True Service of the Heart

John 13:1-17

*John 13:2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him.

*The cross is a sign of submission, so the towel is the sign of service. *
Forgiveness / Service
John 13:14, 15, if I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Who is the greatest?
Luke 9:46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.

* When ever there is trouble over who is the greatest there is trouble over who is the least.
* Most of us know we will never be the greatest, just don’t let us be the least



*Self-righteous service Versus True Service*

Self-righteous service

* Comes through human effort. Large amounts of energy calculating the benefits
* Requires external rewards./ It has to be seen.
* Highly concerned with results./ it wants to see if the person served will reciprocate

True Service

* Comes through a relationship with a divine other deep inside( God ).
* Can serve enemies as freely as friends.
* Indiscriminately welcomes all opportunities to serve.


1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Nothing disciplines the inordinate desire to the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desire of the flesh like serving in hiddenness.
Inordinate - Unusual or disproportionately large; excessive.
Service in hiddenness is a rebuke to the flesh and can deal a fatal blow to pride.

*Yes.....But!*

Excuses/The hesitancy to serve.

* Fear - If I do that, people will take advantage of me; they will walk all over me.
* Slavery - Paul Boasted of being a slave/servant to Christ. (Love Slave)
* The slave, who out of love, has freely chosen to remain a slave.
* Who can hurt someone who has freely chosen to be stepped on.
* If we give free rain to the desires of the flesh then we will find it hard to train for the service of Christ.

*Service where we live.*

We must seek to perceive what service looks like where we live.

* Life
* Family
* Community

Service is not a list of thing we do, its a way of living.
The Service of guarding the reputation of others.

* Church this size / community this small
* A spiteful tongue strikes a deadly blow in all who hear him speak.
* Like an infection it starts to destroy parts of the body with those who hear and with those who repeat it.

Guarding the reputation of others is a deep and lasting *service.*

There are many acts of service.

* Service of Hospitality, Listening, Sharing.

*Challenge*
John 13:16-17

* God calls us to the ministry of the towel, flowing from the inter recesses of the heart.
* So instead of a scepter we need a hoe.

Perhaps you would like to begin your expermenting with a prayer.
Lord as it would please you bring me someone to serve today.

*Life Group Questions*

1. How can we model Jesus's act of service to in our own life to our Family and the community?
2. What are some ways you have struggled with self-rightouse service?
3. Called to the ministry of the towel (service), how can we serve our enemies as easily as we serve our friends?
4. How can we guard the reputation of others with our service?
5. What is your biggest struggle in serving that you need to take to God and repent from?