Worship Service

  John 13:1-17

13 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; 4so 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. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not everyone of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Introduction: WDJD

I. The best leaders see themselves as servants

(John 13:3, Colossians 1:15-17, John 13:4)

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;

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

II. Enter the mind and heart of Christ

A. Your Passion (Colossians 3:23)

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

B. Jesus Knew (John 13:11, 3-4)

11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.

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.

C. An object lesson (John 13:5, 12)

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.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.

D. Leadership (Luke 22:24) Servanthood 

24 Also, a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

Conclusion: Servanthood of Time, Talent, Treasure (John 13:14-17)

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Matthew 12:1-11

 Celebrate Palm Sunday with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem! Imagine waving flags and shouting "Hosanna!" as King Jesus rides a donkey through the city streets. Matthew 21:1-11 tells us about this special day, marking the beginning of a life-changing week. Join in the celebration, remembering Jesus' love and sacrifice, and shout "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"  

  Hand each child a flag or a noise maker to use when you give the cue during the lesson.  

I want you to imagine this morning that we are going to have a visit from the president. I have some flags for some of you to wave, and I have some noise makers. I will describe the parade, and as the president passes by, I want you to wave, blow your horns, and shout. Are you ready? The parade is about to begin.

Look! The parade is approaching. I can see it in the distance. The band is leading the parade, and behind the band, there are cars with other important people like our representatives, our senator, and the mayor of our city. As they pass by, we smile and wave. (Pause for kids to respond.) 

Then, here he comes -- the president. He is riding down the street in a big black convertible. He waves to the crowds that are lining the streets as he passes by. The people are…

waving flags (Pause for kids to respond.) 

blowing their noise makers and shouting, "Yea! Hip! Hip! Hooray! Yea!" (Pause for kids to respond.) 

Then, as the parade moves on down the street, the sound of the band playing and people shouting fades away in the distance. It is over. The celebration is over.

That was very much like a scene that took place in Jerusalem one day. King Jesus was coming to their city. People lined the streets. Some people walked in front of the king, and some walked behind him. Instead of a big, black convertible, the King rode on the back of a small donkey. Let’s do what the people did when King Jesus came to town.

As he rode through the streets of the city, the crowds…

waved palm branches (Pause for kids to respond with their flags.) 

They shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Pause for kids to respond.)

They shouted, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Pause for kids to respond.) 

They shouted, “Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Pause for kids to respond.) 

Today is Palm Sunday. Today, we celebrate the entry of King Jesus into Jerusalem. It was a day that marked the beginning of an incredible week. A week that would see Jesus cheered, then arrested, tried, condemned, and crucified. But as that week came to an end, another week began just as the previous week had begun...with a celebration.

Dear Jesus, our voices join with the voices of the people in Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago. Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.