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In-Person
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Week 2 Sermon Questions For Groups

July 10, 2016

I Love My Church

Introduction:

Jesus spent 3  years of His life doing ministry from city to city, village to village. He met people where they were. He saw the great need around Him. He called His disciples to serve the world–by reaching out with compassion to a world that is lost without Christ. Jesus demonstrated how to serve others by washing the disciples feet. Not everyone that is a servant is saved, but everyone that is saved should be a servant because our salvation is a direct result from Jesus serving us. God gives us gifts, calling us to use them to serve other people. You may have objections to serving or think that it is just God wanting something from you. When it comes to serving, God doesn’t want something from you, God wants something for you. Saved people serve people so that served people will become saved people.

Bottom line:  Saved People Serve People 

Something To Talk About:

  1. Wasn’t “washing feet” below Jesus? Here we have the Son of God and God the Son washing the disciples feet. The Alpha and Omega, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, kneeling down to wash dirty feet. Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. Jesus knew who He was. He wasn’t worried about how others perceived Him or what others would think if He served or if He was the most important man in the room by other’s opinion. His service wasn’t about being seen, and He certainly didn’t run from serving others, because it was beneath Him. It was an outward reminder of an internal truth: I am here to serve. 
  2. Lessons learned? What are we to learn from Jesus Christ’s act of humility? Jesus Himself clearly explained the primary lesson of foot-washing: “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.” (John 13:13-14). If Jesus Christ is willing to humbly and unconditionally serve His followers in a lowly human task, those disciples should follow His example and be willing to perform even the most unpleasant tasks for their brethren and mankind. The apostle John, who recorded these events, later explained this attitude with a simple question: “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?” (1 John 3:17). Matthew 20:25-28 adds, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Christ’s ultimate service for mankind was His willingness to give His life for us. His example of humility, service and generosity stands out in contrast with the attitude of humanity which is to look for ways to make others serve us. God’s way, on the other hand, is willing service to others.

Questions:

  1. Why did Jesus wash their feet? Would you let Jesus wash your feet? Why or why not?
  2. What is your definition of servanthood?
  3. In Luke 22:24-30, what do we learn about our preoccupation with self-centered interests?
  4. In developing a servant’s heart, what concerns might stand in our way?
  5. In what areas are you serving the church? What drew you to serve in these areas? Describe the feelings you experience when serving in these areas? What motivates you to continue serving?
  6. What must you do, beginning today, to acquire an authentic heart of a servant?

Take One Thing Home with You

At Northstar, we should have a basin theology. Basin theology is the belief that any theology or study of God that doesn’t lead you to wash the feet of your brothers and sisters is not true theology. To be like Christ is to be a servant. 

So how do we serve like Jesus?  People don’t need their feet washed when they enter a house. We have shoes and socks and showers and everything else to keep our feet clean today. So what can we do to serve people like Jesus did?

It begins with a heart of compassion and a desire to be used by God in the lives of others. If you don’t have that desire in you then begin praying that God would change your heart and give you the desire. But don’t stop there. It also includes where we are serving in the body. I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12. This chapter provides an overview of why we need to find our “fit” in the Body of Christ. There are striking parallels between the human body and the church.

Just as a human body has many organs and systems with very different functions, so the Church has many different parts and people with very different functions. But also like the human body, all the different parts work together to support the body as a whole.  Each person who attends one of our Northstar campuses has a unique set of talents, skills, passions, and gifts that establish your God-given fit. Those who follow Jesus Christ must dedicate themselves to Jesus’ way of outgoing, humble service toward others.