Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0919A recorded on August 5, 1984 teaching from Matthew 20:17-34 – Be the Servant.
Pastor Cyril A. Stevens uses a story from Matthew’s Gospel to illustrate Jesus’s teachings on humility, service, and divine provision. Stevens begins by recounting the parable of the laborers, emphasizing that God’s grace and agreement are paramount, not human expectations of earned reward. He then connects this to Jesus’s foretelling of His death and resurrection, highlighting Jesus’s authority and purpose. The core message unfolds through the example of the mother of Zebedee’s sons, who seeks favored positions for her children, revealing a misunderstanding of spiritual leadership. Stevens stresses that true leadership comes through being a servant, mirroring Jesus’s own selfless example. He further reinforces God’s concern for daily life and His willingness to bless, using examples like the wedding at Cana, the calling of fishermen, and the healing of a paralyzed man. Finally, Pastor Stevens culminates in a powerful reflection on spiritual blindness and the desperate human need for God’s compassionate touch to gain true spiritual sight and understanding.