AuburnChick's Adventures

We had a fabulous message, given by our youth pastor, at church this morning.

His message was about serving others.  The text for his message came from John 13:1-17…

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.^[a]

²The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

⁸“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

⁹“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹²When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

The pastor told stories of the ways that people in the church have and are currently serving.  My heart was especially touched when he spoke of the many times the youth have worked on service projects.  Rooster spent a good portion of last summer volunteering for such activities.

The congregation was challenged to serve when it sees a need and not not to wait for someone else to do it.  That’s what Jesus did when He washed the disciples’ feet.  The washing of the feet was a chore relegated to the lowest servant in a household.  If anything, it should have been Jesus who reclined back and got the royal treatment, yet He humbled himself to take care of others.  His was a selfless act…a precursor to what was to come.

As I reflected on the message while driving home, I thought about those in my life who serve so generously.  My online friends, Nancy and Rebecca were the first to come to mind.

Nancy knits endlessly for charity.  I have often been humbled by her generosity and realize that my itsy-bitsy contributions pale in comparison to her’s.  Rebecca works tirelessly with the youth in her church.  When you see the pictures she posts on her blog of some of their get-togethers, you’ll notice that she always has a smile on her face, as do the kids around her.

These two ladies serve as wonderful examples for me.  How much more can I give of myself?  How can I stretch myself?  Am I willing to open up my arms to embrace those in need around me?

God has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  It’s only fitting that I share what He has given.  You never know…perhaps a heart will be touched and another life will be joined with Christ’s.

The following is one of the songs we sang today.  The title is “How Great is Our God.”  Every time I hear it, my heart swells with love and appreciation for Who God is.  He is more than I can ever put into words.  He is everything.  I owe Him everything but can pay back nothing.  Perhaps in giving to others, I can at least say thank you.

VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God
(x2)

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: Christianity, God, How Great is Our God, serving | 3 Comments »