Timeless Truths Series: Body Building - The Warm-up
Timeless Truths Series: Body Building - The Warm-up
The content for this week and next is excerpted from a series titled Body Building.
Series Theme: 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Ephesians 4:15-16
[T]he Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28
All Scripture quotations are from the NIV.
- God is Love.
- Love always involves giving and sacrifice.
- When Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, He provides a model of service for us.
- Serving in the name of Jesus is very fulfilling.
Towel-bearing Body Builders find fulfillment in:
1. OBEDIENCE to God. This requires USING our SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
- Obedience is doing what God wants and has called us to do
- Jesus lived and died in obedience.
“… Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world…” John 13:1
- What God asks us to do is not important.
- That God asks us is important!
- We need to use ALL the Spiritual Gifts we are given.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; John 13:3
2. COSTLY SACRIFICE. Severing is not always fun when you are doing it.
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7
In the end, fulfillment is ALWAYS greater than the cost.
3. POINTING OTHERS to CHRIST. As towel-bearers, we must represent God to those around us.
- As God shines through us, others open up to God.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:14-15
4. GOD’S REWARDS. God knows our motives.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:17
- God sees our service and blesses us!
Today’s Body Building Principle:
Warm-ups require towels.
Jesus’ washing His disciples’ feet was His warm-up for His ultimate sacrifice.
Special thanks to Dr. Keith Newman for the primary teachings used in this post.
Next Thursday's Timeless Truths Series: Body Building - The Warm-up
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