From Self-Seeking to Self-Giving: Embracing Resurrection Life

May 25, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: True Love Is Self-Giving, Not Self-Seeking

True love is defined by Jesus’ sacrificial act on our behalf. The Christian vision of love is not rooted in mere sentiment or words, but in the radical, self-giving act of Jesus Christ laying down His life for us. This love calls us to move beyond self-interest and performance, inviting us to die to our egos and find our identity in God alone. In a world that often measures worth by success or productivity, the invitation is to embrace a life that is not defined by what we do, but by the love we receive and extend. [12:24]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV)
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: Who in your life today could you serve in a tangible way, even if it costs you comfort or convenience?

Day 2: Love in Action, Not Just Words

Genuine love is demonstrated through practical acts of compassion. The call is not simply to feel pity or speak kind words, but to be moved in our hearts and to act for the good of others. This means letting compassion move us to generosity, service, and real engagement with the needs around us. In a culture that often stops at “thoughts and prayers,” the challenge is to let our love be visible in our actions, reflecting the truth of God’s love in the way we live and give. [13:42]

1 John 3:17-18 (ESV)
"But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to meet a need you see in your community or church?

Day 3: The Antidote to Self-Seeking Is Serving Others

Serving others is a pathway to healing and connection in a self-focused world. In a society driven by individualism and the pursuit of personal pleasure, we often find ourselves anxious, isolated, and unfulfilled. Research and experience both point to the surprising truth that healing and joy are found not in more self-indulgence, but in honest connection and serving others. Even when it feels counterintuitive, stepping out to serve can break cycles of anxiety and self-absorption, opening us up to deeper relationships and a more balanced life. [23:14]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: When you feel anxious or down, what would it look like to reach out and serve someone else instead of retreating inward?

Day 4: Flourishing Comes from Generosity, Not Scarcity

A flourishing life is marked by generosity, even in times of need. The early Christians, though poor and persecuted, embraced a vision of life that was radically generous and outward-focused. Their example challenges us to resist the scarcity mindset that says we must protect and hoard for ourselves. Instead, we are invited to trust God’s provision and to give—of our time, resources, and energy—knowing that true abundance is found in self-giving love. [19:17]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: Where are you tempted to hold back out of fear or scarcity, and how might God be inviting you to practice generosity today?

Day 5: Staying Connected to the Source of Love

Remaining rooted in Christ is essential for a self-giving life. The only way to sustain a life of sacrificial love is by staying connected to Jesus, the true vine. When we abide in His love, we are filled and empowered to give to others—not out of obligation, but out of the overflow of what we have received. Burnout and emptiness often come when we try to serve from our own strength, but true life and fruitfulness come from being tethered to the One who laid down His life for us. [27:45]

John 15:4-5, 12-13 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing... This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Reflection: How can you intentionally connect with Jesus today so that your love for others flows from His love for you?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the profound shift that the resurrection of Jesus invites us into—a movement from self-seeking to self-giving. This is not just a moral ideal, but a vision for a flourishing life that stands in stark contrast to the individualistic, performance-driven culture that surrounds us. The early Christians, far from being privileged or powerful, were a persecuted minority, often poor and marginalized. Yet, it was precisely from this place of vulnerability that they articulated a radical way of living: to lay down one’s life for others, just as Christ laid down his life for us.

This vision is not about denying our struggles with anxiety, scarcity, or self-centeredness. Rather, it’s about recognizing that the resurrection opens up a new way of being—one where hope, generosity, and community are possible even in the midst of hardship. The call to be self-giving is not reserved for the elite or the strong; it is a call to all, especially those who know what it is to be in need. The early church’s ethic of sacrificial love was not theoretical; it was lived out in concrete acts of compassion, generosity, and service.

Our culture, especially in the West, is saturated with individualism—both expressive (focused on personal fulfillment) and utilitarian (focused on self-reliance). Even within the church, we can fall into the trap of evaluating everything by how it serves us. But the gospel calls us to something deeper: to be moved in our hearts with compassion, and to act for the good of others, not just in words but in truth and deed.

Interestingly, even secular research affirms this. Studies on addiction and mental health reveal that the antidote to our self-seeking, pleasure-driven tendencies is not just abstaining from harmful behaviors, but finding connection—through honesty, humility, and especially through serving others. When we give of ourselves, we find healing and purpose that self-indulgence can never provide.

Ultimately, the foundation for this way of life is not our own effort, but the self-giving love of Jesus. We are invited to remain connected to him, the true vine, so that his love can flow through us to others. Only by being rooted in his sacrificial love can we hope to live out this countercultural vision—one that is not about survival of the fittest, but about laying down our lives for the sake of others, trusting that in losing ourselves, we find true life.

Key Takeaways

1. Sabbath and Sabbatical as Practices of Dying to Self Embracing rhythms of rest, such as Sabbath and sabbatical, is not merely about physical renewal but about disentangling our identity from performance and ego. These practices invite us to “die” to the need for control and achievement, making space for God to define our worth apart from what we do. In stepping away, we learn to trust God with what we hold most tightly and discover life that is rooted in being, not doing. [04:16]
2. The Power of a Marginalized Community’s Vision The early Christians, though poor and persecuted, articulated a vision of life marked by hope, generosity, and sacrificial love. Their moral vision was not born from privilege, but from a deep encounter with the resurrected Christ. This challenges us to see that true transformation and flourishing often arise not from abundance, but from places of vulnerability and dependence on God. [10:15]
3. Individualism vs. Self-Giving Love Our culture’s obsession with individualism—whether expressive or utilitarian—shapes even our spiritual lives, tempting us to approach faith and community as consumers. The gospel, however, calls us to a radically different orientation: to lay down our lives for others, to be moved with compassion, and to love not just in words but in action and truth. This is a call to resist the gravitational pull of self-interest and to embody a love that mirrors Christ’s own. [17:23]
4. Serving Others as the Antidote to Self-Seeking and Addiction Research shows that the path to healing from addiction and anxiety is not found in self-indulgence or even mere abstinence, but in connection—especially through serving others. When we step out of our self-focus and give of ourselves, we experience a kind of healing and joy that self-seeking can never provide. This aligns with the biblical call to serve, reminding us that in giving, we receive, and in losing our lives, we find them. [23:14]
5. Rootedness in Christ as the Source of Self-Giving Love The ability to live a self-giving life does not come from sheer willpower, but from being deeply connected to Jesus, the true vine. Only as we remain in his love—pondering his sacrifice and drawing life from him—do we have anything meaningful to offer others. Our acts of service and generosity flow not from obligation, but from the overflow of Christ’s love for us, making self-giving not a burden, but a joy.

** [29:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Family News: Upcoming Sabbatical
[03:10] - The Challenge of Rest and Identity
[05:45] - Leadership Transitions and Community Updates
[07:30] - Series Introduction: Life on the Other Side
[09:00] - The Resurrection and Its Implications
[10:15] - Early Christians: A Marginalized Minority
[12:24] - 1 John 3:16-18: The Call to Sacrificial Love
[13:42] - The Relevance of Self-Giving in Today’s World
[15:08] - American Individualism and Its Tensions
[17:23] - The Countercultural Call to Lay Down Our Lives
[19:17] - Survival of the Fittest vs. Gospel Generosity
[22:18] - Dopamine, Addiction, and the Search for Fulfillment
[23:14] - Serving Others as Healing
[25:30] - Practical Ways to Serve: Words, Time, Money
[27:45] - Real-Life Example: Serving Beyond Self
[29:55] - Rooted in Christ: The Source of Self-Giving
[32:10] - Closing Invitation and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: From Self-Seeking to Self-Giving

Bible Reading

1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)
> This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)
> Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

John 15:4-5, 9-13 (NIV)
> Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing... As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love... My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 3:16-18, how does John define what real love looks like? What does he say should be our response to seeing someone in need?
In Philippians 2:3-4, what does Paul say is the opposite of selfish ambition? What attitude does he encourage believers to have toward others?
In John 15, what does Jesus say is necessary for us to bear fruit and love others well?
The sermon described the early Christians as a persecuted minority, not people of power or privilege. What kind of vision for life did they have, according to the sermon? [10:15]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think John connects the idea of laying down our lives for others with Jesus laying down his life for us? What does this say about the source of our ability to love sacrificially?
The sermon mentioned that the early church’s ethic of sacrificial love was not just a theory, but was lived out in practical ways. Why might it be significant that this vision came from people who were poor and marginalized? [10:15]
The sermon talked about how our culture is saturated with individualism, even within the church. How does this mindset affect the way we approach faith and community? [15:08]
According to the sermon, what is the connection between serving others and finding healing or purpose, especially in the context of addiction or anxiety? [23:14]

Application Questions

The sermon described Sabbath and sabbatical as practices of “dying to self” and letting go of performance and control. Is there an area of your life where you find it hard to step back and trust God? What would it look like for you to practice “dying to self” in that area this week? [04:16]
The early Christians were able to live generously and sacrificially even when they had little. What is one practical way you could show generosity or compassion to someone in need this month, even if you feel like you don’t have much to give? [10:15]
The sermon challenged us to move from a consumer mindset (“How does this serve me?”) to a self-giving mindset (“How can I serve others?”). In what ways do you find yourself approaching church or relationships as a consumer? What is one step you could take to shift your mindset this week? [15:08]
Research shows that serving others can actually help us heal from anxiety or self-centeredness. When you’re feeling down or anxious, what usually keeps you from reaching out to serve others? Is there a small act of service you could try this week, even if you don’t feel like it? [23:14]
The sermon said that our ability to love others well comes from being “rooted in Christ” and remaining connected to him. What helps you stay connected to Jesus during your week? Is there a practice (like prayer, worship, or reading Scripture) you want to focus on to deepen that connection? [29:55]
Think about a time when someone showed you sacrificial love or compassion. How did it impact you? Is there someone in your life who might need that kind of love from you right now?
The sermon mentioned that “in losing ourselves, we find true life.” What is one area where you sense God inviting you to let go of self-interest and trust him with the outcome? What would it look like to take a step of faith in that area?

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to move from self-seeking to self-giving, and for God’s love to fill and flow through each person in practical ways this week.

Sermon Clips

“If the church is not going well, I can feel like a failure. And sometimes if the church is doing really well, I can feel like God loves me more. And both of those things are untrue. And I realized the discipline of going on sabbatical is, for me, not only to find rest and replenishment, but honestly to extricate myself or my ego from performance and how the church is doing and have that all tied in.”

“It's almost like what I say is it's a practice of dying, which Jesus calls us to do. Welcome to church, everyone. If you're new here, so glad. But the practice of dying to all those things that my ego gets so tied up in so that, hopefully, I can find a life that's not defined by performance and things like that, but instead find it in God and in God alone.”

“On Easter Sunday, we actually celebrated this kind of historical event that the whole Christian movement is centered around. And that's the bodily resurrection of Jesus. That this really happened, that Jesus was a person, flesh and blood, who we believe is fully God and fully human, who actually rose again from the dead.”

“We've been exploring how now the people of God, they move from a life of despair to actually a life of hope. Because the founder just rose again from the dead, y 'all. Like, can you believe this? And because of that, we do have this living hope in a God who actually raises the dead. And that changes everything.”

“Life on the other side, it moves from scarcity, from this idea that, oh no, what am I going to do? I don't have enough. How am I going to handle this raise in my rent? How am I going to handle one of the kind of these financial struggles that I'm going through? But actually moving from a place of scarcity to actually generosity, moving from a place of isolation, of especially in a city like this, which is so dense and yet so lonely that what does it look like for us to be a people who are isolated but actually to...join this new family as a community of people.”

“We're not saying that, hey, now, because we're Christians, we don't struggle with any of these things like anxiety, being self -seeking, or anything like that. Instead, we're talking about after Jesus resurrects from the grave. In the earliest Christians, you see this vision of what life could be like. And in this vision, they basically talk about these different movements, that in light of the resurrection, what if we could actually be a people who embraced the life with Jesus in such a profound way that it changed everything?”

“You got to imagine like the early Christian movement, it was not founded from a place of power with people that had all sorts of social capital. It wasn't from the academy. It wasn't from the upper echelons of government or money or wealth or fame. In fact, these were people that were incredibly poor. They were a persecuted minority, and they were talking about a Jewish messiah in the midst of this Roman empire, which rules that known world during that time in that region.”

“Somehow, there are people who are in poverty, who are an oppressed minority, who are now talking about a peace that transcends understanding. They're talking about generosity when the rest of the world tends to be so frugal in the way that they think about life. And so you got to get yourself in a position where it's almost like, no, no, do you see? Like this moral vision, not even a moral vision, but a vision for life. Like it comes from a people who are on the underside of society.”

“This is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. What? He's talking about a sacrificial kind of love that we are to have.”

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, the word for pity is this word for having, being moved, like in the gut, having pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. What a vision for life.”

“A flourishing life is actually not self -seeking. A flourishing life is self -giving. It has an orientation that's fundamentally different than the ways of the world.”

“Even within the church, the questions that we ask, and listen, as a pastor of a church, I would probably have the same questions, right? When it comes to a church, what does this church have to do? How can it serve me? How can this church, is the preaching okay? Is the music okay? Are the snacks, is the coffee, how's the coffee? Or, like many of the questions that I ask, has a lot to do with my own personal fulfillment, my own personal needs. Even the way that I evaluate church communities.”

“Dear children, let us not love with just words or speech. And again, there's this movement, especially, that comes from our politicians. Whenever there's another school shooting, there's always kind of the tweet, our thoughts and prayers are with them. And look, John is actually, just think about how prophetic these words are, even to today's world. He basically says, not just with words or speech, but with actions and in truth. Putting your money where your mouth is. Actually doing something about it.”

“Dopamine is actually a neurotransmitter that usually kind of helps regulate, especially when I feel pleasure. And one of the things that Dr. Lemke actually writes about is how our culture is so self -seeking in the ways that we look for pleasure in hedonism. We look for pleasure in all sorts of things. Even technological advances. We look for things that will be more pleasing and easier for us. So things that are pleasing for us, things that kind of give us these short -term hits of joy and pleasure.”

“The antidote to addiction is not sobriety. Here's what Lemke writes. it's not just giving up some of those things although she does talk about fasting and taking these 30 -minute purges from this dopamine hit but it's actually connection now connection through what here's what she talks about in terms of what connection might look like connection through honesty humility in other words sharing honestly and humbly about what we're going through but it's also through serving others.”

“She talks about how actually the way that we begin to heal from this addictive self -seeking way is actually to start serving others isn't that fascinating there's this vision for serving others.”

“John is giving this vision that goes so contrary to the ways of life and ways of the world that you and I often we've been so awash in which is this self -seeking self -promoting manner of living he wants you to be moved to the heart but also to do it with actions and with truth.”

“Serving others through words just through saying kind words to each other, serving people through just being nice especially in a city like ours, serving others with time and energy as Alexa was giving this announcement of this heart and one of the things I so appreciate about this community is the heart to serve our neighbors and to actually spend time and energy thinking about how we can bring resources to bear for those in need.”

“For those of you who volunteer whether with connection or production or with our kids and teenagers or worship or prayer or groups and building community and facilitating community the ways that we serve one another and again a part of me when it comes down to like oh well I'm not in any place because I've just been feeling really down or anxious well what if the invitation was to actually take a step and get connected through serving not only that but with our money being a people who are generous giving of our money.”

“This is a dog eat dog world and this city is honestly no one's looking out for anyone else I've got to look out for myself I mean that's honestly that's the phrase that comes to mind whenever I think about this disposition and it makes sense and what social scientists and what scientists have said about a moral vision for how we end up especially in our primal nature as human beings behave it really is survival of the fittest look out for yourself this is the way that the world works now do you see how counter this is then gosh even me as a pastor who's preaching this message I'm like so self -seeking I'm trying to look out for me and my own family like this vision is stunning where does it come from.”

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit rather in humility value others above yourselves not looking to your own self -interest but each of you to the interests of others what listen for those of you who are married it's hard enough to do this for our spouse isn't it sorry that i shouldn't presume that for anyone i'm saying that for myself like it's hard enough for me to do that with my wife and my children like to do that with to do that with even others.”

“The center of our faith is not a philosophy a moral vision alone it's a person the person of god jesus christ who dies for us and the invitation is and one of the things that i love is you know john 15 um it's a passage about remaining connected to the vine and apart from god you can do nothing and in that passage it talks about how the only way that we have life to give to others is when we are connected to the vine is when we ourselves are remaining in this love relationship with god is when we have pondered the love of god seen his self -giving love for us it's the only way we have anything fulfilling to give.”

“One of the things i love about john and the early christians is they knew that this vision for life that the starting place was to to be tethered to the one who loves you and died for you and gave his life and the one who invites us into a vision to be a people who actually just don't look out for ourselves but to look for the good of others you”

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