I Have Given You an Example

Text: John 13
1 September 2019

Consciousness of the Lord Jesus as an example

“For I have given you an example,”   John 13:15

1. A perfect example

a. No other example as the Lord Jesus
b. He is the only perfect example

2. A powerful example

a. The Lord is indeed such a great example
b. It empowers us

3. The supreme example

a. He is the greatest and ultimate example
b. His example is above everyone else

Consistency in learning from the example of the Lord

1. Teaching by example

“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?”   John 13:12
a. He showed them by His example
b. Learn from seeing the Lord’s example

2. No greater teacher

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.”   John 13:13
a. The Lord Jesus is their divine Teacher and Lord
b. He commended them for acknowledging Him
c. This made His example even more significant as the divine Teacher and Lord

3. Inspiration

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”   John 13:14
a. Tremendous inspiration from the Lord and Teacher
b. His example of humility was something unheard of
c. The disciples should be inspired to do the same

Challenge to follow the example of the Lord

1. A command to follow His example

“That you should do as I have done to you.”   John 13:15
a. Not an option
b. A command given
c. The challenge is to do the same as what the Lord had exemplified

2. To obey a master as a servant should

“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.”   John 13:16
a. No greater master to follow
b. A servant should follow the master who is greater
c. This would be the correct understanding and response

3. The blessing of following

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”   John 13:17
a. The blessing is not only in learning
b. The blessing is in doing what has been learned
c. Much blessing in following the Lord