HOFC Sermon Archive

The House of Faith Church establishes and oversees places of worship, conducts the work of evangelism worldwide, supports missionary activities, and licenses ministers as instructed in Matthew 28. The House of Faith Ministries is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) & 170(b)(1)(A)(i)—tax ID:35-2206435. Please consider supporting this ministry. #houseoffaithministries #houseoffaithchurch #worship #godheals #newtestament #jesuslovesyou #churchfamily #godsword #loveoneanother #holy #godislove #church #jesus #god #bible #christian #love #faith #jesuschrist #gospel #prayer #christ #christianity #pray #holyspirit #godisgood #hope #blessed #fruitofthespirit #armorofgod #spiritualgifts #servingthelord

SERMON TIMELINE

10. Jesus Cleanses the Leper

11. Jesus Heals the Paralytic

12. Jesus and the Tax Collector

13. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

14. Of Wine and Wineskins

15. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath & Resurrection Sunday 2025

16. Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts

17. Three Responses to Jesus

18. Jesus Appoints the Apostles

19. The Family of Jesus

20. The Unforgivable Sin

21. The True Family of Jesus

22. Parable of the Four Soils

23. How Well Do You Listen

24. Parable of the Growing Seed

25. Parable of the Mustard Seed

26. Benefits of Private Teaching

27. Jesus Calms the Storm

28. Who is Afraid of Jesus?

29. The Touch of Jesus

30. When Familiarity Breeds Contempt

31. Principles of Evangelism

32. Weakness in the Seat of Power

33. The Need for Rest

34. Feeding 5000

35. Jesus Walks on Water

36. Healings at Gennesaret

37. The Danger of Traditions

38. The Source of True Defilement

39. Gentile Blessed for Her Faith

40. He Has Done All Things Well

41. Jesus Feeds 4000

42. Jesus Sighs

43. Beware of Leaven

44. The Blind Man at Bethsaida

45. Who Do You Say That Jesus Is?

46. Mindful of the Things of God

47. The Cost of Discipleship

48. The Value of a Soul

49. Ashamed of Jesus and His Word

50. The Transfiguration

51. The Disciples ask Questions

52. The Unclean Spirit

53. The Way to Greatness

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 9:33-37

“And they came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” ³⁴But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.

³⁵And sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, let him be last of all and servant of all.” ³⁶And taking a child, He set him before 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.”

INTRODUCTION

Jesus and His disciples quietly passed through Galilee to Capernaum. They just left the scene where the disciples were arguing with the scribes because they could not heal the possessed boy. Jesus healed the boy and explained to the disciples why they could not heal him.

They were relying on their own abilities rather than praying for God to step in and take care of the situation. We must learn that the only power and authority we have in this world is through a relationship with Christ. As servants of Him, we pray and call on the Lord, for He is our strength.

Even the Archangel Michael knew better than to fight Satan in his own power and authority rather than the Lord’s.

Jude 1:9 “But Michael the archangel, when he, disputing with the devil, was arguing about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!””

The expression translated “reviling judgment” renders the Greek krisin blasphēmias. The noun blasphēmia can mean slander, abusive speech, or speech that dishonors. It does not necessarily mean blasphemy against God in this context. Rather, it refers to railing, slanderous denunciation, or presumptuous condemnation.

Why would such a judgment be considered improper, even from an archangel?

First, because ultimate judicial authority belongs to the Lord alone. Even Michael, though an archangel, does not presume to issue a personal judicial sentence upon Satan. He appeals instead to divine authority: “The Lord rebuke you.” The restraint is the point. Jude is emphasizing submission to God’s appointed order.

Sorry to the hyper-charismatics who believe they have the authority to “bind Satan,” you do not.

In fact, in the immediate context, Jude is rebuking false teachers who “abuse the things which they do not understand” Jude 1:10. They speak arrogantly about spiritual realities beyond their comprehension.

By contrast, Michael, a holy archangel, did not speak in a slanderous manner even toward the devil. The comparison exposes the reckless boldness of false teachers.

Essentially, Jesus chides His disciples for their lack of faith. Instead of placing their faith in the Lord, they acted in their own power and authority and failed.

On their way to Capernaum, the disciples argue amongst themselves about “who is the greatest among them.”

Remember last week I said, they had failed to cast out the demon because instead of relying on the Lord, they tried in their own power. Pride, arrogance, thinking more highly of themselves than they ought.

Romans 12:3 “For through the grace given to me I say to each one among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound thinking, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”

Sound thinking means sober-minded, restrained, right thinking.

To pride, arrogance, the narcissistic mind that thinks they are all-that, and a bog of chips…

1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

Why do you boast as if you did it yourself? You did not.

They argued about who was greater among them.

So Jesus sat them down to teach the disciples, and us in His word, the way to true greatness. A way that involves one of God’s favorite dispositions and emotional postures.

Humility. As we are told in James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the mouth of perverted words, I hate.”

Proverb 16:5 “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.”

James 4:6 “‘GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.’”

Who wants more of God’s grace in their lives? Then humble yourself!

I. THE WAY OF HUMILITY

a. The Importance of Humility

i. Jesus took a child and sat them upon His lap to teach the importance of humility.

1. The house they were in was associated with Peter, which served as their “base of operation” in Capernaum.

2. The child either belonged to the family of the household or a neighbor.

ii. Scripture probably leaves the identity of the child unknown so they can be seen as a symbol for the coming lesson.

iii. The humility of a small child is a lesson for us.

iv. We read of the same encounter in Matthew:

Matthew 18:1-4 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ²And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, ³and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whoever therefore will humble himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

v. Humility is a cardinal virtue of the kingdom

1 Peter 5:5 “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Mark 9:7 reveals that when we humble ourselves in Jesus’ name, we receive both Him and His Father in heaven. (We also receive the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, when we receive Jesus!)

vi. The way of humility is the way of greatness!

b. Examples of Humility

i. In evangelism

1. Be open to opportunities to learn and do personal work

2. Asking others if you can accompany them as they teach others

3. Reaching out to those who are different than you

4. Especially those less fortunate than you

5. All for unselfish reasons, not for any personal gain, reward, or attention, but for the Lord

ii. In edification

1. Gladly accept subservient roles in teaching, preaching, and worship

2. Encourage and assist those who teach children

3. Warmly welcome those below or above you in social status

James 2:1-4 “My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. ²For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in bright clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, ³and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” ⁴have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

a. Roll out the red carpet for all, not just those with high social or economic status.

4. Help with mundane tasks, such as cleaning the building

iii. In the area of benevolence

1. Help those less fortunate than you

a. Luke 14:12-14

b. Perform menial tasks where needed

c. Offer to babysit, provide meals, help with expenses, etc.

II. THE WAY OF SERVITUDE

a. Importance of Servitude

i. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last and servant of all.” Mark 9:35

ii. Greatness in Christ’s kingdom is different from the kingdoms of men.

1. Remember in Matthew 20:20-28, the Sons of Zebedee wanted to sit on the right and left of Jesus when He came into His kingdom.

2. He told his disciples that day that the rulers of the Gentiles rule over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.

3. So naturally, they assume that is greatness, and desire that.

4. But it is not that way in the Lord’s kingdom. He told His disciples, “whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

iii. The way of servitude is the way to greatness.

b. Examples of Servitude

i. Serve others in evangelism

1. Someone led you to Christ; lead another.

a. John 1:35-42

2. Begin by being hospitable, offering acts of kindness and service

3. At the very least, invite them to service

4. Open your home to bible studies

5. Hone your skills in personal evangelism

6. Seek to improve your ability to share the gospel

ii. Serve others in edification

1. Many people have contributed to your spiritual growth and helped others

a. Ephesians 4:16

2. Begin by being present at every service

3. Greet everyone present

4. Take an interest in those who are new, and encourage them

5. Volunteer for whatever service you can render in the work and worship of the church

iii. Serve in benevolence

1. Has anyone ever shown you kindness? Be kind to another

a. Ephesians 4:32

2. Visit the sick or elderly, at home and in the hospital

3. Render services such as cleaning, transportation, errands, etc

4. Minister to the poor, the hungry, or others in need

5. These are just a few ideas of how we can serve others

CONCLUSION

The path to greatness in the kingdom begins with humbling ourselves. Greatness in the kingdom is not possible unless we first have a humble heart and a humble hand.

When we humble ourselves, we will then be ready to be a servant. Not seeking for ourselves, not selfish ambition, not in pride or arrogance, because we humbled ourselves, and now when we serve it is for the right reason.

We have a servant's heart and a servant's hand.

Philippians 2:5-11

“Have this way of thinking among yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied Himself [LIT: laid aside His privileges], by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. ⁸Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [LIT: YAHWEH], to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus proves the greatness of humility and service by His own example of leaving heaven and coming to earth in the form of a servant. Humbling Himself to the point of death upon the cross. Thereby being highly exalted by God.

Want to learn more about Salvation?

CLICK HERE!

Support The House of Faith Church in Sharing the Gospel Worldwide

Over 20+ years in ministry | Nearly 2 Million Sermons Downloaded by Ministers Worldwide. Nearly 1,000 sermons available online | Over 280 Countries Reached with the Gospel

To give, please visit: https://www.ps127.org/tithes-offerings

To give through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/AARR79FG22QN8

Give to Support this Ministry

Friday, February 20, 2026

Gospel of Mark Part 53: The Way to Greatness