A sermon offered for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, September 19, 2021, at the Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.
Principal text: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a * Mark 9:30-37
"Here our Gospel reading lives out the choice that James is talking about. The wisdom of the world that is built in ambition and coveting leads to conflict and division. The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest, who should get the most honor. Now compare that to the wisdom of God, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.'"
"Who is wise and understanding among you?"