Welcome to the Church on the Rock-Nashville, Arkansas weekly sermon podcast! We're delighted to have you join us as we explore and share the teachings that guide our faith and inspire our community.

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Each episode features insightful sermons that aim to strengthen your faith and provide spiritual nourishment. We hope these messages will not only uplift you but also inspire you to share God's love with others.

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Church On The Rock Nashville (COTRN) Podcast

Date: April 6, 2025

Pastor: Nick Birmingham

Location: Nashville, Arkansas

Title: Upside-Down Kingdom Leading A Life Of Service

Opening:

Extravagant Love: Acknowledging God's immense love demonstrated through the sacrifice on the cross.
Easter Invitation: Encouragement to invite others to Easter services two services (9:00 AM & 11:00 AM).

Series:

A City on a Hill
- Previous Weeks Recap:
  - Week 1: Being Salt and Light (Salty Saints spreading the news)
  - Week 2: Hearing, Doing, and Living Out God's Word
  - Last Week: Communicating Without Complaining (A complaining Christian is a compromised Christian)

Message Focus: The Impact of Serving

Serving as a vital aspect of our witness for the Lord, both within the church and in the wider world.
Serving as a powerful form of evangelism.
The common human struggle with ambition and the search for purpose, often linked to greatness, power, influence, and authority.
The world's definition of success often revolves around achievement and status.
Key Shift: True greatness in God's Kingdom is found not in what we gain, but in how much we serve.

Scripture Focus: Mark 10:35-45

Jesus challenges the disciples' (and our) understanding of true greatness.
The "upside-down kingdom" where leadership is characterized by servanthood.

Key Points:

1. Servanthood Over Status:

The allure of titles and hierarchical positions, even within the church.
James and John's ambition for positions of power in Jesus' glory.
Their desire to be close to Jesus for personal gain, not primarily for service.
The universal human desire to matter and have purpose.
God's desire for us to be part of something greater than ourselves.
Key Difference: In God's Kingdom, greatness often means serving in less prominent roles.
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees' love for prominent positions (Luke 11:43).
The world's pursuit of climbing the ladder and gaining influence.
Key Teaching: Greatness in God's Kingdom is about humbling ourselves in service.
Principle: True success values service over status.
The disciples' repeated misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and true greatness (Mark 9:33-35).
Reflection: Are you pursuing the spotlight or the heart of servanthood?

2. Service Through Sacrifice:

Jesus' response to James and John about drinking from His cup of suffering.
Service in God's Kingdom is not always glamorous.
Examples of unglamorous service: nursery duties, late-night help, simply being present.
The importance of unseen, behind-the-scenes service.
Caution against seeking the "lights and the stage" in ministry.
The American church's potential misunderstanding of sacrificial service, often treating it like a buffet.
The challenge of serving in areas we don't prefer.
Personal anecdotes illustrating the difficulty of serving ungrateful or challenging individuals.
Key Teaching: True service, like Jesus' example, comes through sacrifice (laying down His life).
Our acts of service are a powerful way to share the Gospel.
As Christ-followers and leaders, we should mirror Jesus' sacrificial love.
Reflection: Are you willing to serve even when it's inconvenient or costly?

3. Shift From Authority to Influence:

Moving beyond worldly models of top-down authority to relationally-driven influence.
True influence comes through serving others, even the "least of these."
Jesus' teaching moment with the indignant disciples, redefining greatness.
The worldly model of rulers lording over others versus Jesus' call for servant leadership.
Serving everyone, regardless of status or background.
Jesus' powerful words in Matthew 25:35-40, equating service to the marginalized with serving Him.
The meaning of being a "slave to all" (Mark 10:44): serving everyone without discrimination.
Commentary on the radical nature of this statement in the context of ancient slavery.
Jesus' ultimate example of willingly laying down His life for undeserving humanity.
The contrast between our low points and Jesus' unwavering service and love.
The hypocrisy of believers who judge others while having received the same grace.
Key Teaching: Christ calls us to serve all, especially the downcast and broken.
The importance of being known for our love.
Key Insight: People care about how much you care before they care about how much you know.
Influence is earned through service and lasts longer than titles.
Influence transforms communities and nations through practical acts of service.
Reflection: What are you doing this week to serve and love others, especially those often overlooked?
The choice between pleasing God and pleasing peers.

Call to Action: Make these principles of servanthood actionable in your life: prefer servanthood over status, practice service through sacrifice, and shift from authority to influence.