Are You a Producer or a Consumer?
HANDOUT FOR SERMON: “Are You a Foot Washer?” John 13:1-17 December 19, 2021, 9:30 a.m. service, Manchester, TN
INTRODUCTION:
As I become older and look more honestly at the Gospels and the Book of Acts, I wonder if the Church today in our country needs to do a “reset!” Have we slowly moved away from some of the basics of being a Christian? Are we as true to the scripture as we claim we are? I fear over time the Church has been influenced by other denominations and we have ended up with the “church full of consumers and very few producers!!” Today’s lesson deals with the type of humility that is necessary to follow Jesus and to become a part of His eternal kingdom. What would you say is “your” work in the Church today? In the Church that belongs to Jesus Christ? Why did God add you to His Church? What all do you help provide for your Church family and the work of God?
THE WORK JESUS CALLED YOU TO.
Ephesians 2:8-16 Created in Christ Jesus for good works. Ephesians 4:11-16 For proper working of with each individual part provides. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 God placed each member in the Church, each one of them. Titus 2:11-14 We are a people to be zealous of good works. Colossians 1:9-11 We are to be bearing fruit in every good work. Matthew 13:23 His disciple indeed bear fruit and bring forth fruit. John 15:1-5 He prunes the branch so may bear more fruit. John 13:6-9 It will bear fruit, or it will be cut down
THE WORK OF THE CHURCH,
EXAMPLE: Each one of us are to shine as light in the world. EVANGELISM: each of us are to be inviting people to hear the gospel. Busy talking to people about Jesus and salvation. ENCOURAGEMENT: Each one of us are to be busy building Church relationships, with the older, younger and our peers. EDIFICATION: At Worship: your faithfulness, welcoming others, caring about others participation. Outside of Worship: learning the word, sharing the word, contacting people, feeding people and helping people.
God didn’t save you because of your good works but He saved you for good works. We are the hands and feet of God; we are His servants. Matthew 25 is important for us today. The story of the 5 wise virgins v.1-13, the story of the talents v.14-30 and then at the end of Jesus message He reminds us about the judgment and accountability v. 34-46. Being a Christians is about being like Christ and His life was about giving up things in order to serve all others.
LESSON: THE WORK OF FOOT WASHING, JOHN 13:1-17
1.THE STORY REPRESENTS THE VERY LIFE OF JESUS. John 13:1-4
Jesus knew his time had come. He loved everyone in that room, including Judas who would betray Him. So what do we learn from this story>? Humility & service are demanded for the purpose of God with us!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMBLE? Consider Jesus. He was wearing a proper garment, yet he laid aside his proper garment and takes on a garment beneath Him. He girds Himself with a towel, the dress of a servant. He lowers himself to a position lower than His disciples. Then washes their feet. The He lays aside the towel, stands up and put His proper garment back on. This event Jesus was reflecting His life of earth and the incarnation of Jesus.
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11, Philippians 2:3-5, 1 John 3:16-18 We are to sacrifice ourselves for Christ and each other. I will spend the rest of my life in service. John 13.
2. THIS STORY CONFIRMS THE UPSIDE-DOWN KINGDOM OF CHRIST. John 13:5-11
Jesus is the king, Lord and teacher. He built a very different kingdom. A kingdom where the King washes His subjects’ feet! The greater and higher you are- the more you serve and sacrifice. The great ones in the kingdom will be wearing the towel. Application: What are the lowest things a servant of Christ would do in “this room”? In our Church family? The strongest and most mature ones are with the towel on!
Scripture: John 13:8, John 18:36, Matthew 18:1-5, Matthew 23, Romans 14 & 15:1-3, Acts 20:35.
Remember what kind of kingdom we are: 1 Peter 1:11, Hebrews 12:28=everlasting kingdom, 1 Timothy 1:17= Ruled by an eternal King, Romans 5:21=Given eternal life, 1 Peter 1:24=Word of the Lord abides forever, Ephesians 3:11=God’s eternal purpose with us, Hebrews 5:9=God’s eternal salvation.
3. THE STORY DEFINES THE BLESSED CHRISTIAN LIFE. John 13:12-17
Scripture: John 13:17 Blessed are you IF you do them! The blessings of being in being a part of Christ’s eternal kingdom. The word “blessed” means much more than just happy! It means fortunate, well with terms of joy. It means fulfilled. We understand how fortunate we are to be a part of His kingdom.
Scripture: John 13:34-35 New command: Love one another as I have loved! 1 Peter 1:22-25., 1 John 3:16-18.
CONCLUSION:
All the great kingdoms of this world are all gone and ours will fall one day as well, yet the kingdom of Christ will endure forever. Why? Because Christ lives forever, His word abides forever and souls of the saved endure forever. Every single time you give up something from or of your fleshly life & desire to serve Christ, His kingdom or His people – YOU ARE INVESTING IN ETERNITY!
Let us do better at investing in relationships with our brethren in the Kingdom of Christ. Why? Because that is a relationship that will last FOREVER! I WILL BE WITH YOU IN ALL ETERNITY!