Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - The Drum Major Instinct

On 4 February 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., preached “The Drum Major Instinct” from the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Ironically, two months before his assassination on 4 April 1968, he told his congregation what he would like said at his funeral: “I’d like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody” (King, “The Drum Major,” 185). Excerpts were played at King’s nationally televised funeral service, held at Ebenezer on 9 April 1968.
King’s sermon was an adaptation of the 1952 homily “Drum-Major Instincts” by J. Wallace Hamilton, a well-known, liberal, white Methodist preacher. Both men tell the biblical story of James and John, who ask Jesus for the most prominent seats in heaven. At the core of their desire was a “drum major instinct-a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade” (King, “The Drum Major,” 170-171). King warns his congregation that this desire for importance can lead to “snobbish exclusivism” and “tragic race prejudice”: “Do you know that a lot of the race problem grows out of the drum major instinct? A need that some people have to feel superior … and to feel that their white skin ordained them to be first” (King, “The Drum Major,” 176; 178). Conversely, King preached that when Jesus responded to the request by James and John, he did not rebuke them for their ambition, but taught that greatness comes from humble servitude. As King put it, Jesus “reordered priorities,” and told his disciples to “Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be first in love” (King, “The Drum Major,” 181; 182).
kinginstitute.stanford.edu/en...
Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.
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[@stormy68]

He speaked his own Eulogy! RIP Dr. KING!

[@mxff2615]

For years this is absolutely one of my favorites!!! And is definitely my go-to sermon for deep solid inspiration!✌🏽💪🏽 Dr. King was way too good for this cold world, God bless all people of good will.🙏🏽

[@shawnduncan1622]

This is a man who I've admired since I was in first grade going to elementary school where there was a television rolled into auditorium as we celebrated his life around my birthday made me very proud to be black as I became closer to God I was able to embrace the God he served who made me to Revere him even more over the years there would be movies, documentaries, interviews etc. That would report imfedelity in his marriage even to the point that fbi had a recording of this allegiatly even dissed by other activist who did not share his views regarding his approach on civil rights(non-violent) some say a very passive message me getting lost in the afflictions I endured in life at times made it hard to practice or think along the principles not only I learned from him most importantly by the most high king of Kings Jesus when called Good master by one of his disciples poses a question to him why called thou good master there is none good but God alone so with my shortcomings I believe Jesus said that to have empathy for my shortcomings because he truly know our heart this particular message as it related to "drink of this cup" I believe he made up in his mind to embrace being a man of purpose knowing that death is enevitable there is nothing soft or passive about standing on what you believe and dying for it soni can have the same peace with all that's going on in the world I believe he had peace with that a good name is more precious then rubies you can't go to a major city in the US without him being acknowledged by looking at street signs parks schools etc.I wonder did he think his name would be big as it is today idk but I know he truly died to himself before he died physically so that Jesus Christ name would live through the message God put in his heart i thank God for the peace that gave him the courage to be the drum major marching to the beat God gave him leading the way like a good a faithful servant #respect If you want to say I was a drum Major say I was a drum major for justice-MLK Jr.

[@tuckersiston1417]

This speech is legendary

[@hzollneruk]

More of these please. Important for the young ones...

[@kennysummers2127]

AMEN WHAT A MAN OF GOD BLESS GOD PASTOR DR KING 🙏 🙌 👏

[@gregbowman4485]

May 6 and loving MLK yes 2020 during Corvid 19 epidemic God bless our people

[@adnerbnomrah9076]

Thanks for posting. Puts everything into perspective.

[@raymoore3735]

Never heard this before,Deep!👍👍

[@joeysanguine3596]

His dream will come true💖✝️

[@DavidAnthonyBrayboy60]

I first heard this speech in his church, Ebenezer Church 2 years ago when I was living in Atlanta. Great speech.

[@jaggg.3821]

This is one of my mother's favorite Sermon/Speech by Dr. King. The other Speech Mom admires is the Three Evil's of American Society. In my case and I'm not a morbid person by Dr. King Speech is his Goodbye Message to The World; I've Been to The Mountaintop. We used too own A Motown album Vinyl with Dr. King's most famous Speeches on one side including this Sermon; an Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday song. It was stolen we were robbed; I figured, it was time for someone else to be Lifted Up by Dr. King's Voice.

[@MAYDAYES]

Anyone beside my mother has a picture of Dr.Martin Luther King, President Kenny, and Bobby Kennedy?

[@scientific19]

THIS DR. KING EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW "THE DRUM MAJOR INSTINCT" IN A MAJOR DESTRUCTOR OF THE BLACK FAMILY... THE DRUMBEAT AT THE PACE OF ITS OWN EGO.

[@JUMANE30]

41:40-41:47

[@ReshonBryant]

Luke 7:32((A.B.P.E.))🤱🏿

[@kiburi3775]

Dr. King believed that humaneness could be found where inhumanity thrived. He was hated and mistreated (as are blacks in general) by the inhumane. Assassinated by those he hoped might be healed of their murderous sickness. But scripture quotes Jesus to have said that He had one Father and that those who sought to condemn Him had yet another. Two fathers? Yes, indeed. Two fathers. Two. Not one father of all but TWO.

[@lindaredmon819]

I have this record too, they killed him for this exposer, of what is really going on war and exposed that we were in more danger than we know , he wasn't telling you to hate them he wanted you understand this type of thinking because it's a real powerful drive , but if you are that type of thinkers use it for good , Peace, love, , they are not scared of this speech, because now they had a take turn deal of power and with the red and blue ,