Are You Secure Enough to Serve?

Introduction

• Edith and June's Trip to New York
  • Two English ladies, Edith and June, decided to go to New York.
  • Concerns about the safety of New York increased their anxiety.
  • June had to delay her flight, leaving Edith alone in New York.
  • Edith had a frightening yet later heartwarming encounter in a lift with strangers who turned out to be kind.
  • Bill paid by Eddie Murphy as an apology for causing distress.

Core Message

• Be Secure Enough to Serve
  • The story raises the question: Are we secure enough in ourselves to serve others?

Scriptural Foundation

• Philippians Chapter 2
  • vv. 3-8: Encouragement to live in humility, considering others better than ourselves.
  • Jesus' Example: Though He was divine, He took the nature of a servant.

Jesus as Our Example

• Self-emptying and Humility
  • Jesus as the atoning sacrifice and an example of how to live.
  • Commitment to serve others as demonstrated by Jesus.

John Chapter 13: The Act of Foot Washing

• Context of the Passage

  • Jesus' ministry focus shifts from public to private with His disciples.
  • Jesus washes His disciples' feet, an act typically reserved for the lowest servants.

• The Example of Service

  • An act of humility and servanthood by Jesus.
  • Verses 12-17: Jesus emphasizes the need for His disciples to follow His example of humility and service.

Cultural Significance

• Foot Washing in Ancient Near Eastern Culture
  • Menial and demeaning task only for non-Jewish slaves.
  • Jesus performed this task to demonstrate humility and serve as a model.

Modern Application

• Contemporary Equivalent to Foot Washing
  • Acts of service relevant today include washing cars or other humble tasks.
  • The lesson is not the act itself but the heart of service.

Overcoming Self

• Importance of Self-emptying
  • The biggest obstacle is often our own self-importance and pride.
  • We must get over ourselves to serve others truly.

Taking Off the Robe

• Representation of How We Appear to Others

  • Jesus' act of removing His robe symbolizes vulnerability and service.
  • Our 'robes' today include social media personas, career identities, and reputation.

• Being Authentic

  • Encouragement against the 'plastic pretend church' culture where honesty is replaced by facade.

Application to Life and Ministry

• Realigning Focus
  • Philippians 2:7 - Jesus made Himself of no reputation.
  • We should focus on the reality over the image we project.

The Example of Jesus and Authority

• Jesus’ Affirmation Before Ministry
  • Jesus was affirmed by God before He began His ministry, which gave Him confidence and authority.
  • Likewise, our service should be grounded in our affirmed identity in God.

Conclusion

• Final Encouragement
  • Be secure in your identity as a child of God.
  • Let us follow Jesus' example and become secure enough to serve others with humility and grace.
  • Recognize the need to strip off our 'robes' and serve from a place of vulnerability and authenticity.