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Sermon Outline

Sermon Outline

My Top Three Reasons To Cling to Jesus

Dr. Paulson Pulikottil | Kothanur | Aug 9, 2026

A. He is living

  1. Resurrection appearances (1 Cor 15:3—8)
  2. 65 years later appeared to John in Patmos (Rev 1:18)
  3. He is called “one who lives for ever!” (Rev 4:9-10, Rev 10:6, Rev 15:7)
  4. He assured his continuing presence (Matthew 28:20)
  5. He dwells in the believers through the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9)
  6. The Hymn writers celebrate he is alive

B He is loving

  1. Undeserving Love (Rom 5:6)
  2. Unquantifiable Love (Eph 3:18-19)
  3. Fastening love (Rom 8:37-39)

C. He is coming

  1. He promised to come (John 14:3)
  2. Angels promised his coming (Acts 1:11)
  3. It will be the same Jesus “this”
  4. He is coming to “gather” us (2 Thess 2:1)

The Road To Greatness

Dr. Amritraj Joshua Paul | Matt 20:20-28

HBR | Aug 9, 2026

Introduction

  • The quest for greatness in our times – GOAT
  • Change, Disruptions, and Progress
  • The Christian life and the metaphor of the Journey and Milestone
  • Matt. 20:20-28 The Road to Greatness and the Milestones of Suffering and Servanthood
  • Jesus is inching closer to his final mission (Matt. 16:21; 17:22; 19:1ff; 20:17-19).
  • Each transition point or milestone in life should remind us to draw closer to God and finetune our goal and purpose in life.
  • Proximity to Christ brings clarity and stability to our goal and purpose in life and ministry.

The Milestone of Suffering

  • Notice the combination of person (woman), position (elder/mother), and posture (worship) – this is a deadly combination.
  • She wanted acquisition to royal rule for her children – perhaps here the background could also be Matt. 19:28.
  • The Psalms and sitting at the right hand of God: Ps. 110:1 – Also see Zec. 6:13 (LXX) where the ‘right hand’ has got deep significance – in the OT it signified authority and power.
  • The quest for power = a global reality and a crisis in Christian ministry.
  • The Culture of Entitlement (vv. 21-22) vs. the Theology of Renouncement (v. 28). Also ref. Rom. 8 and Heb. 2:10-18; 12:5-13 to emphasize on suffering, 1 Cor. 9.
The Milestone of Servanthood
  • Know your context (v. 25) – the influence of corporate culture – management techniques and the exercise of authority.
  • Many people began well, but ended up poorly – Guard you heart against premature expectations – the way to greatness is via humility – Humility is not the detour, it is the road.
  • Phil 2:5-11 and kenosis (emptying ourselves of the ‘Self’) – reckon ourselves to be dead to the world, but alive to Christ (Rom 6:11) – it is not I who lives, but Christ in me (Gal. 2:20).
  • Phillips Brooks: Preaching → “Communication of truth through personality” – it’s not an exaggeration to say that our lives should be a living sermon.
  • In ministry people will observe your life – your identity, your personality, and your ministry → Does it reflect Christ?
  • Vv. 29-34 (v. 32) → “what do you want me to do for you?” – the servant attitude.
  • Do not go after greatness – follow Christ and greatness will follow you.
Prayer of commitment: Lord, keep us faithful on the road – with our eyes on Christ, who waits at the end. Amen!