Illuminate Your New Year By Staying…Handy!

Illuminate Your New Year By Staying…Handy!

Opening Illustration:

Depending on your age, you may remember Batman the comic book, or Batman and Robin the TV show, or Batman & Robin, the 1997 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Gough, or The Dark Knight Rises, the 2012 film starring Christian Bale and Michael Cain. But no matter where you encounter this superhero, you'll also find Alfred Pennyworth—Bruce Wayne's loyal and tireless butler, valet, friend, and father figure.

While Batman is fighting dastardly enemies, he knows that back at Wayne Manor resides someone who's taking care of everything else, someone he can trust to keep all his secrets, who cares about him as much as any father, and who—through his quiet service—makes it possible for Batman to do what he does.

Resourceful and calm, Alfred may not be the one having the exciting adventures, but he is a vital part of Wayne's life, with skills as varied as maintaining the bat-mobile, building the bat-computer, and keeping the Caped Crusader's costume in pristine condition. Alfred also provides first aid, including removing bullets, so Batman doesn't have to go to the hospital when he's injured.

Depending on which Batman version you follow, Alfred has also mastered rose breeding (even creating his own, the "Pennyworth Blue"), computer programming, computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, as he singlehandedly builds programs and maintains much of Batman's next-generational technology.

Think about this, Batman is Batman because he has Alfred the servant.  Sure, the servant does not get a lot of glory but without Alfred, there is not Batman.  Being a servant is vital and important for great things to happen. It is true in comics and the real world.  

Sermon Thesis:

Two weeks ago we read from 2 Corinthians 7:1-8.  Remember, the Church in Corinth had run off the rails.  There was rampant immorality and false teachers and prophets had garnered influence while smearing the witness and authority of Paul.  Paul, with a firm and loving hand, was able to plant a seed of conviction that germinated into repentance and forgiveness.  The church went from unhealthy to revived and rejuvenated through the power of the Holy Spirit working through Paul’s words.  The church resolved to be healthy spiritually, made the conscience choice to follow God’s leading and it changed their actions.  They made the resolution to be healthy.

Last week we talked about hope.  Hope is a powerful instrument in the toolbox of a believer.  We read from Hebrews 13:5-6.  We learned that we can be hopeful when we have an eternal perspective.  We are hopeful knowing that God never leaves us and that He is greatest protector.  Have you made the resolution to be hopeful today?

This morning we conclude our 3 week series entitled “Illuminate”.  It is my sincere prayer that you will make the resolution to be handy in 2015.  What does that mean exactly?  It means that we will resolve to have an attitude of service. Remember that Jesus came not as a triumphant King, He came as a servant.  So, this morning, how can you put on display the same attitude of service?  You can serve others.  You can serve the church.  There are countless ways to serve God.  

Transitional Question:

Today, Resolve To Be Healthy, Hopeful and…HANDY!

Transitional Statement:

Could it be that you are allergic to service?

Are You Allergic To Service?

I. Why Are We Allergic To Service?

A. Stuck Up (Selfish)

You Might Have Said...

"I'm to good to do this."

"This is beneath my skills and education"

"What's in this for me?"

"I have better things to do."

You might be embracing selfishness instead of service.

Philippians 2:3-4(NIV)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

B. Shot Down (Frustrated By Lack of Results. Impatient)

You Might Have Said...

"I'm never thanked for what I've done."

"No one ever helps me."

"Why doesn't my project get more attention?"

"It's taking to long and requires to many of my resources. I'm done!"

You might be embracing frustration instead of service. 

Psalm 100:2 (NASB)

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

C. Burnt Out

Romans 12:11 (NIV)

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

You Might Have Said...

"I'm sick and tired..."

"I've got nothing left in the tank."

"I've done my part, it's someone else's turn."

"I'm to old to keep going on like this."

Romans 12:11-17 (The Message)

11 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. 13 Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 14 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. 15 Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. 16 Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. 17 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone.

Let's Read John 13:1-17 Together!

John 13:1-17 (NIV)

Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, 

🔴The word "world" is used 185 times throughout the New Testament.  John uses the word 105 times between his Gospel and the book of Revelation.  The greek for world is "cosmos".  This word certainly refers to the geography of the planet but is it also temporal.  Jesus loves the world and everyone in the world past, present and future.  We see the extent of His love when John says:

having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 

🔴The greek word used for love is agape.  It is an unselfish love not bound by what others do for you.  When the scripture tells us that he "loved them to the end", you could also translate it to say that Jesus loved them to the limit.  

2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” 8 Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” 10 Jesus *said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know 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, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 

II. What Does It Mean To Serve The "Jesus Way"?

A. Serving Like Jesus Is Instigated by Love vs. 1

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

🔴Love is not so much an emotion as much as it is an attitude, an attitude that results in action.

Point:

Why did Jesus do what He did?  I believe that He loved the disciples.  Jesus told them that he loved them.  John is often referred to as the one whom Jesus loved.  How do you tell someone you love them?  You give them your time.  Jesus spent countless hours and days with the disciples.  Jesus ate with them and touched them. He taught them.  

I Peter 2:21 reminds us that Jesus suffered for us as an act of love and that we should follow in His steps.  

Point:

The servant is best understood and described though the lens of love.  Without love being the motivation to serve, we just perform duties that are empty and shallow.  

Illustration: REALLY GIVING 

A. W. Tozer, makes this observation: 

“Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done!... In God’s sight, my giving is measured not by how much I have given but how much I have left after I made my gift… Not by its size is my gift judged, but by how much of me there is in it. No man gives at all until he has given all! No man gives anything acceptable to God until he has first given himself in love and sacrifice” 

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

II. What Does It Mean To Serve The "Jesus Way"?

A. Serving Like Jesus Is Instigated by Love vs. 1

B. Serving Like Jesus Can Be Inconvenient vs. 4

so he got up from the meal,

Illustration: George Muller and Service

George Muller was asked, "What is the secret of your service for God?" Muller’s response: "There was a day when I died, utterly died, died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will... died to the world, its approval or censure... died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends... and since then I have studied to show myself approved only to God."

Point:

There is nothing convenient about dying to oneself.  Jesus was reclined eating a meal.  How many of us husbands have been watching a football game eating chicken wings when our wives asked us to do something to help her?  How do we normally respond?  We huff and puff and role our yes.  We grumble under our breaths.  Why?  We do all these things because service often requires us to put down our actions and activities to do something that we really don’t want to do.  

Jesus was eating.  He was spending time with His disciples and then He did what most men don’t do.  He served.  He laid aside any human agendas to pursue a spiritual agenda.  That is what service requires.  

Mark 10:45 (NIV)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

II. What Does It Mean To Serve The "Jesus Way"?

A. Serving Like Jesus Is Instigated by Love vs. 1

B. Serving Like Jesus Can Be Inconvenient vs. 4

C. Serving Like Jesus Can Be An Indignity vs. 4

took off his outer clothing

Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.

It goes without saying that things probably got a bit awkward when Jesus stripped down to serve His disciples.  Jesus after all was living in a day where it was unthinkable for a man to reveal just his legs in public.  Even worse for a Rabbi to lay aside his clothing in front of his disciples.  Why did Jesus suffer through this embarrassment?

I think there are two answers. First, Jesus is telling us through His action that if He is not to good to do the hard embarrassing work then neither should we.  Jesus was to experienced.  Jesus was to educated.  Jesus possessed to much power and prestige to serve in this manner.  Have you ever used the same logic when it comes to saving?  

I once served on a church staff where the cleaning lady was sick for a week.  The bathrooms had not been clean at the church since the past Sunday and the trashcan were overflowing in some of the class rooms.  The pastor asked if the staff would pitch in one time, clean the bathrooms and throw away the garbage.  He led by example but there was one staff member I will never forget.  He said to me that he would not participate because he viewed himself as “an awfully expensive garbage man”.  That is not the right attitude to have.  We cannot be to good to serve.

The second reason for Jesus action is to remind us that serving can be difficult.  This leads me into my next point.

Mark 9:35(NIV)

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

II. What Does It Mean To Serve The "Jesus Way"?

A. Serving Like Jesus Is Instigated by Love vs. 1

B. Serving Like Jesus Can Be Inconvenient vs. 4

C. Serving Like Jesus Can Be An Indignity vs. 4

D. Serving Like Jesus Can Be Immense (Challenging) vs. 6-8

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

🔴Service can be challenging when you are in a difficult season. Jesus was heading to the cross and about to die.

🔴Service can be difficult if you are called to people who do not understand or appreciate your service.

🔴Service can be difficult when you are called to people you do not like or understand. 

🔴Service can be challenging when attitude or actions of others hinder your desire.  Perhaps you should pause and make sure God is calling you to do what you feel you should be doing. You can also pray and ask God to change the hearts of those making life difficult.  

We do not serve man, we serve God.  

1 Peter 4:10-11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

E. Serving Like Jesus Can Be An Inspiration vs. 7 and vs. 12-15

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 

Illustration: Making A Difference Starts Small

According to Richard Stearns, president of World Vision, the person who has had the single greatest impact on addressing global poverty in the past twenty-five years is a largely-unknown World Vision staffer named Steve Reynolds. In 1985, a young Steve Reynolds was working in Ethiopia, during what was the worst famine of a generation. Steve spent many dreary days in the relief camps as an eyewitness to the horrors of massive starvation and death, gathering information that he hoped would provoke people to notice and respond.

One day he got a call from headquarters asking if he would host a young European couple, Ali and Paul Hewson, who wanted to visit and learn firsthand what was happening. Steve was willing to help. Ali and Paul stayed almost a month, rolling up their sleeves to help and showing tireless compassion. Paul was a musician, so he entertained the kids by writing little songs. Paul and Ali finally went home but not before they had committed to do whatever they could to help. You may know Paul better by his nickname, Bono.

Since that trip in 1985, Bono, the lead singer of the phenomenal Irish rock group U2, has traveled the globe as an advocate for the poorest of the poor. He has met with kings and queens, presidents, prime ministers, and the pope. He has lobbied members of parliaments and congresses. He has persuaded governments to appropriate billions of dollars of aid to the poor.

But in a later interview with Christianity Today, Bono specifically mentioned the key influence of Steve Reynolds. Bono said, 

🔴"All of this started for me in Ethiopia in the mid-'80s, when my darling wife and I went out there as children, really, to see and to work in Africa."

Twenty-seven years later Steve Reynolds still works for World Vision. He has served in numerous jobs, working behind the scenes on behalf of the world's poorest people. Steve has been willing and available to be used however God wanted to use him.

Romans 14: 17-18 (NIV)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Get Out Of The Seat And Get Serving!