Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "Old Habits/New Habits."

Since the beginning of the year, we have considered some of the classic spiritual disciplines; namely, prayer, Bible study, and worship.  A regular practice of these will put us in closer relationship with God.  They are the sort of habits we need to have in place as we make our way into the new year. 

This Sunday we consider yet another spiritual discipline, but one of a different sort.  This week we will be considering service.  Serving also puts us in close relationship with God.  Who of us hasn’t reached out to serve in God’s name and pulled away from that service thinking, “I received a greater blessing than the one I offered?”  That blessing comes from experiencing God through service.

As we talk about service this week, we will do so against the backdrop of the misguided ambition of James and John who desired to sit at the right and left of Christ.  The two wanted to be noticed.  They wanted to be seen in a place of power and position.  To be seated at the right or left of a dignitary was viewed as a place of prestige.  That may have been the case for the kingdoms of the world, but not for Christ’s Kingdom.  Christ’s Kingdom was all about humility and service.  That is Christ’s way for all who seek to follow him.