Part 1: In Worship Christ Serves Us

What does it mean to truly belong—to God and to one another? And what happens when we realize that before we can serve others, we first need to be served by Jesus? In this opening message of the *Welcome Home* series at CrossLife Church, Pastor Daron uses the story of Jack, a man returning home after two years of rehabilitation and recovery, to picture the joy of being welcomed back by the people who love us. His family prepares a celebration, gathers on the porch, and runs to embrace him with a joyful “Welcome Home!” Jesus gives us an even greater picture of welcome in John 13. On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. When Peter resists, Jesus lovingly corrects him: *“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8).* Peter initially thinks faith is primarily about serving Jesus. But Jesus teaches him something deeper: before we serve, we must first allow Jesus to serve us. We need his forgiveness, grace, Word, Sacrament, baptism, and saving work. We need Jesus. This message explores why regularly gathering for worship matters. Sunday worship is where Jesus continues to serve his people—through Scripture, preaching, worship, forgiveness, Holy Communion, baptism, prayer, and the Christian community. Routinely missing worship can become an expression of self-reliance: “I’ve got this on my own.” Jesus reminds us that we need him every week. But being washed and welcomed by Jesus changes us. Peter moves from “You shall never wash my feet” to *“not just my feet but my hands and my head as well” (John 13:9).* Once Jesus cleanses and claims us, we become instruments of his love, called to serve others as he served us. That is the heart of **Welcome Home**: reconnecting the disconnected, re-energizing our care for one another, and recentering ourselves in worship around the gift of belonging—to God and to each other. Someone is missing today who needs what Jesus has given you. Someone may be wondering whether CrossLife is a place where they can belong, be forgiven, be loved, and come home. *Let’s welcome them home.* In this sermon, you'll discover: Why Peter resisted Jesus washing his feet and how pride can disguise itself as faithful service. Why every Christian needs to be served by Jesus before faithfully serving others. How Jesus serves us through worship, preaching, Scripture, baptism, Holy Communion, prayer, and Christian community. Why regular Sunday worship is an essential part of receiving Jesus’ grace and growing in faith. How Jesus’ words to Peter reveal the seriousness of sin and the depth of his desire to forgive and save. How Jesus’ death and resurrection continually assure us that we are washed, sanctified, and justified. How being cleansed and claimed by Jesus gives us a new purpose: serving others with Christ’s love. Why CrossLife’s mission includes reconnecting the disconnected and welcoming people home. *Key Scripture References:* John 13:6–16 1 Corinthians 6:11 *Main Themes:* Welcome Home Jesus washes his disciples’ feet Servant leadership Grace and forgiveness Christian worship Why worship matters Belonging to God and his church Serving others Spiritual growth Pride and self-reliance Baptism and Holy Communion Jesus’ death and resurrection Welcoming people to church Reconnecting the disconnected Christian community For more information, visit crosslifepf.org *Keywords:* Welcome Home sermon, John 13 sermon, Jesus washes feet, Peter and Jesus, foot washing Bible story, John 13:8, John 13:9, Christian worship, why go to church, why Sunday worship matters, serving Jesus, serving others, servant leadership, Jesus serves us, grace and forgiveness, Christian belonging, welcoming people to church, church outreach, reconnecting the disconnected, church hospitality, spiritual growth, baptism, Holy Communion, Christian discipleship, Jesus’ love, Jesus’ forgiveness, CrossLife Church Pflugerville, Pastor Daron, Welcome Home series, Christian sermon, Sunday sermon, Lutheran sermon