iServe. THE KBS-HRP REFLECTION SERIES

April 04, 2012

WHAT HAS GOD DONE FOR YOU

LATELY?

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WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR GOD?

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“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- Mark 10:45

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“So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet.”

- John 13: 4 -5

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“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.  If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13: 12-15)

What does washing of the feet symbolize?

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It teaches us the importance of humility and service. It is teaching us to be humble just like Jesus.

Furthermore, it also paints us the picture of Jesus kneeling down like a slave as He washed the dirty feet of His disciples. In this way, Jesus lowered Himself and hung on the cross in order to wash away our sins.

Why did Peter refused to have his feet washed by Jesus?

Peter failed to understand that it was an act of humility on Jesus’ part.

This scene teaches us to be obedient to God even if we don’t see the reason at first.

Though Jesus is Lord, He humbled Himself to wash the disciples’ feet, a work done by servants.

By doing so, Jesus teaches us that serving requires humility, forgetting one’s position and a willingness to do something for others without expecting any reward or prize.

Jesus teaches us that true service is not possible without love. Our love for one another as God’s children will make us willingly serve one another.iServe.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

- Philippians 3:11iServe.

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SOME SELFISH PEOPLE

CAIN: Cain, jealous of his brother and having no regard for anyone but self, murdered his brother.

All of us must remember that we are all our “brothers’ keepers”. We must love one another.

DAVID: His selfish pursuit of pleasure caused him to sin with Bathsheba. His selfishness led to lies and murder.

Like David, many people today are selfishly pursuing pleasure with no regard for the consequences.

JAMES AND JOHN: They asked for the most prestigious and powerful positions in God’s kingdom, not to help others but to have their own egos fulfilled.

Jesus said that to be great, one must be a servant of all.

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SOME SELFLESS PEOPLE

JOSEPH: Eventhough his brothers sold him to slavery, when his brothers came to Egypt asking for food, he forgave them and helped them.

BARNABAS: He saw the needs of his brethren so he sold his land, gave all his money to the Lord’s cause so that those in need might have relief.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN: Unlike those who were outwardly pious , he took the time to help a person in need using his own resources and time to gain no advantage for self but only to help someone in need.

JESUS: The Son of God selflessly gave Himself as a sacrifice for man’s sins.

UNDUE EMPHASIS ON SELF

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SELF-CENTEREDNESS. This occurs when someone is absorbed in self.

SELF-CONCEITED. This is an exaggerated estimation of one’s ability or powers. It is overconfidence in self. We are not to think too highly of self.

SELF-WILLED. One who is self-willed is stubborn, set on having his way.

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is being righteous in one’s own eyes. They judge others not recognizing their own flaws.

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”

- Mark 10: 35-45

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“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.”

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Having a servant’s heart is to imitate Jesus’ example.

The qualities we need can be developed. Such as:

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Considering the interests of others.

Jesus totally disregarded His own interest when He gave up His life to save us.

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Humility

When we are humble, we can easily give up our rights and not care much about getting credit.

Furthermore, it convinces us that there is nothing degrading about serving others.

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Obedience

Jesus did not only have the willingness to serve, He also served in obedience to the Father.

This way, the ultimate motivation of His service is the Father’s glory.

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WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN DO TO SERVE OTHERS?

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WITH THE PEOPLE YOU CURRENTLY LEAD,

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SERVE THEM BETTER?

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