JOHN 13:2-15                                    "FOOT WASHING"       20120212PM

INTRO: IS FOOT WASHING A BIBLICAL 

     COMMANDMENT?

     A. CHURCH ONLY GIVEN TWO ORDNANCES = FOR

          CHURCH ALONE

     B. BAPTISM = GIVEN TO JOHN THE BAPTIST = THEN

          TO CHURCH IN GREAT COMMISSION.

          1. Only for believers, by immersion.

          2. Pictures death, burial, resurrection of Christ

     C. THE LORD'S SUPPER = GIVEN JUST BEFORE

          CRUCIFIXION.

          1. Given to the Church leaders, for the Church

          2. Pictures broken body, blood of our Lord

          3. Observed in remembrance of Christ, what He did for us

     D. ARE SINCERE CHRISTIANS THAT BELIEVE FOOT

          WASHING IS ALSO AN ORDNANCE.

          1. Study will conclude = Jesus not command it to the Church

I. HERE IS WHY FOOT WASHING IS NOT AN ORDINACE 

     OF THE CHURCH.

     A. IS NO MENTION IN CHURCH EPISTLES = 
          ROMANS, CORINTHIANS, GALATIANS,

          EPHESIANS

          1. These letters written to regulate faith & practice

     B. FOOT WASHING WAS TO BE PRACTICED IN

          HOME, NOT CHURCH

          1. Bible study = rule of first mention = Ge 18:4 Let a little

                water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest

                yourselves under the tree:

                a. Was an act of hospitality

          2. Ex 30:18-21 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and

                his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it

               between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar,

                and thou shalt put water therein. 19 For Aaron and his

                sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: 20 
                When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation,

                they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they

                come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made

                by fire unto the LORD: 21 So they shall wash their hands

                and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for

                ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their

                generations.

                a. Was for Aaron & sons, the Priests, to cleanse them

                b. Is much ceremonial washing in Old Testament

                c. Corresponds to our ritual of Baptism

                     (1) And "washing" in the Word.

          3. Lu 7:38   And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and

                began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the

                hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with

                the ointment.

                a. 1st in New Testament

                b. Was an act of worship

          4. Text  in John 13:2-15 = will come back to it.

          5. 1Ti 5:9-10   Let not a widow be taken into the number under

                threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10

                Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up

                children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the

                saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have

                diligently followed every good work.

                a. Rules for taking widows in.

                     (1) Must be given to much hospitality

                     (2) Was all that foot washing was

                     (3) Early church took care of poor widows.

                     (4) Had to guard against abuse

                     (5) They had to have a good record of works

                     (6) Works done in home, not in Church

     C. FOOT WASHING WAS TO BE AN ACT OF HUMBLE

          SERVICE.

          1. Must get on knees to wash feet

          2. Not to be a service rendered if feet washed were clean

                a. Old time = sandals = Servants washed feet of guests

          3. Act of humility = cannot be paraded in public

                a. Attempt show off humility , is spiritual pride

     D. FOOT WASHING NOT NEEDED AS CHURCH

          ORDINANCE

          1. Purpose of ordinances = to symbolize Gospel

                a. Baptism = death, burial, resurrection.

                b. Lord's Supper = body and blood at Calvary

          2. Foot washing not give picture of Calvary or Gospel

          3. Ordinances give complete picture = not need more.

II. FOOT WASHING EPISODE EXAMINED AND 

     EXPLAINED = TEXT JOHN 13:2-15

     A. THE OCCASION = CONTENTION FOR CHIEF

          OFFICES IN KINGDOM

          1. Lu 9:46-48 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which

                of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the

                thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48

                And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in

                my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me

                receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all,

                the same shall be great.

          2. In spite of Jesus repeated statement of coming crucifixion Mr

                9:30-32   And they departed thence, and passed through

                Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 31

                For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of

                man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill

                him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 32

                But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask

               him .

                a. Seemed to think -= Triumphal entry, 5 days earlier =

                     would bring the world empire now

          3. Jesus finally = had get on knees, wash, menial, slave = to

                shock = burn into minds

                a. We are called to serve, not rule

     B. THE CONVERSATION = APPARENT DISCIPLES NOT

          GOING WASH

          1. Vs.7 - Christ says Peter not understand now

          2. Vs.8-10 = Christ says all had bath save Judas = Vs11.

     C. LESSON TO BE LEARNED, MORE THAN HUMILITY =

          VS.12-15 = LOVE.

          1. Example, lowly service, serve each other

                a. In Arcadia = Bro. Joe = cut my Grass, Glenn cut church

                     lawn, Dan Repared carpenter jobs, Bobbie brought

                     flowers.

                b. In Fairmount = Gary & Michel mow grass, rake leaves,

                     Sharyn brings flowers, Elois brought table cloth, Cindy

                     takes care of supplies.

                c. I have seen each member doing things around church

          2. Lesson in Spiritual cleansing.

                a. Peter was to deny Jesus

                b. Need be restored before could be blessing to others.

                c. Peter not understand then, but later would

                d. Prediction came true Joh 13:38   Jesus answered him,

                     Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I

                     say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast

                     denied me thrice.

                     (1) Denied by saved Peter, Lost Judas betrayed

                     (2) Disciples went back to fishing

                     (3) Christ appears, & fed them John 21:1-14

                     (4) Vs 15-17 Spiritually washed Peter's feet

                          (a) Restored to fellowship and service

                     (5) Peter not now boast

                          (a) Learned not love very much

                          (b) Does still claim to love a little.

                e. Can we claim more  = pray will love Him more.

          3. Jesus told Disciples to wash one anothers feet.

                a. Physical  = stooping to serve brethren

                b. Not need in that way today = not have bare feet

                c. Spiritual Ga 6:1   Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a

                     fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the

                     spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also

                     be tempted.

          4. If a brother is caught in some sin = Is duty to restore.

                a. Our feet must be clean

                b. brother must not be neglected = dealt harshly

                c. Must be brought face sin, repent, turn from it

                d. In spirit meekness, remembering

                e. Difficult to get sinning brother to acknowledge

                f. Difficult to in spirit of humility

III. THE HISTORY OF FOOT WASHING AS AN ORDINANCE

     A. HISTORY SEEMS TO DISPROVE IT.

          1. Not found in any record anywhere till 4th centurey

     B. BIBLE NOT CONCERNED WITH PEOPLE'S FEET

          1. Except as Feet are used to represent moral conduct

                a. Ps 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel

                     of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor

                     sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

                b. Ro 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

                     as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that

                     preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good

                     things!

          2. There are many dirty feet among God's children

                a. Few ever make effort to wash them

     C. GOD HAS MADE PROVISION FOR SINNING SAINTS

          1. 1Jo 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive

                ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins,

                he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us

                from all unrighteousness.