The Call to Servanthood

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had 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 back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, 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 also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

So BEFORE the Feast of the Passover...

They are gathered for it.

In the upper room that had been prepared.

But the feast had not yet begun.

Jesus, Knowing his hour had come....

Knowing that Satan had already put it into Judas’ heart to betray him...

We will talk more about Judas next week.

Knowing that the Father had given all things in his hands...

A glance ahead at John 17 gives us insight here...

John 17:1-2.

John 17:1–2 ESV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

Knowing that the Father had given all authority to Jesus to grant forgiveness and eternal life to all who would repent and believe (based on his coming death and resurrection)...

Jesus, knowing that he had come from God and was going back to God...

Jesus rises from the table and does the unthinkable… (at least culturally).

Jesus unmistakably calls us, as his followers, to a lifestyle of servanthood. If you walk away from this passage with any other primary objective, you have missed it entirely.

Listen, Church, the lifestyle of a follower of Jesus is to be MUCH different than the rest of the world. And yet, it is often not.

There was a time in our culture where morals and values still existed and maybe a Christian would not look so different from a non-Christian.

Not any more.

There ought to be a huge disparity between the world and us. Sadly, there isn’t.

Part of that disparity OUGHT to revolve here around this lifestyle of servanthood.

The world does not respect, honor, or encourage servants.

The rest of the world does not hold to a servanthood lifestyle philosophy.

For us as followers of Jesus to do so, will set us apart from the rest of the world…especially when we serve in the same style, manner, and heart as our lord.

Jesus gave us an example AND a call to servanthood here.

How did he serve? 6 Ways. Jesus examples give us six attributes of a lifestyle of servanthood.

Six Attributes of a Lifestyle of Servanthood

Vulnerability - John 13:3-5.

What does it mean to be vulnerable?

Vulnerable - Capable of being wounded. Open to attack or damage.

Jesus example of servanthood involves vulnerability.

He removed his outer garments, exposing only his undergarments.

NT undergarments were not like ours. Typically, they consisted of a tunic, which was similar to a robe, but was meant to be worn under the outer garments, close to the skin. It often simply had a hole for the head and arms. It was either knee or ankle length.

Point is, it would be modest by today’s standard, but back then, it was as immodest as briefs today.

It would be like me coming into your home for a visit, stripping down to my underwear, and then washing your entire families feet.

Uncomfortable with that mental picture? Well, then you can appreciate how uncomfortable it was for these men to have Jesus do what He did…and made even more so by the fact that they knew who Jesus was.

Point is…Jesus made himself vulnerable.

Not only physically

But also in every other way

Serving others requires that we make ourselves vulnerable.

Serving others by its very nature makes you vulnerable to others.

Serving acknowledges that the person you are serving is more important, more significant, more valuable then your own dignity, pride, time, skill, money, etc.

Serving another elevates them over yourself.

Serving others means putting them FIRST ahead of your own wants, needs, or interests.

It places you in a unique position to be hurt.

What if they reject your service, despising, ridiculing you?

What if they take advantage?

What if they look down upon you for serving and not demanding better treatment?

What if they think less of you?

What if they make fun?

What if, in serving, you expose a weakness or failing of yours?

What if, in serving, you make a mistake?

What if, in serving, you somehow make a fool of yourself?

What if, in serving, you get completed ignored?

What if, they do not even bother to acknowledge it or give thanks?

Jesus disrobed to an uncomfortable level in front of his disciples, made himself vulnerable, and chose to serve them in a way that no lord, master, or teacher would have ever considered doing.

Jesus became vulnerable....

WHICH by the way…this was by NO MEANS the most vulnerable act he had ever taken.

His MOST vulnerable was being made in the likeness of man....and culminated at the cross.

Philippians 2.

Jesus became vulnerable, the moment he stepped out of heaven and into human flesh.

Jesus became vulnerable when he gave up his rightful place to demand our worship and obedience, and chose to serve all.

This act of washing the disciples feet is only ONE SMALL, miniscule display of the vulnerability he has been living with since his virgin conception.

Jesus become vulnerable…and served others.

Jesus example of servanthood involves a willingness to have a vulnerable heart.

It was also driven from a heart of humility.

Humility - John 13:3-5.

Jesus example of servanthood involves humility.

What is humility?

Literally - Level, make small, be obedient, to make low. In a general sense, to cause something to be at a lower point.

NT usage - to lower one’s estimation of oneself; to be humble in attitude.

Humility is the opposite of pride.

Tim Keller has said...

The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less… True gospel-humility means I stop connecting every experience, every conversation, with myself. In fact, I stop thinking about myself. The freedom of self-forgetfulness. The blessed rest that only self-forgetfulness brings. Tim Keller

Jesus’ vulnerability was only possible because of his humility.

Jesus’ vulnerability demands such a heart of humility.

Jesus, THE TEACHER, THE MASTER made himself lower than his servants.

Jesus stripped before them and performed the task of a menial servant…and not just any servant…but the bottom tier servant.

John’s statement about Jesus coming from the Father and going back to Him provides a powerful contrast to the humble service he was about to engage in.

Jesus did what few would do in our society today would do.

Tim Keller points out that up until the 20th Century, traditional cultures (and most cultures in the world still) believed that having a TOO HIGH view of oneself was the root cause of all evil in the world.

HOWEVER, our belief today is rooted in that having TOO LOW self-esteem, TOO LOW view of oneself as the root of all evil. We have managed to reverse the very fabric of the source of problems in our world today.

THUS, humility and servanthood are misunderstood and fading. What Jesus did would have been ridiculed and scorned today, even by many who profess his very name.

But what Jesus models for us is that the call to servanthood IS a call to humility. He showed that an attitude of serving REQUIRES a heart of humility.

Being a servant requires humility.

It does not insist on it’s own way.

It does not insist on it’s own “rights.”

We are SO “rights” driven in our society.

Paul understood the problem with this....

1 Corinthians 9:1-27.

1 Corinthians 9:1–5 ESV

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

Paul goes on to speak of the “Rights” he could claim.

However, he says...

1 Corinthians 9:12.

1 Corinthians 9:12 ESV

12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Then he goes on again, to speak about the fact that those who give their life to the work of the gospel, get their provision from the work…and thus he could rightfully claim to do the same.

But then again...

1 Corinthians 9:15.

1 Corinthians 9:15 ESV

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

And then he adds.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 ESV

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Paul willingly surrendered his “rights” in order to SERVE all so that he might win some for Christ.

Church, can you honestly say that you and I live with a servant mentality in our day to day lives?

Being a servant requires humility.

It does not insist on exercising it’s own privileges and benefits, it’s own rights at the expense of others.

The culture of world certainly does not reflect this

And to a small degree, at least, the culture of our churches are reflecting the world.

Think about people’s attitudes of church and what “style” of church they are seeking.

People shop for the right church based on what rights and privileges they think they are entitled to.

It does not consider itself to be the most important thing in the room.

Serving others, means “unselfishly choosing for another’s highest good.” (Which also sounds like what? LOVE - yeah, believe it or not, it takes humility to love others.

Serving others means looking less to self and more to God and more to others.

You cannot serve when you are full of yourself, when you think you deserve better, when you think you are entitled to a certain form of treatment.

Humility means your thoughts are MORE on God and others than upon yourself.

Jesus calls us to a LIFESTYLE of servanthood WHICH REQUIRES a heart of humility, a self forgetfulness that elevates God and others beyond ourself.

I referenced Philippians 2 early, let’s look at it for a moment. It really serves as a great summary statement of what Christ was modeling here.

Jesus said, “As I have done unto you, you also ought to do for others.”

That admonishment first with John 13....but it also fits with Philippians 2.

Philippians 2:1-11.

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Who WAS and IS Jesus?

Son of God

What “rights” did He legitimately have claim to?

EVERYTHING.

What does his example teach us?

Same as here in John.

His own rights, privileges, benefits WERE NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIS FATHER’S GLORY AND WILL.

Jesus counted US as more significant than Himself.

He came to SERVE us through His death and resurrection.

Who are we then, to refuse serving others....including those who would hurt and malign us?

Who was present for Jesus’ foot washing?

Judas.

Who does Romans 5:8, 10 say Jesus died for?

Sinners. Enemies.

Do we understand that when we refuse to serve even our enemies, we are refusing to follow the example of our lord and master?

Jesus calls us to vulnerable, humble servanthood. But He does not just call us to it, he models it. He leads by example.

Oh that we would follow.

The call to follow his example does not stop at washing someone’s feet....it stretches as far as being willing to give oneself entirely for the life of another.

Husbands....love your wives how? As Christ loved the church....to the death....for her purity.

Jesus example of servanthood involves vulnerability and humility.

Furthermore, His example also demands purity.

Purity - John 13:10-11; 18.

John 13:6-11.

John 13:6–11 ESV

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

John 13:18.

John 13:18 ESV

18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

Jesus’ statement to the disciples....

English Standard Version Chapter 13

“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

…was meant to convey a simple truth. Only those cleansed by God have a relationship with God.

And without a relationship with God, what do you acts of service for him mean?

NOTHING.

Thus, our lifestyle of servanthood requires us to walk in purity, in righteousness, DAILY seeking His cleansing for our ongoing struggle with sin.

1 John 1:6-10.

1 John 1:6–10 ESV

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Our fellowship with God is dependent upon our cleansing by His grace, His love, His forgiveness.

If that is not present, nothing else matters.

Our relationship with God is nonexistent with out faith and repentance that leads to the cleansing of salvation.

Fellowship with God is hindered when we permit sin to enter and fail to repent and seek his daily cleansing from sin.

When either of those things are true, no amount of serving or doing will matter until the heart gets right and fellowship is restored.

Jesus is washing his disciples feet and seeking to teach them. There is a need for cleansing, but for the follower of Christ, it is not cleansing unto salvation, but the cleansing of sanctification that keeps the fellowship with God present AND that enables our service for God to be authentic and genuine.

Peter, failing to understand that Jesus is not speaking about a physical cleansing but a spiritual one, insists then, God wash ALL of me. His point, he never wanted to be separated from Christ. He wanted all of Jesus.

So, Jesus next words are a beautiful picture of the salvation and sanctification that Jesus was after.

Peter is like, wash all of me…not only my feet, but my hands and my head too!

“The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 13:10.

What does he mean when he says that the one who has bathed does not need to wash except for his feet, but that they are completely clean? What on earth is he saying?

Physically speaking, someone who has bathed is already clean. If they walk down dusty roads and get their feet dirty, they do not need to take a complete bath again, they just need to wash the part that is dirty, that is their feet.

Spiritually speaking, as it pertains to salvation, the cleansing done at the point of salvation NEVER has to be repeated.

Hebrews 10:1-14.

Hebrews 10:1–14 ESV

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Jesus did in a SINGLE sacrifice....ONCE FOR ALL TIME…what thousands of priests and sacrifices could never do. It has been done, once and for all.

HOWEVER, we still daily cleansing fro sanctification from the defilement of sin that remains in us.

Repentance is a characteristic of the whole life, not the action of a single moment. Sinclair Ferguson

That is what 1 John 1:6-10 is about.

1 John 2 will go on to say though...

1 John 2:1-6

1 John 2:1–6 ESV

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Jesus promises cleansing from sin, 1 John 1:9. He also promises that when we do sin, Jesus is advocating for us, for that necessary cleansing that keeps us in intimate union with Him and that sanctifies us and makes us more like Himself.

Thus, Jesus says, the washing of the feet is all that is necessary. The whole person is clean. BUT they are in deed of daily cleansing as they work out their salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil 2:12)

Jesus affirms for His disciples that due to His work on their behalf, they are clean. He says a few chapters later (still in this context of the last supper though)

John 15:3.

John 15:3 ESV

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

However, not ALL of them are clean. There is one present is not even clean…Judas.

John 13:18.

John 13:18 ESV

18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

Judas was not clean.

Judas would be indwelt by Satan to carry out the work he was destined to do.

The rest, however, have no need to further cleansing beyond their feet, for their are clean because of Jesus’ work in them. All they needed was some daily cleansing in the sanctification process as they continued to grow in Jesus’ likeness.

Point is for us, if we are to answer the call to servanthood and find that service acceptable, we must first be cleansed from our sin so that our relationship with God is restored.

AND THEN

We must seek to live daily lifestyles of repentance, allowing the grace of God to work sanctification in our life as we live humbly before him.

THEN we can be assured that our acts of service, driven by our pure hearts for Christ sake, will be acceptable to Him.

Jesus example of servanthood involved vulnerability, humility, and purity. It also involved sacrifice.

Sacrifice - John 13:3-11; 17.

The example of sacrifice is all through this text.

This point may be unnecessary, but I will say it anyway....

The call to servanthood, the example of Jesus is SACRIFICIAL.

And sacrifice is not even possible without a humble heart that is driven by the pure purpose of God’s glory and the good of others.

If we are driven by pride and selfishness, we won’t sacrifice for the sake of others.

Perhaps you could even say that sacrifice is the fruit of a heart that is postured in vulnerability, humility, and purity.

When we have humble hearts that have been cleansed by the grace of God and are pure, and when when live with a heart of vulnerability, we will live sacrificially.

And we will love obediently and faithfully (my next two points).

The objection may be raised as to the extend of our sacrifice. How much do we give, do we sacrifice? Does our serving and sacrificing every end up enabling someone to continue in their sin?

And these are good questions and things to consider, which we will not do at length today, but I will read one comment on it by Lain Duguid as a summary to consider

To be sure, sometimes truly helping someone demands tough love, matching assistance with signs of repentance, Sometimes we must refuse to give a handout that would simply allow someone to remain enslaved in sinful habits. But our criterion for refusing to give assistance can only be whether our action can genuinely help the person, not whether he deserves the help or whether we will be inconvenienced. Living in the Gap Between Promise and Reality Iain Duguid

The main question to discern when making these decisions is truly, “What is in their best interest?” What will profit them most spiritually?

The focal point of our study today, however, is to consider our heart. Do we have a willingness in our heart to sacrifice in our lifestyle of servanthood?

Jesus sacrificed. He modeled it. He sacrificed everything. This display of washing their feet is but one small taste

A taste by the way that none of the disciples volunteered to do. This room was given graciously for them to have this mean. No servants were present to do the customary foot washing.

The disciples had previously been arguing about who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus had admonished them that to be great was to be the least.

This apparently fell on deaf ears for who among them stooped to wash the feet of those gathered?

None but Jesus.

Jesus example of a lifestyle of servanthood was vulnerable, humble, pure, and sacrificial.

It was also obedient.

Obedience - John 13:15.

John 13:15 ESV

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

Jesus repeatedly said that he had come, not to do His own will, but to do His Fathers.

He was faithful to that task from day one.

Through his example here, Jesus is calling us to copy his example and let our commitment to servanthood flow from our love to Him.

In short, he is calling us to an obedient heart that follows His example.

Go and do as I have done unto you.

Some do hold that foot washing is an ordinance of the church, but those who do, miss that Jesus was giving this only as an example.

AS I have done unto you… NOT WHAT I did to you, go and do.

Plus, wise theologians and students of scripture would be wise not to elevate something to the status of ordinance when it only appears once in scripture.

No, this is simply an example of humility and servanthood, which Jesus gave to his disciples and admonished them to follow.

It certainly fits right into the ongoing argument amongst the disciples regarding who was the greatest among them.

Servanthood, biblical servanthood, is an act of obedience to God. It is an act of devotion and love for God.

The Call to servanthood is a call to obey Christ and to follow His example.

He is the Lord, He is the Master, He is the Teacher....and He humbled himself to serve, even his enemies.

We obey when we follow his example.

So Jesus example was one of vulnerability, humility, purity, sacrifice, and obedience.

Finally, His example was done IN FAITH with a focus on His Father.

Faith - John 13:19-20.

John 13:19–20 ESV

19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Jesus makes clear to them, he is telling them all that he is, including who his betrayer is, so that when they happen, they may have ONE MORE solid piece of evidence to confirm who he is.

Jesus knows that in the days ahead, after his resurrection and ascension, that life is going to get hard for these men. They will face opposition, persecution, death, and banishment for the name of Jesus.

Jesus knows they will need EVERY LAST PIECE OF evidence to cling to in order to remind them WHY and WHO they are enduring it all for.

They believe. Make no mistake. They believe. HOWEVER, Jesus knows that in the days ahead, they will need things to cling to.

Even John the Baptist, while he was in prison suffering, questioned....He sent men to Jesus…are you the one or should we look for another? Jesus answer....report to John all that see, all the signs I do, all the teachings I give....

This was all that was needed for John to be reaffirmed and persist. I believe, in part, that this is what Jesus is doing here…giving them plenty to see and cling to so that if they question in the days ahead, they can remember and be fortified in their faith.

Since he is speaking to men who already believe in Him, this seems to me what he means when he says that they would see and believe because of him sharing this information.

To clinch this…he takes the divine name of God once more....

“…that when it does take place you may believe that I AM…” (he is supplied by our English translation and is not in the Greek.)

Jesus wants them to have no doubt, no mistaking that He is THE GREAT I AM.

Then he reminds them....whoever receives the one I send, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives the who sent me.

Faithful servanthood is about embracing the commission of God TO GO in order that we might be used to draw people to receive Christ and in so receiving, receive God.

Servanthood is all about going IN FAITH for the sake of God’s name…that man might know and receive God.

In truth, this little statement tucked in the middle of Jesus unmasking his betrayer, Judas, seems out of place. But his point is this…despite what Judas is about to do, I still send you. The task is still the same. And any who receive me, will receive the father.

It is almost as if he is saying, in advance, do not let Judas’ actions stop you from going or discourage you from fulfilling the commission I am sending you on.

Judas may well not have received me....and I do not personally believe he ever did, but others will. So go.

Servanthood means going in FAITH for the sake of God’s name, that man might be led back to him to be received by him through faith and repentance.

Conclusion

Big Idea: Jesus calls us to a lifestyle of servanthood through His humble example.

John 13:1-20.

Six Attributes of a Lifestyle of Servanthood

Vulnerability - John 13:3-5.

Humility - John 13:3-5.

Purity - John 13:10-11; 18.

Sacrifice - John 13:3-11; 27.

Obedience - John 13:15.

Faith - John 13:19-20.

The question for us, will we follow His example? Will we emulate it?

Food for thought as we close...

If by doing some work, which the undiscerning consider “not spiritual work,” I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and the exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Amy Carmichael

The true heart of a servant is revealed in how we respond when we are treated like a servant.

Jesus left us an incredible example.

Will we follow it?

Will we foster a lifestyle of servanthood for the good and glory of the Father in order that we will be encouraging one another to be growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God?

Application

Small groups today will be meet back here in the auditorium after our short break.

Small Group Prayer

Form groups of 4-5, with people you do not normally fellowship with.

Share together some obstacles that prevent you from living a lifestyle of servanthood to God. Share challenges that are keeping you from fully serving and surrendering to God.

Pray for one another in your groups.

What obstacles prevent you from fully surrendering and living for God?

What makes it so hard to be vulnerable?

What steps can you take to foster humility in your life?

How are you regularly pursuing a lifestyle of repentance? How are you regularly pursuing the daily cleansing of God?

What are you unwilling to sacrifice in your pursuit of God? What do you struggle to let go of? What is keeping you from a lifestyle of servanthood?

When you engage in service, what is your heart motive behind it? Are you serving in Faith for God? Yourself? The praise of man? The sense of feeling good for giving to others? Why do you serve?

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