Kentucky MBC
12.07.25 Sunday Morning

      • Psalm 71:23KJV1900

  • Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Mendelssohn)

      • Luke 2:17KJV1900

  • Go Tell It On The Mountain
  • Good Christian Men Rejoice (In Dulci Jubilo)
  • Angels We Have Heard On High (Gloria)

  • Last week we discovered how to have peace in a pressure situation.
    That peace is found by focusing on Jesus Christ.
    All of us are busy.
    All of us have a unique personality.
    However, all of us don’t have the same focus — Jesus Christ.
    Martha was focused on the meal rather than focusing on Jesus Christ.
    The Gift of Peace is only found when we focus on Jesus Christ and then focus beyond the here and now by focusing on the future.
    This week, out of peace, we are going to discover the gift of Joy.
    Luke 2:10 KJV 1900
    10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
    In the Bible, joy is a deep, inner contentment and satisfaction that comes from one's relationship with God.
    Again, just like peace, Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit.
    Also as important is that Joy is not dependent on our circumstances.
    Joy is a deliberate choice to trust in God's love and promises, even in difficult times, and joy can coexist with sorrow and suffering. Biblical joy is a product of God's grace and is expressed through rejoicing in salvation, deliverance, and God's kingdom.
    In the Bible, just like we discovered last week with peace, the opposite of joy is ultimately sin, which separates a person from God and joy, rather than just sorrow or sadness. 
    While sorrow and sadness are emotions that can coexist with joy in a believer's life, sin is considered the true antagonist of joy because sin directly opposes God. 
    Why sin? Because the lack of joy feels hopelessness or despair, as it removes the element of hope that is sustained by faith in Jesus.
    As we go through this wonderful holiday called Christmas, lets make sure we have joy and show joy because truly Christmas brought hope of a Savior, the redemption of sins, and eternal life when we were enemies and dead.
    Unfortunately, for many, the Christmas season is weighed down by the stress of family gatherings, extra shopping, maintaining traditions, and juggling finances.
    ''How on earth can we add all the extra holiday demands to our schedule and keep up with everything else? It's no wonder peace on earth alludes us.''
    ''as the activities and tension mount, so does our anxiety and irritability. Physical symptoms of depression start showing up. There may be headaches, sadness, fatigue, and even a rapid heartbeat.''
    Why do we get depressed around Christmas?
    1. Idealized past memories.
    Many memories include only the good parts of the past. Our minds tend to filter out the bad. The present season can seem disappointing and drab compared to the memory of better times. 2. Unrealistic expectations.
    ''Try not to expect yourself and others to perform perfectly or respond flawlessly, just because it's the holiday. If grandpa and dad usually argue about politics, they still will. If the kids are hard to please, they're likely to be disappointed with some of the gifts their receive. 3. Feelings of loneliness.
    Loneliness is intensified during holidays as are crisis. 4. Medical causes of depression.
    Will be amplified during the holiday season. 5. Overexertion and stress.
    The lack of sleep, a poor diet, and emotional and physical stress build during the holiday season. See, we are miserable because we are trying to live a double life.  We are trying to live life with commitment to Christ but also a commitment to the world and to self and because we have not settled the issue of Lordship, remember Mary,
    Luke 10:39 KJV 1900
    39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
    Before we give what we want to Jesus, maybe we should find out what Jesus wants first.
    So,
    How do we make this Christmas better?
    Well, just like we listened to the advice of Jesus Christ given around a meal that found Martha
    Luke 10:40 KJV 1900
    40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
    We need to discover the joy of serving rather than being faced with the frustration and encumbering of serving.
    As we focus on Jesus and focus on our eternity, we discover what it is really like to walk in the joy of the Lord.  That joy is for every child of God.
    Serving is not the problem as we discovered last week. As a matter of fact, we are commanded to
    Galatians 5:13 KJV 1900
    13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
    According to Jesus, the key to joy is discovered through service by submitting to one another and embracing, not a babe in a manger, but Jesus Christ as Lord. Learning the difference in joy and happiness will make Christmas a better experience.
    Happiness is found with our self. Just like temperature. Some of you are very happy for the cold weather while others are not happy because we have our preferences. The problem happens because we cannot control the temperature, that is God’s job.
    However, because of our central heat and air units what we can’t control outside, we can control inside. You see, we can adjust the thermostat which will add heat and cool as needed to provide a happy environment even when the environment is not friendly.
    You see, that thermostat is joy, and joy is found when we put Jesus before ourself.
    Now that we understand the difference between joy and happiness, lets go to John 13.
    In John 13, we find another meal with Jesus Christ that had become a tense and very teachable moment.
    Let’s set the stage.
    Christ is about to die, suffer many hard and difficult things and then die on the cross.
    As he is planning and working towards this incredible event, His disciples have been arguing over who was going to be the greatest in His kingdom.
    Now they are gathered in the upper room about to eat the preparation meal for passover. Everyone is seated at the table but noone has washed our cleaned their feet.
    Therefore, Jesus steps up and washes the feet of the disciples because they were dirty from their travels and even more importantly to give them an example of what it meant to serve one another. 
    You'll remember that at first, Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet.  He was appalled at the idea of Jesus washing his feet since he knew Jesus was master and Lord. 
    But, Jesus said,
    John 13:8 KJV 1900
    8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
    Then, Peter reversed and changed his mind and said,
    John 13:9 KJV 1900
    9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
    if that means I'm going to be more a part of you."
    Now, this morning I want to focus on John 13:13-17 and again lets look how Jesus handled this stressful time, right before His crucifixion, and the disciples not putting him first and focusing on eternity.
    John 13:13–17 KJV 1900
    13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
    If you know these things, happy are ye, in other words the joy will control the mood.
    Not only are we to focus on Jesus but we are also to recognize Him as Lord.
    Focusing on Him brings the gift of Peace, but recognizing Him as our Lord is the next step to discovering the gift of Joy this Christmas.
    Until you experientially in your daily walk know Jesus as the Lord of every area of your life, you cannot know the joy, the victory and the power that can be yours because there are issues that are unsettled. 
    When you settle the Lordship issue, Joy breaks into our life.
    As the angels announced in
    Luke 2:10 KJV 1900
    10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
    The focus is on Jesus. Joy comes when we obey.

    The Gift of Joy Settles Our Position.

    Let me ask you a question:
    Who is number one in your life? 
    Who is positioned as number one in your life? 
    Is self postitioned first or is Jesus Christ postitioned first? 
    So many people are struggling and miserable and continue to struggle and be miserable even during the time of Christmas that is supposed to be a joyous season, because they've never settled the issue of who's number one. 
    Notice the disciples called Him, Master and Lord.
    John 13:13 KJV 1900
    13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
    John 13:15 KJV 1900
    15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
    John 13:16 KJV 1900
    16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
    I believe these men were saved. I believe these men are focused on Jesus because they are following Him and obeying Him. I believe their faith, trust and obedience of Christ has proven their justification. In other words, they have settled their salvation. They have settled their justification. However, what they have not settled is the issue of consecration.
    Matthew 16:16 KJV 1900
    16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
    Matthew 16:22–24 KJV 1900
    22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
    They're saved but they have no joy, no power, no victory, no dependence upon God in prayer, no part of what God is doing in the world, they don't feel they're life is significant because they've never settled the position issue.  Who is your number one?
    To fully experience Lordship, you have to deal with your pride. 

    Deal with Our Pride.

    You have to realize that you can never be number one. 
    Only Jesus can be number one in you life.  
    That's what Adam and Eve dealt with.  When the devil came to Eve, she succumbed because she believed that she could become as God, she could be her own God.  That's what the devil told her.  He said, "If you eat of the tree of knowledge and good and evil, you will become as God." 
    That's why the devil failed.  He was lifted up in pride.
    Lucifer.  He said, "I want to be number one!"  and God said, "No, there is only one number one," and the devil was cast out of His presence.  
    Many believers struggle with every offering that comes. 
    You struggle with every temptation that comes. 
    You struggle with every decision that comes about the Christian life because you have never settled the issue that Jesus is number one.  When you settle that issue, there's a joy because there's no struggle.  You are no longer fighting the situation. It's a settled matter.  He's number one and that's it!  
    Let me ask: How many of you struggled with the issue of whether or not you were going to come to God's house?
    How many of you struggled with whether or not you were going to tithe when you got here?
    Many of you this morning didn’t have that struggle because you already settled the issue.
    When you made Jesus the Lord of your life and consecrated your life to Him, then all of those things that He commanded you to do, you want to do and there's a desire in your heart to do.  You have a joy that many people don't know because they are not living the Christ-centered life.
    John 13:13 KJV 1900
    13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

    Deal with Our Practice.

    John 13:14–15 KJV 1900
    14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
    Now, look at Jesus.  Not only must we deal with our pride, we must follow his pattern. 
    Jesus was not position conscious.  He showed that when He washed the feet of His disciples. 
    In those days, a slave washed the feet of the guests.  Jesus took the role of a slave and began to wash His disciples feet.  Why?  Although Jesus was the number one in that room, He wasn't position conscious, that is, Jesus knew who He was, the Son of God. 
    Go back up to
    John 13:3 KJV 1900
    3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
    Jesus knew where He came from, He came from the Father. 
    Jesus knew where He was going, He was going back to the Father.  
    A position conscious person will always be aware of where they think they are in a group and always act according to what they think their position is. 
    Relationships in the body of Christ are dependent upon us having the spirit of Jesus and being willing to minister to one another and being willing to serve one another and being willing to be submissive to one another. And we can only do that when we realize that Jesus is number one and everybody else including me is under Him and on the same level.
    Listen, I'm the pastor and I have a spiritual role and responsibility under God to perform but that doesn't mean that I'm one bit better than anybody in this church. 
    That doesn't mean that in God's sight I'm more important than you.  Just understand, we are to serve one another using the gifts and abilities that God has given us and that settles our position issue.  That deals with division and it deals with pride and it deals with all the things that would divide us because we have the position issue settled.
    Not only does the gift of Joy Settle our Position but

    The Gift of Joy Shows Our Priority.

    Look at
    John 13:14 KJV 1900
    14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
    In these verses, Jesus teaches some powerful lessons. Lessons that have the ability to permanently change your heart and life if you will learn them and do them.
    The Lord of Lords teaches us how to become servants.

    Serving takes Humility—

    Foot washing was the work of slaves!
    In fact, Jewish servants were never required to wash their Master’s feet.
    However, Gentiles slaves, who were considered dogs, were forced to do this demeaning task. It was the most menial and degrading work possible.
    Why did Jesus do this? He did it to teach the Disciples, and us, a lesson in true humility.
    Notice what Jesus accomplished by doing this task:

    Notice Jesus’ Humility —

    John 13:3–5 KJV 1900
    3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
    Jesus wasn’t afraid to serve.
    Mark 10:45 KJV 1900
    45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
    Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900
    2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
    Philippians 2:5–8 KJV 1900
    5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
    This act pictures Jesus as the servant of man. The fact that He willingly left His heavenly glory to come into this world to die like a common criminal demonstrates His great love for us.

    Notice the Disciples Selfishness —

    In the Gospel of Luke before this meal it says of the disciples.
    Luke 22:24 KJV 1900
    24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
    They were all concerned over who would be the greatest in Heaven, but Jesus reminded them that true greatness is a great paradox. Men never earn the respect of others by forced obedience, but they earn the respect of others by first being a servant
    —Mark 10:42–44
    Mark 10:42–44 KJV 1900
    42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

    Serving Provides Honor—

    It might have been easy to wash John’s feet.
    After all, John was the “Beloved Disciple.”
    Yet, John and his brother James were always trying to get just a little bit ahead of the others.
    What about Simon Peter? He was the one who would deny Him three times before dawn.
    What about Thomas? He was the one who would doubt the word of the others and refuse to believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
    What about Judas? He was the one who for 30 pieces of silver would sell His Lord to the enemies.
    Jesus didn’t allow any of the considerations to cloud His love or His service! He treated them all equally and, in doing so, taught us a tough lesson.
    We all have people that we seem to connect with and we have no trouble serving these folks.
    However, the true servant soon learns that he must serve all and serve them equally. The true servant is not allowed to pick favorites, but must have the heart of Christ and be willing to serve his enemies just as readily as he serves his friends!)
    Matthew 5:43–48 KJV 1900
    43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
    (Can we honestly say this evening that we serve all men alike? Not if we hold grudges. Not if we remember slights. Not if we think ourselves above others.)

    Serving Produces Honesty—

    Jesus was, and is, superior to all men. However, when He washed the Disciples feet, He not only lowered Himself to their level, He lifted them to His!
    The Servant of God has the ability to lift men. He can go to them in their need and lift them to his level by getting down on theirs.
    I am not saying that some are better than others are. On the contrary, I am saying that all of God’s children are equal and the wise servant knows how to lift his brother to a higher level of life and service in Christ Jesus—
    Rom. 15:1–2
    Romans 15:1–2 KJV 1900
    1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
    Romans 14:19 KJV 1900
    19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
    If we were all honest today, many would probably have to admit that there are some people over whom we feel superior. That some folks just don’t measure up to what we are. May I remind all of us today that we are all just sinners who God has saved by His wonderful grace and that none of us are anything to brag about this morning. So, before we go looking down our long noses at others and thinking we are so much better than they are, we need to remember that Jesus called us to be a slave to all men. That the path to greatness in the Kingdom of God is not worldly recognition or the applause of men, but it is adopting the attitude of a servant.
    (Ill. The heart of John the Baptist—Mark 1:7
    Mark 1:7 KJV 1900
    7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
    Not only is True Spiritual Joy the Result Of Living A Servant’s Life, But It Is Also The Result Of:

    The Gift of Joy Serves Perfectly.

    John 13:14 KJV 1900
    14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
    John 13:15 KJV 1900
    15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
    So, does this mean I am to spend this Christmas season with a pan of water and rag washing everyone’s feet.
    Well, I don’t believe there would be nothing wrong with that!
    However, I don’t think that’s what He wants us to do. This is more an attitude of the heart than it is an activity of the hands.
    Jesus is telling us that we are to become the servants of those around us.
    We must be willing to humble ourselves so that others may be lifted up. We must be able to recognize the need of others.
    How?
    By Helping Another With His Burden—Gal. 6:2
    Galatians 6:2 KJV 1900
    2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
    By Forgiving Another His Trespasses—Eph. 4:32
    Ephesians 4:32 KJV 1900
    32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
    By Reaching Out To Someone Outside The Family Of Faith—Mark 16:15
    Mark 16:15 KJV 1900
    15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
    There are many ways to serve, the idea that Jesus is trying to communicate is that He expects us to be about the business of serving!
    However, we are not to be encumbered about with much serving as Martha.
    We are to be focused on Jesus, our Lord, going where He goes and doing what He would do.
    Are you focused on Jesus, your Lord, going where He goes and doing what He would do?

      • Luke 2:10KJV1900

      • Luke 10:39KJV1900

      • Luke 10:40KJV1900

      • Galatians 5:13KJV1900

      • John 13:8KJV1900

      • John 13:9KJV1900

      • John 13:13–17KJV1900

      • Luke 2:10KJV1900

      • John 13:13KJV1900

      • John 13:15KJV1900

      • John 13:16KJV1900

      • Matthew 16:16KJV1900

      • Matthew 16:22–24KJV1900

      • John 13:13KJV1900

      • John 13:14–15KJV1900

      • John 13:3KJV1900

      • John 13:14KJV1900

      • John 13:3–5KJV1900

      • Mark 10:45KJV1900

      • Hebrews 12:2KJV1900

      • Philippians 2:5–8KJV1900

      • Luke 22:24KJV1900

      • Mark 10:42–44KJV1900

      • Matthew 5:43–48KJV1900

      • Romans 15:1–2KJV1900

      • Romans 14:19KJV1900

      • Mark 1:7KJV1900

      • John 13:14KJV1900

      • John 13:15KJV1900

      • Galatians 6:2KJV1900

      • Ephesians 4:32KJV1900

      • Mark 16:15KJV1900

  • Take My Life Lead Me Lord

      • Psalm 71:23KJV1900

Kentucky MBC
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