The Bible describes Jesus as “emptying himself and taking the form of a servant.” In one of the greatest acts of humility ever, Jesus washed his disciples’ dirty smelly feet.

John 13:12-17 says: “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, 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 also should do just as I have done to you….If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’”

What a powerful lesson on servant leadership! No one can lead until he or she first serves.

Paul saw genuine love as service to the brethren as he wrote in Galatians 5:13:

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Jesus stressed what was really important when he said “whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44-45).

If we go to church mostly to get a good sermon, to hear some great worship music and to get some enjoyable fellowship, we are missing much of the point of church.

It’s really not so important what we get out of church but what we can put into church through giving our loving service—giving ourselves to serving God and others.

Our goal as maturing disciples is to glorify God and bless others, not to glorify and bless the self (1 Peter 4:11).

Spiritual greatness is found in humility. To be a leader after the example of Christ, we must first serve by giving—investing our life for the glory of God and the good of others.

Take a look—begin to prayerfully notice what needs to be done; perhaps some service that no one else really wants to do. The possibilities for humble servant leadership are all around us!

Ultimately, Jesus’ radical call to servanthood is one of the things we can all work on at Foothills Community Church. We welcome everyone who wants to help our flock in some way.

If you are feeling stuck in a rut with your own Joyful Walk With Christ, volunteer some time helping others and I guarantee you will find this effort will lift the spirits of you and those you serve.

Remember, these radical ideas of Jesus and their inclusion in the Bible are to serve as guidance on how to live our own lives. Jesus died on the cross so you would have a life filled with happiness knowing that you served others in his name.

To continue this Joyful Walk With Christ, please join us at 11 a.m. on Sabbath Saturday, as we gather as a community to learn from the Word. We’ll save a seat for you and your family.

Don’t forget, we provide free childcare during the service so you can get totally involved with the message being delivered.

I pray you will reach out and learn of ways you can serve others.

Duff