: to be first, you must be last of all, the servant of all. Jesus doesn't shoot down their desire for greatness, but for the kind of greatness they desired, and for the motive behind their desire for greatness.

That's our text...

This passage isn't about how great children are. In the first century, children were seen as the least significant people. They were "the least". If you want to be great, you need to learn to love and willingly serve the insignificant!

Serve people who can't serve you back!

Pursue greatness by serving, with humility! No one ever served more humbly than Jesus. There is no path to greatness without humility! A Christian builds people up, serves people, loves people.

Love is serving your spouse till death do you part.

Humility is inward... not thinking too highly of yourself. Understanding the depths of your sin nature.

When we receive the holy Spirit, we receive the power to walk humbly!

Humility is also outward! Helping people with things that are "not your problem"... humbly serving someone's need that presents itself in the moment.

Matthew 11... I am gentle and lowly (meek and humble). Meekness is power restrained!

Luke 24... There was something about Jesus's disposition that made people feel warm and accepted in his presence.

We should desire greatness... and greatness is humble service!

It's sinful to want to be great apart from Christ. A beautiful house and a good income are not the goal. We are brought into the Kingdom not because we're great, but to pursue the greatness of humble service! We must follow the way of Christ.

Greatness is rewarded. We'll be thrilled just to make it into heaven... But there, God himself will serve us at the table!

We can only walk in this godly greatness once we've received the Spirit of God. It doesn't save us; it's made possible by our salvation!

James 4:7 humble yourself before the Lord and he will exalt you

1 Peter 5:6... Humble yourself so he will exalt you at the the right time!