Lord’s Day Message: John 13:1~20, 31~35
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand 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, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” …
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Message Outline
A. Washing the disciples’ feet
- The background
At that time the Jews wore sandals and when they walked it was easy to get dirty by the dust. Therefore when they came to dinner the servants would wash the feet of the guests. This is a lowly job of the servants; however, it does make people feel cleansed, refreshing, and joyful.
2. The spiritual meaning
- It shows that the Lord loves His own to the end.
- It shows they have share with Him (v.8, Judas is an exception though, v.10).
- The washing here can be related to the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), which shows that Lord’s salvation not only help us to receive life, but also to experience the washing and refreshing in life.
- This is an example set by the Lord. How He humbly serves His disciples, He also wants us to serve one another in the same manner.
- This is a unique record in the gospel of John and can be compared with the setting up of the cup and bread in the other gospels. In different ways these two instances describe the Lord’s love, His humble serving, the out-pouring of His life, and His expectation for the believers to follow.
3. The application in the church life – we need
- A humble spirit as a servant
- A love with action
- To help others to gain life and be refreshed
B. A New Commandment
- New: Because now the Lord Himself is the source and pattern of love
- This is a testimony so that others can recognize that we are the disciples of the Lord.
Next Topics: Combined Meeting – Presentation of the young people
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meeting: 27/4 Mon., 7:30pm, (Dinner @ 7pm) Richard Cui’s
Young Professions Meeting: 28/4 Tue. 7:30pm, Thomas & Lena’
Sisters Meeting: 29/4 Wed. 10am, Ann’s
Prayer Meeting: 29/4 Wed. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall
Pursuing of Words: 1/5 Fri., 8:00pm, cancelled
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：2/5 Sat. 7:30pm, Bill & Christine’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today and hope that you can leave your information for us to contact you in the future.
- After the meeting Sister Lily Pan will be baptized into the Lord’s name. Brothers and sisters please come together to give her blessing and prayers.
- Next week in the Lord’s Day meeting the young people will present the riches gained in the conference. From the Lord’s Table, they will lead us to sing hymns. They will also share what they enjoy in the message, what they touch in the spirit, and the joy they have in the activities. Please do come to support them and testify how they grow in the Lord.
Many young people need to come to the hall early for some preparation. We hope the parents can give them support.
<Reminder>
- Please take the Bible Reading Supplement for your daily Bible reading.
- Please come on time for the meeting. During the meeting, please turn off your mobile phone or put the volume on silence.
- When you prepare the love feast for Lord’s Day lunch, please do not prepare any food containing nuts that someone may have food allergy. After the love feast, please remember to bring back your plates.
Intercession:
- May the Lord keep us fervent in spirit to serve in the church together so that the Lord may give us more and greater blessings.
- Pray for those who are newly baptized. May the Lord lead them to grow and be built in the church life so they may become a blessing and testimony for the church.
- Pray that the Lord can continue to bless His gospel work to show His great love and power so that the gospel friends among us, especially among the young people and our family members, can receive salvation and become a member in God’s family.
- Pray for the brothers and sisters who are weak in body or spirit. May the Lord care for them and give them grace. Also pray for some relatives of our brothers and sisters (Jack, Pauline, Susan, Brett) that the Lord may heal and care for them.
Serving Today: (Apr. 26)
- Sharing: Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: David Tan & Richard Cui
- Serving Bread and Cup: Benchu Guo & Jason Wang
- Pianist: Hannah Cui
- Cleaning: Richard & Flora Family, Joyce & Chris, Olsen & Likun Family, Pauline Zhang, Rebecca Li
Serving Next Week: (May 3)
- Sharing: Raymond Young & young people
- Breaking the Bread: Richard Chen & Thomas Wu
- Serving Bread and Cup: Jason Wang & Richard Cui
- Pianist: Hannah Cui
- Cleaning: Richard & Flora Family, Joyce & Chris, Olsen & Likun Family, Pauline Zhang, Rebecca Li
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