Finding True Joy Through Self-Giving and Service
Summary
In a world that constantly urges us to chase after happiness, comfort, and self-fulfillment, there is a deeper, more lasting joy that God offers—a joy found not in self-preservation, but in self-giving. God is not distant or passive; He is present, active, and still working miracles today. Even in the midst of storms and chaos, His presence brings peace and rest. Our lives are not meant to be centered on our own happiness, but on the purpose God has given us: to glorify Him and to serve others.
The culture around us says, “Do what makes you happy,” but Jesus calls us to something higher: “Do what makes you holy.” True happiness, or “makarios” as Jesus describes it, is not found in chasing after our own desires, but in humbling ourselves and serving others. Jesus modeled this for us when He washed His disciples’ feet, taking the position of a servant even though He had all power and authority. He redefined greatness and joy—not as being served, but as serving.
When we pour out our lives for others—our time, our energy, our resources—God promises to fill us up with a joy and peace that surpasses understanding. This is not about neglecting rest or wisdom, but about breaking free from a poverty mindset that clings to what we have out of fear. Instead, we are called to trust that as we give, God will supply all we need, and more. The world’s version of happiness is fleeting and often leaves us empty, but kingdom joy is abundant and overflowing.
We are invited to examine our hearts and ask: What is “below” us? Where have we drawn lines that we will not cross in serving others? Jesus emptied Himself for us, and now calls us to do the same for those around us. As we do, we become conduits of God’s love, joy, and blessing—not just for ourselves, but for everyone we encounter. Let’s choose today to pursue Jesus, to serve like Him, and to experience the fullness of joy that only He can give.
Key Takeaways
- Kingdom Joy Is Found in Self-Giving, Not Self-Preservation
The world teaches us to protect our time, energy, and resources, but Jesus shows us that true joy comes when we pour ourselves out for others. When we serve, encourage, and give—even when it costs us—God fills us with a joy that cannot be manufactured by comfort or self-indulgence. This is the paradox of the kingdom: emptying ourselves leads to being filled. [01:25:20]
- Humility Is the Pathway to Greatness and Blessing
Jesus, though He had all authority, chose to humble Himself and serve His disciples by washing their feet. He calls us to do the same, challenging us to ask what tasks or people we consider “beneath” us. Radical humility is not just an attitude, but an action that redefines what it means to be great in God’s eyes. [01:23:44]
- The Blessing Is in the Doing, Not Just the Knowing
Jesus said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” It is not enough to understand the principles of serving and giving; the blessing comes when we put them into practice. As we step out in faith and obedience, God meets us with His provision and joy. [01:16:34]
- God’s Kingdom Operates on Divine Exchange
In God’s economy, when we give, He gives back to us—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. He turns our ashes into beauty, our mourning into dancing, and our emptiness into abundance. The more we pour out, the more He pours in, enabling us to live lives that overflow with His goodness. [01:42:03]
- Serving Others Is the True Pursuit of Happiness
The pursuit of happiness, as defined by culture, is ultimately unfulfilling. Jesus redefines happiness as a byproduct of serving others and living for God’s glory. When we make it our aim to serve, encourage, and lift others up, we discover a deep contentment and joy that the world cannot offer. [01:17:20]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[29:32] - Praising God in the Storm
[31:56] - Testimony of Healing and Breakthrough
[01:11:03] - The Pursuit of Happiness: Culture vs. Kingdom
[01:13:14] - Our True Purpose: Glory and Service
[01:16:34] - The Example of Jesus: Washing Feet
[01:17:20] - Redefining Blessing and Joy
[01:18:35] - Joy in Giving and Serving
[01:19:29] - Sacrifice and Parenting
[01:21:24] - What Is Below You? Radical Humility
[01:23:44] - Jesus’ Humility and Our Calling
[01:25:20] - The Blessing of Pouring Out
[01:27:39] - The Muffin Story: Joy in Sacrifice
[01:33:21] - Teaching the Next Generation True Joy
[01:34:59] - Living Sacrificially: Romans 12
[01:36:23] - Emptying Ourselves Like Jesus
[01:37:15] - Breaking the Poverty Mindset
[01:39:59] - God’s Kingdom of Overflow
[01:41:12] - Pouring Out to Be Filled
[01:42:03] - Divine Exchange: God’s Transactions
[01:43:04] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Pursuit of Kingdom Joy
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### Bible Reading
John 13:1-17
(Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and teaches about serving others.)
Romans 12:1
("Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.")
Philippians 2:7-8
("…he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.")
---
### Observation Questions
1. In John 13:1-17, what did Jesus do for his disciples that surprised them? How did Peter respond at first? [01:16:34]
2. According to the sermon, what does the word “blessed” (makarios) mean in the context of Jesus’ teaching? [01:17:20]
3. What are some specific ways Jesus demonstrated humility and servanthood in the passage and in his life? [01:23:44]
4. In Romans 12:1 and Philippians 2:7-8, what kind of sacrifice and humility are we called to imitate?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus, knowing he had all authority, chose to wash his disciples’ feet instead of doing something more “impressive”? What was he trying to teach them? [01:16:34]
2. The sermon says, “The blessing isn’t in the knowing, it’s in the doing.” What does this mean for how we live out our faith? [01:25:20]
3. How does the world’s definition of happiness differ from the “kingdom joy” Jesus describes? Why is this difference important? [01:11:03]
4. What does it look like to “empty ourselves” for others in practical, everyday life? [01:36:23]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon asks, “What is below you?” Are there tasks or people you tend to avoid serving because you feel they are beneath you? What would it look like to cross that line this week? [01:21:24]
2. Think about a recent situation where you had the opportunity to serve someone but chose not to. What held you back? How might you respond differently next time? [01:22:35]
3. The speaker shared a story about giving up a muffin for someone else and finding unexpected joy. Can you recall a time when you gave up something for someone and experienced joy or blessing as a result? [01:27:39]
4. The sermon talks about a “poverty mindset” that clings to what we have out of fear. In what areas of your life do you find it hard to give—time, energy, money, encouragement? What is one step you could take to trust God more in that area? [01:37:15]
5. Jesus said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” What is one specific way you can serve someone this week, even if it costs you something? [01:16:34]
6. The world says, “Do what makes you happy,” but Jesus says, “Do what makes you holy.” Is there a decision or habit in your life where you need to choose holiness over comfort? What would that look like? [01:11:03]
7. The sermon encourages us to teach the next generation about true joy through serving. How can you model or teach this to your children, friends, or those you influence? [01:33:21]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see opportunities to serve, to give you the courage to humble yourself, and to fill you with his joy as you pour out your life for others.
Devotional
Day 1: True Blessing Comes from Serving Others
Jesus redefined what it means to be blessed, teaching that true happiness and fulfillment are found not in self-promotion or the pursuit of personal comfort, but in humbling ourselves and serving others. When we follow His example—washing the feet of others, giving of ourselves sacrificially—we step into the kind of joy and contentment that the world cannot offer. The act of serving is not beneath us; it is the very path to the deep, lasting happiness our souls crave. [01:16:34]
John 13:1-17 (ESV)
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can serve today in a way that feels inconvenient or humbling, following Jesus’ example of washing feet?
Day 2: Joy Is Found in Pouring Yourself Out
The world tells us to fill ourselves up and protect our resources, but God’s kingdom operates differently: when you pour yourself out for others—your time, your energy, your kindness—God fills you with a joy and peace that surpasses understanding. The act of giving, even when it costs you, is the very place where God meets you and overflows your life with His abundance. [01:41:12]
Luke 6:38 (ESV)
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
Reflection: What is one area where you feel “empty” or stretched thin—how might God be inviting you to pour out for someone else anyway, trusting Him to refill you?
Day 3: Humility Unlocks Kingdom Greatness
Jesus, though He had all power, chose radical humility—He emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient even to death on a cross. True greatness in God’s kingdom is not about status or recognition, but about lowering ourselves to lift others up, just as Jesus did. When we humble ourselves, we align with the heart of Christ and open the door to His transforming joy. [01:36:23]
Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV)
…but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Reflection: What is one task or act of service you’ve considered “beneath you”? How could embracing it with humility change your heart and witness?
Day 4: The Pursuit of Happiness Is Found in Pursuing Jesus
Culture urges us to chase after happiness through comfort, success, and self-fulfillment, but Jesus calls us to pursue Him and His kingdom values. When we seek to be like Jesus—serving, giving, and loving sacrificially—we discover a deeper, more lasting joy than anything the world can offer. Our purpose is not self-centered happiness, but glorifying God and impacting others for His glory. [01:13:14]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Reflection: In what ways have you been chasing happiness apart from Jesus, and what is one step you can take today to pursue Him and His kingdom first?
Day 5: Sacrifice Leads to Overflowing Life
Offering your life as a living sacrifice—giving your time, energy, and resources for others and for God’s glory—leads to a life that overflows with peace, joy, and purpose. When you stop clinging to self-preservation and instead trust God with your sacrifice, He fills you with more than enough and uses your life to bless others in ways you could never imagine. [01:34:59]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where God is asking you to let go of self-preservation and offer yourself as a living sacrifice? What would it look like to trust Him with that today?
Quotes
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