Keep on Serving (part 1)

Introduction

Christians are saved to serve! Paul reminded the believers at Thessalonica “how they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). In other words, they were saved to serve! Worship and service is the very purpose of the child of God. We must remember in times of pain, suffering and heart-ache that we were created to serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God did not create you and I to simply enjoy earthly life, God created us for His good pleasure (Revelation 4:10-11). Your life will never make sense until you understand you were created for His purpose and good pleasure. The average believer has the idea that God is a type of heavenly Santa Claus who was created to fulfill all our desires and expectations. We believe that everything is about us. Yet, when things don’t quite work out according to our expectations we become disappointed with God. Things just don’t make sense in our minds when we suffer adversity or setbacks. We forget we were created “for him.” The Apostle Paul said, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him (Colossians 1:16). Life is not about you, life is all about God.

Why does God leave us on planet earth after we are saved? He could just automatically take us on to heaven. Has it ever occurred to you that God has left you here to serve Him? Paul declared that we are co-labors with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9). When the believer discovers this truth he discovers his purpose in life. Saved to serve! My life is His life!

What are some reasons why we should serve Jesus Christ? We should serve Jesus because of His example. The truth of the matter, when we serve we are becoming like Christ.

JESUS CAME TO SERVE

I. You and I will never be like Jesus Christ unless we become servants. Jesus said, “the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). The Greek word diakoneo means to serve someone else. The very purpose of the incarnation of Christ was so that God could put on a human body and become a servant to man (Philippians 2).

II. One of the most vivid examples of the servant-hood of Christ is found during the last supper. According to Luke the beloved physician, the disciples had been arguing among themselves concerning who should be the greatest (Luke 22:24). Each disciple began to position himself to be the greatest in the kingdom. However, Jesus taught them an awesome lesson. It was most likely on a Thursday evening, perhaps twenty-four hours prior to the Passover. Jesus and the disciples were meeting secretly in the upper room to celebrate the last supper (John 13:1-17). Sometime during the meal Jesus got up and took off his outer garment. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. He then put water in a vessel that was called a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet (v.5). Picture in your mind this amazing first-century scene. The unpaved roads in Jerusalem were dusty and dirty. If it rained the roads were muddy and messy. It was the custom for the host to provide a slave who knelt at the door to greet the visitors and wash the feet of each guest as they entered the home. Should the host family not be able to afford a slave one of the guest would assist in this humble service. Notice a few thoughts about this last supper scene.

1. First of all, notice the disciples were fighting over a throne when they should have been fighting for a towel. Luke provided an interesting parallel to John’s last supper event. Luke revealed that during the meal the disciples began to argue among themselves over who should be the greatest. In was during this dispute that Jesus explained true greatness and then provided an example of what true greatness is all about (Luke 22:24-27).

A. Please keep in mind that Jesus was fully aware of the universal sovereignty bestowed upon Him by His heavenly Father (v.3). Everything was placed in His hands by the Father. Yet, like a household servant, He took a towel in His hands and washed the dirty feet of the disciples. The omnipotent hands of our Savior embraced the filthy feet of the twelve.

B. Why didn’t the disciples want to perform this humble task? Chuck Swindoll said, “What is interesting is that none of the disciples had volunteered for that lowly task…so the room was filled with proud hearts and dirty feet. Interestingly, those disciples were willing to fight for a throne, but not a towel. Things haven’t changed a lot since then, by the way.”[1]

C. This act of servant-hood was beneath the dignity of the disciples. The truth of the
matter is they were maneuvering themselves for a position of prominence and prestige. In their minds acting like a slave would not have help their image. While the disciples were playing power games and making an attempt to strengthen their self-image, Jesus told them, He was among them for the purpose of serving (Luke 22:27).

2. Secondly, I notice Jesus not only washed the disciples’ feet, he lovingly washed the feet of Judas too. It was humiliating enough to perform the duty of a household slave, but to wash the feet of someone you knew would betray you is incredible (John 13:2, 11). I must admit if I were Jesus I would be tempted to use scalding water. Or perhaps a metal brillo pad that would skin the feet of Judas. Or a steel S.O.S. pad that would clean to the bone. But to kneel at the feet of this traitor and lovingly wash His feet is inconceivable. Even though Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, He did not treat Judas unkindly.

3. Thirdly, I notice that Jesus left His meal to wash the disciples’ feet. There seems to be a minuscule debate as to exactly when Jesus performed this act of servant-hood. Was it during the meal or after the meal? The confusion lies within the interpretation of verses 2 and 4. Verse 2 seems to indicate that the meal was finished; however, verse 4 seems to suggest that it was during the meal when the foot washing occurred. Carl Laney says,

Verse 2 contains a textual difficulty that involves a single Greek letter but makes a significant difference in translation. The King James reads deipnou genomenou (second aorist participle), ‘supper being ended,’ whereas the superior manuscript evidence (Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) reads deipnou ginomenou (present participle), ‘when supper was beginning.’ The context indicates the supper was in progress (13:4, 26) and supports the latter view.[2]

A. The context makes it fairly clear that the foot washing incident transpired during the meal. Stop and ask yourself, “Would I leave a delicious meal to perform the task of a slave?” Would you rather have a chicken leg in your hand or a dirty foot?

B. Please understand that the disciples were not sitting beside each other in a lovely dining room with ladder-back chairs. The cultural background reveals twelve men lounging around a table that was approximately one foot high. They would recline on one elbow as they lay on their side on a rug that covered the floor. They would eat with their hands. If your feet were not clean the person next to you would be very aware of the filth. Jesus sacrificed His physical appetite to make sure the feet of the disciples were clean.

C. Furthermore, we must take into account that that even though Jesus was totally God, He was also fully man. He too suffered hunger pains just like any other man. Nevertheless, He was willing to leave His meal to serve the disciples just like a household slave. Truly His meat was to do the will of His Father (John 4:34). Within the context of this biblical illustration, Jesus provided a living example of true greatness. Christ vividly drove home the point; if you desire to be chief you must be servant of all. This humble act of love demonstrated what the Christian life is all about, serving others.

Discussion

1. Why was I created? __________________________________________________

2. Why do we fight for a throne and not a towel? ________________________________

3. Why is it so important to worship and serve Jesus?_____________________________

4. Would you rather have a chicken leg in your hand or a dirty foot?___________________

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[1] Charles R. Swindoll, Improving Your Serve, (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1981), 163-164.

[2] J. Carl Laney, Moody Gospel John Commentary, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 238.

Pray for Steve

Good Morning!!!!

Please remember to pray for Steve Tardy this coming Sunday May 20, 2007 as he teaches our class. Hope you all have a great week! And Steve, we are praying for you as you decide what lesson to teach!

Love,
Brother Tim

WHAT TO DO
When you don’t know what to do?

WAIT ON GOD (Pt. 3)


I. WAITING ON GOD MEANS SPIRITUAL STRENGTH.

1. The key to spiritual strength is discovered by waiting on God.

Isaiah the prophet said, 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).

2. God does not grow ya`aph {weary} or get fatigued.

Why? Because He is `owlam {everlasting} or perpetual. He is ageless! Timeless! God is not limited by time and space. God is not measured by days or years. He is eternal, immortal and infinite. He alone is the Creator of all things.

3. As a result, He has the capacity to strengthen the weary and invigorate the depleted (v.29).

However, this power is reserved for those who “wait upon the Lord” (v.31). Waiting on the Lord will chalaph {renew} or change the believer’s strength. Waiting on the Lord will recharge the battery of the child of God!

4. Isaiah compared this phenomenal strength to soaring on eagle wings.

God’s power can carry the believer to heights unknown! Furthermore, the Prophet told the worn out Israelites, that they would run and not grow weary. In other words, God’s power would provide untiring strength for them. Waiting on God will sustain unrelenting service for Christ. You mean no burnout? Absolutely! God promises His servant the ability to tap into an unlimited reservoir of divine strength. However, this strength is set aside only for those who wait on Him.

5. Are you burnout? Are you spiritually weary?

The key to a healthy, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ is achieved when we consistently dwell with God. We must reside with Him in His holy tabernacle! It is essential we patiently linger in our prayer closet! The bottom-line is; we must simply take the time to wait on God!

II. WAITING ON GOD MEANS BELIEVING THE BIBLE.

1.Why are we so impatient?

The truth of the matter is we have lost confidence inthe Word of God! The Bible has been placed on the proverbial shelf by many Christians. We no longer read it, memorize it or cling to it. In all reality, most believers do not even pick up their Bibles between Sunday and Saturday. It is not uncommon to find dusty Bibles in the home! The old saying is very true, “dusty Bibles make for dirty Christians.” And we wonder why Christians have so little influence in our communities?

2. What is the solution?

We need a revival in the area of Bible reading! The Word of God will make a difference in your life! David made a remarkable statement in Psalm 130. He said, “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope”(Psalm 130:5). By hoping in God’s Word David discovered patience and peace. God’s Word gave him a reason to hope! Without the influence of the Bible the believer becomes hopeless, disillusioned and cynical.

3. What happens when a Christian stops reading their Bible?

First of all, we no longer hear God’s voice. The moment the believer gets out of his Bible he turns off the voice of God! He has literally tuned out His Savior. Friend,this is very dangerous! Solomon said, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). In other words, when you cuwr {turn away} from hearing what God has to say, He turns away from hearing what you have to say. In reality, our prayers are tow`eba{abominable} or disgusting to God. All fellowship with God has been broken. Communication with God has been cut off. The voice of God remains silent, yet we continue on in spite of our ruptured relationship with Him. What happens next?

4. We lose our godly values.

Since the voice of God has been muted in our lives, godly values are replaced with worldly ideology. Slowly but surely, we begin to embrace a more tolerant position. Right and wrong becomes clouded with flawed reasoning. Biblical ethics become watered down or diluted. Morals become loose. Philosophically, we begin to espouse humanism.

5. How does this happen?

The voice of God has been silenced! Instead of letting God’s Word mold our minds, we let Jay Leno or Michael Moore set the standard. The believer must stay in his Bible! The only way God can repair our depraved state of mind is through the Word of God. Paul recommended that we “be not conformed to this world:” but we should “be transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Romans 12:2). Paul told the believers at Rome that they could live a transformed life if they would constantly anakainosis {renew} or renovate their minds. It is vital that we permit the Word of God to recondition our thinking! We must allow the Word of Christ to enoikeo {dwell} in us abundantly if we want godly wisdom (Colossians 3:16).

6. When you silence the voice of God, you automatically lose your godly values. When you release your godly values, you inevitably will no longer be obedient to God. What
happens next is unavoidable. We no longer heed God’s views. The downward spiral continues. We ignore our Bible. Our devotional life becomes non-existent. Our philosophy becomes worldly. We now live in disobedience!

7. On occasion the children of Israel were known to do the very same thing.

The prophet Nehemiah records for us a prayer and confession of the nation of Israel. This prayer reviewed a brief history of the victories and defeats of the people of God. Listen to what Nehemiah said about the national sins of Israel. He said, “Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations” (Nehemiah 9:26).

8. How did Israel treat the Law of God?

They cast it aside!The Hebrew word shalak {cast} literally means to fling, hurl or throw aside. Once the nation of Israel threw aside the standard of God’s Law disobedience and rebellion became the norm. The expression “behind their backs” revealed that Israel was not interested in anything that God had to say.In rebellion they hurled God’s Law behind their backs because they did not want to see God’s revealed will for their lives. Contemporary society has done the same thing!

9. America has expelled the Bible and prayer from her public schools while contraceptives are readily made available to every child.

Drugs, guns and violence have reached epidemic proportions.How could this happen? We have flung the Word of God behind our backs ignoring the principles of right and wrong.When you silence the voice of God, you lose godly values. When you lose godly values you no longer heed the biblical views of God.

10. In all reality, waiting on God means believing the Bible.

When you hear the voice of God in a consistent manner you will establish godly values in your personal life. As you institute godly values you will obediently take heed to what God has to say. Obedience will be the norm.

Conclusion

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Wait on God! Trust in Him! Keep your eyes on Him! Without a doubt, you will be tempted to take matters into our own hands. Nevertheless, we must remember that impatience can often bring us to the wrong conclusion. Acting on impulse can be very dangerous. Making premature decisions without consulting God and His Word can be devastating. Patiently wait on God. At any moment He may dispatch a host of angelic ravens to sustain you at your Cherith. Stay in vital union with the Vine. Don’t sever yourself from Him. Faithfully abide in Him. Listen to His voice as you read His Word. If you chose to wait on God,He will give you strength to run and you will not grow weary. He will cause you to walk and not faint. The challenge for the believer is to wait on God.