Text: John 13:1-17

Introduction:  We find ourselves on the night before the crucifixion. The tension in Jerusalem is thick. The disciples are expecting a kingdom; they’re jockeying for position, wondering who will sit at the right and left hand of the throne.

Context: This, friends, is the Humble Posture. This is the ministry of the towel.
I. The Posture of Understanding (vv. 1, 3)
II. The Posture of Unmasking (vv. 4-5, 6-11)
III. The Posture of Ushering In (vv. 12-17)

Jesus ushers in a new kingdom order. In the Kingdom of God:
1. Greatness is measured in service. Any relevant Bible verse (s)?
2. Leadership is measured in sacrifice. Any relevant Bible verse (s)?
3. Authority is measured in knee-bending love. Any relevant Bible verse (s)?
“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
The blessing is not in the knowing, but in the doing. The joy, the fulfillment, the true life—it is found in taking up the towel.

Application: So, what does the Ministry of the Towel look like for us?
It is the posture of the parent, kneeling to tie a child’s shoe for the tenth time, serving with a love that does not keep score.
It is the posture of the employee, doing the thankless task with excellence, not for recognition, but as unto the Lord.
It is the posture of the spouse, laying down your right to be right, seeking forgiveness, choosing to cherish.
It is the posture of the neighbor, noticing the need, taking out the trash for the elderly, bringing the meal, listening without rushing.
It is the posture of the church member, setting up chairs, teaching the children, visiting the sick, giving without fanfare—seeing no task as beneath you.

It is a posture, not just an action. It’s the bending of the heart before it bends the knee.

Conclusion: The Towel and the Cross
The ministry of the towel finds its ultimate meaning in the ministry of the cross—the ultimate act of humble service, where the King of Glory served us by giving his life as a ransom for many.

He invites us today: Take up the towel.

Let us pray:
May God Almighty, who sent the Servant-Son, EMPOWER US TO SERVE with humility and release monumental achievements and an ocean of blessings on us in the name of the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Click on the icon above to read in full Rev Kim's sermon of January 11th, "Cultivating a Heart of Compassion".   Based on this sermon, here are some questions:

1. READ Colossians 3:1-4. Verse 1 says "you have been raised with Christ." V.3 says "you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." How can Paul say we have died, and have been raised, long before our own physical death? (Hint: look at Romans 6:2-4)

2. READ 3:5-10. V. 5 tells us to "Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature." V.8 says "rid yourselves of all these things." After each of these Paul gives lists of vices. How do we "put to death" and "rid ourselves" of the vices listed? How do we "put on the new self"? Is it by our own efforts? Or some other way? (Bonus question: why do so many New Years resolutions fail?)

3. We often read about Christian conduct as it applies to individuals. How does it sound if we READ Col. 3:12-17, as it applies to community life, as the church's house rules? What stands out for you when you hear 3:12-17 addressed to the whole church? READ it aloud that way.

4. Kim's sermon pointed out the difference between "churchianity" which emphasizes our personal lives, self improvement, "living your best life," etc., and Christianity, a church that puts Christ at the center, especially Christ's dieing and rising.
Why is it a mistake to read Colossians 3:1-17 as a self improvement plan? What will eventually happen to a church that does that? Why is Christ's dieing and rising so connected to our behavior, as it is in Col.3?

Based on Rev Ruemu's sermon of Sunday, Jan 4, 2026

Beloved, we come today to the wellspring of all reality. To the foundation of all meaning. To the answer to the deepest ache of the human heart. We come to consider not a concept, not an emotion, not a transaction, but The Source itself. And the name of that Source, scripture tells us, is Agape. (1st Cor. 13:4-8- Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres).

So, how do we understand this Agape? Let’s look at its flow from The Source.

First, Agape Love is INITIATING.-How and what relevant Bible verse(s)?
Second, Agape Love is SACRIFICIAL.-How and any relevant Bible verse(s)?
Third, Agape Love is TRANSFORMATIVE.-How and any relevant Bible verse(s)?

Today, you are invited to do two things:

1. Drink (Smoothies) and Eat the Fruits of the Spirits.-But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Gal.5:22-23-The 9Fruits

2. Flow. Let the ingredients of the fruits of the Spirit flow to everyone around us using our Gifts of the Spirit (9 Gifts).-To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (Ist Cor.12:8-10)
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Ist Cor.13:13- And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  Using each of the 9 Gifts to produce 9 Fruits, we would strive to achieve 81Fruits. (9 x 9=81F2 -This equation is self-derived by Rev. Ruemu)

For this is the final purpose of all things: that we, loved eternally by The Source, would become like The Source—vessels of His holy, self-giving Agape, until the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of His glory, as the waters cover the sea. Amen.