Fruitful Service.

Ministering: Deaconess Titilayo Olubajo.

IGA Youths’ Sunday

Text: John 13:1-17.

” ¹ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. ² And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; ³ Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ⁴ He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. ⁵ After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶ Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? ⁷ Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ⁸ Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. ⁹ Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. ¹⁰ Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. ¹¹ For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. ¹² So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? ¹³ Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. ¹⁷ If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” KJV.

Why Serve: The people living in zip code 77036 are primarily white (39%). The number of people in their late 20s to early 40s is extremely large , The number of children 5 and younger is larger (7000) than any other child age. There are also an extremely large number of single parents and a majority of individuals earn below 45K/year. Calls for crime in that area are up 19%. Shoplifting is up 90%, purchasing prostitution is up 83%, and theft from motor vehicles is up 23%. Some of the problems in the area include housing affordability, economic concerns, flooding, failing public schools , streets are in poor condition. Homeless population, lack of access to health care, traffic congestion, the sale and use of illegal drugs.

How to Serve: Philippians 2:3-4 “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 our service to others, we are to have the same mindset, attitude, and reasoning as Christ Jesus (an example of selfless humility)

Lessons on Fruitful Service

1. Service is Time-Bound. – John 13: 1 – It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Every assignment has its season. If you wait until you feel you are ready or qualified – it may already be too late. You don’t want to be delayed or ahead of God. Your time is your life. Instead of saying how are you spending your time this weekend? Should we not begin to ask, “how are you spending your life?”

   2. Service is hinged on Love. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Jn. 13:1

• Love sustains service until the work is completely done.
• Love goes all in – it’s a commitment to the end.
• If we say we love God, then we ought to demonstrate it in our love for people

  3. Knowing who you are equips you for the challenging parts of service. (John 13:3) Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God

 4. Service requires preparation – John 13: 4 So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

• The preparation started with himself – 1. He got up from supper, 2. He removed his outer garment and 3. He wrapped a towel around his waist.
• To service, you must rise up from the place of comfort – rise up from the place of feasting for there is work to do. Rise up before others do so you can lead the way. You must rise to a higher position. Rise to a higher standard. Rise above sin and stupidity, rise above normalized nonsense, rise above temporary pleasure that will poison your tomorrow.
• Remove your garment by casting off your crown, accolades, certificates, influence, title, position, power, if it will hinder the way and manner with which you serve, if it will remove the quality of your service, remove your outer garment by choosing to be vulnerable and human – meeting people where they are at. Remove your garment so that it is not soiled in the place of service (Jesus said he is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle) as light we should engage with darkness but we should not fit in with it.
• Tie a towel around your waist. Although the garment is off, you still need to be covered. Keep private things private

 5. Partner with The Holy Spirit for Service – John 13:5, 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.

• What are your instruments for service – The Fruit and the gifts of the Spirit

Water represents the spirit.

• The objective of cleaning is to refresh, restore, and remove impurities. Washing does not make a thing worse than before, it only makes it better
• Your basin is your capacity, don’t be concerned about the size, refill with water as needed. There is no value in an empty basin unless it is on its way to being refilled. Your basin represents your heart. Where are you getting your water from? The quality of the water translates to cleaner feet. Take heed of your source. Where do you draw your strength and inspiration from? John 15:5

6. Not everyone will understand what you are called to do, and when you try to serve them not everyone will recognize it as service or even appreciate your service. Do it anyways John 13:7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.

If it happened to Jesus it will happen to you. Don’t let that discourage you – serve anyways.

7. Serve Your Way to the top – Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. Whoever wants to be the most important person must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else.”

8. Every Service has a Reward – John 13:17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

God Bless You!