Our DNA 

Wk 5 “At Your Service” 

Mark 10:42-45 

Darin Elquist 

August 4, 2024 

Message Notes 

Our Core Values 

Deep Compassion 

Cultivated Relationships 

** Useful Service **

Bold Action  

Authentic Living 

Radical Generosity 

Mark 10:43 

“…but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.” 

1. Selfishness

“Selfishness is being devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one’s own interest, benefits, welfare, etc… regardless of how this may affect other people.”

“He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies.”

– Tertullian (155ad-220ad) 

Luke 6:38 

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

“I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind, and that only in purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross (worthless,rubbish) of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.”

– John D. Rockefeller 

2. Misunderstanding Greatness

What Greatness is NOT: 

a. Wealth 

b. Fame 

c. Power 

How Can We Achieve True Greatness?

**USEFUL SERVICE** 

John 3:30 

He must increase, but I must decrease. 

A servant, (diakonos) is someone hired to do something for someone else.  

A slave, (doulos) is someone forced into service. 

“We are all pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending love letter to the world.” 

– Mother Theresa

John 12:26  

If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 

“Whoever wants to be first, must be slave to all” 

• The Transition Team is in place, responsibilities are almost fully assigned.
• Dan Hall will be leading the transition team
• Transition Team Needs
  • Areas the need to be covered before August 18  If interested, contact Dan Hall
    • Benevolence Assistants (Coordinator is in place)
    • Missions Contact (communication with the mission the church supports in S/E Asia).
• The Board is continually in contact Growing Healthy Churches (GHC) for guidance through the process.
• GHC has helped 1000’s of Churches finding Pastors
• A Search Team is being put together to start the process
  • The typical time to replace a Pastor is 12-18 months. Please wait on the Lord with us!
  • The team will update the church regularly
• Prayer is a critical part of this process! Please pray continually for the board’s guidance in seeking God’s will.

1. From memory can you recall any of the core values of the church?  Which core value stands out to you the most? 
2. What does it mean to serve from the standpoint of the world?  What does it mean to serve in the church?  Are there any differences? 
3. Read Mark 10:42-45, what does it mean to be a slave/servant of all?  Should we emulate Jesus in how He served others?  Why or why not?  Do we tend to want to serve or want to be served? 
4. Using a Bible App or a concordance, look up the word for “servant” in verse 43.  What is the Greek Word?  How many times is the word used in scripture?   Look up the word “slave” in verse 44.  What are some of the differences of how we would view slavery today vs. when Mark wrote this gospel?  What are the differences between the word for servant and the word for slave in these two verses? 
5. Read Luke 6:38, what is meant by this scripture? 
6. When the world thinks of someone who is a “great” person, what are some of the attributes?  What are some of the attributes that Christians would view someone as a “great” person? 
7. Read John 12:26, what are some ways we can serve Jesus?  Is there any wrong way(s) to serve Jesus? 
8. Have you ever felt like you would like to serve but maybe you feel you might not be able to help?  Or maybe you feel like you just don’t have enough time during the week to devote to service.  There are many things you can do that are not 40 hour a week service opportunities.  This will help make your connection with the church a little stronger.  Please consider reaching out to Darin, Justin, or any of the board members to show some of the various options.  Being obedient to God’s calling is some of the most fulfilling service you can ever do.   
9. Continued prayer is needed for Pastor Darin and his family.  Also, for the transition team, search team, and the board.  Please pray that always God’s will would be sought out and strength to understand that God is working all things together for good.