Sermon | Mark 10:35–45 | 2026 March 22

Title: Sermon | Mark 10:35–45 | 2026 March 22
Scripture: Mark 10:35–45 (ESV)
Date: 2026 March 22
Speaker: Rev. John Chen
Translated by: Joseph Wang (Yufan)

Title: Being First and Being a Servant (March 22, 2026 · Yixing)

Theme Sentence: We must rightly use Christian authority through self-denial.

Question: How should we understand and use Christian authority?

Transition: We should understand and use Christian authority according to the following aspects.

Keyword: Aspects.

Introduction: Authority and power are very sensitive terms.

Chinese people are usually very sensitive to power.

Because the true idol that Chinese people bow to is still power.

Money is only a secondary idol.

So, how should we understand and use authority in the church?

I. The Worldly Understanding of Authority

1. Why were those who followed Jesus afraid?

Because this was a moment of dynastic transition.

It is very normal for people to feel fear.

2. After learning that Jesus was going to be killed, the response of James and John was not how they themselves should act.

But rather, they sought status.

This situation is truly lamentable.

They even brought their mother, Jesus’ aunt.

They seemed to believe Jesus’ words.

They indeed believed that Jesus would come to power.

However, Jesus did not say what He would do after His resurrection.

3. In order to obtain authority, James and John were willing to pay a price.

In order to gain authority that satisfies their own desires, people in the world are in fact willing to pay a price for it.

The other disciples became very angry because of the request of James and John.

Because when people know that others intend to rule over them, they become very indignant.

This is how people treat authority.

They are willing to pay a price to obtain power.

Yet they resent others exercising authority over them.

Humanity holds this kind of contradiction toward power.

4. Authority is used to satisfy one’s own desires.

Authority is used to exalt one’s own name.

5. Authority is used to suppress one’s enemies.

6. Authority is used to squeeze the space of others.

II. Jesus’ Explanation of Authority

1. Jesus said that the disciples must suffer.

But who would receive authority is not decided by themselves.

It is decided by the Father.

In this way, James and John labored in vain.

How did Jesus deal with the dispute among the disciples?

The Lord Jesus emphasized the mode of operation of authority in the kingdom of heaven.

The purpose of using this authority is to glorify God.

It is not to glorify others.

The method is self-denial.

It is to serve others.

It also includes leading.

2. Whoever would be great must be a servant.

Worldly power is for satisfying one’s own desires.

But the authority of the kingdom of heaven serves the purposes of God.

God’s purpose in the use of authority is this.

It builds up the one who has authority.

It also builds up the one who is served.

3. Whoever would be first must be a servant.

Jesus distinguishes between position and action.

Jesus did not deny the positions and authority of masters and leaders.

But He requires those who have such positions and authority to act in serving others.

Jesus requires those in high positions to humble themselves.

So that those in high positions understand that all they have is given by God.

Also so that those in low positions give thanks for the Lord’s mercy.

And thus go on to love those who are even weaker.

In this way, God’s love can be transmitted from the highest to the lowest.

4. God does not deny order and authority.

But He distinguishes between identity and behavior.

He emphasizes the serving function of those who have authority.

In the church, there are two common errors in the use of authority.

One is to use authority according to worldly ways.

The other is to continually wrong oneself merely to satisfy the needs of others.

This is also wrong.

It is indulgence.

Such indulgence does not build up others.

It only continually feeds the old self of others.

Thus making the will of God obscure and unclear.

III. The Redemption Accomplished by Jesus

1. The Son of Man came not to be served.

Jesus does not need people to serve Him.

He came to serve others.

This service is not merely to meet the needs of His people.

But to serve them so that they become like the people of God.

This service includes humility.

It includes self-denial.

It is becoming an example for God’s people.

It includes bearing with and accepting the weak.

It also includes guiding and rebuking them.

So that they may walk on God’s righteous path.

2. The Son of Man came to serve.

3. The Son of Man came to give His life.

The Lord Jesus nailed Himself to the cross.

The purpose was to make Himself a ransom.

The only way to become a ransom is to give up His own life.

4. The Son of Man came to be a ransom for many.

IV. Serving Others and Giving One’s Life for Others

1. God grants authority.

He does not deny authority.

Authority did not arise only after the fall of man.

Authority is necessary for human society.

2. The purpose of using authority is to build up others.

It is to serve others.

The purpose of serving others is this.

To bring them to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

So that they may better glorify God.

3. The process of using authority is not a process of satisfying oneself.

On the contrary, it is a process of humility and self-denial.

It is a process of continually hiding oneself.

It is a process of relinquishing one’s rightful claims.

It is a process of serving others.

So that God may be glorified in oneself.

It is to become a bridge of reconciliation between others and God.

This is the purpose of a Christian’s use of authority.

The Lord Jesus’ healing of blind Bartimaeus is His way of serving people.

He gives people what they ask for.

The purpose is to lead them to know God more deeply.

And to glorify God.

4. Christians must practice this self-denial in various relationships.

In marriage relationships.

In parent-child relationships.

In church service.

In family relationships.

And in all kinds of social relationships.

The one who is first must be a servant.

The one who is master must be a slave.

This is what pleases God.

The way Christians deny themselves is this.

Not seeking their own glory.

Not seeking their own benefit.

But only seeking the glory of God.

And seeking what benefits God.

Christians wrong themselves.

Knowing that they have authority.

Yet lowering themselves to serve others.

This is the glory of Christ.

Conclusion: May God lead each one of us to humble ourselves and serve others.

Questions:
1. What is the world’s interpretation of authority?
2. What is Christ’s explanation of authority?
3. What is the work accomplished by Jesus?
4. How do we serve others in family, work, and daily life?