October 26, 2014
Series: Discovering the Life Changing Gospel
John 13:1-17
1. THE PERFECTION OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST (13:1)
- The perfect love of Christ would reach its crescendo on the cross.
- The enduring love of Christ cannot be separated from us.
Romans 8:35–39 (HCSB)
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, 39 height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
2. THE PERVERSION OF THE HATRED OF SATAN (13:2, 10-11)
- Long before we commit the sin, we contemplate the sin in our heart.
- It is extremely dangerous to think we are above sin.
1 John 1:7–9 (HCSB)
7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
3. THE FULFILLMENT OF THE MISSION OF JESUS (13:3)
- Jesus understood where He came from and where He was going.
- Jesus knew the importance of the mission of the cross.
4. THE DEMONSTRATION OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP (13:4-9)
- Jesus showed that it was possible to serve and lead at the same time.
- His ultimate act of service would be demonstrated at Calvary.
Matthew 20:28 (HCSB)
28 “… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
5. THE COMMAND TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER. (13:12-17)
- Jesus modeled what we are to do for one another.
- The more we emulate Christ, the more we will serve one another.
1 Peter 4:10 (HCSB)
10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.
No one would ever question the leadership of Jesus, but He demonstrated a new way to look at it, servant leadership. From His example of washing the feet of those who followed Him, we learn humility and how to serve others.
