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<DIV><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Sermon
Resources for Proper 20:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <SPAN class=style3><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mark 9:30-37 -
</SPAN></B></SPAN><STRONG><B><FONT face="Times New Roman">The Measure of
Greatness</FONT></B></STRONG><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><BR><SPAN
class=style3> </SPAN>Mark 9:30-37 <SPAN
class=style3> </SPAN>- What’s Left Is
Right<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#1f497d size=2 face=Calibri><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Calibri; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=2 face=Calibri><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Calibri; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">by
Leonard Sweet<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">_________________________________________<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Mark 9, the sermon titled “The Measure of Greatness"
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Some years
ago St. Paul School of Theology in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Kansas City</st1:City></st1:place> was seeking a new president. Over
one hundred candidates applied for the position. The search committee narrowed
the list to five eminently qualified persons. Then somebody came up with a
brilliant idea: let's send a person to the institutions where each of the five
finalists is currently employed, and let's interview the janitor at each place,
asking him what he thinks of the man seeking to be our president. This was done
and a janitor gave such a glowing appraisal of William MacElvaney that he was
selected President of St. Paul's <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Theology</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>.<FONT color=black><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Somebody on that search committee
understood, in a flash of genius, that those who live close to Christ become so
secure in his love that they no longer relate to other people according to rank
or power or money or prestige. They treat janitors and governors with equal
dignity. They regard everybody as a VIP. Children seem to do this intuitively;
adult Christians have to relearn it.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">It is a telling little peace of scripture
in verse 32: "But they did not understand." That's a picture that can be hung in
the halls of the museum of mankind. When confronted by true greatness, we simply
do not see it. That's what happens to the disciples. One day Jesus is passing
through <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place> with his disciples. We are told
that he did not want anyone in the area to know where they were? Why is that?
Because, he had something important to tell them. It was a strategic part of his
plan. "The Son of Man" he explains, "is going to be betrayed into the hands of
men. They will kill him," now listen to what he says here, "and after three days
he will rise." There it was. The whole plan laid out before them. The
crucifixion and the resurrection. They should have been curious. They should
have asked questions. They could have seen the significance. But the best they
could muster up was a blank stare and silence. They could not understand it
because it did not meet the measure of greatness.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">How do we grow to the point that we stop
measuring people by their successes and start regarding people for their
service, for their sacrifices? What is greatness in the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">kingdom</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">God</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">1. Greatness Is Hardly Ever
Recognized.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">2. Greatness Is Never About
Promotion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">3. Greatness Is Found In Service To
All.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=black size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The rest of this sermon following the outline above can
be obtained by joining <A title=blocked::www.eSermons.com
href="www.eSermons.com">www.eSermons.com</A>.<FONT color=#1f497d><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d"><BR></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">__________________________________<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Second Sermon by Len Sweet<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#1f497d size=2 face=Calibri><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Calibri; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Mark 9, the sermon entitled ‘What’s Left Is Right’
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Party games. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Just the phrase gives me the shivers.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">[You may want to get out some party games here and help
people relive their horror. You could get some volunteers to do a quick
party-game in front of everyone.] <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Whether played at a child's birthday or an after-hours
office shindig, party games are designed to make us look ridiculous and act
silly. The rationale seems to be as follows: now that we've been silly together,
the ice is broken, people can get comfortable, and we can begin enjoying one
another without pretensions and protocols. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Party games are supposed to put people in a party mood.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">If there's one party game that truly does an outstanding
job of making all participants look ridiculous, it's the dreaded limbo contest.
The limbo is far worse than the bunny hop because you have to go one at a time
(no hiding in the crowd). The whole point of the contest is to make you fall on
your backside in front of a group of onlookers. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Unfortunately, the better you are at bending over
backwards and coming back up again without falling flat, the more sensational
and embarrassing will be your eventual failure. Even if you manage not to fall,
the more obtuse the angle of your back, the more convoluted and comical your
body is going to appear. Face it. Even if you win a limbo contest, you've
lost…you've lost your dignity and made yourself a laughingstock.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Outside the limbo party atmosphere, nobody ever wants to
know how low can you go. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">How much further can your family income drop? How much
more dismal can morale get in your work place? How much more strained can the
relationship get between yourself and your teenager? How far down can you drop
into depression? How much more stupid can you feel at school? How unprepared can
you be emotionally, mentally, fiscally for retirement? We spend our whole lives,
and huge amounts of energies, clawing our way UP…<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The rest of Leonard Sweet's sermon can be obtained by
joining <A title=blocked::www.eSermons.com
href="www.eSermons.com">www.eSermons.com</A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">________________________________
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Clothed with Humility<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The word "humility" means
literally a low estimate of self. But this does not imply self-deprecation. When
you hear someone deprecating himself, usually you can put it down as a sort of
counterfeit humility. Someone has said, "The true way to be humble is not to
stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your full height
before some higher nature that will show you how small your greatness is." "Walk
humbly with thy God." Here is where we learn true humility. Walking with God,
seeing ourselves by the side of His greatness, we see how little we are. And
seeing how little we are is the first step toward becoming what we can and ought
to be.<BR><BR>We never become truly great, we never do our best work until we
are "clothed with humility"; until, like our Lord and Savior, we are willing to
live to serve others. <BR> <BR> John R. Gunn, Facing
Life<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">______________________________<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Ambitious Disciples<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Jesus and his disciples were coming to the town of
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:City></st1:place>. As
they entered the house where they would be staying, he asked his disciples,
“What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet, says the writer
of Mark’s Gospel, because on the way they had argued about who was number one
among them. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">So, the disciples were human just like you and I are
human. Who doesn’t want to stand out? Some of the greatest people who have ever
lived were also among the most ambitious.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">It is said that Michelangelo prayed: “Lord, grant that I
may always desire more than I can accomplish.” <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Abraham Lincoln often said to himself as a boy studying
by the pine log fire at night: “I will study and get ready and perhaps my chance
will come.” And, indeed, it did come. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Having an African-American president reminds us of other
people of color who have succeeded against even greater odds. They, too, were
driven to succeed.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Who can help but be impressed by the accomplishments,
for example, of George Washington Carver? Carver was born to an African slave
mother. He never knew his father. But he wanted to make a difference in the
world, and he did! Carver became one the greatest scientists in American
history.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The disciples were human beings. They wanted their names
to be in lights just as you and I want to stand out from our peers. There is
nothing wrong with that as long it does not cause us to mistreat others or
betray our values. My guess is Jesus wanted them to be ambitious because
ambitious people get things done. He just wanted them to be ambitious in the
right way. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">King Duncan, Collected Sermons, <A
href="http://www.sermons.com/">www.Sermons.com</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">____________________________<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">He that is down needs fear no
fall,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">He that is low, no pride:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">He that is humble ever shall
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Have God to be his guide.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">From the Song of the Shepherd Boy, The Pilgrim’s
Progress by John Bunyan<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">_____________________<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> <FONT size=4>(continued in Part 2)
</FONT></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>