Love Serves - John 13:1-13

How selfless was Jesus on the night just hours before He would be betrayed, abandoned, rejected, falsely accused, beaten ,mocked, and crucified.
He had one final lesson He needed to convey to His followers who were still caught up in their own selfishness, comparison, and insensitivity. John tells us that Jesus showed them "the full extent of His love" by washing their feet.
If there were ever a time on earth when it should have been about Him, Jesus instead wraps a towel around His waist, gets on His knees and washes the grime, and dirt and dung off the disciples feet. Taking on Himself their filth was a picture of what He would sacrifice Himself for in the next twenty-four hours.
The lesson I take away is that the greatest way to show someone you love them is to serve. Marriages and relationships are broken because people stop serving and start measuring how much they are being served.
Companies and organizations fail because people stop serving others and only serve themselves. Nations and governments do the same because they forget one of the greatest lessons God came to earth to display, LOVE SERVES.

Sizing People Up

James was practical if anything. As the pastor of the church in Jerusalem he needed to give simple and clear instructions to help the thousands of new followers of Christ joining their ranks. Most believe this was the first New Testament book written after the Gospel of John. James tackles a number of critical areas that could hurt or divide the church while still in its infancy.

One of the big issues inherent in the Jewish people was to look down on people who were not like them, not Jews. The "true" Jews who lived in Israel. The descendants of the Dispersion, those whose ancestors did not come back to Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah and Ezra. They were looked upon as "secular" or "worldly". Also scattered among them was a number of "God fearers" or Gentiles who hung around because they were drawn to the message but had not yet become Jews and been circumcised.

This mind set that sizes people up to determine how much attention they deserve is hidden in all of us. James starts out in chapter 2, verse 1 by calling it "favoritism". This doesn't sound too severe, we all have favorites, don't we? Then he reveals just how deceptive and dangerous this really is. At the root of favoritism is judging, and James adds, "with evil thoughts".

Whenever we "prefer" people we are setting a standard of judgement. Jesus said, "the same standard you set to judge others is the same standard that will be used on you".

Instead, lets live by what James calls in verse 8, "the royal law", "love your neighbor as yourself". If we will accept everyone and love them as we would want to be loved we will receive mercy from God. It may even come from Him through the people we are loving.

Amazing People Around Us

I love this story about David (2 Samuel 23:13-17.) At first it surprises me that David would ask for a cup of water, and then when he gets it he doesn't drink it. Courtney says he probably made this initial statement desiring the water without thinking anyone would really take him seriously and go get it.

However, what I love is David's decision to worship God in the end. I don't think he worships as much because of the water as because of the men he has around him. After he received the water, I bet he took a step back and was just amazed at the people God had put in his life. Courtney and I feel the same way and this story reminded us to take some time to thank God tonight for this very reason... the amazing people God has put in our life.

Stepping outside the comfort zone

As I read these passages last night, I was reminded of how much Christ gave up during his time on earth. It seems that oftentimes so much focus is made regarding his sacrifice on the cross, but his life up to that point had been an incredible sacrifice for man. He was willing to set aside his divine rights and become human to identify with our sins. All of this He did to serve God's will. The experience must have been terribly uncomfortable.



I looked back on my own life to identify those times that I felt compelled by God to step outside of my comfort zone and take part in something that would be difficult for me but ultimately proved so rewarding. Volunteering to serve during the summer sports camp was the first thought that came to my mind. Although I have two young children, I had no idea where I would be placed. Fear of a lack of sports knowledge almost prevented me from volunteering, but the rewards were worth listening to God's will. Karyn and I will be working with Life Kids this weekend and I have been reminded that if I am secure in my love and trust of Him that he wouldn't place me in a situation where I wouldn't be able to benefit a children's group and further His kingdom.

Humility: Just obey

A few thoughts that carried me through the day....

He (Jesus) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped....and he became obedient to death. Phil 2

I looked over the "surrender" options to check from Sunday:  time, rights, resources, reputation.  I knew almost before I read which one it was.  Sure, I could easily check them all, but one stuck out as I thought back to the phrase "false humility" and the times that I had resisted God because I didn't want anyone to think I was "________" (fill in the blank).  A subtle form of pride.  I read the night before where Jesus said those who worship will worship in Spirit and Truth (Jn 4:23).  A yielding.   I went back to find it and every page I turned said the same thing, "just obey": 

• "how can you believe if you accept praise from men yet make no effort to obtain praise from God" Jn 5:44,
• "My food is to do the will of him who sent me" Jn 4:34
• "Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many things..but Mary has chosen what is better" Luke 10:38

I apologized to God for specific sin that I had "reasoned away".  I got up to go to work, realized I had lost my wallet.  My first impulse was to panic for being late, and tear up the whole house up looking for it.  No, it seemed, just go straight to the car, take your coffee because you are not coming back. I opened the car door, there was the wallet.  A small hint to just obey.  Not by fear, analysis, second guessing or pleasing man for fear my reputation will be damaged.  It was a good day.  Will those of you who know me, please remind me? 

Philippians 2:3-4

Courtney and I read this tonight and had a good discussion on verses 3 and 4. In verse 3 Paul says "do nothing out of selfish ambition" and then in verse 4 he seems to acknowledge that we look after our own interests at least some of the time. He doesn't say this is wrong but just says that you should not look at your own interests exclusively.

To me these two verses seem to contradict each other. If you're not doing anything out of selfish ambition, then wouldn't another way to say that be that you're not doing anything based on your own self interests?

So far, I seem to have some understanding of this by recognizing that in verse 3 Paul is talking about actually doing something and how you make the decision on what to do. In verse 4 he's talking about what you're observing or watching or what you consider as important. Perhaps they don't contradict as he's talking about two different topics? Any thoughts you might have would be appreciated.

For me, these two verses then leave me with these questions about my life:
1) How am I making decisions on what is important to do in my life?
2) As I go throughout my day, what do I observe or place top priority on checking in on?

Philippians 2:1-4

I was challenged as I read this morning this passage. The apostle Paul assumes that we are getting our needs met in the area of encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion from God in our lives in walking with God. This gives us a common experience with other followers of Christ. If we are content and secure in God's love then our attitude can be one of giving and not just taking.

I was challenged with the question, "am I getting these needs met in God?" If not, am I operating on empty? Am I putting demands and trying to get from others what I need to get from God?

Jesus had an attitude of a servant because he was secure. In yesterday's message I mentioned security proceeds service. When my security comes from my connection with God each day there is enough to meet my needs and to share with others.

It seems all questions about my spiritual journey and maturity comes back to my daily connecting with God.

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