First Baptist Sioux Falls
April 13 // Setting the Table (Part 3)
Speaker: Ryan Pennington
Locations & Times
First Baptist Church of Sioux Falls
1401 S Covell Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
“It baffles me that people call themselves Christians without actually following Jesus” -Francis Chan
Bottom Line: Jesus gives us a pattern to follow
John 13:2-15 (NTFE): It was suppertime. The devil had already put the idea of betraying him into the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. Jesus knew that the father had given everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God. So he got up from the supper-table, took off his clothes, and wrapped himself in a towel. Then he poured water into a bowl, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel he was wrapped in.
He came to Simon Peter. “Master,” said Peter, “what’s this? You, washing my feet?”
“You don’t understand yet what I’m doing,” replied Jesus, “but you’ll know afterwards.”
“I’m not going to have you washing my feet!” said Peter. “Never!”
“If I don’t wash you,” replied Jesus, “you don’t belong to me.”
“All right then, Master,” said Simon Peter, “but not only my feet—wash my hands and my head as well!”
“Someone who has washed,” said Jesus to him, “doesn’t need to wash again, except for their feet. They are clean all over. And you are clean—but not all of you.” Jesus knew, you see, who was going to betray him. That’s why he said, “You are not all clean.”
So when he had washed their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again.“Do you know what I’ve done to you?” he asked. “You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Master,’ and you’re right. That’s what I am. Well, then: if I, as your master and teacher, washed your feet just now, you should wash one another’s feet. I’ve given you a pattern, so that you can do things in the same way that I did to you.
-Because sitting around a table and having a meal together was a deeply spiritual experience in the life of Jewish people, clean feet were a necessary part of Jewish hospitality
-Washing feet was the job of those of lower status and ranking in society
John 13:6-8 (NTFE)He came to Simon Peter. “Master,” said Peter, “what’s this? You, washing my feet?”
“You don’t understand yet what I’m doing,” replied Jesus, “but you’ll know afterwards.”
“I’m not going to have you washing my feet!” said Peter. “Never!”
-Peter doesn’t get the pattern
-Jesus knows that if Peter can’t accept Jesus washing his feet IN THERE, then Peter will never understand the call to wash feet OUT THERE
-If Peter CAN realize his need, his love for people OUT THERE will grow
-If Peter CAN’T realize his need, people OUT THERE will remain enemies
-How has Peter’s protest become our protest?
John 13:12-15 (NTFE) So when he had washed their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again. “Do you know what I’ve done to you?” he asked. “You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Master,’ and you’re right. That’s what I am. Well, then: if I, as your master and teacher, washed your feet just now, you should wash one another’s feet. I’ve given you a pattern, so that you can do things in the same way that I did to you.
-What pattern does your life follow?
-If the world had a front row seat to your life, what pattern would they say your life follows?
3 way we often move away from the pattern of Jesus: “IN HERE” only mentality, Transactionalism, Outward pointing fingers
“IN HERE” only mentality:
-we think our ultimate mission and purpose is to get people in here-our simple, everyday, ordinary call is to be with people OUT THERE
-we can’t expect dirty feet to walk through our doors if we aren’t willing to walk through their doors
Transactionalism:
-unspoken business deal of navigating relationships
-Jesus wasn’t getting self-benefiting transactions from all His relationships and encounters with people
The disciples…
Rebelled
Denied
Disobeyed
Fell asleep
Abandoned
Betrayed
-Why do we serve with limits, strings attached, and hidden agendas?
-When we treat people like transactions, serving people becomes a business deal rather than joyful obedience
Outward pointing fingers:
-quickest way to create an obstacle to serving others-we point, blame, accuse, and attack
“We are to be known not for our judgement but for our grace; not for our fault finding but our love; not for our smug criticism but our loving discernment. Jesus commands us to do so.” -Rich Villodas
-whether you point LOUD and PROUD or QUIETLY and PRIVATELY, it is not the way of Jesus
3 ways we can move toward the pattern of Jesus: Wash feet OUT THERE, Increase our proximity, Pointing our fingers inward
Inward pointed fingers: Create a community of grace-dependent people that make space for others OUT THERE
“The church gives the world a front-row seat to the grace of God” -Carey Nieuwhof
3 questions to ask ourselves: (from the Narrow Path by Rich Villodas) Where am I failing to live up to a standard I expect from others?
How do I currently benefit from the patience and grace of God (and others)?
Who in my life can help me see some of my blind spots?
Wash feet OUT THERE: We must show up FOR the world and our community. An invite is as effective as your love for the person on the other side of the invite. Showing up to serve is a way to love loudly.
“God, show me where You’re at work. Open my eyes to the needs in my community. Where can I join You in bringing healing, hope, grace, and love to someone?”
-When God answers this prayer, will you be ready to pick up a towel and say yes?
Increase proximity: Coming close. Being with.
-what if instead of cutting off your interaction with someone due to rejection or differences, you actually got closer?
We have Serve Teams at First B because: WE are the Church. YOU are uniquely gifted. When we serve, we grow.
-if everyone at First B was as committed to serving as you are, what would First B look like?
Take your first step in serving with us: firstb.org, Click, “Next Steps, ”Fill out the Serve Team application.
-Our longing for greatness can make us blind to God’s small invitations all around us-In God’s Kingdom, the small things ARE big things
-In God’s Kingdom, no one is beyond serving in the small, unappealing, messy, quirky, simple, behind-the-scenes, out-of-the-spotlight ways
-God is looking for people that will be obedient to pick up a towel and wash the feet in front of them
John 13:14-15 (NTFE) Well, then: if I, as your master and teacher, washed your feet just now, you should wash one another’s feet. I’ve given you a pattern, so that you can do things in the same way that I did to you.
Do you call Jesus Master, Teacher, Lord, Savior, Leader, Forgiver, Messiah, King over your life?
Jesus gives us a pattern to follow
Bottom Line: Jesus gives us a pattern to follow
John 13:2-15 (NTFE): It was suppertime. The devil had already put the idea of betraying him into the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. Jesus knew that the father had given everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God. So he got up from the supper-table, took off his clothes, and wrapped himself in a towel. Then he poured water into a bowl, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel he was wrapped in.
He came to Simon Peter. “Master,” said Peter, “what’s this? You, washing my feet?”
“You don’t understand yet what I’m doing,” replied Jesus, “but you’ll know afterwards.”
“I’m not going to have you washing my feet!” said Peter. “Never!”
“If I don’t wash you,” replied Jesus, “you don’t belong to me.”
“All right then, Master,” said Simon Peter, “but not only my feet—wash my hands and my head as well!”
“Someone who has washed,” said Jesus to him, “doesn’t need to wash again, except for their feet. They are clean all over. And you are clean—but not all of you.” Jesus knew, you see, who was going to betray him. That’s why he said, “You are not all clean.”
So when he had washed their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again.“Do you know what I’ve done to you?” he asked. “You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Master,’ and you’re right. That’s what I am. Well, then: if I, as your master and teacher, washed your feet just now, you should wash one another’s feet. I’ve given you a pattern, so that you can do things in the same way that I did to you.
-Because sitting around a table and having a meal together was a deeply spiritual experience in the life of Jewish people, clean feet were a necessary part of Jewish hospitality
-Washing feet was the job of those of lower status and ranking in society
John 13:6-8 (NTFE)He came to Simon Peter. “Master,” said Peter, “what’s this? You, washing my feet?”
“You don’t understand yet what I’m doing,” replied Jesus, “but you’ll know afterwards.”
“I’m not going to have you washing my feet!” said Peter. “Never!”
-Peter doesn’t get the pattern
-Jesus knows that if Peter can’t accept Jesus washing his feet IN THERE, then Peter will never understand the call to wash feet OUT THERE
-If Peter CAN realize his need, his love for people OUT THERE will grow
-If Peter CAN’T realize his need, people OUT THERE will remain enemies
-How has Peter’s protest become our protest?
John 13:12-15 (NTFE) So when he had washed their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again. “Do you know what I’ve done to you?” he asked. “You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Master,’ and you’re right. That’s what I am. Well, then: if I, as your master and teacher, washed your feet just now, you should wash one another’s feet. I’ve given you a pattern, so that you can do things in the same way that I did to you.
-What pattern does your life follow?
-If the world had a front row seat to your life, what pattern would they say your life follows?
3 way we often move away from the pattern of Jesus: “IN HERE” only mentality, Transactionalism, Outward pointing fingers
“IN HERE” only mentality:
-we think our ultimate mission and purpose is to get people in here-our simple, everyday, ordinary call is to be with people OUT THERE
-we can’t expect dirty feet to walk through our doors if we aren’t willing to walk through their doors
Transactionalism:
-unspoken business deal of navigating relationships
-Jesus wasn’t getting self-benefiting transactions from all His relationships and encounters with people
The disciples…
Rebelled
Denied
Disobeyed
Fell asleep
Abandoned
Betrayed
-Why do we serve with limits, strings attached, and hidden agendas?
-When we treat people like transactions, serving people becomes a business deal rather than joyful obedience
Outward pointing fingers:
-quickest way to create an obstacle to serving others-we point, blame, accuse, and attack
“We are to be known not for our judgement but for our grace; not for our fault finding but our love; not for our smug criticism but our loving discernment. Jesus commands us to do so.” -Rich Villodas
-whether you point LOUD and PROUD or QUIETLY and PRIVATELY, it is not the way of Jesus
3 ways we can move toward the pattern of Jesus: Wash feet OUT THERE, Increase our proximity, Pointing our fingers inward
Inward pointed fingers: Create a community of grace-dependent people that make space for others OUT THERE
“The church gives the world a front-row seat to the grace of God” -Carey Nieuwhof
3 questions to ask ourselves: (from the Narrow Path by Rich Villodas) Where am I failing to live up to a standard I expect from others?
How do I currently benefit from the patience and grace of God (and others)?
Who in my life can help me see some of my blind spots?
Wash feet OUT THERE: We must show up FOR the world and our community. An invite is as effective as your love for the person on the other side of the invite. Showing up to serve is a way to love loudly.
“God, show me where You’re at work. Open my eyes to the needs in my community. Where can I join You in bringing healing, hope, grace, and love to someone?”
-When God answers this prayer, will you be ready to pick up a towel and say yes?
Increase proximity: Coming close. Being with.
-what if instead of cutting off your interaction with someone due to rejection or differences, you actually got closer?
We have Serve Teams at First B because: WE are the Church. YOU are uniquely gifted. When we serve, we grow.
-if everyone at First B was as committed to serving as you are, what would First B look like?
Take your first step in serving with us: firstb.org, Click, “Next Steps, ”Fill out the Serve Team application.
-Our longing for greatness can make us blind to God’s small invitations all around us-In God’s Kingdom, the small things ARE big things
-In God’s Kingdom, no one is beyond serving in the small, unappealing, messy, quirky, simple, behind-the-scenes, out-of-the-spotlight ways
-God is looking for people that will be obedient to pick up a towel and wash the feet in front of them
John 13:14-15 (NTFE) Well, then: if I, as your master and teacher, washed your feet just now, you should wash one another’s feet. I’ve given you a pattern, so that you can do things in the same way that I did to you.
Do you call Jesus Master, Teacher, Lord, Savior, Leader, Forgiver, Messiah, King over your life?
Jesus gives us a pattern to follow
Worship Through Giving
Giving online is a great way to worship God with your financial resources and support the local, regional and international ministry of First Baptist Church.
https://firstbsiouxfalls.churchcenter.com/giving/to/general-ministryGroup Questions:
OPEN
How do you typically respond or react to instructions, recipes, and provided patterns?
DISCUSS
Read John 13:2-15 out loud.
1. What has your experience been like with the topic of service?
2. Was there something you didn’t know, that you now know?
3. Is there anything you find yourself curious about?
4. What steps can you take to explore your curiosity more?
5. Was there anything you found yourself experiencing tension, resistance, or disagreement with?
6. What has this series revealed about who God is, who you are, and what it looks like to follow Jesus?
7. How is the Spirit inviting you and your Group to be obedient?
8. What steps might God be asking you to take?
9. What else do you find yourself wondering about with this message or the “Setting the Table” series?
APPLY
As a group and individually, ask yourself these three questions from Rich Villodas’ book, “The Narrow Path”:
1. Where am I failing to live up to a standard I expect from others?
2. How do I currently benefit from the patience and grace of God (and others)?
3. Who in my life can help me see some of my blind spots?
4. Pray together as a Group, and ask God to reveal the needs of your community. Have someone lead by praying the provided prayer, “God, show us where You’re at work. Open our eyes to the needs in our community. Where can we join You in bringing healing, hope, grace, and love to someone?”
5. Commit to a plan where your Group shows up for the community to serve. Set the date and time. Decide on WHAT you’re doing. Commit to the plan regardless of who in your Group is available. The bigger your Group, the harder it will be to ensure 100% availability.
OPEN
How do you typically respond or react to instructions, recipes, and provided patterns?
DISCUSS
Read John 13:2-15 out loud.
1. What has your experience been like with the topic of service?
2. Was there something you didn’t know, that you now know?
3. Is there anything you find yourself curious about?
4. What steps can you take to explore your curiosity more?
5. Was there anything you found yourself experiencing tension, resistance, or disagreement with?
6. What has this series revealed about who God is, who you are, and what it looks like to follow Jesus?
7. How is the Spirit inviting you and your Group to be obedient?
8. What steps might God be asking you to take?
9. What else do you find yourself wondering about with this message or the “Setting the Table” series?
APPLY
As a group and individually, ask yourself these three questions from Rich Villodas’ book, “The Narrow Path”:
1. Where am I failing to live up to a standard I expect from others?
2. How do I currently benefit from the patience and grace of God (and others)?
3. Who in my life can help me see some of my blind spots?
4. Pray together as a Group, and ask God to reveal the needs of your community. Have someone lead by praying the provided prayer, “God, show us where You’re at work. Open our eyes to the needs in our community. Where can we join You in bringing healing, hope, grace, and love to someone?”
5. Commit to a plan where your Group shows up for the community to serve. Set the date and time. Decide on WHAT you’re doing. Commit to the plan regardless of who in your Group is available. The bigger your Group, the harder it will be to ensure 100% availability.