Seeing that the Way Up is Down! (2025-10-05) Sermon

Matthew 20:17-34

Pastor Willie Behrends

Today Jesus teaches that true greatness doesn’t come through status or ambition, but through humility and service.

The way up in God’s kingdom is always down!

Matthew gives us three ‘pictures’ of this truth…

I – The ____________ comes before the _____________! (17-19)

II – Some have_____________, but are______________! (20-28)

III – Some are _________________ but _____________! (29-34)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “What __________________ is God asking me to carry?”

2. “How do I measure _________________________?”

3. “Am I willing to _________ ___________ to Jesus?”

This week’s Life Group Questions are on the back of this sheet →

NEXT WEEK: Hosanna in The Highest! Matthew 21:1-17

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS…

‘Getting to know you…’

What’s the most ‘servant-hearted’ act you’ve ever witnessed someone do for another person? How did seeing that make you feel?

Read Matthew 19:16-30 (Questions based on the English Standard Version© (ESV) Bible, 2001)

As you prepare for this week’s Life Group, 1-Carefully consider what this passage is saying (observation); 2-Ask, ‘who, what, when, where, why & how?’ (interpretation); 3-Consider what it means for us now (application).

Questions…

1. Read verses 17-19. Why do you think Jesus kept reminding His disciples about His suffering and death? What does it mean for us, in our day-to-day lives, that “The cross comes before the crown?”

2. Read verses 20-28. What do you think James and John’s request reveals about their understanding of Jesus’ kingdom, and why did the other disciples get ‘indignant’? In what ways do we demonstrate these same mindsets?

3. In verses 29-34, the blind men cry out for mercy. Why do you think Jesus asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?” when it seemed obvious? What does this teach us about prayer and dependence upon Jesus?

GROW…

Since what Jesus is teaching in this passage is so ‘counter-cultural’ and unnatural for most of us, what practical things can we do so that our lives reflect the standards Jesus has set for us? (See also Eph. 5:18, Col. 5:22-23)

GO…

In John 13:1-15 Jesus demonstrated what it means to be a servant by washing the disciples’ feet. What are some practical ways we could ‘pick up the towel’ and serve those in Our Worlds this week?

Pray for each other as you go to Your Worlds this week.