## Authentic Christianity: Dirty Feet

## John 13:1-17

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16)

Notice the response of the nation of Israel to the message of God through Jeremiah, 'We will not walk therein.' That attitude resulted in their captivity by the Babylonian and Persian empires.

Getting back to the basics doesn't mean turning back the clock and doing things like we did in the 'good old days'. Throwing out the microwaves, cell phones, computers, and digital TV's; though that might seem tempting at times, but it means that we must be willing to get back to basics in our walk with God; depending upon Him every step of our way.

A phrase that most of us understand is 'getting our hands dirty'. It means we get involved in the work. Rolling up our sleeves and doing what needs to be done!

For tonight's message let me change that a bit. Are we willing to get our feet dirty? I mentioned earlier that we need to be willing to Grow, to Give, and to Go. If we are going, our feet will get dirty!

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 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. (John 13:3-5)

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:12-15)

I. Dirty Feet Speak of Concern

A. Background.

1. In the days of our Lord people wore sandals and their feet got dirty.

2. They didn't have to go very far before their feet would become quite dirty.

3. In biblical days, only the people who got their feet dirty were those who left their clean and safe homes to go to market, to visit, or to minister.

4. They had to be concerned enough to go.

B. Application

1. If we are going to be obedient to the Lord's commission…we are going to have to be concerned enough to go.

2. If we want the church to grow…we must be concerned enough to go.

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:23)

3. We must be concerned enough to get our feet dirty.

4. We must be committed to the Word of God to be willing to give and to be willing to go that others might come to Christ.

II. Dirty Feet Speak of Compassion

A. Compassion defined

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

1. Did you catch that?

2. His compassion moved Him to action.

3. If I see an individual with a flat tire alongside the road and I say, 'How sad it must be to have to deal with a flat tire.' I have not shown compassion, only pity.

4. But if I see that same individual, realize how sad the situation is, and stop to change the tire for them…that is compassion.

5. I will get dirty doing that…I will be inconvenienced because it will take time…I may even ruin a shirt or jacket doing the job so it may cost me something…but that is compassion!

B. Compassion displayed

1. Thank the Lord for visitors, and souls being saved…

2. But let's not kid ourselves.

3. Very seldom do we find lost folks just dropping by the church.

4. That's why the Lord didn't say, "Open the doors early so that they may come in that my house may be filled.

5. He said, Go out and compel them to come in!

6. That means we might have to get out of our comfort zone!

7. Let's get our feet dirty…let's be ready to pay the price in order to see someone come Jesus!

III. Dirty Feet Speaks of Character

A. Talk is cheap

1. We have all heard and we all understand that expression.

2. Let's make the application.

a. We may talk about how we want to see the church grow.

b. We may talk about our concern for the lost.

c. We may even talk about our surrender to the Lord.

d. But talk is cheap!

B. Is that a biblical concept? Yes!

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46)

C. The Character of Christ

1. Jesus told His disciples,

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 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. (John 13:15-16)

2. We are masters at coming up with reasons why we cannot obey.

3. But the Lord will not be interested in our excuses and reasons when we stand before Him.

4. He will simply say, 'I have given you an example'.

5. Our character should mirror that of our Savior.

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10)

a. How is our walk in this world?

b. Does it mirror that of the Savior?

c. Is it a walk of concern and compassion?

In 1774, at the age of 14 Marie Antoinette became the Queen of France. She was young, energetic, and immature, and she longed to be with people her own age. Resenting the limitations of royal life, she attended dances, balls, and parties in disguise. But biographer Carolly Erickson said this about her: "Her swift, purposeful gait was her trademark. It was said she could never successfully disguise her identity at masked balls, for no matter how she dressed, she still walked like an Empress."

d. What does our walk reveal?

e. Jesus stepped down from glory and got His feet dirty, because we needed Him to do so.

f. Are we willing to get our feet dirty for Him?