Biblical Fellowship: Humility – John 13:1-7 – Bible study
BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP
HUMILITY
JOHN 13:1-7
by Cooper P Abrams III
- Introduction: We continue our series of messages on biblical fellowship. We have seen many aspects of it and each one contributing and being of vital importance in the life of the believer. Biblical fellowship gives the individual believer strength and spiritual growth. It brings him closer to the Lord and in turn closer to those around him. It further gives him power in his life to live for the Lord and to be used to win others to Christ. When the members of a local church are in fellowship with the Lord, they collectively will strengthen their local church and it will give them the support they need. This means that the local church will be strong and be used of the Lord in its community.
Sadly, the opposite is true also. Where fellowship is ignored and not sought after and practiced there will be weak and worldly believers and they will produce a weak and worldly church.
It is imperative that a church be striving to do all it can to follow Christ’s plan for the local church. In most cases any church can find its self in need of change and falling short of God’s plan.
A church cannot change apart from “koinonia” or true Biblical fellowship. You see churches change as individuals change, and at the heart of living our lives for Christ is our need of one another.
We learn from example, from teaching, from caring and from sharing one with an other. In humility there are two facets of Biblical Fellowship which create channels whereby teaching, setting an example, caring for one another and sharing can occur.
Humility, based and rooted in true agape love are the basis of true Biblical Fellowship. I have written in the margin of my Bible, “The forgotten doctrine.”
- 1. Fellowship opens the door.
2. Fellowship removes barriers that keep Christians apart and that keeps Christian standing at a distance from one another.
Christ’s behavior in John 13 provides a precedent for our actions one towards the other. Jesus was honest and humble, gentle and gracious, yet He was most definitely not weak.
In the world’s philosophy being honest and humble are traits of weakness. Much as we hate to admit it much of our philosophy is influenced by the corrupt world around us.
We who call ourselves Christians, should pattern our lives after our names sake Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate {to be} conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Our problem today in many churches is not doctrine. I’m referring to biblical churches that preach, teach and live by God’s word. Most fundamental churches doctrinally believe the word and preach and teach it. Often the problem is in the application and living of doctrine, which is simply…truth.
Folks, Doctrine is dead if it is not lived. Doctrine is truth. Truth stands alone. Yet, truth has to be acted upon to be of value.
ILLUS: During the middle ages, the black plague was killing tens of thousands in the cities of Europe. For several years it went unchecked. No cure, nothing they did could stop it. Yet, some men, turned to the Bible, the Old Testament laws of cleansing, they separated the infected, washed and burned the clothes and houses of the sick as God taught Israel. They cleaned their towns and the plague was checked.
They had the truth they needed in the Bible, yet they did not consult or use it. Instead they used human reasoning and wisdom…which always fails…
Yet, when they sought the Truth, it did what the truth always does….it freed them from the disease.
Even during the plague, there were those who kept their houses clean and free of rodents. They did not get the plague. They were not necessarily doing it to avoid the plague, but it kept them from the plague. Christ was the Son of God, God incarnate in man. The disciples believed He was the Messiah. They had the truth, they believed. That truth applied to their lives first brought them salvation. They at this moment are in heaven with the Lord.
In John 13:1-17, Jesus just prior to his crucifixion taught His disciples an equally important truth about their attitude of themselves as not only receivers of the truth, but as teachers of these truths to others. Jesus taught them how to have a fulfilled life and accomplish in their lives the will of God.
The truths presented here, if applied will hid a multitude of sin, prevent great heartache and bring joy, peace and fulfillment to those who live it.
I. The Background of John 13:1-7.
- A. The disciples were in the midst of a heated argument. The subject–who was the greatest. (Luke 22:24-30).
- 1. These men are not unlike us today. They were subject to pride and feelings of self worth. Even though they had lived and been intimately taught by Christ himself, they were under the grip of carnal self-esteem.
2. I see a great deal of the same thing today among many of our churches today. Preachers maneuvering, scheming for greater influence, recognition and power.
Their main method is to loudly stand and be critical of their peers for their shortcomings and faults. We should stand against doctrinal error and defend God’s truth. But most times it is not doctrine, it other petty things. Its one man raising himself up above others.
We find it in pews also, those who try to jockey themselves into to be more honored than others. Those who consider them self better than others. Like the Pharisee, Jesus talked about who prayed, “Lord I think you that I am not as other men.”
3. The question still is “who is to be the greatest.”
Yet, many disguise their true ambition of seeking to be the greatest among their brethren, by claiming they really only seek to correct error and “stand for the truth! Still, their method (and here lies the key) reveals their true intent and purpose. They are truly cunningly arrogant, condemning and destructive. v
B. The disciples had dirty feet from traveling the local roads. (John 13:1-5).v
- 1. Using this opportunity, our God, incarnate in man, chose to teach his disciples, and future preachers a most vital lesson.2. It is a lesson that needs to again taught today. v
II. Six Principles Concerning Humility (John 13:1-17)
- A. Humility Must Be Prompted by Love (V.1) “…having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”
- 1. Keep in mind, death for Jesus was imminent, and very much a part of His thoughts. As His disciples bickered over their greatness, Jesus witnessed their competitive and childish behavior. Still…He loved them.
2. You will never win a soul to Christ, that you do not love. It is hard and difficult work to seek the lost for Christ. It takes time, much effort, patience and they come from a love of that person’s soul.
Most people are offended if you suggest they do not know the Lord or not going to heaven. It really takes great effort to stick it out and stick by them…when they are not interested and may get mad at you.
3. In a few hours Peter would deny Him, even cursing, claiming He did not even know Him. If you are seeking recognition, agape love is not your true motivation.” Peter would then led the other disciples to return to fishing, basically forsaking their calling from God.
4. Yet, knowing this did not deter Christ..He was setting an example for us.
B. Humility Needs No Announcement. (vv.3-4) Without introduction, Christ washed the bickering disciples’ feet.
- True koinonia humility learns the ability to work without the lights and public attention, and to feel comfortable with obscurity.
Worth Remembering: The perfect blend of honesty and humility exists when we are willing (as He was) to be involved in someone else’s failure or need.
C. Humility Sees Beneath the Surface. (v.5) Jesus was not deaf to their words nor blind to their motives.
He observed their acid comments which revealed that there was harsh competition among them. He saw the real needs that motivated their statements. He as a their Lord in love sought to help them overcome this destructive attitude. They needed to be taught to show humility to each other and used this striking action to teach them character.
D. Humility is as Comfortable Receiving as it is in Giving. (vv.6-8a).
Unmasked pride…embarrassed humiliation…an absolute refusal to submit to the Lord’s expression of humility–this was Peter at his best.
Unwilling to admit his personal need, he said (literally). “Lord, You–my want to wash MY feet?”
E. Humility Marks of Strength, Not Weakness. (vv.8b-10). The Lord’s two remarks must not be overlooked:
“If I don’t wash you, you have no part with Me,” Not all of you are clean.”
Submission requires strength, as only the strong can tame their pride.
F. Humility must be expressed before joy can come. (vv.12-17). Here the Lord draws it all together, These matters are not for thinking about, but for doing…expressing. “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (v.17). There is no real koinonia apart from honesty and humility.
Conclusion:
- 1. Let me ask you a question? It is being humble worth it? It is worth it to show it to others? Do you know what you use to determine the answer to this question? Your degree of PRIDE. The degree of you pride governs how you respond.
2. Christ was trying to show the disciples that they must serve one another, in order to serve God. The PROUD want to lead….not serve. Yet, Jesus said it was the servant who honored the Lord.
It impossible to serve anyone who you are being critical of….seeking to judging their every motive.
True humility sees the faults in others, sees them clearly….yet it does not make an issue of them.
We are talking about “biblical fellowship” Having all things in command, having a true love and desire for the other person’s welfare.
What about you and I. How would stand the test? Do we see others who are in difficulty as objects to criticize or to help.
Christ wanted His disciples of overcome their pride and feelings of self worth and learn to serve others in humility. He can only use a believers who practices humility and honestly wants to serve the Lord by serving others.
Yes, servants are abused. Servants are often thought little of and mistreated…..yet they bear the stigma, because Christ too was abused and treated wrongly…..even crucified by men He was suffering and dying for.
What will you do this morning with this truth? The humble heart which is created by God’s love will . . . ask for God’s forgiveness for their pride and make a real commitment to with God’s help overcome it.
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