Sermon Category: Ready for More

God’s ministry is not accomplished by human power or human strength but by the power of God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:1). Believers and unbelievers alike must struggle with the urges of the flesh and its cravings, but the big difference is that believers have the power of God’s Spirit to overcome the flesh even though sometimes we may stumble and fall. In this passage, we will see the contrast between Judas and Peter as examples of the law of spiritual diminishing returns. When we rely on our flesh, even if it is with good intentions, the results we get will eventually be counterproductive to the work of Christ. In the Kingdom of God is not simply personal effort or good intentions that count, but obedience in God’s direction.

Less of me and more of Jesus is at the heart of true servant leadership. In this beautiful example of self-sacrificial love, Jesus set the paradigm for the future impact of the church revealing that the way to more fruitfulness for God demands that we empty ourselves from our selfish ambition and embrace the humble reliance of a servant. Jesus’ new purpose for his disciples is to go from a community whose highest goal is winning and receiving to a community whose highest goal is serving and giving.