MISSION POSSIBLE Part 3
The Towel
Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
**SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO TELL PEOPLE JESUS LOVES THEM IS TO LOVE THEM WHEN THEY NEED IT THE MOST.
John 13:3-5, “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
BIG IDEA: EVANGELISM ISN’T ONLY TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS. SOMETIMES EVANGELISM IS SHOWING PEOPLE WHAT JESUS IS LIKE.
BECAUSE…WHEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF JESUS THROUGH US, WE CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO ENCOUNTER JESUS THEMSELVES.
SERVING WITH IMPACT
1.SEE THE NEED
John 13:3-5, “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
Philippians 2:4, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
TRUTH: EVANGELISM BEGINS WITH PAYING ATTENTION.
**COMPASSION ISN’T JUST SEEING SOMEONE’S PAIN. COMPASSION IS ALLOWING THEIR PAIN TO CHANGE YOUR PLANS.
2.SERVE WITHOUT EXPECTING SOMETHING IN RETURN
TRUTH: JESUS SERVED PEOPLE WHO COULDN’T REPAY HIM.
John 13:12-16, “After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.”
Luke 6:35, “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.”
**JESUS DOESN’T CALL US TO TRANSACTIONAL LOVE…HE CALLS US TO TRANSFORMATIONAL LOVE.
3.MEET THE NEED BEFORE YOU MAKE THE POINT
1 John 3:16-18, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 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? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
TRUTH: SOMETIMES THE GOSPEL SOUNDS BETTER AFTER YOU’VE HELPED CARRY THE BURDEN.
**PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER THE BIBLE VERSE YOU QUOTED, BUT THEY’LL REMEMBER THAT YOU SHOWED UP WHEN THEY NEEDED SOMEBODY.
4.LET YOUR LOVE POINT PEOPLE TO JESUS
Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
John 13:34-35, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
TRUTH: YOUR GOOD WORKS SHOULD CREATE QUESTIONS THAT YOUR WORDS CAN ANSWER.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SERVICE AND CHRISTIAN SERVICE:
SERVICE: ANYBODY CAN SERVE
CHRISTIAN SERVICE: SERVING THAT REVEALS JESUS
PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN SERVICE
NOTICE IT (SEE THE NEED)
NEED IT (ASK GOD HOW YOU CAN MEET IT)
DO IT (SERVE WITHOUT WAITING)
EXPLAIN IT (WHEN THEY ASK, TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS
