A Closer Walk with Jesus: The Principles of Pride

On Sunday, November 12, 2023, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus predicted his death a second time. Then his disciples began to argue and posture about who was the greatest. From this event, we see that pride must know more than God, must bring division, and must seek to oppose the reality of God’s kingdom.

And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”
Luke 9:43-50 (NIV)