By Tony V. Hammack
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Kingdom Dynamics
The Enemy attacks the hardest when God is Loving the greatest.
Thesis:
Difficulties and attacks can be the strongest right before God moves in the miraculous. Don’t become weary in well doing…(Gal 6:9; 2 Thes. 3:13)
Our Text
John 13:1-5
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:1b
Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
When I read this I was like, “Wow, what could be getting ready to happen?” The FULL EXTENT of his love. Awesome.
In verse 2 of John Chapter 13 we see immediately following the full extent of the release of Jesus' love, the devil is prompting Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.
Right with the greatest release of God’s love is satan himself! The enemy will fight against the people of God receiving God’s love. When we receive God’s love, satan knows we’ll never be the same.
Our love for God will increase (We Love Him because he first loved us 1 Jn. 4:19) as well as our obedience to the Father. This love motivated obedience will be powerfully used against the satanic agenda.
The Secure Christian
V. 3 Because Jesus knows who he is, he serves his disciples. Christians who don’t know who they are, where they came from, or where they are going, won’t have a servant’s heart for the people God has entrusted to their care. They can be dominated and controlled by insecurities. They can also overcompensate by being domineering.
The 5 Love Languages
- Words of Affirmation
- Quality Time
- Receiving Gifts
- Acts of Service
- Physical Touch
V. 4 starts off with the word "so". This means because of verse 3 now verse 4 happens. Jesus begins to humble himself and wash his disciples feet.
Jesus, by washing the disciples feet is establishing a culture for the early Church. The culture is to include humble, selfless service for one another.
Jesus washed his disciples feet and then said, John 13:14,15 “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.
Foot washing to me is representative of being willing to do the lowest menial task for someone. Only secure people can do this.
In order to be a humble servant to others we need to know where we come from, who we are, and where we are going. We also need to know and be secure in knowing that doing acts of humble service doesn’t diminish us in any way. If anything, it does the opposite.
After telling the disciples to wash one another's feet in John 13:16 Jesus says “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” So when the person in charge serves the people who have a lower title, they are still in charge. But still serve!
There is a blessing associated with humble service. v. 17 says, “You will be blessed if you do them.” Notice the conditional promise. Knowing this is not what brings the blessing, it’s doing this.
In John 13:26,27 we see again a contrast between the Love of Jesus and the influence of satan. Jesus takes the bread and dips it into a dish. As soon as Judas takes the bread satan himself literally possesses Judas.
The gesture by Jesus with Judas sitting close to Jesus indicating false fellowship.
Evidently the critical moment when Judas received the bread may have been a final appeal by Jesus which Judas did not accept.
It’s also an interesting side note that Jesus' words to Judas/satan indicate that He is still in control of the situation. “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
MT. 13:24-30
In the middle of a crop of born again people there will be seeds of God that will be spread causing Christian growth to happen. Growth in depth of heart as well as numeric growth. However, when the enemy sees this growth he will sow weeds into the mix. The wheat and the weeds will grow side by side until the harvest.
Where Sin Abound does God’s grace that much more abound.
Romans 5:20b
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
So, be encouraged if you are going through a difficult time in your life. Difficulties and attacks can be the strongest right before God moves in the miraculous.
Galatians 6:9
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
Come to the altar today to receive strength for living an overcoming life. We know that when the enemy comes in like a flood God is able to raise up a standard against it. Isaiah 59:19
It may not be the enemy outside but the enemy of self that has gotten us into the spot we're in. Even so, God’s grace is available to turn your situation around for God’s glory.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124