Waverly Church of Christ
Have You Washed Any Feet Lately?
Sunday Morning Worship
Locations & Times
Waverly Church of Christ
438 W Main St, Waverly, TN 37185, USA
Sunday 9:01 AM
Good Morning and Welcome
Good Morning and welcome to the worship service of the Church of Christ that meets at Waverly. We are so glad that you are here. If you are visiting with us, please fill out a "Visitor's Attendance Card" and let us come and meet you.
http://waverlychurchofchrist.org/Smith 50th wedding anniversary
Reminder of the 50th wedding anniversary of Larry and Joy Smith today, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Enrichment Center. No gifts please, but cards are welcome.
Office will be closed.
September 5th – Labor Day – The Offices and Enrichment Center will be closed for the Holiday.
Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Class
Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Class will resume September 7th at 9:30 a.m. We will have a covered dish lunch following class.
Ladies Devotional
The Ladies Devotional will be on this evening at the home of Kayla Mashburn. Please bring finger-foods. We will take the van.
Craft night
September 13th – Craft night – we will be working on the Appreciation Luncheon for emergency workers in our county.
Our Gospel Meeting
Our Gospel Meeting will be September 18th thru 21st. David Sain will be our speaker. Please be making plans to be here and inviting your friends and family.
Ladies' Day
There is a sign-up sheet in the front of the auditorium for those willing to help with Ladies’ Day preparations. Ladies’ Day is October 15th.
Disaster Relief
If you would like to donate to Disaster Relief for assistance in Louisiana please see one of our elders.
Introduction
In our text today John records for us the last act of service which Jesus performed for His disciples before His arrest, trial and crucifixion. Jesus had sent Peter and John to Jerusalem to prepare the Passover for Himself and the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:8).
During the meal Jesus got up from the supper, took off his outer garments, laid them aside and then took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet — drying them with the towel with which He had girded Himself.
Peter at first resisted our Lord’s washing of his feet, but later, after Jesus told him that if He did not wash Peter’s feet then Peter would “have no part with” Him (John 13:8), Peter asked Jesus to wash not only his feet, but his hands and head as well (v. 9).
When Jesus had finished washing the feet of the disciples, He put his garments back on, took His place at the table and asked them, “Do you know what I have done to you?” (v. 12).
Of course, they all knew what He had done to them — He had washed their feet. Is this what He wanted them to know, or did the washing of their feet serve as a symbol of something else He intended for them to learn?
No, it wasn’t the washing of feet that Jesus was binding upon His disciples and the church, else it would have been taught elsewhere in the New Testament.
a. Paul does commend those widows who have washed the saints’ feet in 1 Timothy 5:10;
1) However, he wasn’t referring to something the church should be practicing.
2) Instead he was pointing to the humble service rendered by widows toward other believers.
b. Peter doesn’t say anything about it in any of his letters, but he does teach us to “clothe ourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5).
I believe this is the lesson Jesus is seeking to communicate to His disciples, especially since they have been arguing recently over which of them was the greatest:
a. On the way from Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum (Mark 9:34; Luke 9:46).
b. Here, at the Passover meal (Luke 22:24).
As we think about this object lesson used by Jesus to teach His disciples a very important truth, I would like for us to consider three questions:
a. What are we doing when we wash the feet of others?
b. How do we wash feet?
c. Why should we wash one another’s feet?
In our text today John records for us the last act of service which Jesus performed for His disciples before His arrest, trial and crucifixion. Jesus had sent Peter and John to Jerusalem to prepare the Passover for Himself and the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:8).
During the meal Jesus got up from the supper, took off his outer garments, laid them aside and then took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet — drying them with the towel with which He had girded Himself.
Peter at first resisted our Lord’s washing of his feet, but later, after Jesus told him that if He did not wash Peter’s feet then Peter would “have no part with” Him (John 13:8), Peter asked Jesus to wash not only his feet, but his hands and head as well (v. 9).
When Jesus had finished washing the feet of the disciples, He put his garments back on, took His place at the table and asked them, “Do you know what I have done to you?” (v. 12).
Of course, they all knew what He had done to them — He had washed their feet. Is this what He wanted them to know, or did the washing of their feet serve as a symbol of something else He intended for them to learn?
No, it wasn’t the washing of feet that Jesus was binding upon His disciples and the church, else it would have been taught elsewhere in the New Testament.
a. Paul does commend those widows who have washed the saints’ feet in 1 Timothy 5:10;
1) However, he wasn’t referring to something the church should be practicing.
2) Instead he was pointing to the humble service rendered by widows toward other believers.
b. Peter doesn’t say anything about it in any of his letters, but he does teach us to “clothe ourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5).
I believe this is the lesson Jesus is seeking to communicate to His disciples, especially since they have been arguing recently over which of them was the greatest:
a. On the way from Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum (Mark 9:34; Luke 9:46).
b. Here, at the Passover meal (Luke 22:24).
As we think about this object lesson used by Jesus to teach His disciples a very important truth, I would like for us to consider three questions:
a. What are we doing when we wash the feet of others?
b. How do we wash feet?
c. Why should we wash one another’s feet?
I. When we wash the feet of others we refresh and encourage.
A. PHYSICALLY, THE WASHING OF ONE’S FEET WAS REFRESHING.
Few of us know what it is like to have our feet covered with dust and dirt, unless we have children who run around barefoot or with sandals.
Many of you who are older may remember days gone by when very few paved roads existed and you walked almost everywhere you went.
Others may remember their fathers coming in after plowing in the fields behind a mule all day long.
They were tired and dirty — there were streaks where the sweat had run down their face and arms washing away the dirt.
For each of these it was refreshing to take water from the well and wash their face, hands and feet.
In Jesus’ day, it was no different — to have one’s feet washed after traveling all day along the dusty roads of Judea was refreshing.
Few of us know what it is like to have our feet covered with dust and dirt, unless we have children who run around barefoot or with sandals.
Many of you who are older may remember days gone by when very few paved roads existed and you walked almost everywhere you went.
Others may remember their fathers coming in after plowing in the fields behind a mule all day long.
They were tired and dirty — there were streaks where the sweat had run down their face and arms washing away the dirt.
For each of these it was refreshing to take water from the well and wash their face, hands and feet.
In Jesus’ day, it was no different — to have one’s feet washed after traveling all day along the dusty roads of Judea was refreshing.
B. EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY IT IS EQUALLY REFRESHING TO HAVE “OUR FEET WASHED.”
In 1 Corinthians 16:17 Paul writes of three men (Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus) who had come to him from the Corinthian church.
In verse 18 he comments, “they have refreshed my spirit and yours.”
In 2 Corinthians 7:13, Paul writes of how Titus had been refreshed in spirit by the brethren from this great congregation.
And yet again, in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon he commends this brother in Christ because “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philemon 7).
Toward the end of the letter he asks Philemon, “let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ” (v. 20).
Do you know anyone like that? A person who seems to refresh you every time you are around them?
This is what our Lord wants us to do for those who encounter us — to refresh them through our encouragement.
In 1 Corinthians 16:17 Paul writes of three men (Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus) who had come to him from the Corinthian church.
In verse 18 he comments, “they have refreshed my spirit and yours.”
In 2 Corinthians 7:13, Paul writes of how Titus had been refreshed in spirit by the brethren from this great congregation.
And yet again, in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon he commends this brother in Christ because “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philemon 7).
Toward the end of the letter he asks Philemon, “let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ” (v. 20).
Do you know anyone like that? A person who seems to refresh you every time you are around them?
This is what our Lord wants us to do for those who encounter us — to refresh them through our encouragement.
II. We Wash The Feet of Others by Being Humble Servants of Christ
A. “TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, A SLAVE IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER, NOR IS ONE WHO IS SENT GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO SENT HIM” (JOHN 13:16).
There is no doubt here as to who is the master and who are the slaves:
a. Jesus is the Master — His disciples called Him “Teacher and Lord” (vv. 13, 14).
b. We are His slaves.
Jesus gives the commands and we are to obey without questioning or grumbling.
No task was beneath a slave’s dignity to do. (E.g., washing feet).
We are to humbly serve one another — at times it may be in ways that are unpleasant to us.
Obedience requires more than just doing something while you grumble under your breath.
It requires that we do it cheerfully and thankfully, out of our love for what Christ has done for us on the cross.
It is all about your mindset and motivation.
There is no doubt here as to who is the master and who are the slaves:
a. Jesus is the Master — His disciples called Him “Teacher and Lord” (vv. 13, 14).
b. We are His slaves.
Jesus gives the commands and we are to obey without questioning or grumbling.
No task was beneath a slave’s dignity to do. (E.g., washing feet).
We are to humbly serve one another — at times it may be in ways that are unpleasant to us.
Obedience requires more than just doing something while you grumble under your breath.
It requires that we do it cheerfully and thankfully, out of our love for what Christ has done for us on the cross.
It is all about your mindset and motivation.
B. WE DO FOR OTHERS WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN
Seldom, if ever, would a guest in someone’s house in Jesus’ day have thanked a slave for washing his feet.
We do not know if the disciples thanked Jesus for washing their feet or if they were too astonished to say anything.
We need to serve others without looking for or expecting a favorable response in return.
We don’t serve others hoping they will express their gratitude.
Jesus washed Judas’ feet who then went out and betrayed Him.
He washed Peter’s feet who later denied ever knowing Him.
I promise you that if you humbly serve Christ you will not receive the appreciation you deserve from those you serve.
But remember, it is ultimately Christ that you serve and He will confess you before His Father in heaven (Colossians 3:24; Matthew 10:32).
Seldom, if ever, would a guest in someone’s house in Jesus’ day have thanked a slave for washing his feet.
We do not know if the disciples thanked Jesus for washing their feet or if they were too astonished to say anything.
We need to serve others without looking for or expecting a favorable response in return.
We don’t serve others hoping they will express their gratitude.
Jesus washed Judas’ feet who then went out and betrayed Him.
He washed Peter’s feet who later denied ever knowing Him.
I promise you that if you humbly serve Christ you will not receive the appreciation you deserve from those you serve.
But remember, it is ultimately Christ that you serve and He will confess you before His Father in heaven (Colossians 3:24; Matthew 10:32).
III. We Should Wash One Another’s Feet Because Our Lord and Teacher Washed Our Feet
A. JESUS HAS CLEANSED YOUR SINS BY HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS
He who is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29) went to the cross on your behalf.
He who is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29) went to the cross on your behalf.
We serve others because . . .
a. Our Lord who is the true Master of the Universe served us.
b. Our Teacher who has taught us how to live, has taught us to serve our fellow man.
Simply put, your salvation is the reason why you serve Jesus Christ:
a. He bought you with His blood — now you belong to Him.
b. Thus we are to glorify Him in our service.
a. Our Lord who is the true Master of the Universe served us.
b. Our Teacher who has taught us how to live, has taught us to serve our fellow man.
Simply put, your salvation is the reason why you serve Jesus Christ:
a. He bought you with His blood — now you belong to Him.
b. Thus we are to glorify Him in our service.
B. “IF YOU KNOW THESE THINGS, YOU ARE BLESSED IF YOU DO THEM” (JOHN 13:17).
We know that the servant is not greater than his master.
We know that Jesus gave us an example to follow.
Now, the question for us is this, “Will we do that which Jesus has given us to do?”
If we do, then He will bless us, and those who our Lord blesses are truly fortunate.
We know that the servant is not greater than his master.
We know that Jesus gave us an example to follow.
Now, the question for us is this, “Will we do that which Jesus has given us to do?”
If we do, then He will bless us, and those who our Lord blesses are truly fortunate.
Conclusion
One month from today, we as a congregation have an opportunity to put this lesson into practice in a very real way.
With our elders’ blessing, we as a congregation have invited our first responders — the dispatchers, sheriff’s department, police departments, fire departments and ambulance personnel in this county — to join us for lunch on Sunday,
October 2nd here in our Enrichment Center.
We are hoping they will join us for worship as well, but even if not, we still want to show our appreciation to these public servants.
With all that has gone on in our nation recently, we want to express our gratitude to these humble servants in our community.
At the bottom of your outline is a list of things we need as a congregation to do.
Please let our secretaries know, as soon as possible, what you are able to do.
If you are here today and are not a Christian won’t you give your life to Him who gave His life for you.
Won’t you come to know Him who was servant of all and is now Lord of all?
One month from today, we as a congregation have an opportunity to put this lesson into practice in a very real way.
With our elders’ blessing, we as a congregation have invited our first responders — the dispatchers, sheriff’s department, police departments, fire departments and ambulance personnel in this county — to join us for lunch on Sunday,
October 2nd here in our Enrichment Center.
We are hoping they will join us for worship as well, but even if not, we still want to show our appreciation to these public servants.
With all that has gone on in our nation recently, we want to express our gratitude to these humble servants in our community.
At the bottom of your outline is a list of things we need as a congregation to do.
Please let our secretaries know, as soon as possible, what you are able to do.
If you are here today and are not a Christian won’t you give your life to Him who gave His life for you.
Won’t you come to know Him who was servant of all and is now Lord of all?
