Sermons

Looking for JESUS - Service (John 12:20-26, John 13:1-20)

Gearl Spicer Gearl Spicer, June 14, 2020
Part of the Axis of A Living Faith series, preached at a Sunday Online service

John 12:20–26 (Listen)

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

(ESV)

John 13:1–20 (Listen)

13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

(ESV)

Sermon Notes

AXIS OF A LIVING FAITH
Looking for JESUS - Service
John 12:20-26, 13:1-20
6/14/20

Who are you looking for?

*The path to Jesus is discovered through sacrifice and service!

When we truly serve others we:
*See life through Jesus eyes
*Impact in ways others might ignore
*Commit to a living faith

*For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
*…who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant….He humbled Himself - Philippians 2:5-11

*To serve is to show Jesus in an undeniable way to anyone looking for the real deal!

Two pictures to etch into your heart:

I. Greeks seeking Jesus - John 12:20-26
A. Die to live - Glorify God
B. Love to hate - Eternal faith
C. Serve to follow - Obedience
D. Commitment to Honor - Heaven’s recognition

*Service demands humility
*Service touches hearts
*Service honors Jesus

II. Disciples at a crucial moment - John 13:1-20
A. Follow the model
B. Obedience demands action not explanations
C. Look for your next opportunity

Who could you serve? How would you serve them? Can you surrender all glory to God?

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