John 12:26; John 13:1-17 NIV In our first scripture for this lesson, Jesus was talking to a crowd and his disciples after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He told them three things in chapter twelve verse twenty-six that we can apply to our lives. First, if we want to serve Jesus we must follow him. Second, where Jesus is his servants will be also. Third, God the Father will honor the servants of Jesus. Service should be part of our character as a follower of Jesus. All born again believers in Jesus Christ must follow him as our primary act of service. We are not born again just to escape the lake of fire and live an easy life on this earth. We are born again so that we can be equipped with the Holy Spirit and are able to follow Jesus where he is. There is honor in being a servant of Jesus. We may not receive praise from our peers here on earth. We may never receive a great reward or be acknowledged by a committee of our peers on this earth. God the Father will honor all the servants of Jesus, once their lives on this earth is over. That is something to look forward to, because that will be something that will last forever. In our second scripture for this lesson, Jesus showed the disciples an example of service during the Passover meal. Jesus is Lord and teacher, but he is also humble enough to serve his followers. Jesus clearly said in chapter thirteen verse fifteen that his disciples should do like he did for them. We know from our first scripture that the instructions Jesus gave in verse fifteen were not just for the twelve disciples at that meal with him. All his followers must follow his example of humble service. Then in verse seventeen Jesus assures us that we will be blessed if we follow his example. Next week we will look at scripture that gives us practical ways we can humbly serve Jesus by serving others. Have you been following Jesus this week? How have you been following Jesus this week? Please read the following for next week: Matthew 25:31-46
0 Comments
Matthew 4:23-24; Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-12 NIV For this week we are looking at a few examples of how Jesus accomplished God’s words in Isaiah chapter sixty-one and what his followers did. First, in Matthew chapter four, we read what Jesus did after he left Nazareth. Remember that in Luke chapter four he read God’s words in Isaiah chapter sixty-one while he was in the synagogue and stated that it was fulfilled in their hearing. Matthew wrote in chapter four that after Jesus left Nazareth and called the twelve disciples he went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news about the kingdom, and healing every disease. Jesus accomplished what was written in Isaiah chapter sixty-one verses one and two by teaching, preaching, and healing. People that received the teaching, preaching, and/or healing from Jesus, received favor from the Lord. His service to them changed their lives and their eternity. Second, look at what Luke wrote in chapter nine verses one through six. Jesus gave power and authority to his twelve disciples. They were then sent out to drive out all demons, cure diseases, preach the kingdom of God, and heal the sick. They were sent out to serve after they received power and authority from Jesus to do so. They continued the ministry Jesus started. Jesus has to be the foundation of any ministry we do. Jesus alone can give us the power and authority to effectively serve people and bring glory to our heavenly Father by accomplishing his will. We also know and recognize God’s will by looking at and reading God’s word. Jesus based his ministry of service on God’s word and the twelve disciples continued that ministry. Third, look at what Luke wrote in chapter ten verses one through twelve. Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples, other than the twelve, and sent them out by two. They healed the sick in the towns they were welcomed in and told the people the kingdom of God is near. We must realize that Jesus has more than just us that he sends out to serve people. The twelve had their part to play and the seventy-two had theirs. The focus for both groups was to continue to serve people the way Jesus served people. The focus for us today must be to serve people the way Jesus served people. If we have been born again into his family, then we must serve like he served. If we want to be joint heirs with him in the future, then we must serve like he served. If we want to bring God glory on this earth like him, then we must serve like he served. Next week we will look at a way that Jesus served his disciples and gave them some instructions about serving. How has Jesus served you in your life so far? How has someone else served you in your life so far? Please read the following for next week: John 12:26 and John 13:1-17 Luke 4:14-21 NIV We are going to spend the next few weeks reading and learning about service. God has called all of us to serve. Jesus came down to earth as a human to serve mankind. Everyone that accepts Jesus and follows him must serve others. The scripture for today takes place after Jesus was tempted by the devil while he fasted in the wilderness for forty days. In verse sixteen we read that it was custom for Jesus to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. On that particular day he read from Isaiah chapter sixty-one verses one and two. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” That sums up what Jesus did during his earthly ministry. He served mankind by being obedient to God’s word in Isaiah and we will look at a few examples of how he was obedient in the coming weeks. Jesus also did not do things by himself. The Holy Spirit was with him and worked with him to serve God by serving mankind. What habits do you have that strengthens your relationship with Jesus? What is your definition of service? How do you serve God? How do you serve other people? Please read the following for next week: Matthew 4:23-24; Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-12 |
AuthorPastor Chris Martin Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|