SENT: SENT TO SERVE

John 13:12 - 17, Philippians 2:5 - 7

John 13:12–17 “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

Philippians 2:5–7 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation

Introduction

So far in this series, we’ve learned that Jesus calls ordinary people to an extraordinary mission (Week 1), and He sends us out in His power, not our own (Week 2). We’ve seen that the mission is urgent, sometimes risky, but always empowered by His presence, authority, and Spirit.

But here’s the question we face this week: What does that mission actually look like on the ground? How are we supposed to live out this calling in the world?

The world says, “If you want to make a difference, get power. Get status. Be first.” Climb the ladder. Grab the spotlight. Assert yourself. But Jesus says something completely different: “If you want to lead, take the lowest place. If you want to influence, serve” (John 13:14).

In John 13, we see this clearly when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. He didn’t just teach humility with words—He modeled it in action. He demonstrated that true influence and authority in God’s kingdom don’t come from position or prestige. They come from serving others, loving sacrificially, and putting others first.

This week, we’re going to explore what it means to be sent not just to act, but to adopt the posture of a servant—to let humility, love, and service shape how we engage with the world, even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unseen.

Being sent by Jesus means embracing the posture of a servant—humbling ourselves, putting others first, and acting in love. True influence and kingdom impact flow not from status or position, but from obedience, humility, and sacrificial service in everyday life.

So, ask yourself as we begin: If Jesus sent you into your home, workplace, school, or community this week, what would serving look like? How could you put others first and reflect His love in tangible ways?

SENT TO SERVE

Point 1: Jesus Redefines Greatness

In the upper room, the disciples were still jockeying for position. Luke’s Gospel tells us they argued about which of them was the greatest. Imagine the tension in that room—friends, partners in ministry, still thinking that influence and respect are earned by status, not service.

And in that moment, Jesus does something completely shocking. He kneels down, takes a towel, and begins washing their dirty feet.

Feet in that culture were the lowest of the low, covered in dust and grime, usually cleaned by the household servant. And yet here is their Lord, their Teacher, humbling Himself to do what no one expected.

Jesus is redefining what it means to be great. He’s showing them—and us—that in God’s kingdom, leadership is about service, not status; influence is about love, not position. Mark 10:43–45 makes it clear: 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." NKJV

Paul reinforces this in Philippians 2:5–7: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation.” KJV

So, here’s the point: greatness in God’s kingdom isn’t measured by titles, achievements, or recognition—it’s measured by humility and love in action. It’s shown when we bend down to meet someone’s need, when we put someone else first, when we serve quietly and sacrificially without expecting applause. This week, ask yourself: where could you step into this kind of greatness? Maybe it’s listening fully to someone who feels overlooked, serving someone in your family or community without being asked, or putting aside your own agenda to lift someone else. True influence flows from service, and every act of love done in obedience to Jesus makes you great in His eyes. Jesus Redefines Greatness

Point 2: Servants Don’t Just Hear—They Do

Notice what Jesus says in John 13:17 “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

He’s making a critical distinction here. It’s not enough to admire His humility or to nod in agreement with His teaching. The blessing comes from action, from putting what we know into practice. True discipleship is practical, tangible, and sometimes messy.

James 1:22 reminds us: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

And Paul reinforces the same truth in Galatians 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.”

Being sent to serve means more than good intentions. It means showing up. Rolling up your sleeves. Meeting needs—especially the needs no one else wants to meet. It might be helping someone who’s overlooked at work, stepping into a family responsibility that feels inconvenient, or extending grace where it’s costly.

Think about this week: who is God placing in your path that needs you to act? Maybe it’s doing the task no one else wants. Maybe it’s listening to someone’s hurt without offering advice or judgment. Maybe it’s forgiving someone when it feels risky or undeserved. These are the moments where love becomes action, humility becomes influence, and service becomes kingdom work.

Jesus doesn’t just call us to watch Him serve; He calls us to follow in His footsteps and do likewise. The blessing comes not from observation, but from obedience. Servants Don’t Just Hear—They Do

Point 3: Serving Unlocks True Influence

The world tells us that influence comes from being above people—having authority, titles, recognition, or prestige. But Jesus flips the script. True influence comes from being beneath people—lifting them up, putting their needs above your own, and serving them sacrificially.

When the seventy-two returned in Luke 10, they rejoiced over what they were able to do. They celebrated their success and power. But in John 13, Jesus is teaching a deeper truth: the greatest power you can exercise is love in action. Influence in His kingdom isn’t about climbing ladders; it’s about bending down.

Matthew 23:11–12 reminds us: “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

And Jesus puts it even more personally in John 15:12–13 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Here’s the practical reality: if you want to leave a lasting legacy, don’t chase status—start serving. The people who change lives most deeply aren’t always the ones on stages, in front of crowds, or in positions of visible authority. They’re often the ones with towels in their hands, quietly meeting needs, giving time, energy, and love without fanfare.

This week, ask yourself: Where can I serve in a way that lifts others, even when no one is watching? Who is God putting in my path that needs me to bend down and love sacrificially? Remember, influence in God’s kingdom doesn’t come from being first—it comes from serving well, humbly, and consistently. Serving Unlocks True Influence

Conclusion - Sent to Serve

First, Jesus redefines greatness—He shows us that in His kingdom, it’s not about status, recognition, or being first. True greatness is found in service, in humility, and in putting others above ourselves.

Second, Jesus calls us to do, not just know. It’s not enough to admire His example or agree with His teaching. Faith in action is what counts—rolling up our sleeves, stepping into the messy places, and meeting needs, even when it’s inconvenient or costly.

Third, Jesus shows us that serving unlocks true influence. The greatest power we have is love in action. As He reminds us in John 13:17:

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

The blessing isn’t in climbing higher, accumulating status, or being served—it’s in stooping lower. Not in being first, but in being last. Not in receiving honor, but in giving honor. Not in power for ourselves, but in power that flows through love and service.

So here’s the challenge: Where is God calling you to pick up the towel this week? Who needs your humility, your help, your presence, or your love? How can you serve in a way that reflects the heart of Jesus?

And here’s what’s exciting: next week, we’ll wrap up this series with Week 4: As the Father Sent Me. We’ll discover what it means to live a “sent life” every day—going beyond action to embody the very mission of Christ, carrying a message of peace, forgiveness, and hope into the world.

So, step into this week ready to serve, ready to love, and ready to follow the example of the One who came not to be served, but to serve.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to follow Your example by humbling ourselves and serving others with love, even when it’s inconvenient or unseen. Give us the courage and grace to act in faith, knowing that in stooping low, we reflect Your greatness and bear fruit for Your kingdom.”