Sunday January 17, 2010
            "Our Example"

                John 13:1-20 (ESV)
                Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had
                come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who
                were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] During supper, when the
                devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to
                betray him, [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into
                his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
                [4] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel,
                tied it around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into a basin and began
                to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped
                around him. [6] He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, do you
                wash my feet?" [7] Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand
                now, but afterward you will understand." [8] Peter said to him, "You shall
                never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no
                share with me." [9] Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also
                my hands and my head!" [10] Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does
                not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean,
                but not every one of you." [11] For he knew who was to betray him; that was
                why he said, "Not all of you are clean. [12] 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? [13] You call me Teacher and Lord, and
                you are right, for so I am. [14] If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed
                your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. [15] For I have given you
                an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. [16] Truly, truly,
                I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater
                than the one who sent him. [17] If you know these things, blessed are you if you
                do them. [18] I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But
                the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against
                me.' [19] I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take
                place you may believe that I am he. [20] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever
                receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one
                who sent me."


                Hebrews 12:1-13 (ESV)
                Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also
                lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with
                endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and
                perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
                despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 
                [3] Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so
                that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. [4] In your struggle against sin
                you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And have you
                forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard
                lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
                [6] For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he
                receives." [7] It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as
                sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8] If you are
                left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate
                children and not sons. [9] Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who
                disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the
                Father of spirits and live? [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it
                seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his
                holiness. [11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant,
                but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been
                trained by it.  [12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak
                knees, [13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not
                be put out of joint but rather be healed.
 

                Click here to hear Pastor Mohr's sermon on this Scripture.