Sucking the Life Out of Us

Mark 9:33-41 & Philippians 2:3-5

Snow White and the Huntsman

Movie- Snow White and the Huntsman-Outwardly beautiful, inwardly evil woman uses beauty to seduce men.-She seduces her way up in the kingdom to become queen, then kills King.-Secret to her beauty = sucks it from everything around her! (Dark & dreary).-All women drained, animals have fled, trees, grass, & flowers are dead!-King’s daughter, Snow White, has grown up beautiful, pure, & set apart-Now the Queen must have her beauty… “Mirror, mirror, on the…?”-Snow White runs w/7 short what ? + a prince + mourning, derelict Huntsman.-Snow White dies from eating a…? And only what can awaken her from death?-Handsome Price arrogantly thinks she should be his & only worthy 1 can’t do it!-Morning, derelict Huntsman is grief stricken again! Tears fall on her face, holding SW’s lifeless body, he kisses her goodbye… and she breathes new life!-Evil queen who never gave anything to anyone, withers, dries up, & dies!

Point- Boys, the moral of the story: “A bad woman will suck the life out of everything!”(Ladies, a bad man can do that to you too!)

Question- All the evil in the story started with the Queen’s desire to be… what?

Point- When you have people driven to be the most (whatever), suck life out of others!

Embarrassing Argument

Intro- It still happens in our day, and it happened with Jesus first 12 followers too!

Script Lesson- Jesus observes there’s something wrong going on with the guys.-See it in their demeanor, how they’re treating each other, not speaking…-So He asks, “What were you arguing about on the road?”-Guys don’t want to fess up; argued about who was the greatest among them.

Question- When people are driven to be the most (whatever), what does it do to us?

Question- What reasons do you think they used as they argued & alienated each other?

Imagine their Argument- Peter: First called w/brother, followed longest, mountain top w/Jesus!John- Maybe so, but you couldn’t keep your mouth shut, said something stupid!

-Everyone knows Jesus loves me the most!Phillip- Yes, but you & James don’t know how to behave you “Sons of Thunder”.Simon the Zealot- Ha! You aren’t as enthusiastic about following Jesus as me!Matthew- Well, I’m the most successful in the business world, made the most $.Thaddaeus- Not since you quit cheating people! When it comes to an honest buckJudas- I hold the $ bag for the group now; so obviously I’m the most trustworthy!Thomas- “Well, I doubt that!”

Question- Can you see the negativity, arguing, alienation, strife, hurt, anger, insults?-Can you see them sucking all the positive energy & life out of each other?-The disciples were a lot like you & me, weren’t they?

Point- When you have people driven to be the most (whatever), evil comes of it every time!

Observation- When Jesus questions, they don’t fess up, but they still reveal themselves...-Changing subject: Saw man casting demons in Your name; told him to stop!-He wasn’t a member of our group! (Really?)

Tearing Each Other Down

Question- When have you experienced those dynamics in your life?-Who do you know who was trying to be the most “whatever” person?-When have you tried to be the most “whatever” in your life?

Examples- Beautiful, popular, well dressed, funniest, influential, smartest, important…

Experience- Happen to believe I’m the most (Whatever) well married person I know; best wife!-You can immediately shoot back: Well, it took you 3 tries to find her!

Point- See how it works? We strive to be “most “Whatever”, then tear each other down!-We suck the very life out of each other when we do that!

Nothing to be Gained?

Intro- Jesus walks into disciples argument, and into our arguments, and says…

Scripture Lesson- If you want to be first, you must be last, the servant of all.-Child in His arms- Whoever welcomes child in my name welcomes me!-(Nothing to be gained; you are giving, welcoming, comforting, helping).

Question- Nothing to be gained… or is there?

Contrast-- Trying to be the most “whatever” you suck the life out of everyone + you!-When you seek to be the least, like Jesus, you give life to everyone + yourself!

Faith Promise- Seek to save your life, and you will lose it, but lay down your life, and you will find it again.

Point- Never try to be the most “whatever”! Instead, here’s what you should do…

Read- Philippians 2:3-5