Two dimensions of faith

Mark 10:35-40

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 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.”

​This sermon encourages us to reflect on Thanksgiving as a time to show gratitude through service, while also acknowledging the unique ways they can serve in their later years. It aligns with the Free Methodist Church's values of holiness, community, and sacrificial love.
 
"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we want you to do for us whatever we ask.' 'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked. They replied, 'Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.' 'You don't know what you are asking,' Jesus said. 'Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?' 'We can,' they answered. Jesus said to them, 'You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 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.
 
Today, as we gather for this special Thanksgiving service, we not only express our gratitude to God for His countless blessings, but we also reflect on how we can embody gratitude through service. In Mark 10:35-40, Jesus teaches us a powerful lesson about humility and service-a message that can deeply resonate with us, especially as we give thanks for all that God has done in our lives. Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and gratitude for the blessings we've experienced over the years. As Free Methodist Church, many of us can look back on decades of God's provision, guidance, and grace. But today's passage invites us to consider how we can turn that gratitude into action-how we can, in our years, continue to live out our thanks by serving others in humility and love.
 
In this passage, we see James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples, make a bold request: they ask to sit at His right and left hand in glory. They were looking for positions of honor and prominence, perhaps even thinking that they deserved such recognition for their faithfulness.
 
But Jesus, in His wisdom, responds by gently redirecting their focus. He says, "You don't know what you are asking," and He speaks of the cup He must drink-a cup of suffering and self-sacrifice.
 
This is a reminder to all of us that true greatness in God's kingdom doesn't come from seeking honor or recognition but through humble service. As we reflect on this during Thanksgiving, we are reminded that everything we have-our lives, our families, our health, and even our challenges-comes from God. Our response to His generosity should be one of gratitude expressed in service, not in seeking status.
 
We have lived many seasons of life. We have seen both abundance and times of trial. We have learned the importance of thanking God in all circumstances, just as the apostle Paul urges us to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." But the question we face today is: How do we express that gratitude? James and John sought to express their loyalty to Jesus by asking for places of honor. But Jesus teaches them-and us-that true gratitude is shown through humble service. It's not about what we receive but about how we give. For those of us in the later years of life, this can be a powerful message. We might feel that our most active years of service are behind us. Perhaps we're no longer able to do the things we once could. But Jesus reminds us that humble service can take many forms, and it is never too late to serve others with the heart of gratitude.
 
The Free Methodist Church places a strong emphasis on holiness, service, and community. Holiness, in our tradition, is not just about our personal relationship with God; it is also about how we live out that relationship in love for others. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, taught that "there is no holiness but social holiness," meaning that our faith is meant to be expressed in community and service to others.
 
This Thanksgiving, we have an opportunity to think about how we can continue to live out this call to holiness and service. Perhaps we can no longer serve in the same ways we did when we were younger. But there are still countless ways to express our gratitude to God through acts of love and service. We can offer the gift of our time by mentoring the younger generations, sharing the wisdom we've gained through years of walking with Christ. We can serve through prayer, lifting our church, our families, and our communities to the Lord. We can give generously of our resources to support ministries that help the poor, the lonely, and the lost. And perhaps most importantly, we can offer the gift of encouragement-being a source of hope and joy for others in our church and beyond.
 
Jesus' response to James and John also speaks to the reality that following Him is not always easy. When He asks, "Can you drink the cup I drink?" He is speaking of the suffering and sacrifice that often accompany a life of discipleship. We know that life comes with its challenges. We may face health issues, the loss of loved ones, or the loneliness that can come with aging. But even in these difficult times, we are called to give thanks-not because we deny our struggles, but because we trust that God is with us amid them. This Thanksgiving, as we reflect on the blessings God has given us, let's also remember to give thanks in the hard times. Our gratitude is not based on our circumstances but on the unchanging faithfulness of God. And as we give thanks, we can continue to serve, trusting that God will use our lives-no matter our age-to bring glory to His name.
 
In this season of Thanksgiving, let us be reminded that true gratitude is more than words-it is a way of life. Jesus invites us to live out our gratitude through humble service, just as He did. We have the privilege of showing the younger generations what it looks like to live a life of faithfulness, humility, and gratitude. As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let us take time to reflect on how we can continue to serve others, even in the later years of our lives. How can we show the love of Christ to those around us? How can we use our time, our resources, and our wisdom to bless others? Let us remember that every act of service, no matter how small, is an expression of our gratitude to God. Whether it's offering a word of encouragement, praying for someone in need, or simply sharing a meal with a neighbor, these are all ways we can give thanks to God for His goodness and grace in our lives.
 
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we, like James and John, learn from Jesus that the true path to greatness is not through seeking honor or recognition, but through humble service. Let our gratitude for God's blessings overflow into acts of love and kindness toward others. As Free Methodist Church, we have a unique role to play in the life of our church and community. We have a legacy of faithfulness to pass on to the next generation, and we can do that through humble service, prayer, and generosity. This Thanksgiving, let us commit ourselves to living lives of gratitude-not just in our words, but in our actions. Let us drink from the cup of service that Jesus offers, trusting that as we do, we will experience the fullness of His grace and the joy of serving in His kingdom.