THE HEART OF A SERVANT OF GOD

John 13:3-7 

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

John 13:6-7

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Matthew 23:11

The greatest among you will be your servant.

John 13:15

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

Mark 10:45

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I. A CULTIVATED HEART BEGINS TO SERVE LIKE JESUS

Philippians 2:3-7

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature [a]  God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature [b]  of a servant,  being made in human likeness. Christian maturity is not measured by how much Bible information you know. It is demonstrated by how much of Jesus' character is visible in your life. And Jesus served.

II. THE HEART OF A SERVANT IS WILLING TO DO

WHAT PRIDE AVOIDS

John 13:6

“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Psalm 149:4 

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with

victory.

III. THE HEART OF A SERVANT SERVES PEOPLE,

NOT JUST POSITIONS

Luke 6:32-33 & 35

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

IV. THE HEART OF A SERVANT UNDERSTANDS

THAT SERVICE IS DISCIPLESHIP

John 13:14–15

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example…”

John 13:17

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Mark 10:45

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Acts 4:12 

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”