Tabor Baptist Church

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

The Context (v1-5)

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

The Confrontation (v6-10)

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

The Conclusion (v12-17)

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