Who Is Great?

Scott McFarland
12/05/21 - Sun AM Worship

Scripture:  Mark 9:30-37

Fighting Narcissism

This morning, we’ll talk about Jesus’ response to his disciples argument over who is the greatest in Mark 9.  First, I find it funny that a group of adults were arguing over who is the greatest.  Sounds like a conversation among children on a playground.  But, I do believe it reveals a bit about the hearts of people.  We may not say it out loud, but many adults still have this conversation in their head, or in their hearts.  We measure ourselves and our work against someone else’s.  We collect compliments in our head and pride ourselves in the number of people who tell us we’re doing such a great job.

There’s nothing wrong with doing a good job.  In fact, the Bible talks about it and encourages working hard and doing well (Col. 3:17, 23).  But, there is a point where our doing well becomes more about ourselves than anything else.  This is called narcissism.  We do well and the result is a big head.  We let the compliments and the encouragement get to us.

This is the beauty of Jesus’ statement in response to the disciples’ argument: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:3-4)  It’s hard to be a narcissist when you’re busy trying to become more child-like.

How about you?  Are you looking for ways to turn away from pride and narcissism?  Become like a child.  Go back in years to go forward in character.

-Scott McFarland