First Presbyterian Church                                                           Rev. Dr. Michael J. Imperiale

Salt Lake City, Utah                                                                        September 10, 2006

“Jesus Came to Serve: Serving Together in the Church”

Mark 9: 33-35; 10: 35-45

Introduction

The Bible refers to the church in several ways. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are members of the family of God. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.” First Presbyterian Church is meant to be this family.

As followers of Jesus we are an army fighting the spiritual battles of life. Ephesians 6:13 calls us to “Put on the full armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.” First Presbyterian Church is meant to be this army striving for the gospel of Christ in our world.

The church is also called the body of Christ with each part having an important role in the health and well-being of the body (see Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12). With an amazing diversity of people, gifts, and roles, the various parts of the body work together under the headship of Christ.

This morning, I’d like to take another analogy, that of a team sport like football, soccer, or volleyball. The owner of the team is the Lord our God (not David Checkets or Larry Miller). God alone is the creator, redeemer and sustainer of the church. First Presbyterian Church is not my church or your church, it is God’s church. As members of the church, we are here to worship and serve the Lord.

The front office, the owner’s representatives are our elders on Session (the board in a Presbyterian Church that governs the affairs of the local congregation). Chosen by God through the voice of the congregation, the Session elders establish and monitor the guiding principles, the ground rules for our life together. The Session provides accountability and support to the coaches and team.

The Head Coach is the pastor who leads, directs, teaches and casts vision for the church’s ministry. The Staff both paid and volunteer are the assistant coaches or managers with specialized areas of training and programs. And lastly, but most importantly, the members are the players, the athletes, the teammates. You are the ones who actually play the game! It’s up to you with the support of the owner, the board, and coaches to do your best to make the plays, do ministry in the name of our Lord.

So, First Presbyterian Church is meant to be a family, an army, the body of Christ, a team that helps one another love God, love neighbor and make disciples in our church and community.

This morning is our annual Fall Festival, a time when all of our ministry leaders ask members and friends at First Pres to connect with, sign up for, participate in some ministry for the coming year. We need players for children’s ministry, youth programs, adult fellowship & discipleship groups. We need players for building and grounds, finance and stewardship. We need players for worship and music, prayer, membership, congregational care. There are many positions that need to be played by the team to make our mission and ministry successful in fulfilling our Lord’s purposes and plans for his church. I hope everyone will discover, develop and play their position well.

I. Getting Off Track (9:33-34; 10:35-41)

On any team, there is always some tension, confusion, difficulties and things to iron out between owner, coach, staff and players as the game is played and the season progresses. I’m sure the Utes’ football team had quite a week working on things after their tough loss to UCLA last week as they prepared for their home opener against Northern Arizona.

Jesus encountered these problems and adjustments with his disciples. In Mark 9, Jesus noticed them arguing about something as they traveled along the road together. It says they kept quiet because they were arguing about who among them was the greatest. In Mark 10, James and John give evidence to their wrong idea about the nature of Christ’s kingdom. In Matthew’s gospel it was James’ and John’s mother who made the same request. They wanted to be in the top places of power alongside the Messiah when that day came. “Let one of us sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.” James and John weren’t the only ones off base here. It says that when the other ten heard about this, they became indignant. “Well, I never…”

It’s so easy to get off track in the Christian life. Considering faith in Jesus Christ is a good thing. But using Christ to promote one’s own agenda is not. Becoming a member of a church is a good thing for worshiping the Lord, studying his word, growing Christian friendships and serving the Lord. But using the church to gain any sort of power and control, notoriety and reputation for one’s self is not. Getting involved in a ministry that reaches out to the community with God’s love and compassion is a good thing. But to leave Christ out of the planning, the action, the relationships, or the helping is not.

To be recognized or appreciated for what you do in the church is to be received humbly and joyfully with thanks. But to be hurt or to pout when you are not acknowledged is unbecoming of a follower of Christ. “What’s in it for me?” is not the main point of becoming or being a Christian.

As a member of the family or army or body or team in the church, your identity, my fulfillment, our community are found in the kingdom values of our Savior, not in the misguided values of world.

II. Jesus Answers the Problem (9:35; 10:42-45)

Here’s what Jesus says, the owner of the team. “If anyone wants to be first, you must be the very last, and the servant of all… Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”

Initially the disciples had the wrong idea of the Messiah’s kingdom as predicted by the Old Testament prophets. They thought Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom that would free Israel from Rome’s occupation and oppression. James and John wanted honored places in it. But Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world; it is not centered in palaces and thrones, but in the hearts and lives of his followers.

Most businesses, organizations, and institutions in this world measure greatness by personal achievement, wealth, success. In God’s kingdom, however, service is the way play the game. The desire to be on top will hinder, not help. Rather than seeking to have your own needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of others.

In 1975 a child named Raymond Dunn was born in New York State. With significant complications at birth, Raymond had multiple physical problems. He had a severe allergy that limited him to only one food: a meat-based formula made by Gerber Foods. In 1985, Gerber stopped making the formula. So, his mother scoured the country to buy what stores had n stock, accumulating cases and cases, but in 1990 her supply ran out. Without this particular food, Raymond would die.

The employees of the company heard about the problem. In an unprecedented action, volunteers donated hundreds of hours to bring out the old equipment, set up production lines, obtain special approval from the USDA, and produced the formula – all for one special boy.

In January 1995, Raymond Dunn, known as the Gerber Boy, died from his physical problems. But during his brief lifetime he called forth a wonderful thing: compassion, service, giving, ministering to the needs of another.

Conclusion

Occasionally, we are faced with a unique need like Raymond’s. In the church, in the neighborhood, in our community, we will be called on to serve in a special way. But also, as you walk around our church today, visit each table and discover the many ways that First Presbyterian Church plays the game of serving. Serving children, youth, adults in worship, study, fellowship and service.

The owner has “bought us with a price,” says the Bible. The owner’s representatives (the elders) are putting together guiding principles. The Head coach is teaching, training, casting vision, motivating. The assistant coaches are managing the every day practice and game day strategies. But it’s you, the players who will make all the difference.

Jesus came to serve. He calls us to serve together in the church.

Let us pray together.