Do you want to be great? What if being great doesn’t mean what you think it means?
This week, in our Week 3 of the sermon series The Journey: Walking with Christ to the Cross, we see Jesus encounter a request from His disciples, James and John.
You see, these brothers wanted to sit at Jesus’ right and left. They wanted to be great in His Kingdom, but they didn’t really know what they were asking.
As much as Jesus warned His followers of the suffering He was to endure, they didn’t quite see the whole picture. Thus, this request was made in ignorance. Have you ever made a request in haste? Not able to see the full picture?
Where James & John found themselves is where we all find ourselves — desiring greatness. After all, who doesn’t want to be great?
The truth is, we misidentify what our journey here on this Earth is supposed to be about. We were designed for a relationship with God and others and true greatness, not as the world defines it, but as God defines and designs us for.
The greatest person in the Kingdom of God is the one who most closely resembles Jesus.
Can you say that that is the greatness you are desiring today? The answer isn’t to chase position, avoid costly decisions or suffering, or redefine God’s mission for our own glory.
The answer is following Jesus and journeying with Him down the road to the cross. We may not suffer and pay the price exactly as He did, but our choice to follow Him will require us to pick up our own cross daily. It will mean a sacrifice that requires humility.
It’s not about how high you rise but how much you’re willing to lay down.
Would you allow Him to take you on this journey to greatness today?
As we gather to pray on Zoom at 7 pm tonight, let’s …. Let’s pray for:
- The ability to let go of our own ambitions.
- The Holy Spirit to help us face our own cup — suffering, sacrifice.
- Us to become less so that God can make us great for His Kingdom.
- Those in need of starting their journey with Jesus.
See you at 7 pm!
Blessings,
Bria Johnson
briamakingamosaic.com
P.S. Is there something specific you need prayer for this week? Just reply—we’d be honored to stand with you.
Additionally, we will make space to pray for God to extend His reach beyond the limits of our city and into the world, seeking His wisdom, unity, safety, and provision for the following people and initiatives:
Let’s pray for Campus Missionary Nick Russell, who serves as the Campus Director of Odessa College, Midland College, and the University of Texas Permian Basin at Mid-Cities Community Church in Midland, TX. He also serves as the regional catalyst for the ENC Southwest Region, of which our campus ministry is a part, and attends Every Nation Seminary (ENS). It is one of his greatest joys to see lives changed by the Gospel on the college campus, so let’s pray for his missional impact, God’s provision for him, his wife and children, and his studies at ENS.
Let’s pray for Pastors Ben and Ashley Dew, who are the lead pastors of College Town Community Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Having worked as campus missionaries to Florida State University, Tallahassee State College, and Florida A&M University, they lead with hearts for the next generation and their city. As they reach Tallahassee, let’s pray for provision in all areas — finances, people, and direction.
General Prayer Requests & Updates
That evangelism would grow across Fort Worth, reaching communities and campuses so people encounter the love of Christ and are drawn to His kingdom.
That signs and wonders would accompany the preaching of His Word.
For strong team unity and more laborers to share the work.
For continued financial provision.
For fully funded campus missionaries (two per campus) to reach the next generation at Texas Christian University (TCU), Dallas Baptist University (DBU), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Tarrant County College (TCC), Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) and Tarleton State University – Fort Worth (TSU).
Bria Johnson, a Houston native and University of Texas at Austin alum, has dedicated nearly a decade to Mosaic Church and six years to Every Nation Campus, holding multiple leadership positions. Her fervor lies in mentoring students, especially young women, to unearth their worth and identity in Christ through discipleship. Witnessing her family’s conversion, Bria embodies our mission to impact students and their families with the Gospel’s transformative power.
