Lean on Me: Be First
Lean on Me: Be First
We all have a desire to be great. It’s natural to want our lives to count—to lead, to be noticed, to make an impact.
But what if the path to greatness isn’t what we think?
What if going up actually starts by going down?
What if being first means choosing to go last?
Jesus completely redefines what it means to be great.
Illustration:
A few years ago, at a high school football game, something small but powerful happened—something almost no one noticed… except one college recruiter.
It was the fourth quarter of a tight game. All eyes were on the star quarterback. But on the sidelines, a backup—one of those players who rarely sees the field—noticed a teammate limping. Quietly, without being asked, he grabbed the guy’s helmet, helped him off the field, brought him water, and stayed with him.
A recruiter who had come to watch the quarterback leaned over to me and said, “That kid right there—he’s going to be a great leader someday.”
He didn’t score the winning touchdown. He didn’t make the highlight reel. But in that moment, he led by serving. He was first—first to notice, first to act, first to care.
But what if the path to greatness isn’t what we think?
What if going up actually starts by going down?
What if being first means choosing to go last?
Jesus completely redefines what it means to be great.
Illustration:
A few years ago, at a high school football game, something small but powerful happened—something almost no one noticed… except one college recruiter.
It was the fourth quarter of a tight game. All eyes were on the star quarterback. But on the sidelines, a backup—one of those players who rarely sees the field—noticed a teammate limping. Quietly, without being asked, he grabbed the guy’s helmet, helped him off the field, brought him water, and stayed with him.
A recruiter who had come to watch the quarterback leaned over to me and said, “That kid right there—he’s going to be a great leader someday.”
He didn’t score the winning touchdown. He didn’t make the highlight reel. But in that moment, he led by serving. He was first—first to notice, first to act, first to care.
Matthew 20:20-28
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Big Idea: Want to be first? Put others first—with the right motives and a heart aligned with God’s desires.
1. Ask the Right Question with Right Motives
True greatness isn’t about being noticed; it’s about serving when no one’s watching.
James and John’s mother had bold ambitions for her sons. She asked for positions of honor—but Jesus gently redirected her. He shows us that pursuing status isn't the path to true purpose. Greatness, in God’s kingdom, isn’t about climbing higher—it’s about bowing lower.
Matthew 20:20-21
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
James and John—through their mother—asked Jesus for greatness. But they misunderstood what God values.
Any time God talks about greatness, it’s always in response to servanthood.
In the Kingdom, greatness is never the starting point—it’s the reward.
Jesus never said, “Great is your title.”
He said, “Great is your reward”—and that reward flows from a life of serving others.
Matthew 5:12
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
The reward is Heaven—with Christ.
But don’t humanize Heaven by thinking “this life is where I get it all.”
God isn't against big dreams. He created you with purpose and vision!
But He cares deeply about the motives behind them.
James 4:3
“When you ask, (Right question or Wrong?) you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
Wrong motives always start with the "Self, Me, and I" syndrome.
It’s not that God withholds the desires of our hearts—
But when we ask with our will in mind, not His, we’re asking the wrong question.
Right Motivation?
Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)
“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts”
God cares about our motives—but even more, He watches our actions.
Right motives matter, but faith without action is empty.
1 Corinthians 4:5
when Jesus comes again, “he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.
“At that time, each will receive their praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)
God wants us to know—He sees what no one else sees.
He isn’t swayed by applause, titles, or public platforms. He looks at the heart, the motive, and the faithfulness behind the action.
How do we keep our motives pure?
By continually surrendering every part of our hearts to the control of the Holy Spirit.
It's not a one-time decision—it’s a daily act of humility and trust.
Here’s a great motive-check question:
Q: Do I judge success by my faithfulness to what God has asked me to do—or by how I compare to others?
We all want to live lives that matter. But true meaning is found not in comparison, but in obedience.
James and John’s mother had bold ambitions for her sons. She asked for positions of honor—but Jesus gently redirected her. He shows us that pursuing status isn't the path to true purpose. Greatness, in God’s kingdom, isn’t about climbing higher—it’s about bowing lower.
Matthew 20:20-21
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
James and John—through their mother—asked Jesus for greatness. But they misunderstood what God values.
Any time God talks about greatness, it’s always in response to servanthood.
In the Kingdom, greatness is never the starting point—it’s the reward.
Jesus never said, “Great is your title.”
He said, “Great is your reward”—and that reward flows from a life of serving others.
Matthew 5:12
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
The reward is Heaven—with Christ.
But don’t humanize Heaven by thinking “this life is where I get it all.”
God isn't against big dreams. He created you with purpose and vision!
But He cares deeply about the motives behind them.
James 4:3
“When you ask, (Right question or Wrong?) you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
Wrong motives always start with the "Self, Me, and I" syndrome.
It’s not that God withholds the desires of our hearts—
But when we ask with our will in mind, not His, we’re asking the wrong question.
Right Motivation?
Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)
“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts”
God cares about our motives—but even more, He watches our actions.
Right motives matter, but faith without action is empty.
1 Corinthians 4:5
when Jesus comes again, “he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.
“At that time, each will receive their praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)
God wants us to know—He sees what no one else sees.
He isn’t swayed by applause, titles, or public platforms. He looks at the heart, the motive, and the faithfulness behind the action.
How do we keep our motives pure?
By continually surrendering every part of our hearts to the control of the Holy Spirit.
It's not a one-time decision—it’s a daily act of humility and trust.
Here’s a great motive-check question:
Q: Do I judge success by my faithfulness to what God has asked me to do—or by how I compare to others?
We all want to live lives that matter. But true meaning is found not in comparison, but in obedience.
2. Push Pride Away not People.
Matthew 20:24
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
When we chase status, it always comes at a cost.
Competition for position creates tension, jealousy, and division.
The other disciples weren’t just annoyed—they were angry.
Why? Because pride and comparison always divide.
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Pride doesn’t just hurt our walk with God—it damages relationships with people.
Comparison poisons community.
Galatians 5:26
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
The moment we start climbing over others to get ahead, we lose sight of what matters—and we distance ourselves from those around us.
Proverbs 16:18 warns:
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
If we want unity, influence, and impact—we have to push pride away… not people.
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
When we chase status, it always comes at a cost.
Competition for position creates tension, jealousy, and division.
The other disciples weren’t just annoyed—they were angry.
Why? Because pride and comparison always divide.
- Pride builds walls—humility builds bridges.
- Pride leads to tension. Humility leads to unity.
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Pride doesn’t just hurt our walk with God—it damages relationships with people.
Comparison poisons community.
Galatians 5:26
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
The moment we start climbing over others to get ahead, we lose sight of what matters—and we distance ourselves from those around us.
Proverbs 16:18 warns:
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
If we want unity, influence, and impact—we have to push pride away… not people.
3. Give, never Grab!
Jesus redefined greatness.
In a world that equates greatness with power, privilege, and control, Jesus flips the script.
Matthew 20:25-28
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus redefines leadership in His Kingdom. It's not about control; it’s about service.
Jesus chose sacrificial service—shouldn’t we?
Jesus is saying:
“Define your wants by My example. Serve! Choose sacrifice!”
Philippians 2:5–7
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God… made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.”
Serve.
Sacrifice.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Jesus doesn’t shut down our desires—He wants to define them.
When our wants align with His desires, we will understand greatness in His Kingdom.
In a world that equates greatness with power, privilege, and control, Jesus flips the script.
- Greatness isn’t about being served—it’s about serving.
- Sacrifice isn’t a loss—it’s a pathway to life.
- Helping others is what truly defines the greatest person in the room
Matthew 20:25-28
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus redefines leadership in His Kingdom. It's not about control; it’s about service.
Jesus chose sacrificial service—shouldn’t we?
Jesus is saying:
“Define your wants by My example. Serve! Choose sacrifice!”
Philippians 2:5–7
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God… made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.”
Serve.
Sacrifice.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Jesus doesn’t shut down our desires—He wants to define them.
When our wants align with His desires, we will understand greatness in His Kingdom.
Be First—Define God's Wants, and Serving Will Be at the Top of the List.
TODAY: Look for One Person to Serve in a Small but Meaningful Way.
Try this:
Be the first to go last.
In God’s Kingdom, servants always win.
Today, let’s choose to serve, to humble ourselves, and to make His love visible through our actions.
Sacrifice!
Serve!
Jesus left this world serving—in perfect obedience to the Father’s will.
His last moment of serving was His ultimate act of obedience:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for a friend.” (John 15:13)
Jesus sacrificed it all—for us.
Do you believe?
Will you accept God’s gift of obedience today?
Salvation is the product of giving.
He gave His life, and He still gives—grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Romans 10:9 tells us: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Will your act of obedience today be to accept God's gift of Jesus Christ?
- Pay for the person behind you at a drive-thru.
- Send an encouraging text to someone who’s struggling.
- Take out someone’s trash.
- Do the chore nobody wants to do—without being asked.
Be the first to go last.
In God’s Kingdom, servants always win.
Today, let’s choose to serve, to humble ourselves, and to make His love visible through our actions.
Sacrifice!
Serve!
Jesus left this world serving—in perfect obedience to the Father’s will.
His last moment of serving was His ultimate act of obedience:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for a friend.” (John 15:13)
Jesus sacrificed it all—for us.
Do you believe?
Will you accept God’s gift of obedience today?
Salvation is the product of giving.
He gave His life, and He still gives—grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Romans 10:9 tells us: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Will your act of obedience today be to accept God's gift of Jesus Christ?
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