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  • The Secret to Greatness

Message Action Plan

Ministry: The Secret To Greatness

Leadership is a big topic these days — how do you get to the top? How do you become successful? How do you become the greatest? According to Jesus, the secret to greatness is serving. In Matthew 23, he said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” The greatest businesses serve their customers. The greatest bosses serve their employees. In this message, Pastor Tom Holladay talks about the five qualities of a servant. Being a servant may sound like being weak or a pushover, but through this message you’ll find that serving will transform your life in great ways.

November 18, 2018 | Tom Holladay
More from this series

"The greatest among you will be your servant." Matthew 23:11 (NIV)
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 (NIV)

1.         SERVANTS LOVE

Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. John 13:1b (NIV)

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love…   Galatians 5:13 (MES)

2.   SERVANTS KNOW WHO THEY ARE

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  John 13:3-4 (NIV)

Action Plan: Do you know how God has shaped you to serve the church and others?Click hereto sign up for the next CLASS 301 to learn about your call to serve.

3. SERVANTS MEET NEEDS

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5 (NIV)

To wash feet is to ACT to meet someone's need.

Action Plan: Meet somebody's need this week. Ask a neighbor or family member how you can serve them. 

4.  SERVANTS SERVE IMPERFECT PEOPLE

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.  Luke 22:24 (NIV)

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. John 13:2 (NIV)

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"   John 13:8-9 (NIV)

5.         SERVANTS ARE HUMBLE

WHAT KIND OF MINISTRY DOES GOD LOVE?

Humble Ministry!

"The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV)

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:12-15 (NIV)

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:17 (NIV)

Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship talks about what the Bible says about contentment. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here

Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.

The Purpose Driven Church
October 14 - November 18, 2018Watch Series
  • Why You Absolutely Need A Church Family
    October 14, 2018
  • You Need Others For Spiritual Support
    October 21, 2018
  • Sharing Your Hope With Others
    October 28, 2018
  • How Worshiping With Others Changes You
    November 4, 2018
  • Ministry: The Secret To Greatness
    November 18, 2018
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