* The secret to loving and leading is the same - a willingness to SERVE!

* This is the best business principle of all!

* Serving involves Sacrifice.

* But you won’t do this unless you know a few things to be true.

* Let’s look at the most famous example of service in the book - when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.

* Question - would you serve someone you knew would stab you in the back?

* Let’s look at what Jesus knew:

* Vs 1 - He knew His present - He understood the times He was in.

* In a time of crisis the person who knows what to do will become the leader.

* Vs 3a - He knew His power - God’s power was His power!

* Vs 3b - He knew His past - He recognized His source.

* If you want the fruit, go to the root.

* Vs 3c - He knew His future - this is two-fold:

* Physically - He knew Judas would betray Him and He’d have to die a gruesome death.

* Spiritually - He knew what was on the other side of faithful obedience - eternal life for all.

* KEY: In light of what Jesus knew, what did He do?

* In light of knowing His past, present, and future, how would He use His power?

* Vs 4-5 - He did the job of a bondservant.

* He identified with the lowest of the low, elevated the disciples above Him, and ROCKED THEIR WORLDS!

* How did this turn out?

* These 11 men transformed the world for the very man who washed their feet!

* And we’re still talking about it 2,000 years later!

* Vs 17 - Now that we KNOW these things, what will we do?

* The secret to loving and leading is through SERVING!