Rooted in God, Serving in Humility
Sermon September 22, 2024
Psalm 1; Mark 9:30-37: “Rooted in God, Serving in Humility”
Pastor Fred Okello
Brothers and Sisters, today we meditate on Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30-37. In these scriptures, we are reminded of what it means to live a really blessed life. These verses encourage us to be deeply entrenched in God’s Word and to demonstrate rootedness in humble service to others, just as Jesus did.
But, before we get into the scriptures, let us take a time to reflect on the state of the church, and I will use African region, where we have witnessed tremendous growth. Particularly, Kenya’s population is 80 percent Christian, and Africa has some of the world’s fastest-growing churches.
However, there is one cause for concern: some people say that the church is “several miles long but only an inch deep.” This insight emphasizes the importance of going deep—grounded firmly in God's Word—rather than just spreading widely. This brings us to today's message: a call to be rooted in God's Word while serving with humility.
Psalm 1 depicts two paths of life: the upright and the evil. The virtuous are like trees planted near streams of water, blossoming and yielding fruit because they are deeply rooted in God’s laws.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked... but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night” (Psalm 1: 1–2).
The picture of the tree emphasizes the necessity of depth in our spiritual lives. We, like a tree, cannot thrive until we are thoroughly entrenched in God’s Word. We must guarantee that our faith is both broad and profound. We must deepen our understanding of God so that we can bear fruit in our lives. Superficial faith will fail with time, but a life based on God’s Word will be steady and fruitful.
A tree deeply entrenched in water bears fruit and remains stable even during storms. When we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, our lives become fruitful and steady, especially during difficult times. In contrast, the wicked are like chaff, driven away by the wind, unstable, and devoid of substance.
In Mark 9, Jesus predicts His death and resurrection, but the disciples miss the point of His message. Instead, they argue about who is the greatest. “They came to Capernaum.” When He entered the house, He said, ‘What were you disputing about on the road?’ But they remained silent because they had disputed about who was the greatest (Mark 9:33-34).
Like many of us, the disciples desired greatness through power and recognition. However, Jesus reverses their thinking, saying, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
As I reflect on the church’s history and the obstacles it has encountered, I can’t help but think of the recent struggles within our denomination—the disaffiliations, divisions and their long-term consequences. I see leaders and individuals who are driven to achieve greatness. This need for personal fame has driven us through much of the instability we are witnessing.
True greatness in God’s Kingdom is found in serving others rather than exalting ourselves. Jesus demonstrates this with a child, representing the neglected and helpless, saying, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me” (Mark 9:37).
As the church increases in size and power, we must remember Jesus’ command to be humble and serve others. True greatness is found in our commitment to assist others, particularly those who are often disregarded or forgotten. We are called to humility, which begins with being anchored in God’s Word and reveals itself in serving others as Christ served us.
To become deeply planted, we must prioritize prayer and Bible study as important routes for growth in God’s Word. In our congregation, Bible studies and devotional time have become significant to our spiritual lives. Our Tuesday morning devotion and afternoon Bible study provide valuable opportunities for us to deepen our roots in God’s truth. I encourage everyone to make time for daily Bible reading and make it a habit.
Each day, read a section of the Bible. It’s easier than ever because texts are now readily available. Make it a priority to engage with the Word on a daily basis. Utilize technology to your advantage. There are resources that can help us better grasp the Bible. When we don’t have our Bibles, we may easily access scripture via our phones. You can even get Siri to read your favorite scripture if you are unable to read. There are audio Bibles and sound bites of whatever scripture we like. I encourage all of us to use the great breakthroughs in AI technology to expand our comprehension of the Bible. Technology is a fantastic gift that allows us to navigate the wonders of God’s Word and make it available wherever we go.
To summarize, in Psalm 1 and Mark 9, we have a clear picture of the blessed life: one founded on God’s Word and lived in humble service. Let us endeavor to be like the tree planted by streams of water, deeply rooted in God’s truth and bearing fruit in every season. And let us use the resources at our disposal, including technology, to deepen our faith, never forgetting that genuine grandeur is found in serving others as Christ did.
Let us pray: Lord, thank You for Your Word, which nourishes and guides us. Help us to be profoundly connected to Your truth and to live lives of humble service. Give us the wisdom to use the resources You’ve provided, including technology, to deepen our grasp of Your Word. May we seek greatness not via recognition or power, but by lovingly helping others, as Jesus taught us. In His name, we pray. Amen.