JESUS WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE CROSS, AND SATAN ATTACKS THOSE CLOSEST TO HIM WITH THE WORST SIN POSSIBLE

1. Peter had several trials- but here James and John reveal their worldliness, vain ambition
2. I've puzzled over this- sign out front, wrong Scriptures, so this message must be needed!
3. when the Apostles should have been pulling together they were divided by jealousy & Ambition

Their quarrel continued even into the Last Supper- when Jesus needed them the most!

I.- THE VAIN REQUEST! Matt 20:20,- or Mark 10:35-

When people center their attention on their own desires- they often fail to see Lord's suffering

A.- HERE WAS A BLATENT REQUEST, A RAW GRAB FOR POWER OVER THE OTHER DISCIPLES v. 20:20

1. Matthew shows the mother of James and John giving the request- An aunt of Jesus -special privilege?
2. The Apostles were subtle- Mark 10:35- Asked for a favor?  Then their request?- Like Prove love?
2. They wanted to be Number 2 & 3 in the Kingdom - To have authority over the Universe- & others

B.- JESUS GENTLY BUT FIRMLY TOLD THEM " YE KNOW NOT WHAT YE ASK" V. 22 Many perils in position

1. If you don't think there are perils with leadership- ask Nixon -or Johnson, or Kennedy
2. But the Lord has too many "mother called" preachers- looking for fried chicken & women
3. Unfortunately most of us do not recognize our own gifts- & volunteer for wrong things

C.- WHEN JESUS CALLED HIS APOSTLES, HE INSTRUCTED THEM ABOUT THE TASK AHEAD, AND ITS DEMANDS

1. Matt 10:1,2 He called them as Apostles, v.16 he challenged them, & v. 22 -Warned them
2. He pled with them to confess Him- v.32, and to put Him first,- before self or others
3. He spoke of Loving Him first- v.37, Cross bearing v.38, and losing life for his sake- v.39

But they asked for raw power and authority- in Luke 9:54 they showed what they would do with it,

II.- THE SOUL-SEARCHING QUESTION! Matt 20:22b

Jesus dealt with their terrible sin in an unspeakably patient and tender way- His great love

A.- "ARE YE ABLE TO DRINK OF THE CUP THAT I SHALL DRINK OF, & BE BAPTIZED WITH MY BAPTISM? 22c

1. God knows our abilities and our frailties, our own opinion of ourselves is VERY prejudiced
2. with His grace and power- He can make His ministers a flame of fire-Heb 1:7 -and did these
3. But Jesus was on the road to Gethsemane (surrender His will) and Calvary-(give His Life)

B.- "THEY SAID WE ARE ABLE". V.22d AND THIS WAS LIKE THE ARROGANT BOAST OF FOOLS

1. Christ's was not a cup- but an ocean: His Baptism was to die for sins of world- These able?
2. Youthful arrogance thinks it can do anything- Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread!
3. Rom 12:3 warns us not to think of self too highly, but to think soberly!

C.- JESUS PROPHESIED "YE SHALL DRINK OF MY CUP...BUT YOUR REQUEST IS NOT MINE TO GIVE! v.23

1. James was slain by Herod with sword- Acts 7:2, John suffered a long life -& exile on Patmos
2. But it was not for Jesus to grant them special favors - The Father had plans- Heb 10:12
3. There are Rewards- Matt 25:23- For faithful- to rule- & Joy, & Rev. 20:6 - thrones for all

But we get exactly what we earn, Matt 19:29, but - v.30 God sets the order by His choice

III.- A MESSAGE FOR ALL DISCIPLES V. 24

The 10 heard of it, and they were angry, their quarrel lasted even into the Upper Room-Passover

A.- JESUS REMINDED THEM THAT THEY WERE NOT TO BE LIKE THE GENTILES, BUT DISCIPLES - v.25-27

1. Gentile Princes exercise authority- elevate men at a whim,-give unlimited authority -over
2. But Jesus said if you would be great- be a minister! -(Deacon) this means to serve, not command
3. To be chief- be a (Doulos) Bond slave! - Your servant for Jesus Sake - A Slave to be commanded

B.- IN ALL KINGDOMS THERE IS A PRICE FOR LEADERSHIP, ( Kipling's If) ESPECIALLY IN CHRIST'S WORK

1. Negatively- Lead for Jesus- & some will hate you, some criticize you, misunderstand motive... If you don't die to self- and love people for Christ's sake you won't make it!
2. Positively- You must love Jesus enough to make any sacrifice for His sake & no regrets... You must work with Church, take advice, search the word- & Obey Jesus (S.S. Law), (??)
3. To minister for Christ- you must not let your liberty offend- I Cor 8:8-13 (Laymen's If)

C.- JESUS CAME NOT TO BE MINISTERED TO, BUT TO MINISTER, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE FOR MANY.-v.28

1. No sacrifice is too great, no burden too heavy if it is for Him!  He does help but you walk
2. We thrust workers in without warning them of the hazard or how much it takes to serve Jesus
3. Few really make it- or survive long in any leadership- Christian or otherwise- I Cor 4:2

If you think you can stand- you wont!  But if you will trust Christ to help you- you can! -

THIS CHURCH NEEDS PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO SURRENDER THEIR WILL TO CHRIST- WHO ARE ABLE FOR HIM!

1. Able to Accept Him as Savior and to confess Him here in Church- and at home, job, city
2. Able to be Members- Baptized - Faithfully giving, working, teaching, as the church directs
3. Able to be Soulwinners for Him - To really die to self, and live for Jesus.  Are you willing?