January 16, 2022

START THERE: DO SOMETHING!

January 16, 2022

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

What has gotten you so excited lately that you wanted everyone you met to know what you’ve experienced? Can you share?

 

The past two weeks we have discussed three of the six values that make up our church’s Mission Statement. We looked at our commitment to reading and studying Scripture, our time to develop a meaningful prayer life, and how much time we incorporate into our daily living to worship our God and make worship a lifestyle. Today we are going to look at the connection we have in our community as we come and go among both friends and strangers, loving them enough to have a heart for serving them, using Christ as our example. Above all, we want to love Him so deeply that sharing how our relationship with Him has changed our life is something we wish for everyone else to experience.

 

Focal Passage: John 13:4-17.

           

Do Something Unexpected

  • Read John 13:4-5. If you had been one of the apostles in the room with Jesus on the night of the Last Supper, how would you probably have responded? Do you identify more with Peter, or with those who did not say anything? Have you ever been in a situation when you washed the feet of those around you? Can you share? What was the main point Jesus was trying to get across?
  • What are some of the hang-ups you have that you might find hard to overcome to help a stranger? Have you ever tried to discern the root cause of the dread?
  • Read Phil. 2:3-4. Can you share a time when you did some deed such as is listed here, and tell what occurred?
  • Do you usually wait until you’re asked before performing a service? What would it take for you to step up to the plate and grab an opportunity when it happens?

 

The Eternal Impact

  • Read John 13:6-8. Above, in the first bullet, we saw Jesus was making a point that the Christ-follower should have a servant’s heart. Did Peter realize this at first? What was his reaction when he realized what Jesus meant by His reply? Can you think of other Scriptures that speak of washing, as in new creation? Read Eph. 5:26 and Titus 3:5. Do these verses confirm the washing we should have as Christians? How was this a picture of His substitutionary death on the cross?
  • Read Matt. 28:19-20. When we repent of our sins and accept Jesus’ gift of salvation, what types of responsibilities do we have? How are some of the ways He calls us?
  • Read Matt. 25:40. What are some examples of actions we can do on any ordinary day that could make a difference to the recipient? How can we train our eyes to be open to opportunities to be of service, such as Jesus was?
  • What are some ways we can be ready to share the importance of the gospel?

 

Christlike Service

  • Read John 13:13-15. Are there parameters that you feel must be met to meet your expectation of serving Jesus? When Jesus was giving us the example of how to live our lives, was He teaching us anything else? Why is doing the right thing, in any given situation, the right thing?
  • Who are the people you will not help, or those whom you stay away from? In order to be of service to Jesus Christ, how can you teach yourself to make special efforts toward those you don’t like?

 

Where do we get started?

  • Pray! Pray to be alert to opportunities every day where you can be of service.
  • Don’t wait for an invitation to serve! Take a step of faith and offer yourself.
  • Don’t wait for the right fit! If you don’t find a fit at first, try something else.

 

Close

As you read the Gospels, are you sometimes overwhelmed with all the things Jesus did every day? It seems He spent much of the night talking to His Father, and from the time He rose in the morning until He “escaped” from the crowds, He was being followed, dogged, stalked by the religious rulers, always with a mass of people looking for healing, food, or His help. Just the thought of keeping that kind of schedule is intimidating when we think about service!

At first glance, it would seem as though we can never achieve the number of “rules” to be good enough to be saved. But what did we read in Titus? “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior (3:4-6), we see again that our salvation is grace alone, “not of works lest any man should boast.” Why do we have to be reminded of this so often?

If we could remember, internalize, and put into practice that God’s will is that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and spirit, and then love others more than we love ourselves, we would find ourselves happier and more fulfilled as we serve Him. Approach the day with the intent to be watchful of every opportunity to serve others—even if it’s only a smile or a compliment. A baby or a young child has to be taught to do the things that make him/her into a responsible adult. Isn’t it logical, then, that a new Christian must also learn the ways of the Lord? Ask Him to show you the next step. You don’t need—nor will you get—a complete road map, but He will lead you down the path He has for you.

 

 

 

 

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