Characteristics of Love Part 2 Teaching, Warning and Disclosing

Setting

Place - Open Word Fellowship (Community Church of Myrtle Point

Time - Sunday Morning

Date - December 9, 2018

Scripture -

Text - (NIV84) “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Topic - Characteristics of Love -Part 2 Teaching, Warning and Disclosing

Theme - Jesus used the foot washing to teach His disciples about humility and servanthood. It is not about foot washing but about servanthood. How can we serve each other and the world around us.

Characteristics of Love -Part 2 Teaching, Warning and Disclosing

INTRODUCTION

Possible Title

Characteristics of Love Part 2 Teaching and warning

Observations

1. Question V.12 Do you understand what I have done for

you?

2.

3. V.16 No servant greater than his master, messenger greater that the on who sent him.

4. V.18 He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me

5. V.20 Whoever accepts the one I send accepts me

Whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me

Now our story takes a shift. Jesus in the next verses tells His followers what this foot washing means. This takes us from "Trust" to "understanding" We have seen the call by Jesus for them to trust Him now He calls them to learn from what He has done. He starts with the question, "Do you understand what I have done for you?” Do any of us ever truly understand what Jesus has done for us? When we think of foot washing and humility I know I have not yet understood or I would trust more. When it comes to the cross I don't think I will ever truly understand. Why would Jesus die in my place?

7. V.25 Question - "Lord who is it?"

Intro

Now our story takes a shift. Jesus in the next verses tells His followers what this foot washing means. This takes us from "Trust" to "understanding" We have seen the call bu Jesus for them to trust Him now He calls them to learn from what He has done. He starts with the question, "Do you understand what I have done for you? Do any of us ever truly understand what Jesus has done for us? When we think of foot washing and humility I know I have not yet understood or I would trust more. When it comes to the cross I don't think I will ever truly understand. Why would Jesus die in my place?

Jesus answers His own question with V.15 I have set you an example. We are not greater than our Lord and He humbled Himself and became obedient even even unto death. Jesus then compounds our problem. If I have done this for you, you should do this for one another. Now we have a whole new dynamic. (NIV84) “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

So our task has gone from trust to commitment. Following the example of Jesus.

V. 12-17 Teaching

:12 Act - When He had finished washing their feet.

he put on his clothes

AND

returned to his place.

Question - “Do you understand what I have done for

you?”

Response - he asked them.

This is a very profound question. What has He done? Do you understand the meaning.

:13 Pronouncement - “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’

AND

rightly so, for that is what I am.

Clear pronouncement of His Lordship

:14 Condition - Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have

washed your feet, you also should wash

Implication - one another’s feet.

(NIV84) "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

This is a debt we owe each other so that each may be provided for in all things and the world will see our love to one another and glorify our Father in heaven.

:15 Reason - I have set you an example

Act - that you should do

Cp - as I have done for you.

What kind of an example is this. It is the example or illustration of HUMILITY. It is what happens when we all endeavor to serve or submit one to the other. It is the husband serving his wife and the pastor serving the Lord's people.

:16 Speech - I tell you the truth,

Pronouncement - no servant is greater than his master,

NOR

is a messenger greater than the one who

sent him.

The example goes on to include our service for and to Christ. Since He was not above serving neither are we.

:17 Condition - Now that you know these things

Specific - you will be blessed

if you do them.

Two conditions lead to blessing, Taking the knowledge you have and then continually doing what you know. Lots of people have the knowledge of servanthood and many serve others occasionally but the blessing comes from taking the knowledge you have and applying it on a continual bases.

So in this teaching we have seen three attributes Jesus is looking for in us. Humility, Example and Servanthood.

These done and keep on doing lead to the blessing of the Lord.

V. 18-20Warning

:18 Quote - “I am not referring to all of you;

Reason - I know those I have chosen.

Contrast - But this is to fulfill the scripture:

Scripture - ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his

heel against me.’ ()

The action of Judas were very plain to Jesus even though it was not yet clear to the rest of the disciples. Scripture was clear as to how Jesus would be betrayed. This did not make Judas' choice for him it only told what Judas would do. We are each one responsible for our own choices.

:19 Speech - “I am telling you

Time - now before it happens,

Purpose - so that

when it does happen

you will believe

Meaning - that I am He.

Part of the preparation of the disciples was to let them know in advance the things that were going to happen and how they fulfilled the scriptures. This was to keep them from questioning His authority as there Master, Messiah and the Christ. It was necessary for their understanding and for their faith.

:20 Speech - I tell you the truth,

Act - whoever accepts anyone I send

accepts me;

AND

whoever accepts me

accepts the one who sent me.”

The argument here is the conferring of honor from one to another. So If anyone accepts our testimony about Christ they accepts Christ. If they accept Christ they also accept the Father who sent Christ. Just as an ambassador of one country is accepted by another and by doing so accepts the other country.

V. 21-25 Disclosure

:21 Time - After he had said this,

Effect - Jesus was troubled in spirit

Act - and testified,

Quote - “I tell you the truth,

Specific - one of you is going to betray me.”

Now Jesus reveals a prediction that will shock them but will leave the in the dark as to the exact person. The troubled spirit reminds us that Jesus is human as well as divine. As such He is reacting with human emotions to the thought of being betrayed.

:22 Act - His disciples stared at one another,

at a loss to know which of them he meant.

The disciples are startled by such an announcement. The same word is used in other places to show perplexed rather than doubt. In the statement turns them to "whom" and not "what"

:23 Specific - One of them,

the disciple whom Jesus loved,

Act - was reclining next to him.

Now the process of finding out who would betray Jesus begins.

:24 Person - Simon Peter

Act - motioned to this disciple

AND

said, “Ask him which one he means.”

Now Peter becomes curious to know the exact person. Because of the seating arrangement John, who is seen as the beloved disciple, was closer to Jesus that Peter.

:25 Act - Leaning back

Specific - against Jesus,

he asked him,

Specific - “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus will make a reply but it will not give them the clarity they need to identify the betrayer until later. So this part of the story ends as we begin to see the slow patience of Jesus as He tries to bring Judas face to face with his own choice. So we have seen the TEACHING of humility and servanthood. The WARNING about the betrayer and the DISCLOSURE of who the betrayer is.

In this Advent Season we are called to the hope of His soon return, The joy of His presence now and forever, the Love He gave and we are to give and Most precious gift of All the Christ Himself.