A Disciple's God-Honoring Ambition

INTRODUCTION

In our media-saturated world, our eyes and ears are hit with ads, jingles, promotions, and brand messages every day. Experts estimate that the average American is hit with 4,000-10,000 of these a day. One ad specialist did an experiment and reported that he received over 487 ad exposures (print, sound, video, etc.) before he finished breakfast in the morning!
Often, the most effective ad language (in jingles or catchphrases) promises you something that will make your life easier, better, more enjoyable, or more fulfilling.
So, let’s see how effective the marketers have been on you all. I’ll say the jingle/catch phrase and you see if you can name the product:
This is an older one but was very popular for a long time: “Have it your ______ (way)!” Burger King, emphasizing the customer’s choice in toppings and arrangement of the burger.
“What can __________ (brown) do for you?” UPS, offering to help you.
The big red button that was plastered all over Staples ads and stores was called “The ________ (Easy) button.” It’s 20 years old, BTW. Idea: let us make your work easier for you.
These and many more messages hit us all the time – dozens or hundreds a day – offering  convenience, but also the promise that they can help you achieve your dreams, or at least live an easier life.
In our can do” American spirit we’re told there is nothing we can’t achieve; no obstacle to high that we can overcome; to believe in ourselves and make our dreams come true.

TRANSITION 1

As followers of Jesus, is it okay to have “ambition,” “dreams,” and “goals?”
You often hear people who hit a mid-life crisis (or different stages of life) saying things like, “I just want to be a great dad/mom,” or “I want to be remembered as a great friend/worker.”
Is it okay to want to be great? To achieve things? If so, what do we do with ambition and desires?
Especially as we think of service and leadership roles in the church, is it okay to want to lead and influence others with our lives?
Regardless of where you are right now spiritually (not a Christian but are curious; new Christian still discovering what the Bible and church is all about; or a lifelong Christian with lots of Bible knowledge), you might wonder: “what does following Jesus have to do with my life ambition, my dreams, my gifts, and my desires, etc.
I’m not going to give you career advice today; nor am I going to lay out a roadmap for personal success or goal making.
But I would like to hold up the mirror of God’s Word and help you reflect on the life questions that emerge. Questions like:
Is Jesus there to give me what I’ve always wanted?
Why hasn’t God let me achieve my dreams/goals?
Is ambition compatible with godliness?
How do I know if I’m “serving Jesus/the church” for selfish reasons or pure motives?
The Bible is amazing because it shows us where we are and when we are straying from God’s path. And it graciously calls us to return to trusting Jesus and following him.
Please turn to the Gospel of Mark 10:32. It is the 2nd Gospel (an account of the life and teaching of Jesus), following Matthew in our Bible. Page 908 in the Black pew Bible.
In this passage, we will see how Jesus’ disciples navigated these questions and how Jesus beautifully illustrates the heart of service he wants from his followers.
In short, we’ll see that we need to “come to Jesus for mercy and follow Jesus in service.” “Come to Jesus for mercy and follow Jesus in service.”

TRANSITION 2

But before we go any further, I’d like to pray and ask God to help us.
READ THE TEXT: MARK 10:32-45 (we’ll get to vv.46-52 later)
Today’s main outline is very simple. My main 3 points are:
The Disciples’ Proud Ambition (32-45)
The Beggar’s Desperate Appeal (46-52)
Application to Our Lives

THE DISCIPLES’ PROUD AMBITION (32-45)
Jesus’ Passion Predicted (3rd time in Mark)
On the road to Jerusalem, prior to the Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday), Jesus pulls the 12 disciples away from the crowd and predicts what will happen to him in the city.
His first prediction of his arrest and death (in Mark) is in 8:31; his second prediction is in Mark 9:30-37.
But this 3rd instance is the most detailed. It is basically an outline of the events as Mark records the Passion of Jesus in chapters 11-15.
Imagine, for a moment, that you are one of the 12. You’ve given up your livelihood, left family behind, witnessed amazing teaching and incredible miracles. Your Rabbi and Master has been revealing as someone come from God, to the crowds but uniquely to you. And, indeed, He’s lately shown you that he is God Himself. You sense that something truly remarkable is about to unfold.
But then he goes into another monologue (like he did earlier) about suffering, mocking, and death. Notice the detail and power of his words in v. 34: “mock Him; spit on Him; scourge Him; and kill Him!”
He ends with the good news of his resurrection, but the disciples seem to forget this hopeful ending in the tumultuous days ahead.
TRANSITION: As they continue walking, the conversation takes a very abrupt turn, as we zoom in on James and John.
James & John’s Bold Request (35-40)
The Request Itself: seats of power near Jesus in his kingdom (35-37)
The Setup
These guys were brothers, sons of Zebedee. Jesus had nicknamed them “sons of thunder,” likely for their passion and sometimes foolhardy comments.
In light of Jesus’ march to Jerusalem and the sense that something big is going down – like setting up his kingdom and ruling – they ask Jesus a bold request.
Illust: But before they get to their real request, they approach him like a little kid would to their mom or favorite grandpa: “Hey gramps, can you do something for me…?” Or, “Hey mom, I just cleaned my room and took out the trash, can I get some $ for something…?”
They ask Jesus “can you do whatever it is that we’re about to ask?” A bold request indeed!
And Jesus, patiently, replies with a question that any good parent would use: “What do you want me to do for you?” IOW, “before I say yes, what is it that you want?” (we’ll come back to this question).
The Request (37)
Finally, they get to asking Jesus what they want: to be able to sit at his right and left hand. These were places of prominence and importance, sitting next to the ruling king or emperor.
Matthew’s gospel records their mother posing the question to Jesus. Whether it was the mother posing the question through the brothers or vice versa, the point holds that they were seeking a place of prominence.
Now, we are quick to point out their foolishness and arrogance, but, again, put yourself in their shoes. They had been following Jesus for 3+ years. They had full confidence that he was the Messiah, and that he was going to rule and reign.
So they figured, we might as well get in on the “power positions” before someone else does.
We know the other disciples were thinking a similar thing, because they get angry a few verses later!
Illust: Jesus is more patient than many of us parents/grandparents. Imagine that your family is traveling in a car to your father’s funeral, and in the car, your kids are arguing over who gets his DVD collection or his collection of fancy watches! “Knock it off, don’t you understand that this is not the time for this?!” you might yell from the front seat

TRANSITION/APPLICATION: Let’s go back to our intro for a minute. If we’re honest, how often do we make everything about us, oblivious to the hurting of those around us or the kindness of Godin the moment?! 
The dialogue: suffering before glory (38-40)
To help them see the severity of what he is about to face, Jesus borrows two images of suffering from the OT Jewish language. He asks them if they can drink the cup [of his suffering] and be baptized with the baptism [of his intense trial].
The cup – often a picture of God’s judgment on sin, his wrath
The baptism – often a picture of enduring a trial or testing
Summary: He’s saying: I’m about to die in obedience to the Father, do you really think you can handle following me on this path to glory?!
And in their brashness – remember the “sons of thunder” title – they say “yes, we can endure that!”
Despite their naivete, Jesus bears with them and says that they will endure hard things (James was beheaded, John exiled; the other disciples experienced incredible suffering as messengers of the gospel!)
But that offering these places of power is not his to give; that is in the future and the Father will reveal it.

The Anger of the Other 10 (41)
This shows us that the others weren’t operating on pure motives either!
Nobody likes the “teacher’s pet” cozying up to the teacher in the classroom!
SUMMARY: The brothers proudly grasped for greatness. 
TRANSITION: Jesus, like he had done so many times before, patiently bore with them and used their hubris as an opportunity to illustrate “true greatness” in his kingdom.

Jesus’ Patient Teaching (42-45)
The pagan model (42): dominate, put people in their place, make sure everyone knows you’re in charge, and that it’s “my way or the highway.”
The new model (43-44): The measure of greatness in Jesus’ kingdom is how well you serve. Lowering yourself in selfless service is the way to get “promoted” in Jesus’ family.
I can imagine the awkward silence when Jesus finished in v. 45! Probably the quietest walk ever, as they made their way to Jericho.
Jesus’ example (45):
Jesus is the ultimate “servant leader” because he leads by example. Even the “Son of Man” – a Messianic title of authority and power – humbled himself to become a servant, following the Father’s will.
Call to Action: This is one of the most powerful verses on why Jesus came: to save sinners! To “redeem” or “buy us back” from the kingdom of darkness, in our lost, selfish, sinful state.
SUMMARY: Jesus graciously revealed the disciples’ pride.
APPLICATION: Consider your heart. Take a moment to hold the mirror of Jesus’ teaching up to your life. What pride needs to be confessed? What broken relationship do you need to move towards reconciling in love? What personal “kingdom building” needs to be set aside so you can serve others?
Jesus calls you to come to him for mercy. And follow him in service.
TRANSITION: Jesus graciously revealed the disciples’ pride. But Jesus wasn’t done teaching. There was one more miracle he needed to perform. And in this miracle, he reveals why the order matters: mercy then service. We need to receive mercy before we serve.
THE BEGGAR’S DESPERATE APPEAL (46-52) – READ MARK 10:46-52.
The Beggar’s Request (46-48)
The Blind Beggar (46)
Jesus and his entourage are making their way by Jericho, with his disciples and a large crowd following them.
Here we meet a blind beggar. The fact that Mark names him is unusual; most gospel accounts don’t reveal the name of the individuals Jesus heals unless there is something significant about them.
It could be that he was known, later, to the church in Jerusalem, or that is father was.
Bartimaeus was desperate (46). To be blind in their day was to be consigned to a life of poverty and begging. There were no “seeing eye dogs” and no special assistance.
Evidently, he had heard of Jesus’ reputation as a great healer and teacher.
Out of desperation, he cries out to Jesus. Each phrase of his appeal is significant: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus – his given name.
Son of David – This was a royal, Messianic title. He was giving him respect and honor that he was due as a Messiah, sent from God.
Have mercy on me – He acknowledged that he was desperate; he knew he didn’t have anything to offer Jesus, his 12, or anyone else. So he appealed to Jesus’ heart of compassion by asking him for mercy.

The Beggar’s Desperation (47, 48b-c)
The crowd tries to quiet him down (48a), probably out of annoyance so they can hear Jesus and the Twelve.
But Bartimaeus didn’t care what they thought! He kept crying out; the idea is that he was yelling it over and over: “Son of David, have mercy on me! Son of David, have mercy on me! Son of David, have mercy on me!”
TRANSITION: The beggar desperately wanted what only Jesus could give.
Quick application: how often do you forget your place and what you really deserve? Do you see yourself as the beggar, desperate for God’s mercy? Or are you like the crowd, waiting for a show, eager to hear talk of “spiritual things,” showing up to the gathering of religious people on Sundays? But not examining your own need for a Savior?

Jesus and the Beggar (49-52)
Jesus Calls the Beggar (49-50)
In spite of the crowd telling him to shut up; even though he is on the most important journey of his life; despite trying to teach his hard-headed disciples some lessons; Jesus stops and calls for the beggar to come to him.
Bartimaeus eagerly throws aside his cloak (likely on the ground to collect coins), and hurries over to where Jesus is.

Jesus Speaks to the Beggar (51)
Jesus focuses on him and asks him a key question: “what do you want me to do for you?” (51) If it sounds familiar that’s the same question he asked James/John before their ambitious request.
Bartimaeus simply acknowledges him as a great teacher (Rabboni) and says “I want to see again.”
It took boldness and courage to call out to Jesus, despite the crowd’s objections. 
Here, it takes faith in who Jesus is and the power that he has.

Jesus heals the Beggar (52)
Jesus recognizes his faith and says, “Go, your faith has made you well.”
Immediately, he can see again and he starts following him down the road to Jerusalem.
Aside: we have no way of knowing, but it makes me wonder how far he followed Jesus. Did he follow him into Jerusalem for the triumphal entry? Was he in the city for all the events of the Passion week?
We don’t know. But we do know that the rest of his life – and eternity – was changed starting that day. As he called out, in faith, for the Savior.
TRANSITION: Jesus graciously gave the beggar what he really needed.
Just like this blind beggar, Jesus calls you to come to him for mercy. And follow him in service.
APPLICATION
SETUP
As we think of how to respond to this story, I want to zoom in on the key question that Jesus asked in both settings: “what do you want me to do for you?”
By asking it, Jesus is drawing out the desires of their heart.
For James & John (and the rest of the disciples; they were just too timid to ask!), it revealed their pride and desire for greatness according to the world’s standards. It showed their lack of awareness of the gravity of the events that were about to unfold (Jesus’ betrayal, suffering, and death).
For Bartimaeus, it revealed a desperation for healing and wholeness. It also revealed a heart of simple faith and trust in God. A man who, through the brokenness of life and suffering, knew that he needed tremendous mercy from God.
So I’d like to use that question - “what do you want me to do for you?” - to frame 3 calls to action.

FOLLOW JESUS AS SAVIOR & LORD
Salvation: I’d like to speak to the person here who is “Christian curious.” Maybe you came with a friend who invited you. Maybe you came just to make a relative happy; kinda get them off your back. Maybe you’ve been attending for a while (or even years) and you’re wondering what it means to be forgiven of your sin, to have God place “new life” in you, to be a Christian, or “follower of Jesus.”
People today have all kinds of ideas about what it means to be a Christian. It is evident in how they’d answer the question that Jesus posed, “What do you want me to do for you?” Some want Jesus as a “therapy buddy” to talk to when they have problems and then to just kind of go away. Some use Jesus’s teaching as a “culture warrior” to “put the libs in their place” or to “push back the radical right.” Some see coming to church as a way of appeasing their conscience or getting others “off their back.” Some want God to be a “magic genie” to grant them their life wishes.
There are many deep truths in the Bible. Some complicated stuff that takes a while to understand. (Come back tonight where we’ll talk about some doctrine that the church clarified through church councils).
But following Jesus isn’t that complicated. And the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, gives us a good model for coming to Jesus for forgiveness. 
THE GOSPEL INVITATION:
Acknowledge God’s authority – you must acknowledge that you aren’t God of your life. That the God who created everything and you is worthy of your worship and obedience. In fact, he demands it from his creation!
Recognize your sin & its penalty – our culture doesn’t like the word SIN very much. People like to talk about “mistakes” or “life choices” or “different paths of life.” But the Bible is clear that you were born with a nature or tendency to not do what God’s Word tells you to do; and to do the things that God tells you not to do. And because of your sinful acts, you have offended the holy, perfect Creator God. This offense leads to God’s eternal judgment on you and all who live life their own way, in a terrible place called hell.
Understand what Jesus did – On your own, you could never repay the debt you owe to God because of your sin. But, the good news is that right after the story of Jesus’ healing Bartimaeus, he walked the dusty road to Jerusalem. A few days later, he was betrayed, arrested without committing a crime, given a sham trial, beaten, and hung on a cross – a cruel Roman execution reserved for the worst of sinners. Jesus endured this because God loves to save sinners from their sin!
The most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, says that God loved the world and gave his Son, Jesus, to come and die so that whoever believes in him would not perish (eternal punishment) but have everlasting life (forgiveness).
Call to Jesus for mercy – Just like the blind beggar, call out to Jesus for mercy. Answer Jesus’ question “what do you want me to do for you?” with “Save me!” Turn from living life your way, by your rules, trying to earn God’s favor; the Bible calls this repentance. And turn to Jesus, relying on his death to forgive you of your sin debt. The Bible calls this faith or trust. Not everyone was in favor of the beggar getting healing (crowd, disciples); not everyone will like it if you turn to Jesus and follow him and his teaching. It might mean tension with your family or friends; it might mean disrupting your life plans, dreams, and ambition. But block out the call of others and the selfishness of your heart, and, like Bartimaeus, cry out in desperation to Jesus. He loves to save sinners!
Keep following Jesus – Being a Christian is a journey, a process; not a “one-time prayer” or “thing you do one time in church.” Jesus’ own disciples had a long way to go before they were mature in their thinking/living! But after he left the earth, he sent the Holy Spirit to guide them, and they went on to establish the church and do incredible gospel work!
Dive into God’s Word the Bible. Talk to God about your burdens and needs (through prayer). Come to church eager to learn. Build connections with other Christians who can help you.
Please find me, Pastor Kit, an usher, or someone after the service if you have questions. We have gospel booklets in the back we can give you. And we’d love to show you how you can trust in Jesus today!
Come to Jesus, today, for mercy.
SEEK MERCY BEFORE MINISTRY
Christian: We can easily judge the disciples for their selfishness and sometimes stupid questions/statements. We can look down at the Pharisees/Sadducees for their pride and greed. But, Christian, how many times do you act like you’ve made it spiritually? Or talk like you have it all figured out? Or post online like you are the dispenser of all wisdom? Do you flex your Bible knowledge or service pedigree as if you’ve “pulled yourself up by your own bootstraps?” Like you were born in a log cabin you built yourself?!
It’s good for us to stop and see ourselves as the beggar in this story! You are spiritually bankrupt aside from God’s mercy. I have no merit of my own that I can boast in before a holy God!
Oh, that we would remember the words of the hymn writer that describe us apart from Christ’s mercy (“Rock of Ages”):
Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
When was the last time you fell on your knees and just thanked Jesus for his mercy? For freeing you from your sin; for giving you so much more than you deserve?!
The life of a follower of Jesus is a life in submission to Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Don’t ever get over your salvation! Remember:
That every confession of sin is forgiven based on your standing in Christ. 
That every act of worship to God – prayer, singing, reading the Word – is honoring to Him because he sees you clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, not your own.
That every act of service, lesson taught, time of fellowship, loving ministry to that brother/sister, $ gift given – all of it is made possible by your crucified & risen Lord Jesus!
That you are forgiven, loved, comforted, corrected, and matured by God because you were once a blind, desperate beggar who found healing for your soul.
That you can only love because God first loved you in Christ.
Don’t get over it! Don’t ever get over it!
 Keep coming to Jesus for mercy. And keep following Jesus in service.
Let your service in the church, in your home, and in your community be a response to the undeserved mercy you’ve received from Jesus.

BE GREAT: SERVE
For those serving on “team Jesus” here at Life Point – I’m talking to the ushers, nursery workers, musicians, SS teachers, us pastors, anyone who is actively serving others – a temptation creeps into our hearts to “serve Jesus” from selfish motives. The temptations are varied: personal ambition, misdirected creativity, boredom with the routine, rigid rule-following, lack of sympathy, $ gain, fame/attention, or the power to “tell others what to do.”

Background: Disciples’ faulty view of Jesus’ true purpose for coming. It’s easy to point out James/John’s selfish ambition in our story, but all the disciples battled selfish desires during the 3+ years of following Jesus. Here’s a sample from just Mark 8-10; follow along with me:
Peter, Mark 8:31-33: This is the 1st time Jesus talks about his coming death and resurrection; Peter takes him aside and rebukes him for talking about his death (8:32)
Peter didn’t like Jesus’ method for achieving glory (and what it meant for him, as Jesus’ follower). So he tells him to stop talking about it!
But notice how Jesus responds: 
Jesus looks around at the rest of the disciples and uses this as a teaching moment. (33a)
Jesus firmly rebukes Peter: “Get behind me Satan” (Peter is standing in for Satan, calling him to disobey the Father’s plan).
But Jesus goes on to say “you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but on man’s” (33b)

All disciples, Mark 9:32-34: the 2nd time Jesus talked about his coming death/resurrection, the disciples were all confused. But instead of asking him to explain and setting aside their view of what should happen, they start debating about who’s the greatest (9:32-34)!

John, Mark 9:38: gave a possessive response to others casting out demons in Jesus’ name: 
“Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.”
Jesus: we’ve got bigger things to worry about; God works in mysterious ways. Keep the big picture in mind, even if it doesn’t fit your model of what it should look like with “team Jesus.”

All Disciples, Mark 10:13: just prior to our text, the disciples refuse to let the children come to Jesus (10:13). Jesus sharply rebukes them.

James and John, Mark 10:35-40: they grasp for power, just prior to Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection (10:35-40)

Let’s go through the 4 faulty motives of the disciples:
Peter’s rebuke of Jesus – “I know better than God’s way.” Sure, we might not be as bold as Peter, but have you said, “What in the world is God doing in this situation? I need to fix this, set it straight, make things right. God really needs me to do ______ for him! Or, sure God I’ll serve you, but here are my terms: where I’ll serve, how much I’ll serve, who I’ll serve, in what way I’ll serve, etc.”
Disciples’ discussion of greatness (9:32-24 and 10:35-40) – “They need me.” Disciples were more concerned about greatness than about understanding the reason for Jesus’ suffering and death. Here are the thoughts that can creep into our hearts: “These people really need me; I’m God’s gift to ________ ministry. This would all fall apart without me. I’m irreplaceable.” All under the umbrella of “being great for God and his church.”
John’s possessive attitude – “We’re the A-Team.” I love our church; I hope you do too. But if we ever get to the place of thinking “we’re the only ones left” in the High Desert or Southern CA – may God rebuke us! Our patriotism for the US of A can lead us to think that Christianity is centered on our country. And even within your own service at church, home or in the community, check your heart: “Am I more concerned with getting credit for serving or with the mission being accomplished?” Or “Am I more concerned with being part of the ‘inner circle’ of service than people growing to be more like Jesus?!”
Disciples’ refusing the children – “I’m too busy serving Jesus.” We live in a very “child-centric culture” today, so it’s hard for us to imagine refusing to let kids see Jesus. It was different in their day. But, we have our way of making people feel excluded from our social circle or ministry group. “I don’t have time for you; I need to go serve over here.” Jesus has sharp words for those who favor one group over another, among his spiritual children!
Illustration: The story is told of a leader of a large Christian foundation that helped thousands of children who were homeless or destitute. One day, one of the boys they were helping came to the office to talk to the Director of the foundation. He came to the secretary, unannounced, who let the Director know about the visitor, a young boy. The Director let her know that he didn’t have time to see the boy; he had a full day of meetings and had to catch a flight that evening for an important ministry trip that evening. The foundation existed to help the boy in the office, but the Director didn’t have time to talk to him for a few minutes!
Ministry leaders, servants, church: never forget the purpose of the mission (to glorify God); but without loving people, spending time with followers of Jesus (even the lowly, desperate ones that can’t do anything for you!) we can never accomplish the mission the way Jesus wants us to!
Ambition, drive, and dreams are not inherently sinful. There are plenty of examples of characters in Scripture with notable ambition, drive, who used their talents to honor God and serve his mission.
But what drives our ambition matters! Fuel your ambition with humility. And only walking in close fellowship with God, coming to him for mercy each day, will keep you humble. Until Jesus returns, never forget where you came from, why Jesus saved you, and what your mission is!

CONCLUSION
Key Question: So what will you do with Jesus?
Call to Action: Come to Jesus for mercy; follow Jesus in service.
Pray.