Serve 3

Four reasons why we serve:

1.     In appreciation for all that the Lord had done for us

·       Moses said, (Dt 28:47)

“We serve the Lord with joy & gladness for the abundance of everything”

·       Paul said, (Rom 12:1)

“When I consider the mercies of God, it’s only reasonable to serve”

2.     Recognition that others have needs, too – Is 6:5

3.     God put something in you to benefit others

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,

as good stewards of God’s varied grace. – 1 Peter 4:10

4.     Jesus served, then said, “If we call Him “Lord,” we are to serve like He did

John 13:1–5, 12-17

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 13:21

When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”  

John 13:37–38

Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

We’ve tried to explore scripture from the perspective of Jesus’ humanness

·       How do you think he felt about Judas?  (Matt 26:50 – “friend”)

·       How do you think he felt about Peter?

How would you feel?

          Do you think you could still serve them?

Let’s look again at how Jesus served – in spite of what he knew

John 13:5–8

After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

John 13:21–26

When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.

25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

How do we let our feelings get in the way of following Jesus’ example?

John 13:12–17

“Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

What does it mean for us to “do as I have done to you”?

16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master;

nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

What is the only way you can be exempt from serving like Jesus?

          You would have to be “greater” than Jesus

Are you better than Jesus?

          Then, how should you Serve?

17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.