Following Jesus In Serving

Following Jesus In Serving (John 13:1-17)

How would our lives be if we made a determination to serve others? How would our outlook change if our life goal was to add value to other people?  You would be sought out because every person’s life that comes in contact with you would be better. In Matthew 20 Jesus makes the statement: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom.”

“Do you go to serve, or to be served?” – Apostle Billy Johnson

In John 13:1-17, we see an account of how we are to serve one another. If we’re going to follow Jesus, we are going to follow Him in his example of serving.

If you are going to follow Jesus in serving:

1) You cannot dictate when you serve.

At this dinner, Jesus was dealing with many emotions and issues:
Fact – Jesus knows that His hour has come.
Feelings – The bible says that He loved them until the end.
Foe – Jesus knows that Judas Iscariot is going to betray him.
Future – Jesus knew that He would soon endure the agony of the cross.

Yet, in spite of the emotions and issues, Jesus still served the disciples.

2) You cannot dictate where you serve.

Jesus was seated at the seat of honor. He is THE guest of honor. Yet He left the table and picked up the towel.

“You may be in a place where you are being honored, and a serving moment shows up.” – Apostle Billy Johnson

Because you can’t dictate where you serve, you must always stay in a position to serve (a posture of servanthood).

Foot-washing was an example of humility. The servant would wash the feet of the people who entered the home, yet Christ did this for His disciples.

3) People will misunderstand your serving – (vs. 6-8)

People will often denigrate your service because they don’t understand why you serve.

4) You cannot dictate who you serve. (vs. 11-12)

Jesus knew who would betray Him, and a person who would deny Him, and He still washed their feet.

“Learn to treat everybody right before you know who they are.” – Apostle Billy Johnson

5) You can determine why you serve. (vs. 12-17)

a) You serve to follow Christ’s example.
b) There is a blessing associated with serving.

“Are you willing to sit at the table of honor and pick up the towel of humility?” – Apostle Billy Johnson