How Men Drown
Sermon Blog 9/7/25 - Bro Jonathan McKinnies
In our quest for success and recognition, we often find ourselves asking the wrong questions. "Who is the greatest?" This seemingly innocent inquiry reveals a heart condition that can lead us astray from our true purpose and calling. It's a question that even the disciples of Jesus grappled with, prompting a profound teaching moment that challenges our understanding of greatness in God's kingdom.
Imagine a group of men who had witnessed miracles, heard teachings that shook the foundations of their beliefs, and were chosen to be part of an inner circle with the most revolutionary figure of their time. Yet, there they were, debating among themselves who was the greatest. It's a stark reminder of how easily we can lose sight of what truly matters, even when we're in the presence of the extraordinary.
Jesus, aware of their discussion, doesn't rebuke them harshly. Instead, He uses this moment to flip their understanding of greatness on its head. He calls a child to stand among them and declares, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This statement is not just about innocence or simplicity; it's about a complete reorientation of our values and priorities.
In God's kingdom, greatness is not measured by titles, achievements, or influence. It's measured by humility, servanthood, and a willingness to put others before oneself. Jesus goes on to say, "Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." It's a radical concept that challenges our worldly notions of success and power.
But Jesus doesn't stop there. He emphasizes the seriousness of this teaching by using stark imagery: "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." This vivid picture serves as a warning against the dangers of pride, ambition, and self-centeredness that can not only hinder our own spiritual growth but also negatively impact those around us.
The millstone imagery is particularly poignant. In ancient times, a millstone was essential for grinding grain, a symbol of sustenance and livelihood. By using this analogy, Jesus is saying that it would be better to lose everything—even one's life—than to lead others astray through selfish ambition or a misguided understanding of greatness.
This teaching calls us to examine our hearts deeply. Are we holding onto things that are drowning us spiritually? Are there weights of comparison, bitterness, or unforgiveness that we need to let go of? Just as Pharaoh's inability to let go led to his downfall in the Red Sea, our refusal to release our grip on worldly definitions of success can lead to our spiritual demise.
The path to true greatness in God's kingdom often requires us to let go of what we think makes us great. It might mean cutting off a hand, plucking out an eye, or cutting off a foot—metaphors for radical self-denial and surrender. Jesus is not advocating for literal self-mutilation but for a willingness to part with anything that hinders our spiritual growth and effectiveness in His kingdom.
This teaching reminds us of the two greatest commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we align our lives with these priorities, we begin to understand true greatness. It's not about being served but about serving others. It's not about accumulating accolades but about pouring out our lives for the benefit of others.
Jesus shifts the focus from personal greatness to the greatness of the harvest. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few," He says. This perspective change invites us to see beyond our personal ambitions to the broader mission of God's kingdom. We are called to be laborers in His harvest, working in unity and partnership with fellow believers.
This call to kingdom-minded living challenges us to examine our motives, to let go of comparison and competition, and to embrace a life of humble service. It's about recognizing that our talents, abilities, and positions are not for self-glorification but for the advancement of God's kingdom and the benefit of others.
As we reflect on this teaching, we're invited to come before God with childlike faith and humility. We're encouraged to lay down our preconceptions of greatness and to ask God to search our hearts, removing anything that doesn't align with His purposes. It's an invitation to be part of something greater than ourselves—to be laborers in God's harvest, working in unity with the body of Christ.
This journey towards true greatness requires courage and vulnerability. It means being willing to let go of our own kingdoms to fully embrace God's kingdom. It's about recognizing that we are inadequate on our own but that God equips and empowers us for His work when we come to Him with open hands and hearts.
As we step into this upside-down kingdom, we find that true greatness lies not in what we achieve for ourselves but in how faithfully we serve God and others. It's about becoming less so that Christ can become more in our lives. It's about finding our identity not in titles or accomplishments but in our relationship with God and our role in His grand narrative.
Let us, therefore, approach God with the simplicity and trust of a child, ready to be transformed and used for His purposes. Let us release the weights that hold us back and embrace the freedom that comes from serving in God's kingdom. For in this kingdom, the last shall be first, the humble shall be exalted, and those who lose their lives for Christ's sake will truly find them.
In this upside-down kingdom, we discover that true greatness is not about rising above others but about lifting others up. It's about becoming a channel of God's love, grace, and power to a world in need. As we embrace this paradoxical path to greatness, we find ourselves part of a greater story—one that transforms not just our lives but the lives of those around us, for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
In our quest for success and recognition, we often find ourselves asking the wrong questions. "Who is the greatest?" This seemingly innocent inquiry reveals a heart condition that can lead us astray from our true purpose and calling. It's a question that even the disciples of Jesus grappled with, prompting a profound teaching moment that challenges our understanding of greatness in God's kingdom.
Imagine a group of men who had witnessed miracles, heard teachings that shook the foundations of their beliefs, and were chosen to be part of an inner circle with the most revolutionary figure of their time. Yet, there they were, debating among themselves who was the greatest. It's a stark reminder of how easily we can lose sight of what truly matters, even when we're in the presence of the extraordinary.
Jesus, aware of their discussion, doesn't rebuke them harshly. Instead, He uses this moment to flip their understanding of greatness on its head. He calls a child to stand among them and declares, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This statement is not just about innocence or simplicity; it's about a complete reorientation of our values and priorities.
In God's kingdom, greatness is not measured by titles, achievements, or influence. It's measured by humility, servanthood, and a willingness to put others before oneself. Jesus goes on to say, "Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." It's a radical concept that challenges our worldly notions of success and power.
But Jesus doesn't stop there. He emphasizes the seriousness of this teaching by using stark imagery: "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." This vivid picture serves as a warning against the dangers of pride, ambition, and self-centeredness that can not only hinder our own spiritual growth but also negatively impact those around us.
The millstone imagery is particularly poignant. In ancient times, a millstone was essential for grinding grain, a symbol of sustenance and livelihood. By using this analogy, Jesus is saying that it would be better to lose everything—even one's life—than to lead others astray through selfish ambition or a misguided understanding of greatness.
This teaching calls us to examine our hearts deeply. Are we holding onto things that are drowning us spiritually? Are there weights of comparison, bitterness, or unforgiveness that we need to let go of? Just as Pharaoh's inability to let go led to his downfall in the Red Sea, our refusal to release our grip on worldly definitions of success can lead to our spiritual demise.
The path to true greatness in God's kingdom often requires us to let go of what we think makes us great. It might mean cutting off a hand, plucking out an eye, or cutting off a foot—metaphors for radical self-denial and surrender. Jesus is not advocating for literal self-mutilation but for a willingness to part with anything that hinders our spiritual growth and effectiveness in His kingdom.
This teaching reminds us of the two greatest commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we align our lives with these priorities, we begin to understand true greatness. It's not about being served but about serving others. It's not about accumulating accolades but about pouring out our lives for the benefit of others.
Jesus shifts the focus from personal greatness to the greatness of the harvest. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few," He says. This perspective change invites us to see beyond our personal ambitions to the broader mission of God's kingdom. We are called to be laborers in His harvest, working in unity and partnership with fellow believers.
This call to kingdom-minded living challenges us to examine our motives, to let go of comparison and competition, and to embrace a life of humble service. It's about recognizing that our talents, abilities, and positions are not for self-glorification but for the advancement of God's kingdom and the benefit of others.
As we reflect on this teaching, we're invited to come before God with childlike faith and humility. We're encouraged to lay down our preconceptions of greatness and to ask God to search our hearts, removing anything that doesn't align with His purposes. It's an invitation to be part of something greater than ourselves—to be laborers in God's harvest, working in unity with the body of Christ.
This journey towards true greatness requires courage and vulnerability. It means being willing to let go of our own kingdoms to fully embrace God's kingdom. It's about recognizing that we are inadequate on our own but that God equips and empowers us for His work when we come to Him with open hands and hearts.
As we step into this upside-down kingdom, we find that true greatness lies not in what we achieve for ourselves but in how faithfully we serve God and others. It's about becoming less so that Christ can become more in our lives. It's about finding our identity not in titles or accomplishments but in our relationship with God and our role in His grand narrative.
Let us, therefore, approach God with the simplicity and trust of a child, ready to be transformed and used for His purposes. Let us release the weights that hold us back and embrace the freedom that comes from serving in God's kingdom. For in this kingdom, the last shall be first, the humble shall be exalted, and those who lose their lives for Christ's sake will truly find them.
In this upside-down kingdom, we discover that true greatness is not about rising above others but about lifting others up. It's about becoming a channel of God's love, grace, and power to a world in need. As we embrace this paradoxical path to greatness, we find ourselves part of a greater story—one that transforms not just our lives but the lives of those around us, for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
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