Matthew 20: 20-28
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?.“We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
REFERENCES: John 13:1-17
How we define things and talk about them shapes the way we see them. God’s different names speak to His character as a Father, Lord and Savior. As our Maker, he created us not just to lead, but to serve. Jesus redefines what it means to lead without self-promotion and models what it means to serve with confidence.
If serving is beneath you, leadership is beyond you.
Since God is our Creator, God alone has the prerogative to define what’s best for us as his creatures. Even more, when we become Christians, we’re surrendering ourselves to the way of Jesus, and allowing him to set the standard for our lives.
“...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” -Matthew 20:26-28
Jesus came to this earth to save us, and also to set an example of what true leadership looks like, which is shown in serving people. He encourages us to do the same and imitate Him in His service, His love, and forgiveness towards others.
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:14-15 NIV
The Maker’s Mark reminds us that servant leadership is our identity. We have been called and commissioned to serve others with humility. We are reminded that greatness is developed in service to God, building the Kingdom of God, and wholeheartedly serving others with love, grace, and compassion.
Reflect on your identity as a servant of Christ. Choose 3 people you can serve this week. You can buy them a coffee, help them with a task, make them their favorite meal, etc. Find a way to be there for the person you love or a person in your community.
If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.
Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.
We would love to come around you for the following life events:
Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare
This Pentecost Sunday, June 8, we’re joining with churches across the country for Baptize America—a nationwide move of God as thousands take the step to go public with their faith.
Baptisms will be happening at all VOUS locations and at the beach. It’s going to be a powerful day you won’t want to miss.
Sunday, June 8
All VOUS Locations + Beach
To sign up for baptisms, click here
Join us on the road to VOUSCon as we embark on a 40-day relay run through the state of Florida. From Jacksonville to Miami, runners from every region are invited to participate in carrying the good news. Our finish line? VOUSCon 2025. Led by a core VOUS team, we’ll link arms with partner churches along the way, spotlighting the body of Christ and championing the local church through weekly outreach initiatives.
Starting Line: Sunday, May 11
Finish Line: Thursday, June 19
In Pastor DawnCheré Wilkerson’s newly released book, Slow Burn, you are invited to see waiting not as punishment, but as a sacred process of transformation. Whether you're longing for healing, breakthrough, or change, this season is an invitation to draw closer to a faithful God. With honesty and hope, this book offers strength for your soul, helping you live fully right where you are, confident that even in the slow burn of faith, God is powerfully at work.
To order Slow Burn, please click here
VOUS SoMi
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VOUS DD
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
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Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack