JAMES THE LESS (YOUNGER): AN ORDINARY GUY (9 OF 12)
Scripture: MARK 5:41-47, MARK 6:1-3, MATTHEW 20:20-28, MATTHEW 25:31-40
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The 12 Disciples Series (9 of 12)
James the Less (Younger) – An Ordinary Guy
Dennis Marquardt
Mark l5:4O-16:3; Matt. 20:20-28; 25:31-40
INTRO: Oh how we all want to be special, popular, or famous! It was no different with most of Jesus' disciples! James and John wanted to have the right and left seats next to Jesus when He ruled the world ... Peter was always up front grabbing attention about how strong his commitment was, Simon the Zealot wanted to conquer Rome and free the nation – to be a hero. Matthew while he was a tax collector wanted riches and fame from Rome. One guy however was content to just be the "ORDINARY" guy in the group, his name was JAMES THE LESS or JAMES THE YOUNGER. He was called the younger or “less” because he was Matthew's younger brother. Tradition says he too was a tax collector before becoming a disciple, but evidently not as famous or cutthroat as his older brother Matthew.
Most of us dream of being something greater than just ordinary, and there will probably be a few times in your life when you will attract greater attention, but most of life will likely be filled with boring ordinary days.
While we may have a tendency to look down upon this ordinary life of ours, it is here that much of the good of our lives actually develops. These “ordinary” times are just as valuable as the greater moments even if others don't think so!
ILLUS: The great composer Irving Berlin wrote some of the greatest songs known to man, i.e. "God Bless America," "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," and others. One day when interviewed he wished the man interviewing him to ask him this question "What do you think of the many songs you've written that didn't become hits (or famous)?" Berlin's answer to this was instructive: "I still think they are wonderful!" To him they were just as wonderful as the other ones he did, just nobody else thought so! This is how God looks at the famous and the not so famous saints, the great ones are grea ...
James the Less (Younger) – An Ordinary Guy
Dennis Marquardt
Mark l5:4O-16:3; Matt. 20:20-28; 25:31-40
INTRO: Oh how we all want to be special, popular, or famous! It was no different with most of Jesus' disciples! James and John wanted to have the right and left seats next to Jesus when He ruled the world ... Peter was always up front grabbing attention about how strong his commitment was, Simon the Zealot wanted to conquer Rome and free the nation – to be a hero. Matthew while he was a tax collector wanted riches and fame from Rome. One guy however was content to just be the "ORDINARY" guy in the group, his name was JAMES THE LESS or JAMES THE YOUNGER. He was called the younger or “less” because he was Matthew's younger brother. Tradition says he too was a tax collector before becoming a disciple, but evidently not as famous or cutthroat as his older brother Matthew.
Most of us dream of being something greater than just ordinary, and there will probably be a few times in your life when you will attract greater attention, but most of life will likely be filled with boring ordinary days.
While we may have a tendency to look down upon this ordinary life of ours, it is here that much of the good of our lives actually develops. These “ordinary” times are just as valuable as the greater moments even if others don't think so!
ILLUS: The great composer Irving Berlin wrote some of the greatest songs known to man, i.e. "God Bless America," "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," and others. One day when interviewed he wished the man interviewing him to ask him this question "What do you think of the many songs you've written that didn't become hits (or famous)?" Berlin's answer to this was instructive: "I still think they are wonderful!" To him they were just as wonderful as the other ones he did, just nobody else thought so! This is how God looks at the famous and the not so famous saints, the great ones are grea ...
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