Series: Find Joy in the Journey
Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves in the places where experiencing joy is a possibility.
Introduction to Series:
Studying about joy in Scripture, looking at verses which speak of joy, helps build an understanding of how to put ourselves in places where it is possible to find and maintain an attitude of joy in our journey of life. Scripture reveals it is possible to find laughter and joy in living life in a sin-filled world! The Apostle Paul teaches us this can be done!
Scripture Texts:
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Sermon: Finding joy in the journey thru serving!
Thesis: Joy comes to those who serve others – It’s what happens when we imitate Jesus and do what he showed us to do!
Scripture Text: John 13:1-17:
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Jesus then asked the question, “John 13:12 “…Do you understand what I have done for you?” So, the question is: “To serve or not to serve? What is your choice?”
Jesus is still asking us the question today, “John 13:12 “…Do you understand what I have done for you?”
T.S. - So the challenge for us today is to make the choice to serve others so that God blesses you and so you can find joy in journey of life!
Introduction:
We all need to improve our serves and I am not referring to tennis, racquetball, or handball. Our society has changed dramatically in the last 20-30 years? We have lost the Christ like – Jesus like - quality of serving others!
Swindoll states:
It’s happening. Our world has become a large, impersonal, busy institution. We are alienated from each other. Although crowded, we are lonely. Distant. Pushed together but uninvolved. No longer do most neighbors visit across the backyard fence. The well-manicured front lawn is the modern moat that keeps barbarians at bay. Hoarding and flaunting have replaced sharing and caring. It’s like we are occupying common space but have no common interests, as if we’re on and elevator with rules like: “No talking, smiling, or eye contact allowed without written consent of the management.” Painful though it may be for us to admit it here in this great land of America, we’re losing touch with one another.” (Improving your serve, page 17).
We could say that the motivation to help others is waning in our society and this apathy toward serving is what creates an environment filled with alienation, loneliness and disconnection toward others. It robs many of the joy we are to have in life.
Challenge: We have to decide if we really want happiness and fulfillment in life? If we choose that then we need to work on improving our serves and the best way to do this is to imitate the qualities of Jesus – such as washing each others feet.
We need to once again be reminded of: Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
T.S. – So here are some more practical steps to take to improve your serve:
I. We need to choose to lose the celebrity syndrome in our world today and the entitlement mindset.
a. We have forgotten his words “whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”
i. Example Tim Tebow:
1. See power point slide!
a. August 5th the Tim Tebow foundation opens tenth Timmy’s playroom to serve children going through medical challenges.
b. Their mission: To bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The Foundation utilizes the public platform that God has blessed Tim Tebow with to inspire and make a difference in peoples lives throughout the world.
c. Their ministries:
i. Night to Shine – sponsor proms for special needs kids:
1. Watch video!
ii. Tebow cure hospital in Philippines – seeking to 150 surgeries for his 32 birthday.
iii. Wish – wishes granted for terminal kids!
iv. Orphan Care
v. Tim Tebow adoption aid
vi. Timmy’s playroom
vii. Team Tebow, the official membership club of the Tim Tebow Foundation, was created to encourage people to serve others in their local communities and beyond. There are currently more than 22,000 members serving around the world.
b. Swindoll states “…Many churches with their smooth pastors (evangelists), high powered executives, and superstar singers. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much of the servant mentality in such settings. Even in our church life we tend to get caught up in success and the size race and we lose sight of our primary calling as followers of Christ. The “celebrity syndrome” so present in our Christian thoughts and activities just doesn’t square with the attitudes and messages of Jesus” (Improving your serve page 17).
i. Our societal culture and some church cultures have skidded into a pattern whereby celebrities are the top dogs and everyone else is a step down from them.
ii. The $5,000 sneaker debate on social media about celebrity pastors shoes shows this conflict.
c. Just look at the magazines and tabloids at the checkout counters!
i. Were has the servant heart gone!
ii. Giving is down to non-profits and churches in the USA after tax changes went into effect for the 2018 tax laws. No one wants to give or serve without a tax break.
II. We need to choose to lose the I syndrome
a. Hybels: It is a “me-first” mind -set. This mind-set says indulge yourself, fulfill your desires, satiate your appetites, pursue pleasure, take off all restraints. As much as we might want to pretend that this value system died in the eighties, let’s be honest: it is alive and still thriving . With this mind-set comes an elusive promise: If you seek first your own good and satisfy your own desires, then you will be happy. In print, on television, and in the movies, over and over we hear the lie. The road to contentment, satisfaction, fulfillment, and true joy is marked with a street sign flashing “Me First.”… People are pathologically self-centered and ignore the needs of others. The “me-first” mind-set is controlling many lives, even the lives of those who call themselves followers of Christ (Descending into Greatness, page 11).
b. We see this mind-set which I will call the “I syndrome” everywhere in society.
i. It has affected every aspect of society.
ii. It has caused the breakup of the family unit, it has caused the corruption of government officials.
iii. It has caused crime rates to soar.
iv. It has caused businesses to become greedy.
v. It has caused the rise of white- collar crime.
vi. It has caused wars and murders.
vii. It has been instrumental in splitting up families.
viii. It has been responsible for destroying relationships.
ix. It has caused parents to walk away from their families.
x. It has caused churches to split apart.
xi. It has damaged the witness of the Gospel to a lost world.
xii. It has caused the exploitation of women and even children through porno.
xiii. It is leading this nation into destruction, chaos and anarchy.
xiv. It’s the primary reason for the current state of many of our societal problems.
c. With this reality check we need to lose the self-centered syndrome because it is a sinful plague on society.
i. Look at self-centered people who serve self and what happens. Relationships are destroyed. We see more infighting in the jungle of the business world . It’s a dog eat dog world. What does a self-centered wife do to her husband? What does a self-centered husband do to his wife? What has happened to self-centered parenting and it’s affects on the kid’s and how does that affect society and schools?
ii. Look at self-centered churches. Truth is if a church does not serve each other and the world then there is no church.
1. Many Pastors say the biggest problem today is that people will not serve each other.
a. They want to be served not serve!
b. Pastors have stated this often to church growth leaders in comments like the following”
i. “We do not have Kid’s programs because no one wants to serve in teaching.”
ii. “No one wants to give to the church so the church goes without staff people and the lack of ability to do more for Christ.”
iii. “We cannot do more because only 10% of the people want to commit to helping the church reach more for Christ.”
iv. “The common phrase is I have been hurt because I served and now I look out for myself and family.”
v. “I serve God by serving myself.”
vi. “They justify serving themselves, by spending hours upon hours each day taking care of themselves.”
vii. “They lock themselves in their homes watching TV ministries instead of serving in their local church.”
viii. Christians that’s not church. Church is the Body of Christ serving each other “literally”. It’s the Body using their gifts to disciple others, to help others, to teach others, to give to others.
ix. Many come up with self centered reasons to not serve others.
2. Scripture makes it clear that we as followers of Jesus need to be servants and not self-centered – we are to serve each other in the Body and root out any self-seeking behavior so as to please God.
a. We are all called to be servant-leaders!
i. Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 4: 1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
ii. Luke 9:23-26: 23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
3. It becomes clear from Scripture that SELF has to go from the heart of a servant of Jesus – It has to be crucified –nailed to the cross or we will never be able to serve the Kingdom of God as God intends. Self will always prevent even hinder you from serving the Lord if you allow it to control your life.
a. Self - I have an acrostic which I came up this week for SELF:
i. S = Serving
ii. E = Ego
iii. L = Living
iv. F = Foolishly
b. EGO is:
i. E = Edging
ii. G = God
iii. O = Out
1. This is what self always does - it pushes God out of focus and places self as “uno” number one to be served and to be appeased.
2. Servant leaders are those who have chosen to lose to God – to lose to self – to lose to pride – to lose materialism and have chosen the path of servant-hood!
3. The reality check is when we center on Jesus Christ our focus shifts from self.
III. We need to choose the Jesus syndrome
a. Matthew 20:25-28 “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - -just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
b. The Jesus syndrome has a mind-set that is focused on pleasing our Heavenly Father. His desires are first and we choose to serve him.
i. Mother Teresa: “I belong to Jesus. He must have the right to use me without consulting me."
c. Jesus’ servants care more about what God thinks than what mankind thinks (1 Cor. 4:1-5)
i. We need to care only about what the Lord thinks about our action and focus in life. It’s His perspective that counts the most for the servant of God.
ii. It’s not the perspective of others that the servants of Jesus follow but the voice of God Himself.
1. Col. 3:23-25: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.”
2. Ephesians 6:7-8: “7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”
3. Romans 12:11: “11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
a. It’s not what my friends think I should do for God – it’s what God wants me to do that matters most.
b. A servant of Jesus follows their Master’s lead and their Master’s instructions.
iii. Study: UNSELFISH AND HAPPY: A fascinating study on the principle of the Golden Rule was conducted by Bernard Rimland, director of the Institute for Child Behavior Research. Rimland found that "The happiest people are those who help others." Each person involved in the study was asked to list ten people he knew best and to label them as happy or not happy. Then they were to go through the list again and label each one as selfish or unselfish, using the following definition of selfishness: a stable tendency to devote one’s time and resources to one’s own interests and welfare--an unwillingness to inconvenience one’s self for others." In categorizing the results, Rimland found that all of the people labeled happy were also labeled unselfish. He wrote that those "whose activities are devoted to bringing themselves happiness...are far less likely to be happy than those whose efforts are devoted to making others happy" Rimland concluded: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." SOURCE: Martin & Diedre Bobgan, How To Counsel From Scripture, Moody Press, 1985, p. 123. CITATION: Rimland, ’The Altruism Paradox,’ Psychological Reports 51 [1982]: 521,522.) From sermoncentral.com contributor David Yarbrough
Conclusion:
The willingness to improve your serve rests in your hands!
Your decision to improve your serve or ignore it determines whether you fulfill your divine destiny or not. Significance in life comes from us choosing the path of serving!
We need to understand once again how important our time is: Psalm 90:12 (NLT) “Teach us to make the most of our time…and make our efforts successful. Yes, our efforts successful!”
The Dash at the memorial service hit me hard this week again at Kathy’s dads burial service. I would like to read you a poem:
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But she said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who love her
Know what that little line is worth
For it matters not how much we own
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
By Ellis
We need to understand that our life-time matters to God and how we use it matters to God! And one day you and I will be held accountable for what we did with it and did not do with it. So ---- do you understand the lesson of Jesus from John 13 yet?
Psalm 37:18, “The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever” (NIV). The TLB version reads like this “Day by Day the Lord observes the good deeds done by godly men, and gives them eternal rewards.”
The Bible tells us not to grow weary in doing good because the Lord sees the good that you do and one day you will be rewarded for it.
Quote: Summary of message: "People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care." Maxwell
So let’s choose to serve our King today! Are you with me?
