James 1:9-11 (NASB)

9 Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.

Theme: Believers, whether rich or poor, should find their true satisfaction in Jesus Christ above all else.

1) The poor Christian’s boast (1:9)

2) The rich Christian’s boast (1:10-11)

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Mark 9:30-37 (NASB)

30 And from there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” 32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them: “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And He took a child and placed him among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus teaches us that true greatness comes with humbling ourselves in service to others.

1) The Greatest Act of All-Time (9:30-32)

2) The Debate about Greatness (9:33-34)

3) Jesus’ Definition/Description of Greatness (9:35-37)

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