John 13:1-17 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13: He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

John 13: When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

“The Fragrant Aroma of Stinking Feet” ~ Pastor Sam Law ECC-EKC English Service May 1, 2005

The Fragrant Aroma of Stinking Feet “Church” is not about customer service “Since we’ve been taught that we’re the center of the universe, we evaluate everything on its ability to meet our needs. Some of the best communicators of Scriptures I know have people leave their churches because they’re ‘not being fed.’ percent of Americans are overweight and obese. Is this also true in the arena of personal spirituality? Are we too much about us getting fed and too little able exercising our faith? –Erwin McManus

The Fragrant Aroma of Stinking Feet “Church” is about serving others “The church isn’t a dormitory for sleepers, it’s an institution for workers; its not a rest camp, it’s a front-line trench” – Billy Sunday Service expresses the foundation of church -- LOVE

The Fragrant Aroma of Stinking Feet Lessons from Stinking Feet: 1)we’ve got them and must be willing to let them be washed “The House of God is not a safe place. It is where we are challenged to live more vulnerably, more interdependently” – Madeleine L’Engle “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” – Matthew 23:12

The Fragrant Aroma of Stinking Feet Lessons from Stinking Feet: 2) Others have them as well “Church is not a museum for finished products. It’s a hospital for the sick.” – Bruce Larson Benefit of Footwashing: Our needs are met in JesusOur needs are met in Jesus We become familyWe become family “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me” – John 12:26 (NLT)

What The Blind Man Saw You’re moving from being a consumer to being an investor; you’re joining not simply a community of Christ, but the cause of Christ. On a deeper level, it is an invitation to genuine intimacy. People who become members say they’re submitting their lives to the spiritual authority of this community and welcoming genuine accountability in their spiritual journeys.... to let God work in and through us as we invest our passions, service, resources and relationships. - Erwin McManuse

Matthew 25: "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.

Matthew 25: I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' 37 "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' 40 And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

Matthew 25: "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! 42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' 44 "Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'

Matthew 25: And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."