John 13:3-5 (ESV) — Jesus knew who He was and picked up the towel
I. I’m Secure in , so I don’t have to people
1. A steward cares for what to someone else
i. The church and its people belong to God; leaders answer to Him
2. My authority has because I am under authority
i. Safety Patrol: the sash did not overrule the principal
3. People between me and what I want matter to God
i. Neighbor / boat ramp: “Why do you care so much about other people?”
ii. “I may have my hands on the wheel, but Jesus still has the right to tell me how to drive.”
4. Submission becomes when people become
i. My tone, temper, and treatment of people remain under His authority
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II. I’m Secure in , so I can receive
1. Growing in character requires receiving
i. Insecurity confuses a challenge to my behavior with a threat to my worth
2. I belong to the Father; I do not have to my worth
i. “Correction is not an eviction notice from the family of God.”
3. My calling does not cancel my need for
i. Corrie ten Boom: a friend challenged the letters she kept against those who hurt her; she received correction and burned them
ii. I can own what I did without forgetting whose I am
4. Give a next step
i. Act on correction, make the apology, ask for help, stop defending the behavior
ii. “God’s Word gets the final say—even when my pride has more to say.”
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III. I’m Secure in , so I can stand firm on
1. The Word must before I use it to instruct others
i. A confident opinion or “The Lord told me” still needs examination
2. I can remain without everyone’s approval
i. Matthew 3:16-17; 4:1-11 — the Father declared Jesus’ identity; Jesus answered temptation with “It is written”
ii. “Your approval is not my authority. Jesus is Lord.”
3. Understand in context, not merely as support for my opinion
i. The devil quoted Scripture too; God’s Word must challenge my preferences
4. His carries more weight than my
i. Matthew 8:5-13 — the centurion trusted the authority of Jesus’ word
5. Care for people through faithful and
i. Parent / street crossing: love warns when silence leaves someone in danger
2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)
ii. “I don’t get to defend biblical teaching with an unbiblical attitude.”
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IV. Closing
1. Secure enough to , humble enough to be , faithful enough to
2. : entrusted with responsibility; : called to serve; : under His authority
3. Carry without needing
i. Serve without applause, receive correction, obey when it costs
ii. “The badge says, ‘I’ve been entrusted.’ The towel says, ‘I’m here to serve.’ And my obedience says, ‘Jesus is Lord.’”
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