A Lesson on Humility

June 18, 2023

Preacher: Andrew Love

Series: Simon Peter

Passage: John 13:1-17

Service Type: Sunday Morning

Introduction

Not everyone is a natural leader
- Are you a leader or a follower?
- Simon Peter was a natural leader?
What are the basic elements of leadership?
- "The inquisitiveness of life and the desire to find solutions"
- They take initiative and steps that lead to results - quote
- An ability to engage, influence and lead people
Simon Peter had the raw material to be a leader
- He was full of curiosity
- He often took initiative - examples
So much more that is needed to be a leader for God
- Godliness - to be like Christ
  - Peter will be like a rock
  - Christ would build character in him
A key quality of leadership and of a Christian - humility
- Previous qualities: walking with Christ, forgiveness, being submissive to the will of God, storing up treasures in heaven
Today is father's day, yet in the history of mankind - men have often abused power
- This was true in Biblical time
- Today we see the darker side of manhood - examples
Yet Jesus says that we are to be a servant and humble
- This does not mean being 'sweet and nice'
- Humility in the sight of God - examples
  - Be willing to do the lowest tasks
  - In church life - many menial tasks
  - A life of service

Jesus loved them to the end
- Jesus showed them the full extent of His love
  - Jesus knew He was the passover Lamb
  - Jesus knew all things
- During supper He started to wash the disciples feet - the task of the lowliest servant
  - He goes around the disciples in turn, but Simon Peter protests
Simon Peter protests because He knows it is the very Son of God washing His feet
- Simon finds incongruous the person of glory in the position of a slave
The disciples were typical men
- Arguing over who was the greatest
- They would have felt guilt and shame when Jesus washed their feet
What about ourselves?
- Do we look down on others?
- We should not be proudful

You will not understand now, but you will understand later (v7)
- Example of Fred Orr
Peter is stubborn and audacious
- He has closed his ears
  - Do we listen to what God tells us?
Jesus speaks plainly to Peter - "you will have no part with me"
- You must submit to Christ
- An inner cleansing
  - John uses a lot of physical imagery
    - Birth, bread, water, etc
  - Jesus' blood would cleanse them
- There will always be someone false amongst God's people
  - Paul challenges people to 'examine themselves'
- A need for daily cleansing - to continually come to the cross
  - Despite being justified and cleansed
Jesus was teaching a lesson that Peter would not forget
- Example
- We will all die
- We all sin
The message of Christianity is that Jesus has come to forgive and cleanse us from sin
- Have you come to Christ?
- If you are wearing the robes of Jesus Christ - then you are completely and utterly forgiven
- True humility is bowing before God and repenting of your sin in Jesus Christ
- Have you been bathed in the blood of Christ?
v9 - we do not need continual bathing, but daily washing

Peter had the raw material to be a leader - but he needed character and Christ-like humility
Reading v12-17
Be like Jesus - do as He has done
Quote
Be more concerned for others
Peter was learning these lessons - 1 Pet 4
Humble yourself under Jesus - He will exalt you