Serving Like Jesus: A Reflection on Baptism and Humble Service

A Time of Celebration

I tell you, it's really cool how God's working here and how we're seeing so many people giving their life to Christ. We're witnessing quite a few individuals coming forward for believer's baptism. If you have questions about baptism or feel called to be baptized, please let me know—we could arrange another baptism next Sunday. It's exciting to see who's stepping forward today!

Welcoming Kerry

So, Kerry, I'm calling you forward now. Kerry, come on down! Let's give her a round of applause!

I'm stepping up to the microphone so y'all can hear me before the baptism. It's truly inspiring to see how God's been working in Kerry. I met her at Hardee’s, where she works, and I serve as a chaplain for a few locations. Our conversations have been so encouraging, especially seeing how God is moving in her heart at such a young age. Kerry's about to graduate high school—how exciting is that? We're thrilled for her journey!

As we talked, Kerry shared how she trusted in the Lord but wanted to be baptized. We're so excited, Kerry, that you're here today. Would you like to say anything?

Kerry shared, “I just thank God for waking me up this morning and starting me on my day, and I'm grateful for my family and this right here.” Amen, amen! I love that, Kerry. One day at Hardee’s, I saw her compassion in action. There was a person outside, clearly struggling—possibly with addiction or something else. Kerry said, “We need to pray for that person.” Her heart to pray for others, her spirit, is so inspiring.

Kerry’s Baptism

Kerry, I'm thrilled you're here for baptism. Let’s go through a few questions:

• Kerry, do you know that you are a sinner?
  “Yes,” she said.

• Do you know that only Jesus Christ can forgive you of your sins?
  “Yes,” she replied.

• Kerry, have you asked Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins?
  “Yes,” she affirmed.

• And Kerry, have you trusted fully in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
  “Yes,” she declared.

Praise God! Based on your public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I baptize you, my sister, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—buried with Him in baptism, raised to walk in newness of life. Congratulations, Kerry!

Let’s pray:
Father God, we love You and praise You for how You're working. We lift up Kerry and her family, thanking You for her obedience to Scripture and her desire to grow closer to You through believer's baptism. May our church surround her with love and prayer.

Diving into John 13

As we continue, we turn to John 13, building on last week’s message. Last Sunday, we explored how the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). We discussed the blessing of serving the Lord. Today, in part two, we’ll dive deeper into what it means to serve like Jesus.

Before we read, let’s reflect: How are you serving the Lord in your daily life? Are you spending time serving Jesus, or are you more focused on taking? We gather to worship, but we’re also called to serve. Everyone here has a way to serve the Lord!

We also talked last week about the heart behind our service. Are you serving with the right heart? We don’t serve for recognition or praise—we serve humbly, following Jesus’ example.

Let’s read John 13:1–17 in honor of God’s Word:

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’ Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’ Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.’ For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, ‘You are not all clean.’ So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’ (John 13:1–17, NKJV)

Let’s pray:
Father God, thank You for Your Word. As we preach, speak to our hearts, mold us, and shape us to serve You. For those needing to rededicate their lives or respond to Your call, may they obey. For anyone needing salvation, may they confess Jesus as Lord and Savior today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Serving Like Jesus

This passage challenges us: How are you serving the Lord? Jesus gives us a powerful example by washing His disciples’ feet—a task for the lowliest servant. Yet, the King of Kings served, even washing Judas’ feet, knowing he would betray Him. What a picture of humility and love!

Jesus knew His time was short, yet He chose to serve and teach. This reminds us to make the most of our time. We don’t know what tomorrow holds—an accident, a diagnosis, or an unexpected event. Like Jesus, let’s live and serve for Him.

“We ought to serve like Jesus.”

Are you using your gifts and time for the Lord? Are you serving with the right heart? Jesus’ example calls us to serve humbly, not for recognition. When we serve, let’s pray, “God, help me serve like You.”

You know, we can spend our time binge-watching Netflix or relaxing at the beach—and there’s a place for rest—but true fulfillment comes from serving the Lord. I recently heard about a young man whose father-in-law was in a severe motorcycle accident, now in intensive care. It’s a reminder: we don’t know what a day holds. Let’s make the most of our time for Jesus.

The passage shows Jesus, after the Last Supper, knowing Judas’ betrayal, still serving. He took a towel, poured water, and washed the disciples’ feet. What an example! How are you using your time to live for Jesus and serve Him?