The path of Servanthood
John 13:1-09
Introduction
This morning I want to talk to you about servanthood. About serving others.
After about 30 of us have given 5 nights to VBS, they are probably sitting here saying I cannot give anymore time , I am exhausted.
I understand all of us have busy lives. I understand the responsibilities of life. I have a few of my own.
I am not asking , and I am for sure not begging for people who are doing to do more.
I am not even addressing those who enjoy the ministries of the church to be on a guilt trip for not helping.
What does God’s Word say about Serving?
What is Servanthood? What does God say about our responsibility to the Kingdom?
Can you be a bystander when it comes to caring for your brothers and sisters and the church you call home?
John 13:1-9 read
Jesus had just about completed the journey to the cross.
Judas had already sold Him out and they would soon take Jesus.
Jesus after the meal, the last supper, prepares to wash the disciples feet. You know the story. Peter objects that his Lord would wash his feet. Jesus says that you don’t get it, but if you don’t let me, you have no part of me.
Going from No Lord not I, to not just my hands and feet, but my head as well.
Jesus gave the leaders one more example of what He expects from those that claim the name of Christ.
Jesus lets us know that if you are to live a life for the Lord, our selfish lifestyle must be replaced with a lifestyle of serving.
When I say servant, what do you think of? Maid. Butler. Someone of lower standard to you.
Mary Popins, Mr. Belvedere, Hop sing, shoe shine man at the airport. Do you get spiritual and think of Mother Treasa.
Someone you control because you hold there security because you hold their paycheck.
You don’t think of movie stars, presidents, high CEO’s, because we have raised them above the class of servant. They have servants, they are not servants.
Jesus turned the whole idea of being a servant upside down. He did because it was not based on position, wealth, or popularity.
Just like Jesus to mess up a good thing So they thought.
The Son of God, the one that made the universe,
The one who was going to redeem the world says “Not my will, but my Father’s will be done”
“ The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve”. Mark 10:45.
The job often done by a slave.
Jesus put a towel around his neck and took that humble role as a servant.
Kind of different than James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who wanted to sit on the right and left of Jesus in heaven. Wanted to be exalted for all to see that they had special favor with God.
Jesus gave us a challenge. He shows us by example that when we have a servants heart:
We serve by humbling ourselves.
We serve by leading others.
We serve by loving God, and by loving others.
The world is focused of taking, Jesus says that you have to be focused on giving.
Jesus shows the more you understand His Word, you will be serving others.
The world says the higher up the ladder you go, the more arrogant and selfish you get. Evidenced by their attitude.
Last week we talked about the heart. The Bible says that it is deceitful, its wicked, its selfish.
Jesus says that once there is transformation.
A change of heart when you come into a relationship with Jesus Christ, you should be different. You are not a robot, but your allegiance is changed.
“Don’t conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.”
You don’t think the same.
You get joy from helping someone.
The world reaction is , I have worked hard to get where I am at, everyone needs to take advantage of breaks they get in life. I’ve clawed my way to the top of the ladder, nobody gave me anything. I have the scars to prove it.
Peter took a different approach. No way Jesus, you won’t wash my feet. Jesus said if you don’t, you have no part of me. Peter missed the example of Jesus. If I , Jesus, your savior, the Son of God can wash feet, then so should you. If I Jesus , your master, the one you call master, serve others, then so must you.
I didn’t come to be served , but to serve
where I am going with this?
That Jesus is the example of serving others. He is what we should look like.
I. By example . Jesus say we are to be humble
Mandate:
Our mandate is not to simply hold on for dear life, but to hold life dearly.
We must value others. Be grateful for what God has given us, instead of constantly wanting more.
suffering is not a virtue, it is reality. “I am suffering for Jesus”
Poverty is not a virtue, just like wealth is not a sign of God’s blessing.
Every wise person is marked with scars from persevering trails. Some have scars from climbing corporate ladder, some have from pursuing the things of God. Jesus has the ultimate scars of humility on his hands.
Some only seek wisdom and God after we face crisis. We get humble in crisis.
People know they need Jesus but they refuse to humble themselves before God..
Sin is what happens when you have too much time on your hands and too little purpose in your life.” When we let God out of the picture and put every effort into our life.
II. By example, Jesus tells us to take an interest in others
He tells us and shows us to use our God given talents for God
Ephesians 4:28-
“He has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
God did not create us to be average. He created us to be unique. It is about those that realize everything that you have has been given by God, yougive back and not just take.
Study this week on the revolution of our soul.
Transformation and change- You cannot walk with Jesus and not be changed.
Being faithful with the small things-we protect the large things in life. Often it is the little things we lose until we have lost the original focus, which should be pleasing God with our life.
Having the eyes and ears of Christ to make a difference in someone’s life.
If you think that you have to wait until you have everything you need before you help someone else, you probably will never serve. If you wait until you have the time, you will probably never serve.
The church is where the sacred and the secular come together. It is where believers journey in their quest and adventure of knowing God.
It is a place for the world to come and experience God for the first time. It is where the world should get a glimpse of hope. It is a place for hypocrites, because it is where God changes lives.
Servanthood is a lifestyle.
It is a decision of faith that you care what is going on in your brothers and sisters life , enough to make a difference. It is where you look out into the world around you and decide that you will make an impact.
It is more than writing “Kilroy” was here- it is making a difference.
It is not wanting for someone else to do it, you will do it.
It is not criticizing others ways of doing it, but getting along side of them to help make it happen.
It is about not worrying about who gets the credit, but getting it done.
If you are struggling right now because you are thinking of how this is going to affect you. You are missing the point. It is about what you can do for others. It is about taking time to make an impact on society. It is about leaving a legacy. What will people remember about you when you are gone. How did you make someone’s life better because you were in it.
Last point:
Application- how can I take what God’s word say about serving.
- mix that with the responsibilities I have for my family
- be productive in the kingdom of God.
Christ invites each one of us to join Him in serving.
Serving is not about weak spined believers, or nerds that have nothing better to do with their
lives. It is a way of live that is pleasing to God
“You my brothers (and sisters) were called to be free, but do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather serve one another in love”
Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even death on the cross . Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Your God
Your Church
Your brothers and sisters
what impact are you going to make?
Dream makers, Morning star pregnancy agency, Bountiful Blessings, all started because someone decided that they will not wait on someone else to do it. Rather , they took it upon themselves to let God work through them. Rather than keep searching, they decided they would stay and build and be use instead of looking for someone else to do it for them.
God is looking for a few to get outside the box. To claim new ground for Jesus Christ.
Closing:
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart and reverence for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is Christ you are serving.
Many people in life have no purpose, because they never get plugged in. They pursue wealth and pleasures, desire influences and positions. Never plant themselves long enough to make a difference.
What legacy are you going to leave? I pray that you seek God’s will and surrender to his leading. You will be amazed at what He will do in you and through you in your life.
Make such an impact that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, that Satan shudders and says “everyone quiet, he/she is awake”
1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.
Altar Call:
God, I want to be open to your leading.
I desire to be used and make a difference.
Jesus, I pray that each one of us gets plugged in, takes time for spiritual growth.
Instead of thinking what others can do, what can I do Lord.
Stop running, allow God to use you.
Please rate this sermon so I know how I am doing.
