LOVE SLAVES

JOHN 13:1-12

INTRODUCTION

William Borden was the heir of the Borden Dairy Estate.

He was millionaire when he graduated from High School.His parents gave him a trip around the world.Became burdened for all the hurting

people of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Made a decision to enter the mission field.

Wrote in his Bible – “No Reserve”.Went study at Yale University.Started a prayer group with his

friend.By the time he graduated, out of 1,300 students, 1,000 were in prayer groups.

Was offered a high paying job but pursued the call of God on his life.

Wrote two new words in his Bible – “No Retreat”.

Sailed to China to work with the Muslims.Stopped in Egypt to study Arabic.Contacted spinal meningitis.Died within a month at the age of 25.

Friends found his Bible.Found two more words added.“No Regrets.”Would you not want to end your life

with “No Regrets”?Jesus’ give us an example of how to

do that.The keys to a fruitful and fulfilling life.

Two Things To Note

# 1. Foot washing was a common practice.

They wore sandals so feet became dirty.Common practice in every Jewish home to have basin and towel at the door to clean the feet.

# 2. Foot washing was considered to be a menial task.The host will never do this job.Neither would a Jewish slave.It was a task for Gentile slaves.This explains why the disciples did

not wash the feet of others.They were too busy arguing who was

the greatest.

1. Know Who You are in God.

We spend most our energy doing things to define our identity.

Our identity is not found in what we do but in whom you are by the grace of God.

Eph. 1:4-5 – “Chosen, His sons.”Eph. 2:7-10 – “Saved, God’s

workmanship.”

If we want to serve Jesus, than we need to have a revelation of who we are in God.

I am what I am by the grace of God.Out of who I am in God, I serve Him.Jesus did the most humbling task in

that culture.He bows before His disciples and washes their feet.

Jesus was not insecure about His identity.

He knew something about Himself which others could not see.

John notes this in v.3.a. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power.> Here in the upper room was the power

centre of both heaven and earth.

Jesus was not the helpless victim of a plot but a willing, voluntary Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. – John 10:18

Jesus knew His authority in God.

b. Jesus knew His commission.Jesus was not acting on His own

initiative.He was sent by the Father with a

specific mission to accomplish.Do you know why you are here?Do you have a sense of mission in your

life?God has a mission for every person in

this church.

There can be no greater satisfaction than discovering that mission and pursuing it with all your heart.

Being sent implies backing.We are backed by God Himself.

c. Jesus knew where He was going.Sometimes we get so caught up with

daily activities that we forget who we are and where we are going.

Soon we are going to see the King.Does this truth grip my heart?

In Rev. 4:6,10 we will stand before the Lord and throw our crowns.

Are you doing something that makes an eternal difference?

Remember Paul’s advice: 1 Cor.15:58- “Your labor is not in

vain.”

2. Know Who You are serving.

In v.1, Jesus knew that the time for Him to lay down his life was very near.

He wanted to show His disciples something amazing about love.

Love will cause a person to sacrifice personal comfort and gain for the well being of others.

Love motivated Jesus to pay the ultimate price for our redemption.

Love will win the lost sinner.Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot love

other people – Rom.5:5God sees something in people that is so precious to Him.1John 3:16 – “You are why I paid the

price.”

ConclusionJesus endured the cross for the joy

that was set before Him. (Heb. 12:1-3)What is that joy?You and me.

We need to change our attitudes and our way of thinking in regards to serving God.

We need to have the mind and heart of Christ if want to have a fruitful and fulfilling life.