Learning the Way of Jesus: Humble Service | John 13:1-17

Sermon Guide for January 18, 2026

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How to Use This Guide:

These guides are designed to help you engage more deeply with my weekly sermon. Use this guide to prepare your heart to receive God's Word before worship, or to reflect on God's Word the week following worship.

Parents, use the information in this guide (especially in the "Family Practice" section) to have meaningful conversations with your kids that nurture their faith and help them grow in God’s love.

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Big Idea

Jesus frees us from the burden of self-centered living by serving us first—and then invites us to follow his way of humble service.

Why This Matters

One of the most exhausting ways to live is believing that everything revolves around us. When we make ourselves the main character of our story:

• We become overly protective of our time, comfort, and reputation

• We live with little margin to serve others

• Joy becomes fragile, and anxiety grows

Even our spirituality is affected:

• Prayer subtly becomes “my will be done”

• Service becomes performative rather than genuine

• Relationships fracture as everyone insists on being the center

The gospel frees us from the heavy burden of living for ourselves.

The Text: John 13:1–17

This moment takes place on the night before Jesus’ crucifixion.

Jesus knows:

• The cross is near

• Betrayal is in motion

• His time is short

And yet, this is how he spends his final hours: Fully aware of who he is and where he is going, Jesus rises from the table and washes his disciples’ feet—an act of shocking humility and love.

This passage shows us:

• How Jesus serves us

• How we are called to serve others

True freedom is found not in putting ourselves at the center, but in being freed from the need to be the center.

Learning the Way of Jesus: Humble Service

1. Humble Service Uses Strength to Serve Others

Jesus knew the cross was coming. He knew betrayal was near. He knew the Father had placed everything in his hands.

And yet, he knelt to serve.

This moment mirrors the incarnation: Jesus lays aside honor, takes on the role of a servant, and gives himself for others (Philippians 2:5–8).

What God has entrusted to us—strength, status, resources—is meant to be used in service, not exclusively for ourselves.

2. Humble Service Goes Where No One Else Will

Foot washing was dirty, humiliating work—beneath even a slave. And yet, Jesus does what no one else would do.

When we are freed from self-centeredness, we are freed to:

• Serve without recognition

• Serve those who cannot repay us

• Do work beneath our abilities

In God’s kingdom, greatness is found in humble, unseen faithfulness.

3. Humble Service Means Serving Even Those Who Oppose Us

Jesus likely washed Judas’ feet.

In everyday life, this kind of service looks ordinary:

• Kindness toward critics

• Respect toward difficult people

• Refusing to let others’ actions determine our love

  
  

This kind of love requires dying to self and relying on the Holy Spirit.

A Call to Action

There is a difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant. When we take on the identity of a servant, the decision to serve has already been made.

The Gospel in John 13:1-17

Before we can serve like Jesus, we must allow Jesus to serve us.

When Peter resists, Jesus says: “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

This act points beyond the basin to the cross.

That is why baptism matters—it is where we surrender the center of our lives and allow Jesus to cleanse us.

Living This Out This Week

Personal Practice

• Create intentional margin in your time or finances

• Serve in a way that will likely go unnoticed

Family Practice

• Read John 13 together

• Talk about what it means to stop being the “main character”

• Serve someone together this week