True Biblical Service

True Biblical Service

John 13:1-17

Intr: What is the ministry of the local church? Great confusion abounds as to what we the church is to be in a community.

Howard Hendricks once described the local church as a football game. Twenty-two people on the field, badly in need of a rest, and 60 thousand people in the stands, badly in need of exercise.

To many people view the church in the wrong ways. Some see it as grocery store, or bank, or social club or an audience to share their philosophical views of life or some see it as a place to get a quick fix for their problems.

In this passage Christ is molding and shaping His church. He wanted the disciples to understand the meaning of ministering as it is outlined clearly in this passage.

Mark 10:41-45 teaches us the ultimate leadership model. Christ Himself models this style in John 13.

The word ministry means to serve, that is, to serve rather than be served. Too many people come to church with the attitude of being served rather than being willing to serve.

The teaching, the obvious lesson woven throughout the life of Jesus, is a follower of God wants to serve rather than be served.

As each person in the church understands the purpose of ministry, we will become a church filled with servants and fulfill God’s intended purpose of ministry.

Here in John’s gospel, there is no better portrayal of a true Servant than here. Jesus is the Servant Leader as we call it. He demonstrates in this passage the Christian life in action. Notice, service is done through the church. This is why we should join the church and be a part of the church. It is strange

I. The example vv. 1-7

A. His love vv. 1-2

1. Jesus was going to give His farewell speech to the disciples—Jesus had entered Jerusalem on Sunday, Monday cleansed the temple, Tuesday was a day of conflict with the religious leaders, Wednesday He met in the Upper room with His disciples in order to observe the Passover

2. He had tremendous, compassionate, outstanding love for people v.1—love for people is demonstrated here and love for self is seen in Judas (note the contrast).

3. Judas’ love was not for men or others but only for Himself to betray the very Son of God.

4. Jesus knew something and was concerned about the will of God.

B. His humility vv. 3-5

1. The disciples must have been shocked when Jesus picked up a towel and washed their feet—this is the most menial task in the ancient world.

2. Jesus knew there was a competitive spirit among the disciples over greatness and here Christ showed them the first step of greatness was being a servant to all.

3. His humility was not born because of poverty but because of riches 2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

4. The problem today: there is to much competition in the modern church and to little serving—the average man wants to be served rather than serve.

5. People have become accustomed to it and they expect to be served—so the church has become filled with uncommitted people wanting to be served.

C. His focus vv. 6-7

1. Peter was genuine and sincere—how could His Lord wash his feet?

2. Jesus wanted Peter to know it was physically illustration of the spiritual need of man.

3. Man needs salvation—this is what Christ was most concerned about Luk 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

I cannot help but think of the children who are born into a family who will not take them to church. This is most families anymore and the bus provides the opportunities for children and families to attend.

4. This lesson was given so the church would understand that in serving man, this will show man the spirit of Jesus Christ.

5. If the 21st century church would wrap their hands around this truth, our churches would be reaching so many lost people, we might actually impact our world for Christ.

II. The explanation vv. 8-12

A. Need for salvation vv. 8-9

1. A person needs cleansed first of all his sin through the blood of Jesus Christ Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;-we celebrate the Lord’s Supper tonight to remind us of the price He paid for our sin.

2. Man cannot save himself and needs the Savior, Jesus to save him.

3. Being good or having a denomination or a religious distinction does not save you.

4. We must be saved by realizing we are sinners and must turn to Jesus Christ as our payment for sin.

5. This washing by Jesus is the only pathway to heaven—churches need to amplify this message at every service.

B. The need for consecration vv. 10-12

1. Believers are not perfect—we still sin and as we go out into this world, we are tainted with the filth of the world.

2. The washing of the feet shows the dirt which gets on our lives in this world and we need cleansing (foot washing) and forgiveness.

3. This is the purpose of people coming to the church—the church is a hospital where we gather to honor God and clean our life up for Jesus Christ.

4. We serve others by helping them get closer to God—at the invitation we have people here to help you..

III. The exhortation vv. 13-17

A. Serve one another vv. 13-15

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

1. The entire spirit of church is to serve one another Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2. New Christians will need some help being served, but if they are going to grow, they will need to start serving.

3. We are in the process of creating a serving opportunity for everyone who chooses to be a part—some things will be large and some small, but everyone can be a part.

4. The world is seeking happiness, but happiness is stumbled on the road of service.

5. Many tasks may be menial, but are still important.

NOTE: The world asks, “how many people serve you?” and Christ asks, “how many people do you serve?” We need leaders who will serve and servants who will lead.

Someone might say I don’t get paid for doing those things. I remind you as a believer in Christ, you have been bought and paid for by the precious blood of Christ 1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

B. Serve the Lord vv. 16-17

1. Jesus served His Father.

2. All that is done here by Jesus is serving the Father and so should we.

5424. Hymns And Heart

1. We sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer" and are content with 5-10 minutes a day.

2. We sing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and wait to be drafted into His service.

3. We sing "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" and don't use the one we have.

4. We sing "There Shall be Showers of Blessing" but do not come when it rains.

5. We sing "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" and let the least little offense sever it.

6. We sing "Serve the Lord With Gladness" and gripe about all we have to do.

7. We sing "I Love to Tell the Story" and never mention it at all.

8. We sing "We're Marching to Zion" but fail to march to worship or church school.

9. We sing "Cast Thy Burden on the Lord" and worry ourselves into a nervous breakdown.

10. We sing "The Whole Wide World for Jesus" and never invite our next-door neighbor.

11. We sing "O Day of Rest and Gladness" and wear ourselves out traveling, cutting grass or playing golf on Sunday.

12. We sing "Throw Out the Lifeline" and content ourselves with throwing out a fishing line.

—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations

Conclusion: How are you serving Christ? Some people serve Christ thinking that is going to get them to heaven. We don’t serve Him in order to go to heaven, we serve Him because we are on our way to heaven. We are purchased and bought for by Jesus Christ.

How are you serving Christ? This is the ministry of the church.

Matthew 9:38 KJV 1900

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.