Sermons on San Juan 13:15:

Find Your Towel

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 1, 2025

Jesus gives authority to serve, not rule—power shaped like a towel, lifting others, revealing love’s quiet strength, and mirroring His heart.

1. The Ladder and the Towel My senior pastor once stood with me in the church fellowship hall staring at a row of framed photographs—portraits of evangelists who had conducted meetings through the years. His finger paused on one. “H. M. S. Richards, Sr.,” he said softly. Then came a line I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-13, Mark 10:42-45, John 13:1-17, Philippians 2:5-8, 1 Peter 5:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Servanthood

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Mar 23, 2002

A Maundy Thursday Sermon

Maundy Thursday Sermon John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Servanthood 4 rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. 5* Then 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. 16* Truly, truly, I say to ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-35

Denomination: Lutheran

A Clean Heart

Contributed by Dr. Robert Mckenzie on Mar 24, 2002

How to maintain a clean heart

A Clean Heart John 13:1-32 IN THE WORLD TODAY THERE ARE MULTITUDES OF BROKEN-HEARTED PEOPLE. WITH FAMILIES BREAKING UP, CHILD ABUSE ON THE RISE, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL TAKING ITS TOLL, AND THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF HUMANISM TEACHING PEOPLE TO BELIEVE AND ACCEPT THE LIE RATHER THAN THE TRUTH, THIS ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Chapter 13 Series

Contributed by Jimmy Davis on Sep 20, 2001

John Chapter 13 begins the Private Ministry of Jesus. The Public Ministry of Jesus includes The 14 Candid Snapshots of the Maturing Christian as found in the Gospel of John.

The Private Ministry of Jesus: John Chapters 13-21 Study this section one chapter at a time! John Chapter 13 Life is a mixture of joy and sorrow! The life of Christ was no different, for Jesus wept for our sins as He rode into Jerusalem on the unbroken colt, and He rejoiced over the disciples ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-38

Denomination: Baptist

Power Shifts - Attitude Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

"Power Shifts" is a sermon series focused on personal transformation to aid in the fulfillment of the Great Commission, addressing the current stagnation in global evangelism through shifts in attitude, actions, alignment, abundance, and anointing.

Missions is at the heart of God. God wants every people group and person to hear about a heavenly Father who loves them and sent His son to die for them. The church is God’s agent to accomplish this goal. The only way this can happen is for the church and individuals to obey the Great Commission. ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Topics: Great Commission, Power Shifts, Spiritual Abundance

Sermon Series: Power Shifts

Attitude Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus, who had all authority, chose to serve rather than be served. We are called to follow His example and serve others, both in sharing the Gospel and in nurturing fellow believers.

Hey guys! You know how in a game of tennis, the player who serves well usually wins? Well, life's kinda like that too. But how many of us are really up for living a life of service? There's this book, The Ugly American, where a journalist from Burma talks about how Americans can sometimes act all ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Topics: Spiritual Service, Humility, Discipleship, Biblical Stewardship

Love In Action: Serving Like Jesus Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Oct 4, 2023

As disciples, we are called to serve others with love, following the example set by Jesus. This service begins in our families, extends to our communities, and impacts the world.

Today, we're going to talk about serving others. You know, like helping out at home, at school, or in our community. But we're not just talking about any kind of serving. We're talking about serving like Jesus did. Let's start with a story. Imagine you're at a fancy dinner party. Everyone's dressed ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, 1 John 3:18

Topics: Servant Leadership, Biblical Humility, Compassionate Actions, Selfless Love

Signs Of Love In The Strangest Places

Contributed by James Osborne on May 10, 2025

The Love of Christ demonstrated by His Servant Leadership during His ministry must shine through us as we humble ourselves to serve others in His name.

SIGNS OF LOVE IN THE STRANGEST PLACES 02-25-2024 INTRO: Most of, if not all, of you folks are aware of the fact that both Wendy and I lost our Mothers at the relatively young age of 36. In both cases we saw our Father’s demonstrate amazing levels of devotion to our Mothers by taking care of them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28, Luke 14:7-14, Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 3:12-14, John 13:1-17, John 13:31-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Worthy Sheep To Smelly Feet

Contributed by Mike Dubose on Apr 29, 2002

Jesus takes the role of a servant and commands us to do likewise. It’s more than just smelly feet!

From Worthy Sheep to Smelly Feet John 13: 12-21 April 28, 2002 Last week we talked about worthy sheep – this week, we’re talking about smelly feet… Last week we talked about Jesus as the Good Shepherd – this week, we see Him as a humble servant, a foot washer… ILLUS: ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-21

Denomination: Methodist

Curing Stuckititis Series

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

2 of 10 of the series, Supernatural Transformation. Do you ever feel trapped as you realize you are stuck with someone? This message uncovers the key to curing a common condition called Stuckititus.  

CURING STUCKITITIS Part 2 of Supernatural Transformation John 13:1-17 Read at beginning of service: Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. INTRODUCTION Dr. Harry Ironside was a great Christian leader in the first ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stooping To A Higher Level Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Jun 7, 2002

Jesus knew His identity, yet served with humility.

STOOPING TO A HIGHER LEVEL John 13:1-17 S: Celebrate Jesus! Th: Service Pr: JESUS KNEW HIS IDENTITY YET SERVED WITH HUMILITY. ?: How? How do we do it? KW: concerns TS: We will find in John 13:1-17 four concerns that Jesus demonstrates in order to serve with humility. The _____ concern that we ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Follow The Leader Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Sep 6, 2002

Simon says, "touch your nose. . ." Jesus says, "follow my example." With a servant’s heart you won’t just "win the game;" you will have the blessing of God’s hand upon your life. Will you willing to take up the towel and serve others like Jesus did?

As a child I was never very good at the game “Simon Says.” You remember how that game is played don’t you? The leader plays the part of Simon, and everyone playing has to do what Simon says. Of course the catch is that you are only to do what Simon says when Simon says, “Simon says. . .” ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:4-8, John 13:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Wash Ye One Another Series

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Sep 21, 2002

Part 3 of "Heavenly Cleansing" series. Jesus gave us a beautiful illustration of how each of us is to humbly minister to each other.

WASH YE ONE ANOTHER John 13:2-17 INTRO. Luke 22 tells us of a conversation that took place at the table just moments before this event took place (Lk. 22:24-27). Jesus is preparing to go to Calvary and He knows that soon after that He will be going back to the Father. The problem is that His ...read more

Scripture: John 13:2-17

Denomination: Baptist

Swollen Heads Vs. Smelly Feet

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Nov 4, 2001

Maybe our problem is that our egos have been inflated by the position that we hold that we have become not servants but members of a serve-me-please pharisaical class of clergy.

After a minister had preached a searching sermon on pride, a woman who had heard the sermon waited upon him and told him that she was in much distress of mind, and that she would like to confess to a great sin. The minister asked her what the sin was. She answered, “The sin of pride, for I sat ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

An Example To Follow

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Nov 11, 2001

When reflecting on serving Christ with our effort and time, we are called to do so in the way Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. This is our example to follow.

Yes, our focus on making a commitment to serve God with our hands begins with a story about feet. Our Bible story takes place at a time shortly before Jesus would give up his life for us. Jesus and the disciples were making arrangements to celebrate a special holiday meal together called the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Methodist