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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS CONFERENCE

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS CONFERENCE. THEME: WALKING IN HIS STEPS TOPIC: WALKING IN HIS STEPS THROUGH HUMBLE SERVICE. OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN. Through reflection on the examples of Jesus Christ and M oses, to see how we can serve our Lord meaningfully in the times in which we live . Introduction .

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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS CONFERENCE

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  1. EQUIPPING THE SAINTS CONFERENCE THEME: WALKING IN HIS STEPS TOPIC: WALKING IN HIS STEPS THROUGH HUMBLE SERVICE

  2. OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN Through reflection on the examples of Jesus Christ and Moses, to see how we can serve our Lord meaningfully in the times in which we live

  3. Introduction • What does it mean to be a Christian in the complex world in which we live today? • In the light of the challenge posed by Charles Sheldon (In His Steps), how may we be little Christs that our neighbors and contemporaries can see i.e. Authentic Christians? • One emphasis missing in Sheldon’s book is open witness to Christ. We must that because it is crucial.

  4. I. Jesus Example of Humble Service-John 13: 1-17 • Recorded only in John. No certainty as to whether this was last supper or before it

  5. I. Jesus Example of Humble Service-John 13: 1-17 • Recorded only in John. No certainty as to whether this was last supper or before it • Full extent of his love v. 1- an allusion to the cross

  6. I. Jesus Example of Humble Service-John 13: 1-17 • Recorded only in John. No certainty as to whether this was last supper or before it • Full extent of his love v. 1- an allusion to the cross • Jesus knew the Father had put all things under his power…v. 3- setting in bold relief the event that follows

  7. Jesus' Example- John 13 • V. 4-11-The washing of feet was a menial task normally performed by a servant. On this occasion there was no servant and no one volunteered

  8. Jesus' Example- John 13 • V. 4-11-The washing of feet was a menial task normally performed by a servant. On this occasion there was no servant and no one volunteered • Some teach that Jesus intended here to institute a foot-washing ordinance, but most interpreters believe he was intending to establish humility and selfless service as essential Christian quality of life

  9. Jesus' Example- John 13 • V. 4-11: The washing of feet was a menial task normally performed by a servant. On this occasion there was no servant and no one volunteered • Some teach that Jesus intended here to institute a foot-washing ordinance, but most interpreters believe he was intending to establish humility and selfless service as essential Christian quality of life • Washing one another’s feet: what will be the application of this today?

  10. Moses’ Example –Numbers 12:3 • The context was Miriam and Aaron’s rebellion against the prophetic and leadership role of Moses • Moses’ humility was mentioned but not explained, mentioned here to show the unwarranted nature the attack by Miriam and Aaron

  11. Moses’ Example –Numbers 12:3 Although not explained in the passage, we find ample examples of Moses’ humility and selfless service to God’s people • He sacrificed his comfort and safety to bring them out of Egypt • He cared for them through the wilderness, a large crowd in a barren territory • He endured their complaints and murmurings all through

  12. Moses’ Example –Numbers 12:3 • Cf. Numbers 11: 24-30- A further proof of the unwarranted attack of Miriam and Aaron • Moses understood that God’s work was not about him but about God and his kingdom (v. 29 was affirmed in Joel 2:28, and then fulfilled in Acts 2)

  13. Jesus and Moses • Both our Lord and Moses provide us challenging examples in humility and selfless service to God and fellow man. • How can we apply these lessons today? • How do we wash one another’s feet in our own context today?

  14. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend • Christian sanctification consists in a growing love for God and neighbor manifested in deeds • The idea of friend is based on Greek philia-described as some kind of affectionate feelings towards others- friends, family members, business associates.

  15. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend • Friendship may be defined as the “symmetrical (regular) relationship in which friends attend to one another and do so on equal terms”- Helen Oppenheimer

  16. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend • Friendship may be defined as the “symmetrical (regular) relationship in which friends attend to one another and do so on equal terms”- Helen Oppenheimer • We usually understand Christian love as a kind of settled goodwill which is shown to others.

  17. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend • Friendship may be defined as the “symmetrical (regular) relationship in which friends attend to one another and do so on equal terms”- Helen Oppenheimer • We usually understand Christian love as a kind of settled goodwill which is shown to others. • Friendship is a more demanding model of Christian love than that.

  18. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend An analogy “MrKeuner preferred City B to City A. In city A they loved me but in city B they were friendly to me. In city A they made themselves useful to me, but in city B they needed me. In city A they invited me to the dinner table, but in city B they invited me into the kitchen,” Brecht, Calendar Stories.

  19. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend • “The special quality of friendship consists in needing the other just as they are, offering a welcome so natural, warm, informal, that it introduces the guest immediately into the heart of the home… • “There is no need to bow before a friend. We can look him in the eye. We neither look up to him nor look down on him…in friendship we experience ourselves for what we are, through friendship we respect and accept other people as people…” Liz Carmichael

  20. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend • “Friendship is the essential and enduring element in all loves. When the parent-child relation comes to an end, when the master-servant connection is abolished and when privileges based on sexual position are removed, then what is truly human emerges and remains; and that is friendship…” Carmichael

  21. Living a life of Humble Service: Being a Friend Essential qualities of friendship: • Acceptance as we are • Openness- no need for pretensions • Relating as though inequality is not there • Service is natural- “what are friends for” • Servant-leader versus Friend-leader

  22. Living a life of Humble service: The Vital Role of Lay Ministry • The early church thrived on the vibrancy of its lay ministry

  23. Living a life of Humble service: The Vital Role of Lay Ministry • The early church thrived on the vibrancy of its lay ministry • Since Martin Luther Christians have considered their secular vocations as calling

  24. Living a life of Humble service: The Vital Role of Lay Ministry • The early church thrived on the vibrancy of its lay ministry • Since Martin Luther Christians have considered their secular vocations as calling • The matter of spiritual gifts- I Cor. 12; Rom. 12; Eph. 4

  25. Conclusion • Both Jesus and Moses provide us powerful examples in humble service • Serving fellow believers and fellow men as friend is a helpful way to understand Christian service • Our service for God is emphasized by understanding our vocations as calling and by utilization of our gifts in the church and the world • The matter of open witness

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