MAN PLANS, GOD LAUGHS

•    God’s plans firm, ours subject to variables beyond our control
•    case in point: Calgary blizzard, rerouted flights and baggage
•    God’s purpose in righteous servant justifying many achieving its accomplishment centuries later

AMBITIOUS REQUEST, FATEFUL RESPONSE

•    disciples jockeying for positions of highest honour
•    will drink Jesus’ cup of suffering and undergo His baptism

TRUE GREATNESS IN SERVING AND GIVING

•    Christian leadership not about ‘lording it over’ / flaunting authority
•    greatness in God’s eyes involves being a servant / slave
•    be an example, not selfishly ambitious
•    empowered by Jesus’ serving / ransoming us first
•    “great” people more concerned with choosing to be “good”
•    Alabama church serving children through fostering / adoption