The House - Part 6
Pastor Ryan Brown

Podcast Listen to Sermon: The House: Vulnerable [29Mb]

An authentic Christ-centered community is a VULNERABLE COMMUNITY.

“To be vulnerable means that you are capable of being hurt or damaged.” Steve Chalke

Vulnerability is not…

  • WEAKNESS
  • COWARDLINESS
  • SLAVERY

Jesus was vulnerable.

1 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. 6 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. 12 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. 18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’ 19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. 20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”  John 13:1-20 (NIV)

Choosing a life of vulnerability…

1. Know WHO I AM and WHERE I AM GOING.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; John 13:3 (NIV)

2. Walk boldly in the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.  Acts 10:38 (NIV)

3. Get up from the table and be a SERVANT.

“It is this kind of vulnerability that we are called to exhibit as we follow the way of Christ. For in serving selflessly we always make ourselves vulnerable. We give without any guaranteed return; we lay ourselves open to rejection and pain.” Steve Chalke

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!   Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

What happens when we are vulnerable?

  • We BUILD TRUST
  • We BUILD BRIDGES
  • We REFLECT JESUS.

OUR COMMUNITY IS TRANSFORMED!