TRUSTING THE LEADERSHIP OF GOD
I. GOD WELCOMES THE DESIRE FOR GREATNESS
35… “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36…“What do you want Me to do for you?” 37…
“Grant to us that we may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left in Your glory” (Mark 10:35-37)
A. First of all, this is near the end of Jesus’ 3-year discipleship program and the Apostles are still not quite getting it.
Jesus just poured out His heart in vs. 33-34 concerning the most intense trial He’s going to experience in His visit to earth.
He’s going to be delivered up, humiliated, condemned and killed; suffering the very wrath of His Father for taking upon the
sin of the world. The Apostles response: “Give us whatever we ask.” Beloved, the Apostles were weak broken people just
like us…if they can do it, we can too!
B. Granted that James and John had a few issues to work out concerning God’s way of greatness; Jesus took them
serious and didn’t rebuke them for desiring this great honor (greatness). He encourages them by giving further insight
into how His Father recognizes/rewards greatness.
44And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all (willing to be the lowest of servants at the
heart-level). 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many. (Mark 10:44-45)
1. Shepherds and leaders in the body of Christ should lead the most by this example. We should be willing to
embrace the lowliest of servant hood at the heart level.
“whoever does and teaches them (whoever embraces the values of God’s Word and regularly puts them
into practice), he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19)
C. God invites us to dream big of having impact, authority and great glory or greatness. He invites us to contend to
be crowned in heaven with glory and honor that He will give.
II. GOD’S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS
38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know (His ways are different) what you ask. Are you able (willing to
trust) to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38)
A. This is intense. In the same breath of welcoming greatness He soberly asks us if we trust Him to lead us into the
realm of greatness in God’s sight.
B. Jesus knew the cup that He was about to drink; the immersion into the most intense fire of His earthly life. He gave
insight here to James and John that they would be led into a similar ‘furnace’ if they were willing. This would lead them to
great places in God.
1. I doubt when the two heard this they were thinking what reality would be: James would be beheaded by King
Herod (Acts 12) and John would enter into his retirement exiled to the island of Patmos as a prisoner (Revelation 1).
C. God’s leadership can lead us into very difficult situations and circumstances. It may not look like what we thought.
Most of the time it may seem impossible and unbearable. Whether it be the physical pain, social injustice, family disorder,
financial crunches, or any other crisis that He allows, we are called to trust Him and not give up or give in.
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and
through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment. (Psalm 66:10-12)
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10)
Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as
to a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:19)
III. HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will
rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (increase of power). Therefore I
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For
when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (in the place of need). (Philippians 4:13)
This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life (empowered me in affliction).
(Psalm 119:50)
A. God gives. Need we say more? He’s abundant in strength and gives it in generous proportions. He’s promised
the Helper! He enables us to stand, to hope, to be courageous in any circumstance. He empowers us by loving us
through the fire.
1. God’s ‘grace being sufficient’ to endure trials and pressures is the active release of His divine seal of love
upon your heart. He empowers the human heart to experience His affection and delight. This grace enables us to
literally be faithful through any circumstance, yea unto death.
2. Jesus cries out in the Garden of Gethsemane for the cup to pass yet presses forward to the cross
(Matthew 26:42).
3. Paul and Silas worship after being beaten and imprisoned (Acts 16:23-25).
IV. THE PROMISED GLORY AND GREATNESS
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us (producing in us) a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18)
My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
11Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the
end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful (James 5:10-11)
A. The Lord sees every tear, every movement of faith in the presence of terror or affliction, every right thing done
at the cost of pain, every movement of the heart that resisted offense in the place of trial, confusion or suffering.
B. His promise: the presence of His love upon your heart and an exchange of our affliction for eternal glory and
greatness.