This is the Way

Pastor Jon Verwey Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. — Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV  The way of the Kingdom is not striving for greatness through power and control but choosing last place through humility and service. 30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. — Mark 9:30–34 NIV 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” — Mark 9:35–37 NIV  “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last… and servant of all.” 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.  41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. — Mark 9:38–41 NIV  “…those who face the mess they’ve made of their lives, repent of it, and trust [Jesus] as Lord and Savior [will] receive eternal life — something far beyond anything humanity can manufacture.” — Professor John Lennox The way of the Kingdom is not striving for greatness through power and control but choosing last place through humility and service.