Sunday Sermon Recap
What Would You Ask of Jesus? - September 7, 2025
Imagine for a moment that Jesus Christ Himself stood before you and asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?" How would you respond? This profound question invites us to reflect deeply on our relationship with God and the true desires of our hearts.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of the awe-inspiring nature of our Creator. Distractions abound, familiarity can breed complacency, and we often settle for less than God's best. Sin, as Isaiah 59:2 reminds us, can create a barrier between us and God. Moreover, we face an enemy who actively seeks to destroy our sense of wonder and reverence for the divine (John 10:10).
So, what can we do when we find ourselves losing that sense of awe? The answer is beautifully simple yet profoundly powerful: fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). By intentionally focusing on Christ, we realign our hearts and minds with the source of all wonder and glory.
Consider the disciples' response to Jesus as described in Mark 10:32. They were both amazed and afraid – a perfect encapsulation of true awe. This combination of wonder and humility is the natural result of a personal encounter with the living God. It's a reminder that when we truly meet Jesus, we cannot help but be changed.
Even in the face of His impending suffering, as Jesus foretold in Mark 10:33-34, He remained attentive to His disciples' needs and requests. This brings us to the intriguing story of James and John, who approached Jesus with a rather selfish request (Mark 10:35-37). They asked for positions of honor and power in His kingdom, seemingly oblivious to the weight of what Jesus had just shared about His coming sacrifice.
Yet, Jesus didn't dismiss them outright. He listened, just as He listens to us today. This serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus continually intercedes for us before the Father (Romans 8:34), regardless of how misguided our requests might sometimes be.
Jesus' response to James and John (Mark 10:38-40) illustrates an important truth about prayer: God always answers, though His answer may be yes, no, or wait. Our role is to trust in His wisdom and timing, knowing that He sees the bigger picture we cannot comprehend.
This incident also provides an opportunity for Jesus to teach about true greatness. In a world that often equates greatness with power, fame, or wealth, Jesus turns this notion on its head. He teaches that true greatness lies in our willingness to serve others (Mark 10:41-44). This is not just a one-time decision but a lifelong process of sanctification, as Jesus shapes us daily to become more like Him.
Jesus Himself stands as the ultimate example of this servant-hearted greatness. As Mark 10:45 tells us, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This verse encapsulates the heart of the Gospel – Jesus, the King of Kings, humbled Himself to serve humanity and ultimately gave His life to set us free from the bondage of sin.
This sacrifice was necessary because, as Ephesians 2:1 starkly puts it, we were "dead in our transgressions and sins." Our condition was hopeless, but Jesus paid the ultimate price to give us new life and freedom.
As we contemplate these profound truths, we're called to examine our own hearts. Have we, like the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), lost our first love? Have we allowed our relationship with Jesus to grow cold or distant? If so, the remedy is clear: repent and return to Christ.
Restoring our first love for Jesus is not just a nice idea – it's essential for our spiritual vitality. When we rekindle that love, we rediscover the awe and wonder that naturally flow from a vibrant relationship with God.
So, let's circle back to that initial question: If Jesus asked you, "What do you want Me to do for you?", how would you respond? Perhaps, after reflecting on His incredible love and sacrifice, our hearts might echo the sentiment: "Jesus, I want You." Not Your gifts, not Your blessings, but You – Your presence, Your love, Your transforming power in our lives.
This desire for Jesus Himself is the key to maintaining our sense of awe and wonder. When we seek Him above all else, we position ourselves to experience the kind of life-changing encounters the disciples had. We open ourselves to be amazed by His glory and humbled by His grace.
As we go about our daily lives, let's challenge ourselves to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Let's serve others with the same selfless love He demonstrated. And let's continually return to that place of first love, where our hearts are captivated by the beauty and majesty of our Savior.
Remember, the God of the universe is not distant or uninterested in your life. He's intimately involved, always listening, always working. He's the One who came not to be served but to serve, who gave His life as a ransom for many – including you.
So today, as you ponder what you might ask of Jesus, consider this: perhaps the greatest request we can make is simply for more of Him. More of His presence, more of His character formed in us, more opportunities to serve as He served. As we make this our heart's cry, we'll find ourselves on a journey of continuous wonder, growth, and transformation – a journey that leads us ever closer to the heart of God.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of the awe-inspiring nature of our Creator. Distractions abound, familiarity can breed complacency, and we often settle for less than God's best. Sin, as Isaiah 59:2 reminds us, can create a barrier between us and God. Moreover, we face an enemy who actively seeks to destroy our sense of wonder and reverence for the divine (John 10:10).
So, what can we do when we find ourselves losing that sense of awe? The answer is beautifully simple yet profoundly powerful: fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). By intentionally focusing on Christ, we realign our hearts and minds with the source of all wonder and glory.
Consider the disciples' response to Jesus as described in Mark 10:32. They were both amazed and afraid – a perfect encapsulation of true awe. This combination of wonder and humility is the natural result of a personal encounter with the living God. It's a reminder that when we truly meet Jesus, we cannot help but be changed.
Even in the face of His impending suffering, as Jesus foretold in Mark 10:33-34, He remained attentive to His disciples' needs and requests. This brings us to the intriguing story of James and John, who approached Jesus with a rather selfish request (Mark 10:35-37). They asked for positions of honor and power in His kingdom, seemingly oblivious to the weight of what Jesus had just shared about His coming sacrifice.
Yet, Jesus didn't dismiss them outright. He listened, just as He listens to us today. This serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus continually intercedes for us before the Father (Romans 8:34), regardless of how misguided our requests might sometimes be.
Jesus' response to James and John (Mark 10:38-40) illustrates an important truth about prayer: God always answers, though His answer may be yes, no, or wait. Our role is to trust in His wisdom and timing, knowing that He sees the bigger picture we cannot comprehend.
This incident also provides an opportunity for Jesus to teach about true greatness. In a world that often equates greatness with power, fame, or wealth, Jesus turns this notion on its head. He teaches that true greatness lies in our willingness to serve others (Mark 10:41-44). This is not just a one-time decision but a lifelong process of sanctification, as Jesus shapes us daily to become more like Him.
Jesus Himself stands as the ultimate example of this servant-hearted greatness. As Mark 10:45 tells us, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This verse encapsulates the heart of the Gospel – Jesus, the King of Kings, humbled Himself to serve humanity and ultimately gave His life to set us free from the bondage of sin.
This sacrifice was necessary because, as Ephesians 2:1 starkly puts it, we were "dead in our transgressions and sins." Our condition was hopeless, but Jesus paid the ultimate price to give us new life and freedom.
As we contemplate these profound truths, we're called to examine our own hearts. Have we, like the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), lost our first love? Have we allowed our relationship with Jesus to grow cold or distant? If so, the remedy is clear: repent and return to Christ.
Restoring our first love for Jesus is not just a nice idea – it's essential for our spiritual vitality. When we rekindle that love, we rediscover the awe and wonder that naturally flow from a vibrant relationship with God.
So, let's circle back to that initial question: If Jesus asked you, "What do you want Me to do for you?", how would you respond? Perhaps, after reflecting on His incredible love and sacrifice, our hearts might echo the sentiment: "Jesus, I want You." Not Your gifts, not Your blessings, but You – Your presence, Your love, Your transforming power in our lives.
This desire for Jesus Himself is the key to maintaining our sense of awe and wonder. When we seek Him above all else, we position ourselves to experience the kind of life-changing encounters the disciples had. We open ourselves to be amazed by His glory and humbled by His grace.
As we go about our daily lives, let's challenge ourselves to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Let's serve others with the same selfless love He demonstrated. And let's continually return to that place of first love, where our hearts are captivated by the beauty and majesty of our Savior.
Remember, the God of the universe is not distant or uninterested in your life. He's intimately involved, always listening, always working. He's the One who came not to be served but to serve, who gave His life as a ransom for many – including you.
So today, as you ponder what you might ask of Jesus, consider this: perhaps the greatest request we can make is simply for more of Him. More of His presence, more of His character formed in us, more opportunities to serve as He served. As we make this our heart's cry, we'll find ourselves on a journey of continuous wonder, growth, and transformation – a journey that leads us ever closer to the heart of God.
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