College Hour

What is Moral confusion? Moral confusion is the work of Satan created to oppose the moral law of God in the universe. Moral confusion is spiritual warfare against the church because it opposes the mind of Christ. In the beginning with Adam & Eve, Satan created moral confusion designed to implement rebellion against God. Immorality is the child born of their disobedience ... Immoral behavior is anti-God, and it has filled the Universe with its poison. As a result of these things, there is an invisible war-taking place in our Universe. It is an ongoing battle happening in the unseen realm, but is manifested in the physical realm. The Apostle Paul writes in the Pauline Letter of Ephesians, “We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph.6:12).” This truth alone validates the reality of what is happening in the Universe against God and the Church. SPIRITUAL WARFARE is described in three ways; 1. Warfare with the world 2. Warfare with demonic presence/influence 3. Warfare with the flesh and the spirit Satan the prince and power of the air, is strategically responsible for the evil that reins in the earth. He fights against the church of Jesus Christ to oppose her deeds. The scriptures say that he tempts, he deceives, he lies and he influences sinful behavior among Believers. The world also is against the Lords body of Believers. Jesus said that the world would hate his disciples because it hated him first. (Mt. 10:22) The Apostle Paul declared that the children of God were in a battle in their own hearts. At times we desire to do good, but evil is always present to make us do wrong. He said that there was a law at work in our bodies warring against the law of our minds, bringing us into captivity to the law of sin, which is in our bodies. (Rom. 7:13-25) For the sake of this lecture, I am defining Spiritual Warfare and Moral confusion as anything that stands against, opposes, and or hinders the gospel and the work and witness of God in the Believers life. Moral confusion in our urban context takes place on multiple levels. Today I want to shed light on a few of these areas. Moral behavior is not a Christian position, it is a human position! We as human beings are creatures born with a Moral compass. We are born with this conscious, it teaches us to know right from wrong! Morality helps to govern our ability to live in community. Immorality is what opposes Morality. As Christians, we strive to be moral-followers of Christ, and moral humans, even though we live in an immoral world. Whenever immorality opposes morality it is in opposition to who we are and whose we are. Why? Because… “IMMORAL BEHAVOR OPPOSES THE GOSPEL AND IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST GOD, HIS WORD AND HIS PEOPLE. Note: Michael Bauman, Ph.D. professor of theology and culture at Hillsdale College, says there are clear examples of moral confusion found in American culture…. 1. “When it comes to prohibiting sexual harassment or sexual discrimination in the marketplace, feminists don’t complain about this legislation because it was based upon a system of morals. 2. On the other hand, they complain about legislating morality when it comes to outlawing abortion. [This is an example of moral confusion] 3. Civil rights laws support affirmative action and opposes the Jim Crow legislation of the old South, because we believe that people are created equal and ought therefore to be treated equally under the law. 4. However, you cannot support affirmative action, and then deny pro-life when it comes to abortion, for even the unborn baby has a right to an equal opportunity to live. [This is an example of moral confusion] Moral confusion is another form of Spiritual warfare for the Christian. It is designed to war against our souls, our hearts and our families in the earth! The believer should know that the reason why moral confusion can thrive in a society where people want morality when it’s convenient for their agenda, and they don’t want it when it opposes what’s convenient for themselves, is because we live in a fallen world. Sinners commit sin, and moral confusion breeds itself well in the mind of unbelief! Note: IMMORAL BEHAVOR DONE ANY WHERE AND BY ANYONE…OPPOSES THE GOSPEL AND IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST GOD, HIS WORD AND HIS PEOPLE. For the sake of this lecture, please remember; 1. Abortion is legal, but it isn’t right, it’s SIN, and its morally wrong, and the bible says so! 2. Same sex relations is legal, but it isn’t right, it’s SIN, and it’s morally wrong, and the bible says so! 3. Gambling is legal, but it isn’t right, it’s SIN, and it’s morally wrong, and the bible says so! 4. Smoking weed is legal, but it isn’t right, it’s SIN, and it’s morally wrong, and the bible says so! 5. Getting high is legal, but it isn’t right, it’s SIN, and it’s morally wrong, and the bible says so! 6. Racism is legal, but it isn’t right, it’s SIN, and it’s morally wrong, and the bible says so! As we come to discuss moral confusion in our world, we cannot have this discussion without discerning that moral confusion is bred in and through Spiritual Warfare. [Remember our working definition for this lecture: Spiritual Warfare and Moral confusion is anything that stands against, opposes, and or hinders the gospel and the work and witness of God in the Believers life. (Spiritual Warfare)] 1. In Matthew 16:15-23, the devil tempts Peter to try to stop Jesus from going to Calvary. [he created moral confusion] 2. In Luke 22:22-23, Satan influenced Judas to betray Jesus into the hands of the enemy. [he created moral confusion] 3. In Acts 5:3, the Scriptures say that Satan filled the heart of Ananias to lie to the Holy Spirit. [he created moral confusion] 4. In 1 Cor. 7:5, married couples are encouraged not to defraud one another so that Satan may not tempt them. [he creates moral confusion] 5. In 2 Corinthians 2:11, the church is exhorted to forgive one another so that Satan may not outwit them with his many devices. Paul warns the church that Satan masquerades as an angel of light to deceive people. [he creates moral confusion] As Christians living in the 21rst Century, the global Urban culture…We have been given the privileged to represent Christ as his ambassadors in the Midnight hour of this age. We do this through times of darkness, loneliness, pain, isolation, difficulty, trouble, persecution, mistreatment, confusion and much more. • We are living in the midnight hour of global chaos. [Satan creates moral confusion all around us] • Never has the world been so evil and corrupt. [Satan has created moral confusion] • We are living through international terrorism against the church of Jesus Christ for the witness of Jesus Christ. (World religions meet to discuss our demise.) [Satan has created moral confusion] • There is Persecution on economic, political, social, and religious fronts against us. [Satan has created moral confusion] • There are rampant evil doctrines springing up against the church of Jesus Christ. [Satan has created moral confusion] • We are facing Murder, envy, jealousy, racism, rage, greed, idolatry, immorality and homosexuality like never before. [Satan has created moral confusion] The Scriptures are very clear that the Church is in a war, and it is a battle that has no rest for the present times. We shall continue to be in this battle, until the coming of our Savior. Therefore, “The Reality and Remedy of Spiritual Warfare and Moral Confusion” is a needed conversation that all believers must be involved in if we are to engage in the work of missions in a “global urban community.” Conclusion: What is the answer to our modern day dilemma? The Holy Spirit of God in the answer. He alone is pushing back moral confusion through the proclamation of the word of God! Jesus said… “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 10ways the Spirit of God opposes Moral Confusion in the believer… 1. It is by the Spirit that we confess that Jesus is Lord. (I Cor. 12:3) [The Spirit of God combats Moral confusion] 2. It is through the Spirit that we receive Gifts from God. (I Cor. 12:4-27) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion] 3. It is through the Spirit that we know the way to Christ. (Rom. 8:14-15) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion] 4. It is through the Spirit that God bears witness to us that we are children of God (Rom 8:16-17) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion] 5. It is the Holy Spirit that makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:26-27) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion] 6. The Holy Spirit brings a person to the new birth. (John 3:6) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion] 7. The Holy Spirit is the helper whom Jesus promised to the disciples would come after His ascension. (John 14:16,26) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion in the earth] 8. It is through the Spirit that the Father and Son abide with the disciples. (John 15:26) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion in the earth] 9. The Spirit guides the believer into all truth [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion in the earth] 10. The Holy Spirit honors the Father and Son by helping the community of believers. (John 14:16) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion in the earth] What takes away our fear about Moral Confusion? • Prayer is where we see God at work in evangelism. (I tim.2:1-4) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion in the earth] • Prayer is the key to being a witness. (Acts 2) • Prayer and being filled with the Spirit, will lead you to witness for Him. (Acts 1:8) How the Spirit of God works through the local church 1. He works to equip the saints for the work of the ministry 2. He works to prepare the harvest for reaping. 3. He works to empower the saints to go out and bring in the harvest 4. The entire thrust of evangelism in the New Testament is the work of the Spirit. God is at work drawing men unto himself. John (6:44) [The Spirit of God is combating Moral confusion in the earth]

“The will of God – nothing less, nothing more, nothing else.” ~ F.E. Marsh ~ Grace and joy to you family! The mission was a success. Thirteen students from Fresno Pacific have spent their winter break in the Caribbean... Not relaxing but encouraging missionaries, serving orphans, pastors, and struggling communities. How you might ask? Through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We partnered with "Learning to hope in Haiti, and Together We Can" Ministries, these two outstanding organizations are helping to bring an end to social injustice and child slavery and abandonment in Haiti. “Together We Can” hosted the eleven member FPU team for nine days. We relieved the missionaries for one week, and gave them an opportunity to get some much needed rest. Our duties of the week consisted of building shelves in the Agape House, repairing windows, teaching in the school, leading children's arts and crafts, doing evangelistic outreach in the villages, and teaching a seminar in evangelism for local pastors in the area. What's a week! Prior to leaving FPU students collected clothes, schools supplies, household items, finances and a host of other things to assist with the many needs that the ministries were trying to meet. Over the course of nine days, we learned about the Haitian culture, the call to serve, the importance of native leadership and the keys to economic development through Christian mission. As of today, students are both tired and excited for what the future holds and their new found friendship with Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ. Many are promising and planning to return this summer for operation Haiti Part Two![#dontmissit] Our team was very diverse, we had 4 freshmen, 2 juniors, 1 senior, 1 graduate student, 2 FPU staff and 5 ministry leaders from learning to hope in Haiti. It was a dream team that worked hard and accomplished a great task for the kingdom. Several members were first time travelers. They had never been out of the country, or even on a plane before. Others had never been on the mission field or served in any in international community, it was a great time. Stay tuned family for the next team meeting for Haiti. If you can’t help and Orphan, or send a college student to serve, maybe you go yourself! Pray about it, we need dedicated hearts and minds to make a difference in the lives of Gods people. Thank you for thinking of us. Remember James’ words: “James 1:27-2:1 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” For Christ and His Kingdom Dr. Angulus D. Wilson, PhD University Pastor, Dean of Spiritual Formation Office:559 453-2094

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Introduction:

Over the past few weeks I have noticed that “The world” has truly got it twisted when it comes to celebrating Christmas. For many people believe that Christmas is a time of partying, gambling, and letting your hair down.

1. Some believe that it is all about the presents and the tree.
2. Some believe it is about the children or doing good deeds “this one time of year”.
3. Some believe it is about the alcohol or the getting high moments, or perhaps even getting into debt for the ones you love.

As your Pastor, I stop by to tell you today, that Christmas is not about any of these things. Christmas is really all about “The great advent of God”! Emmanuel, God HIMSELF coming down to dwell with us. This wonderful season of love and giving comes from God. It was God’s Love for man that caused Him to intervene on our behalf and break into time to save us from our SIN. The reason for the season is two fold today.Christmas is about God revealing Himself to us, and His plan of salvation for man. Let’s examine this text:

I. The Love of God

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

A. The text says that God “So Loved” (agappao) this word for Loved in the Greek is the word that describes the creators Love for the thing he has created. (There are 3 words for love in the Greek language.

1. Eros (Erotic love)
2. Phileo (Brotherly love)
3. Agape (Godly love)

Because of God’s Love for us He was moved to act on our behalf while we were trapped in Sin.This word is written in what we call an Aorist tense; this means that the writer when he used this language used this particular word because it had no regard for the past, present of future time. It was a love that was continual, He never stopped loving us.

• This text implies that God was so madly in love with us that even before we rebelled against Him He loved us.
• His Love was and has always been unconditional, even in our present mess-ups God keeps on loving us.
• When He saw Adam and Eve had rebelled against Him, it was His love that sought them out and restored them back into a relationship with Him.
• Agape Love literally means to be fond of, well pleased with and dearly in love with.
• This is a love that sees past the junk in your heart, the mess in your mind, the issues of life and is compelled to act on your behalf.

The text says that God So Loved “The World” The world here is the cosmos, it is the universe and beyond. It is the entire Human race. It is the object of God’s love!

• It does not mean just one race of people
• It does not mean just one class of people
• It does not mean those who don’t smoke, drink or chew
• It does not mean those who have a certain income and who live in a certain part of town.
• This word includes the homosexual, liar, drug addict, thief, prostitute, politician, policeman, judge, teacher, lawyer, doctor, electrician, plumber, journeyman, laborer, nurse and even the unemployed. It covers those from the white house to the drug house.

1. This is a picture of the scope of God’s Love. Not only does God’s love search for man, but He keeps on loving man in spite of his condition throughout the course of time.
2. He loved the suicide bomber in Iraq, while he was committing suicide! He loved the drive by shooter in L.A, while he was hanging out of the window pulling the trigger! He loved the child molester in Birmingham, the thief in New York, before they were born, while they were sinning and after the sin had occurred.

“ONLY GOD CAN LOVE LIKE THIS”! Why? Because they are apart of his creation living in His “cosmos” made in his image. Agape Love has no boundaries.

II. The Labor of God

The text says that God So Loved the World, that “He Gave”.  The word gave in this text is the greek word didomi.It is the word that says what the Love of God did for man. Because of God’s Love he was compelled to give. Because of God’s Love he saw a need that only He could fulfill for man, and was moved to meet that need. This word Didomi, means to give something to someone with no strings attached, it is giving that has a divine motive, because it is developed in the heart of a loving giver! It is also written in what we called the aorist tense. This means that the writer when he used this language used this particular word because it had no regard for the past, present of future time. It was a one time gift that was continual; the giving heart of God has never stopped. He gave before time began, when time began and after time began, and He continues to give now.

• God according to this verse is generous!
• God according this verse is motivated to give!
• God according this verse can’t help himself in giving!

And I notice that He gives in spite of us, or because of us, or with us in mind. It is in His character to give Question:

1. Has God ever given you something?
2. Has God given you another chance?
3. Has God given you life over death?
4. Has he given you eyes to see when you were once blind?
5. Has he given you health and strength?
6. Has he given you peace when you had none?
7. Has he given you hope?
8. Has he given you light in your darkness?
9. Has he made a way of escape for you, from the storms of life?
10. Has God ever given you anything, if so you ought to say AMEN!

The text says that God So Loved the World, that “He Gave” His only begotten Son, that “Whosoever Believes” in Him. Here we find the greek-word Mono-Genes (It means one of a kind)

• There is no other Emmanuel, there is no other Jesus-Christ.
• There is no other savior for mankind.
• Jesus was God’s only answer for the world.
• He is 100% man and 100% God.
• God did not have a second option on his mind, He did not have another Plan.
• Jesus is God’s only Son, Sacrifice and Savior all rolled into one.

The word Believes in this text is the word pisteuo and it is another powerful word; It means to be persuaded to place your trust and confidence in Christ. In other words a person must place all their trust in Jesus if they say that they believe in Him. They have no trust in the stock market, no trust in the virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, Muhammad, Buddha, Civil rights, Black Power, White Power, Grand Mother or Grand Father, or any other source, A.A or N.A steps, or programs for their salvation. It must be trust alone in Christ Alone for salvation. In the Greek language it is written in the present tense, which means it is happening right now! Even though the act occurred along time ago, if one acts by believing right now something wonderful will take place. I like this because it explains what God did for the world. (His Labor) He sent his Son 2000 years ago, but today he yet uses faith to draw the entire world to himself. So even though you and I were not there when HE came, if we believe in HIM, we can still receive the wonderful reward that everyone else receives, because the reward is by faith.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The word Perish in this text means to be sent to an eternal misery in Hell. If you are declared to perish you are being sentenced to be “put to death”. Jesus is saying here that God’s love for the world was so powerful that he gave up his only sacrifice to save those that trust in Him and if they trust in Him they are not sent to an eternal death in Hell. The word eternal life is the opposite for the eternal death. If a person trusts Christ for salvation they receive the eternal life. If a person rejects Christ and will not trust in Him, They will receive eternal death in Hell, because, they have rejected their ticket out of Hell! Jesus is the only way out of the eternal punishment! Jesus alone can save you from your sin and sentence in Hell. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas family.

When it comes to serving others, there is nobody like Jesus. He came down from heaven, was born of a virgin and wrapped in swaddling clothes to serve sinful man. Jesus, while living on earth, gave everything he had as the servant of God. Tirelessly, he gave sight, cured diseases, healed pains, raised the dead, and blessed humanity by bringing good news to the poor. Jesus was a servant! Oh how I want to be like him. Oh how I want to do what he did, how I want to make a difference and live a life like he did. I want to say at the end of my life that I gave everything I had to everyone I could, that I served the least of these. I too want to be servant of the Father. I want to have a towel mentality; the towel mentality runs to serves others and it sees no task as too big or too dirty. Those that have this mindset place others before themselves, and are willing to do the work so that somebody else might get closer to God. Pastor Israel Kande of Immanuel Church did this for me in Cape Town South Africa. He and his family gave up their home, lived with others, cooked and cleaned for us. They washed our clothes, waited on us, guided us, prayed for us, carried our bags and then blessed us in several other ways—they had a towel mentality. I was humbled, beyond measure, on that trip. A towel mentality does not do things because it has to, it does it because it wants to. A towel mentality doesn't serve because it needs recognition, it serves because God is pleased. A towel mentality doesn't serve because it must, it serves because it sees the need. It serves because it loves and it desires to see God glorified in the earth. This mentality is what we need in the body today. Today we see an incredible passage before our eyes, the Son of Man who was without sin, stooping to serve those shaped in sin. Here we see a Holy God serving those who were lost and filled with rebellion against God. This passage gives us a glimpse of God like we’ve never seen before.

• His mercy and humility is on display.
• His love and service is on display.
• His activity and purpose is on display.

The text opens up to reveal the Savior’s disposition in verse one:

¹ Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The Passover has come and the Lamb of God is preparing to be offered to God, but before He goes He reveals what true service is. As a servant, He is modeling for us all what the servant disposition ought to look like. This is what real ministry is. It's the servant life. Jesus focuses on two things:

• Serving those who don’t deserve it.
• Serving those that the Father has called unto himself.

The text says that when he knew “HIS TIME HAD COME” to leave out of the world He DISPLAYED LOVED FOR HIS DICPLES! Look at His disposition: His love for them was displayed in his act of service to the very end—even after knowing that he was about to die because of them and for them.

• It takes real humility to serve those that you know will run out on you!
• It takes real humility to serve somebody other than yourself!
• It takes real humility to give up your time and your resources to minister to someone else!

Jesus didn't have to do this, it wasn't like they deserved it. In fact, it was counter-cultural. Most rabbis would have never done this. But Jesus was teaching while he served, he was demonstrating what true servant leadership is. In verses two through five, we see the decision the Savior makes to serve his disciples.

² During supper, when the devil had already put it 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 had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He was willing to do it in spite of satanic influence working in the ones he called to follow Him (Judas was already in motion to do harm to Him). He was willing to serve them even after knowing that the greatest suffering of His life was before Him. As a servant, he was influenced by knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands and that this was His ministry from God (v. 3). He was influenced with knowing that He was not going to be here long and his time to influence the disciples was short. He was leaving them shortly and going back to God! Jesus has to decide within Himself to do this humbling task! Jesus has to humble himself to do the work of a slave when He was the King of Glory. As the creator of the universe, the Eternal One, He has to FIX HIS MIND TO DO THIS TASK!

• He’s the King of the Jews (He doesn’t have to do this).
• He’s the King of Israel.
• He’s the King of righteousness.
• He’s the King of the ages.
• He’s the King of Heaven (He doesn’t have to do this).
• He’s the King of glory.
• He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords.
• He’s God’s Son.
• He’s the sinner’s savior.
• He’s the centerpiece of civilization (He doesn’t have to do this).

He stands alone in Himself. He’s unique, unparalleled, unprecedented, supreme and pre-eminent (He doesn’t have to do this). And yet He decides to lay aside who He is and take up another title to serve those who were undeserving to be served. Look: ⁴ He rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Hospitality in the Jewish culture was unparalleled to most. A good host would often times offer a visitor or weary traveler a place to stay and a towel to clean their dusty feet and hands after traveling on the roads. Those who were extravagantly rich would have a slave to do it, for this was the job of a servant. Here is Heaven’s Hero performing the job of a slave to model for us what the Towel mentality looks like (He doesn’t have to do this)! He’s modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who don’t deserve it—those who are not always faithful to us.

• To serve those who are filled with evil desires.
• To serve those who are mean to you.
• To serve those who are unkind.
• To serve those who are unwilling to change.
• To serve those who are not always spiritual.
• To serve those who are unfamiliar with your pain.
• To serve those who could care less what your name is and whose child you are.

He’s modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who could care less that you have laid down your life, left your comforts and dreams to fulfill your father’s call. He models what it looks like to serve those that would could care less that you would endure hardship for them (and even death if necessary) to help draw them closer to God! This is what He models for us. In the next part of our passage we see the Savior’s declaration as Peter questions Jesus’ actions.

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” ⁷ Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” ⁸ Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Peter understands that what Jesus is doing is so unnatural and counter cultural that he is objecting to his Master serving him. In other words, he is saying, “Jesus, please, I’m not worthy for you to wash my feet; I’m not worthy for you to serve me; I’m not worthy of such grace and mercy. I am your slave and as a slave I’m not fit to be served in this manner.” Peter has the right mindset here; he doesn't deserve what God is going to do!

• He doesn't deserve what God has in store.
• He doesn't deserve to be in Christ presence.
• He doesn't deserve to be washed by the Lord.

However, because of God’s grace, Jesus is going to give him what he doesn't deserve—because of His love He is going to serve him like He never has before. Peter is in for a blessing, the one who designed the feet is going to cleanse them. Is there anybody here that understands what Peter is going through? Is there anybody here that knows what it’s like to have God stoop down and do for you what should’ve never been done? Is there anybody here that knows God should’ve never touched you?

• He should’ve never cleaned up your addictions.
• He should’ve never cleaned up your attitude.
• He should’ve never cleaned up your behavior.

Is there anybody here that understands that because Jesus has washed you clean today you have more than you have ever deserved? Is there anybody here that understands If Jesus has washed you clean today, has taken you unto himself as a disciple and shown you hospitality and grace, love and kindness, mercy and forgiveness that you got more than you deserve? Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Peter comes to understand that if he doesn’t allow God to wash him he will have nothing to do with Him and changes his mind by saying, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” What we see here is the picture of self-surrender. Peter surrenders his entire body to Christ for the Masters cleansing—it’s the picture of communion with God after fellowship. In the close of our text today, we see Jesus explaining the need for the cleansing He offers to His disciples.

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

The word translated “wash” in John 13:5–6, 8, 12, and 14 is nipto and means “to wash a part of the body.” But the word translated “washed” in John 13:10 is louo and means “to bathe all over.” The distinction is important, for Jesus was trying to teach His disciples the importance of a holy walk. When the sinner trusts the Savior, he is “bathed all over” and his sins are washed away and forgiven (1 Cor. 6:9-11, Tit. 3:3-7, Heb. 10:17, Rev. 1:5). However, as the believer walks in this world, it is easy to become defiled. He does not need to be bathed all over again, he simply needs to have that defilement cleansed away. God promises to cleanse us when we confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:9). But why is it so important that we “keep our feet clean”? Warren Wiersbe commenting on the text says, “if we are defiled, we cannot have communion with our Lord. ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me” (John 13:8). The word translated “part” is meros, and it carries the meaning here of “participation, having a share in someone or something. When God “bathes us all over” in salvation, He brings about our union with Christ; and that is a settled relationship that cannot change. (The verb wash in John 13:10 is in the perfect tense. It is settled once and for all. However, our communion with Christ depends on our keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). If we permit unconfessed sin in our lives, we hinder our walk with the Lord; and that is when we need to have our feet washed.

Last week we discovered that when it comes to serving others, there is nobody like Jesus. Jesus, while living on earth, gave everything he had as the servant of God. Tirelessly, he gave sight, cured diseases, healed pains, raised the dead, and blessed humanity by bringing good news to the poor.

• We learned that it takes real humility to serve those that you know will run out on you!
• We learned that it takes real humility to serve somebody other than yourself!
• We learned that it takes real humility to give up your time and your resources to minister to someone else!

Jesus didn't have to do this; it wasn't like they deserved it—in fact, it was counter cultural. Most rabbis would have never done this. But Jesus was teaching while he served, he was demonstrating what true servant leadership is. In addition to these things, we learned that He was modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who don’t deserve it.

• He was modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who are not always faithful to us.
• He was modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who are filled with evil desires.
• He was modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who are unkind.
• He was modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who are unwilling to change.
• He was modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who are not always spiritual.
• He was modeling for us what it looks like to serve those who could care less what your name is and whose child you are.

We learned that Jesus was a Savior with a towel mentality. Verses 12-14 reveal to us some important background information:

¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

Last week I shared with you that hospitality in the Jewish culture was unparalleled to most. A good host would often times offer a visitor or weary traveler a place to stay and a towel to clean their dusty feet and hands after traveling on the roads to come to visit. Those who were extravagantly rich would have a slave do this, for it was the job of a servant. And here we see Heaven’s Hero performing the job of a slave to model for us what the Towel Mentality looks like (He doesn’t have to do this)! Jesus asked the disciples if they understood what He had done, and it is not likely that they did. So, He explained it: He had given them a lesson in humility and service, as an example for them to follow. The second thing we see in this passage is that if the disciples called him Lord and Teacher, they were now responsible for following His teachings and doing exactly what they saw Him doing (serving). To embrace him as their teacher and to call him their Lord was to commit themselves to his call upon their lives, to embrace and carry-out the words he gave them to live by. The love Jesus had for His disciples, and those who would come to be His disciples, is shown in the washing of the disciples’ feet. What enabled Jesus to perform this act of utter humility was a keen understanding of who He was, where He had come from, and where He was going (13:3). This is a key to humility in all persons—a healthy and balanced understanding of who they are. If Jesus, Lord and Teacher, washes our feet, how much more should we wash one another's feet (13:14)? One scholar notes that, “What is at hand is not the institution of an ordinance of foot-washing, as this passage has sometimes been interpreted, but the lifestyle of humble servant hood.” Here we discover that Jesus (in serving His disciples) was doing this for a reason. He was giving them an example of what a servant of the kingdom should look like and should be doing. Do you have a Towel Ministry today? Do you have somebody to serve today? Are you making a divine difference in the world? Is your time of service accounted for today? The first thing I observe in verse 15 is a ministry model set by Jesus.

¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

The first thing I observe is that Jesus is using what is called a purpose clause here in this verse. In using this clause it is to declare that they are to be doing this act continuously. It is not a one-time activity. It is meant to be something that is practiced throughout their lives. He modeled it for them, and then charged them to follow his example. He does not institute another ordinance, but he models ministry and reveals humility that they are to have among each other. We know this is not an ordinance because it doesn’t appear anywhere else in the New Testament for us to wash feet. It was an example of ministry in the body and a picture of what our mentalities ought to look like. He was giving them an example of what a servant of the kingdom should look like and should be doing—serving others. Servants that follow Christ serve one another. We have an example of what service entails and involves (doing what others are not willing to do). Our motive for serving others is to be pleasing to Christ and to serve because he served.

• It takes real humility to serve those that you know will run out on you!
• It takes real humility to serve somebody other than yourself!
• It takes real humility to give up your time and your resources to minister to someone else!

According to this verse and teaching, the disciples must be willing to humble themselves and serve one another.

• There can be no divisions among them.
• There can be no strife among them.
• There can be no hatred among them.
• There can be no evil feelings among them.
• There can be no wicked behavior among them.

They are told to hold each other in high esteem and be willing to serve one another. I pray that we will obey this teaching of Jesus as a ministry model!

• I pray that we will esteem each other better than ourselves as a ministry model.
• I pray that we would honor one another in our dealings, ministry, and callings as a ministry model.

I pray that we would not deceive each other; that we would not belittle, harm, cheat, steal, mistreat or abuse one another, but rather that we will be willing to serve each other. However, in order to that what Jesus is calling us to do we have to possess a kingdom mentality! In the following two verses we see a ministry mandate being revealed by Jesus.

¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. ¹⁸ I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

Here is a very interesting mandate from Christ. If you KNOW THEM and if you DO THEM you will receive something. The way it is written in the original language is called a present tense active statement. He is saying that you will be blessed if you KEEP ON KNOWING AND DOING these things He has mandated. The disciples blessing is a promise to be happy in Christ when serving others. Here is the key to blessed congregation, it is the key to joy and happiness within the church. The church that does not value each other and serve one another is not a happy church—it is a miserable church. Jesus is giving them the key to ministering to one another and with one another. It is humility, service and honoring each other. Warren Wiersbe comments on the text saying, “The sequence is important: humbleness, holiness, then happiness. Aristotle defined happiness as ‘good fortune joined to virtue … a life that is both agreeable and secure.’ That might do for a philosopher, but it will never do for a Christian believer! Happiness is the by-product of a life that is lived in the will of God. When we humbly serve others, walk in God’s paths of holiness, and do what He tells us, then we will enjoy happiness.” The text says, “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ Here, a friend in my library said “Judas was in the Upper Room, pretending to be Christ’s disciple!” He says Judas was so successful that even the other apostles did not realize he was a counterfeit. Christ first quoted Psalm 41:9 in verse 18 to show that He would be betrayed. Christ had just washed Judas’ feet, now Judas would lift up his heel against Christ! Yet Christ’s death on the cross would defeat Satan, who was using Judas as his tool (v. 2, 27). Satan first plants the thought in the heart, then enters into the person to control the life. Wiersbe also comments that “Christ quoted this verse to the twelve disciples to keep them from stumbling in unbelief (v. 19). The Christian who knows the Word will not be easily discouraged by the defeats that occur along the way.” Jesus knew those he had chosen to save, and he also knew the one who would betray him so that the scripture might be fulfilled! Wiersbe also says, “The remarkable thing is that the others at the table with Jesus did not know that Judas was an unbeliever and a traitor. Up to the very hour of his treachery, Judas was protected by the Savior whom he betrayed.” This verse teaches me that nothing gets past Christ. He is aware of every action and intention of the heart. The believer can learn from this model of ministry. There will be those that are in opposition to what you are called to do, those that the evil one influences to do harm to you. However, we are to be just like Christ and serve them to the end. As we close our text today, we see the ministry mentality that Jesus has developed as He instructs His disciples on what was to take place—His mind is focused on the sacrificial choice He has made with His life.

¹⁹ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. ²⁰ Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

It was in this hour that Jesus was focused on two things: He knew he needed to fulfill the word of God and to magnify the glory of God. He informs them of the “it” that will take place—the betrayal, deception, act of treason and the act of delivering over the Son of Man. ‘When IT takes place you will believe that I am the Messiah’ A friend said that this statement was also a sign for Judas to go into his scheme. This was necessary for the plan of God to be fulfilled! How we know that He had a ministry mentality is found in the last portion of this verse. Jesus reveals that whoever receives the one he has sent, will receive Him, and if they receive Him they will receive the one who sent Him. This is an indicator for them to know who they are and who it is that has sent them into the world. They have been sent by Christ as His ambassadors and also as representatives of the Father! These words are challenging because we as believers are handpicked by God and called to represent Him in the earth! We are a royal people with authority and privilege from the God of Heaven and earth. Whoever receives us, receives the one that sent us. “Jesus was concerned that Judas’ treachery would not weaken His disciples’ faith. This is why He related it to the word of God: when the disciples saw all of this fulfilled, it would make their faith stronger (Jn. 8:28). Judas had been disloyal, but He expected them to be loyal to Him and His cause. After all, He was God the Son sent by God the Father. They were Christ’s chosen representatives; to receive them would be the same as receiving the Father and the Son. What a privilege to be ambassadors of the King!”