The Moments that Change Your Life

Intro:

Have you ever had one of those specific moments that changed your life.

As I look back over the last 30 years....there have been these moments that stick out...

Not to sound over-dramatic....

But moments that you can re-picture in your mind...

Moments that were filled with something that seemed to stop time for just that brief period.

There are a few of these moments that I can call back and picture perfectly....almost like reliving that moment....

One of those moments were when I was 12 years old...

I was sitting in the bed of a little Toyota pickup parked in front of my Grandmas Trailer...

Mom mom was in the front passenger seat and she was talking to this hillbilly in the driver seat....

He wore a man bun before the man bun was popular as his hair went to his elbows

He was wearing an old pair of overalls and was not trying to impress anyone.

And listened through that back window as this man would tell my mom about Jesus.

The words he was saying…about the grace of God and love of God…captivated my mind and heart

That moment changed my life!

Another moment would come about 6 years later when I would walk into a little room in a church down the road from my college campus. (This was 12 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday)

I had heard that they had a college and careers Sunday School and so i wanted to go...

One of my classmates named Phil had one of those 1990s G-series vans....with the swivel seats and everything else.

We had a group of college students that pilled in and went to the class.

We get there and I set down....and this was actually the first time I had ever been in Sunday School class in my life.

And I wish i could tell you what the Bible lesson was…but I cant....

But I can tell you about....how this 5’ 9” dark haired beauty of a Preacher’s daughter walked in and set on the other side of the table.

She was wearing a blue and white dress

She would laugh hard and listen well

It would take a lot of work after this moment....but this moment changed my life

There are several of these moments I can recall....

Theres a moment on a bench at Southwestern where we knew our call to Texas

There was a moment in our fellowship hall waiting to hear the churches vote on me as pastor.

Life is filled with these moments....where God captivates you!

And today, I believe we are going to read about a time that the Apostle John had one of these moments.

I think you'll find this interesting....

In the passage today, John is not even mentioned directly by name nor do the events directly point to him.....

However, we will see that this moment is something he recalls a lot and arguably forms most of his thoughts for his letters he will write later.

Let’s first look at how......

I. In this Moment, Jesus CAPTIVATED John’s HEART. (John 13:1-11,18-30)

First, this moment already had an EMOTIONAL CHARGE.

Jesus had just told them that the time had come for him to be glorified....which meant he would first have to die.

And our passage today picks up with this same thought....

John 13:1 NKJV

1 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.

So here we have this heavy moment already....

The week of Passover is here....and they are awaiting the Actual Passover....

Where the LAMB OF GOD who takes away the sins of the World will be sacrificed!

This LAMB is JESUS who will be led to the slaughter…silent as a Lamb

And this moment is FILLED WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST!

“Having Loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to THE END”

This one verse set the whole stage for this moment!

Let’s read some more....

John 13:2–11 NKJV

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. 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.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

John 13:18–30 NKJV

18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” 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.” 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. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

Beware: Your Heart can be captured!

We see two different people who’s heart are captured…and these two people go two different ways.

We see that Satan used GREED to Capture Judas’ Heart.

John 13:2 “2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,”

It was greed for Judas…John had already let us in on this....when Mary Anointed Jesus Feet with Oil!

John 12:6 “6 This Judas said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.”

We also see this play out when Judas gives up Jesus location for 30 pieces of silver.

Satan used Greed to capture Judas heart

However, Satan doesn't have the same tactic for everyone....Satan uses the bait that Lures you.

Judas hands were on the money box....and Satan used GREED.

Your hands may be on the money box....

Maybe you have access to the books of your work...

You have access to materials that are not yours...

You put on the time clock that you worked more than you did....

And it starts off…small....well I work hard…this is really deserved

Next thing you know....GREED has captured your heart and embezzlement is right around the corner.

There are other baits though that Satan Uses

Satan uses ANXIETY to lure you in....

When you are faced with worry and anxiousness over all the things you cannot control....

Your mind has just went away from Trust in the one who can canotrol....

And Anxiety has captured your heart

Satan may use PRIDE to lure you in....

Starts with self-confidence...

But then turns into a self-reliance and arrogance....taking you from dependence on the One we must have...

And Pride has captures the heart

Satan may use LUST to lure you in....

Starts with wandering eyes....

Moves to fantasizing....and desirin....leaving the ONE THAT WE SHOULD desire with all our hear....

And Lust has captured the heart

There are so many more....

People Pleasing.....Vanity.....Overindulging....

My lure....overindulging....

Finding satisfaction in the excess....rather then in God Himself

Substance Abuse....Entitlement....Laziness....and the list goes on!

And Satan is strategic.....

Verse 2 says, “That Satan had already put it in Judas Heart”

You see....Satan is like a master fisherman!

He seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.....prowls like a roaring lion

This means that he knows the bait to use one you…whatever it is....

He places the bait in front of you early in your life....

And he lets you nibble on that bait....

Oh its not really that big of a deal...

I work hard, this is what I actually deserve

My wife really isnt giving me attention right now

Food gives you joy, its okay

A little numbing to get past this season

And he lets you get the height of your influence and then attacks. He places little hooks inside of you early on and then at just the right time….he sets the hook.

Church, we are called to be God’s Fishers of Men....Not Satan’s Fish

So find what hooks have been placed in your mouth.....and declare war on it!

Ask for help identifying it....

Confess it and Repent

Ask for Accountability

Seek everything that God’s word has to say about it!

MOST IMPORTANT....find the better LURE!

God uses LOVE to CAPTIVATE the HEART!

We see this with John.

Jesus Loved them to the end....

He comes into this meal....seems to be the Passover Seder Meal....where the deliverance of God is remembered through the Passover Lamb

And he stands up....takes his robe off…and wraps a towel around him and pours water into a basin!

And then he precedes to wash the disciples feet one by one!

And what you see next can easily be missed....but it is special!

John 13:23 “23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.”

They would have ate by all reclining at the table propped on the left elbow and eating with their right hand.

So John would be at the right of Jesus and as he would talk to Him....he would lean back against him!

This was a special moment as John recalls this moment…and even as he mentions himself as the one who Jesus loved!

He was simply an object of Jesus’ love

THIS LOVE HAD CAPTIVATED JOHNS HEART!

God works this way with us!

It is His love that overtakes us....

As a 12 year old boy listening to the conversation about God’s love....it overtook me!

As I have messed up and fallen time and time again....his Love continues to overtake me

When I am down and discouraged....the Love of God is there to overtake me!

This is the better LURE....

Satan throws the baits of this world toward you....

But they will TAKE YOU FURTHER THAN YOU WANT TO GO.....KEEP YOU LONGER THAN YOU WANT TO STAY....AND COST YOU MORE THAN YOU ARE WANTING TO PAY!

But the LOVE OF GOD.....it will TAKE YOU FURTHER THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED.....KEEP YOU FOR ALL OF ETERNITY....and GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU EVER DESERVED!

LET THE LOVE OF GOD BE WHAT CAPTIVATES YOUR HEART!

You must respond to HIS LOVE!!!

This is what Peter learned....

Jesus stooped to love Peter....

But Peter said....You shouldn't wash my feet....

And Jesus says, If I do not....you have no part with me.

We too must respond to His love!!!!

Jesus stooped down to love us....

Not to wash our feet....but to wash our soul....

A washing that would take his own blood to cleanse

We must respond to His love....

For Jesus said, “IF I DO NOT WASH YOU, YOU HAVE NO PART WITH ME.”

Yes, Jesus died for us and was lifted up on a cross, placed in the ground, and then raised from the dead....

BUT THAT BLOOD IS APPLIED TO....

WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD...

THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN THE SON

THOSE WHO BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH have went from death to Life!

II. This Moment SHAPED John’s THOUGHTS and WORDS. (John 13:31-38)

I want to spend a brief moment showing you how impact this moment in Johns life was for him!

After Judas leaves, Jesus would continue to speak to the rest of the disciples...

John 13:31–38 NKJV

31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 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.

While we often focus on Peter in this moment....i want to draw your attention to John.

Again, these words in this moment would his thoughts and words from then on.

In fact, it seems as if 1 John is an inspired commentary of this very passage.

Jesus addressed the disciples as “Little Children”....

This is the only place in the New Testament that this word is used…EXCEPT....for one other book: 1 John

“Little Children” is used in 1 John 7 times in 5 chapters.

Nowhere else does the term “NEW COMMANDMENT” show up in the New Testament...

Except in 1st and 2nd John...

1 John 2:7–8 NKJV

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

It is clear that the Love of Christ had captivated his heart....and that shaped him thoughts and words....

1 John 4:10–11 NKJV

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

And this leafs to the final point today....

III. God uses OUR LOVE to give these LIFE-CHANGING MOMENTS to OTHERS. (John 13:12-17, 31-38)

We see that we are actually charged by Christ to LOVE!

John 13:12–17 NKJV

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 13:34–35 NKJV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

We are called to love one another....and a lot weighs on this love....

All will know that you are my disciples!

Catch this though....he is not saying LOST PEOPLE WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE CHRIST DISCIPLE BY THE WAY YOU LOVE THEM.....

Yes, it is important to love the Lost....Bible has much to say about that....

BUT HERE.....HE IS SAYING ALL WILL KNOW YOU ARE CHRIST’S DISCIPELS BY THE WAY YOU LOVE THE CHURCH.

The way you love other brother and sisters in Christ!

If you were on TRIAL ACCUSED OF BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS....

Is there enough EVIDENCE to convict you!?

Jesus says the evidence is the way you LOVE ONE ANOTHER…AS CHRIST HAS LOVED YOU!

Conclusion:

I pray that you have had a moment in your life where the LOVE OF GOD HAS CAPTIVATED YOUR HEART!

Maybe today is God is wanting to HAVE ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE!

Maybe you need to come and confess the hooks of Satan that you have been nibbling on!

And you repent and ask for his protection!

Maybe the hook has been set and you have been reeled in by Satan today and you know it!

God does the MIRACULOUS.....

He rose from the dead....and so I know that He can free you from the hook!

There is a better LURE....its called the LOVE OF GOD!

Let the LOVE OF GOD....shape your thoughts and words....

Maybe that is what God is doing today....want to reshape some thoughts....or change your words!

Finally, what if the way you love someone in this room TODAY....would show ALL THAT WE ARE CHRIST’S DISCIPLES.

Grab someone and go pray with them!