New Life On Purpose: Work Series

New Life On Purpose: Work

Text: Jn. 13:3-17

Introduction

1. Illustration: The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini's lovely violin has today become worm-eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christian's unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.

2. This morning we are going to talk about another aspect of our purpose: work or service.

3. In his song, Salvation Army Band, guitarist Phil Keaggy says, “Heart to God, Hand to Man, Saved to Serve, Salvation Army Band.

4. We are saved to serve because:

a. Jesus Models It

b. Jesus shows the necessity of it

c. Jesus commands it

5. Read John 13:3-17

Proposition: We are committed to minister to each other and our community in humble service

Transition: There are three reasons we should minister to one another. First, we should minister to one another because...

I. Jesus Models It (3-5)

A. Began to Wash the Disciples Feet

1. In our text, John tells us that “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.”

a. Jesus, the Son of God, knew his origin and his destiny. He knew that he would soon be returning to his Father.

b. Being assured of his own destiny, he focused his attention on the disciples and showed them what it meant for him to become their Servant and for them to serve one another.

2. Jesus then “So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”

a. The immediate situation was that they had come to the banquet room directly from the street.

b. Ordinarily on such an occasion the host would have delegated a servant to the menial task of removing the sandals of the guests and washing their feet.

c. This task was so menial that according to some Jewish sources, Jewish slaves were exempt and the job kept for the Gentiles whom the Jews considered interior (Burge, NIV Application Commentary, 369).

4. At the time so near to the revelation of Jesus' true identity and glory, he set aside what was rightfully his and expressed his character through an act of humility.

a. He got up, took off his robe, and wrapped a towel around his waist like an apron.

b. He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet.

c. What was unusual about this act was that Jesus, the Master and Teacher, was doing it for his disciples, as the lowliest slave would do.

B. Servant Ministry

1. Illustration: Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example. Mark Twain.

2. We should be involved in ministering to one another is because Jesus set the example.

a. Out of humility he was willing to serve.

b. Out of obedience he was willing to serve.

c. Out of love he was willing to serve.

3. If Jesus did it, we should do it.

a. If Jesus, even though he was the Son of God, was willing to serve, we ought to be willing to serve.

b. If Jesus was willing to do menial tasks, like washing someone's feet, then we ought to be willing to do it too.

4. Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5. Again, we need to ask the right questions.

a. The question shouldn't be "Am I willing to clean the church,? but "Would Jesus be willing to clean the church?"

b. The question shouldn't be "Am I willing to help with Angel Food,?" but "Would Jesus be willing to help with Angel Food?"

c. The question shouldn't be "Am I willing to call someone that I noticed wasn't in church last Sunday and encourage them,?" but "Would Jesus be willing to call them?"

Transition: The next reason that we should be willing to minister to one another is because...

II. Jesus Shows the Necessity of It (6-12)

A. You Have No Part With Me

1. All the disciples accepted the washing until Jesus came to Peter, who questioned Jesus: "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

a. The response of Simon Peter may have been representative of the common feeling that Jesus ought not to demean himself by washing their feet. - Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM