Rekindling Joy in Service Through God's Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Faith and Love Grow Under Pressure

Even in seasons of trial, suffering, and pressure, God can cause faith to grow and love to increase, just as He did for the Thessalonians. When life feels overwhelming and your service becomes more about obligation than joy, remember that God is not surprised by your weariness. He sees the pressures you face and understands the temptation to step back or let your faith cool. Yet, He is able to work in you and through you, even when circumstances seem to be against you. The story of the Thessalonians reminds us that God’s grace is powerful enough to produce growth and love in the most challenging times, and that your struggles do not disqualify you from His work or His delight. [05:58]

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (ESV)
"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring."

Reflection: When have you seen your faith or love grow most—was it during easy times or times of pressure? How might God be using your current challenges to deepen your faith and love for others?

Day 2: Rest in God’s Grace and Peace

Before you serve, before you strive, remember who you are and whose you are: you are in God, embraced by His grace and peace. You do not serve to earn God’s favor or acceptance; you serve because you are already held in the Father’s arms, covered by Christ’s sacrifice, and marked as His own in baptism. This grace and peace are not just a greeting or a pep talk—they are the very environment in which you live and move. When you feel burned out or burdened, let your soul rest in this truth: you are in God, and His grace and peace are the foundation for all your service and joy. [11:53]

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 (ESV)
"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What would it look like for you to pause today and simply rest in the reality of God’s grace and peace before doing anything else?

Day 3: God’s Power Fuels Our Good Desires and Deeds

The good desires in your heart and the deeds prompted by your faith are not powered by your own willpower, but by God’s mighty power. The same power that created the world and raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you, bringing to fruition every desire for goodness and every act prompted by faith. You do not need to be paralyzed by fear of failure or overwhelmed by the size of the task. Instead, entrust your desires and deeds to God, knowing He is able to accomplish far more than you can imagine. Let His power be your confidence as you step forward in faith. [15:10]

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (ESV)
"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,"

Reflection: What is one good desire or act of service you’ve been hesitant to pursue? How can you trust God’s power to bring it to fruition rather than relying on your own strength?

Day 4: Serve for God’s Glory, Not for Recognition

Everything you do, from beginning to end, is about the grace of God and the glory of Jesus’ name. When your focus shifts from seeking compliments or measuring your worth by results, to making Jesus’ name shine, your joy is renewed and your service finds its true purpose. The outcome is not about your reputation or success, but about whether Christ is glorified through you. Let this perspective free you from the exhausting cycle of self-evaluation and root your service in the joy of making Jesus known. [16:56]

2 Thessalonians 1:12 (ESV)
"So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In your current roles or responsibilities, how can you intentionally shift your focus from seeking affirmation to seeking God’s glory in what you do?

Day 5: Begin with Prayer-Soaked Gratitude

Start every act of service with gratitude, naming the evidences of faith and love you see in your life and in your community. When you begin with thanksgiving, your heart is oriented toward God and away from self or circumstances. This practice not only lifts your spirit but also fuels your service with joy and keeps you connected to the source of all good things. Even when the tangles of burnout or hesitation threaten, gratitude plugs you back into God’s promises and renews your joy in serving Him and others. [17:53]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Take a moment to thank God out loud for specific ways you see faith and love growing around you—how does this shift your perspective as you approach today’s opportunities to serve?

Sermon Summary

As we enter October, many of us are already feeling the weight of busy schedules, ministry commitments, and the anticipation of the holiday season. It’s easy for our joy in serving to become tangled, much like those Christmas lights that seem to knot themselves up in storage. We pour ourselves into events, new ministry plans, facility projects, and outreach, but sometimes the initial excitement fades, replaced by fatigue and a sense of obligation. If you find yourself feeling worn out or wondering if your efforts are worth it, you are not alone. This is a common experience for those who serve faithfully, and it’s something God understands deeply.

Paul’s words in Second Thessalonians offer a powerful encouragement for those who feel burdened. At first glance, it might seem like the Thessalonians had it all together—their faith was growing, and their love was increasing. But Paul’s prayer comes in the context of real pressure, persecution, and suffering. Their circumstances were not easy, yet their faith and love flourished. This is not because they were superhuman, but because they were rooted in God’s grace and peace. Before any command to serve, Paul reminds them—and us—of who we are: people “in God,” embraced by the Father’s love, redeemed by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit.

When service becomes a duty rather than a delight, it’s often because we’ve lost sight of this foundation. We start serving out of guilt, pressure, or comparison, and the joy fades. But God’s grace reframes everything. We don’t serve to earn His favor; we serve because we already have it. Our good desires and deeds are not powered by our own willpower, but by God’s power—the same power that created the world and raised Jesus from the dead. This means we can bring our hopes, our hesitations, and our efforts to God, trusting Him to bring them to fruition.

Ultimately, everything we do begins and ends with God’s grace. The goal is not our own recognition, but that the name of Jesus would shine through us. When we focus on gratitude, let our service flow from faith, and keep our eyes on God’s glory, our joy is rekindled—even in seasons of pressure and fatigue. The tangles of burnout may be inevitable, but God’s promises are greater. Let’s encourage one another to rest in His grace, serve in His power, and aim for the brightness of Jesus’ name.

Key Takeaways

1. Resting in Grace and Peace: True service begins not with our effort, but with the reality that we are “in God”—secure in His grace and peace. When we remember that we are already accepted and loved, our motivation shifts from earning approval to responding to love. This foundation is essential for untangling the burdens of obligation and rekindling joy in our service. [10:15]
2. Faith-Fueled, Not Pressure-Driven: It’s easy to let guilt, pressure, or comparison drive our actions, but Paul points us to deeds “prompted by faith.” When our service flows from trust in Jesus and gratitude for what He’s done, duty turns to delight. This shift guards our hearts from burnout and keeps our work meaningful, even when it’s hard. [07:10]
3. God’s Power, Not Our Willpower: The good desires and deeds that arise from faith are not sustained by our own strength, but by God’s power. The same power that created the universe and raised Christ from the dead is at work in us, bringing our efforts to fruition. This truth frees us from fear of failure and empowers us to step forward, even when the outcome is uncertain. [15:10]
4. Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice: Starting with “prayer-soaked gratitude” shifts our focus from ourselves to God’s work in and around us. Naming specific evidences of faith and love cultivates a heart of thankfulness and opens our eyes to God’s ongoing activity. Gratitude is not just a feeling, but a discipline that reorients our hearts and sustains us in service. [17:35]
5. Aiming for God’s Glory, Not Our Own: The ultimate goal of all our service is that the name of Jesus would be glorified in us and through us. When we keep God’s glory as our focus, we are freed from the exhausting pursuit of recognition or results. Our joy is renewed as we see our lives as vessels for Christ’s light, regardless of immediate outcomes. [16:56]
** [16:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:27] - October Arrives: PSLs and Christmas Prep
[01:33] - The Tangle of Christmas Lights: A Metaphor
[02:36] - Ministry Efforts and the Weight of Service
[03:45] - When Joy Flickers: Burnout and Obligation
[04:21] - Paul’s Encouragement to the Thessalonians
[05:30] - Pressure, Persecution, and Growing Faith
[07:10] - Deeds Prompted by Faith vs. Guilt
[08:57] - The Gospel “Reverse Card” for Burnout
[10:15] - Rooted in Grace and Peace
[12:29] - God’s Power Fuels Our Desires
[13:50] - Good Desires and Hesitations
[15:10] - Trusting God to Bring Fruit
[16:26] - All for the Glory of Jesus
[17:35] - Three Practical Steps for Joyful Service
[19:57] - Encouragement for Tangled Seasons
[20:34] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 (ESV) — Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
...
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation Questions

According to Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1, what was happening to the faith and love of the Thessalonian church, even though they were under pressure and suffering? ([04:21])
What does Paul pray for God to do in the lives of the Thessalonians regarding their desires and deeds? ([12:29])
Before Paul gives any commands to serve, what does he remind the Thessalonians about their identity? ([10:15])
In the sermon, what metaphor is used to describe how our joy in serving can become tangled? ([01:33])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul starts his letter by reminding the Thessalonians that they are “in God” and offers them grace and peace before talking about their service? How might this order be important for us? ([10:15])
The Thessalonians’ faith and love were growing even in the middle of persecution and pressure. What does this suggest about the source of their strength and joy? ([05:30])
The sermon talks about “deeds prompted by faith” instead of guilt or pressure. What is the difference between serving out of faith and serving out of obligation? ([07:10])
Paul prays that God would bring to fruition every good desire and deed “by his power.” What does it look like to rely on God’s power instead of our own willpower in daily life? ([15:10])

Application Questions

The sermon mentions that it’s easy for our joy in serving to get tangled, like Christmas lights. Can you think of a time when your excitement for serving faded into fatigue or obligation? What were the signs? ([01:33])
Paul reminds us that we are “in God,” already loved and accepted. How does remembering this change your motivation for serving? Is there a specific area where you’ve been serving to earn approval rather than as a response to God’s love? ([10:15])
The sermon encourages us to start with “prayer-soaked gratitude.” What is one specific thing you can thank God for in your life or in our church right now? How might starting with gratitude shift your attitude this week? ([17:35])
Think about a good desire or a deed you’ve been hesitant to pursue because you feel unqualified or afraid of failing. How could trusting in God’s power, rather than your own, help you take a step forward? ([15:10])
The sermon warns against letting guilt, pressure, or comparison drive our service. Are there ways you’ve felt pressured or compared yourself to others in your ministry or volunteer roles? How can you shift your focus back to faith-fueled service? ([07:10])
The ultimate goal is that the name of Jesus would be glorified through us. In your current season, what would it look like for Jesus’ name to shine through your actions, even if you don’t see immediate results? ([16:56])
When you feel the “tangles” of burnout or burden, what practical step can you take this week to rest in God’s grace and reconnect with the joy of serving? ([19:57])

Sermon Clips

So pumpkin spice latte season still in full swing. The second thing, at least for some, it means that it's time to cue the Christmas music playlist already. Ooh, that's controversial. So any of you out there with the Christmas music playlist? Okay, there are a few, which is fine. God bless you. I have a daughter that's that same way we talked about it on the phone last night. I'm not one of those people. And I'll be honest, there's probably one big reason why I kind of delay my Christmas preparations. It's because if the Christmas music comes out, that means it's closer to my Christmas nemesis coming out. The outdoor strand of lights. Some of you know what I mean. I don't know how this happens, but when I take them down, I coil them up really nicely. But somehow, just sitting in the basement in a bin, they just tangle themselves up into this Gordian knot that is just. Man, it's just. It's awful. And so it always sounds like a good idea. Oh, it's time to prepare for Christmas. But this is how it goes for me. It starts out merry and it ends meh. So that's why I'm not a Christmas preparation early guy, because to me, it's the joy that gets tangled. [00:00:45]

I use that illustration because I think it's a good picture of perhaps how serving in faith can feel and particularly for us right here at peace right now. Think about it. We just poured ourselves into Fall Fest and we have been leaning into a new ministry plan for nine, 10 months now. And we are embarking on a facility refresh. And some of us have been working for a couple of years now on a new mission plant. And man, that means that there are meetings and follow ups and volunteer slots and spreadsheets and conversations and all kinds of hope. And it is all so awesome, right? Because it's all about the people that Jesus loves. But at the same time, somewhere along the way, maybe the heart starts Saying, this is hard and I'm getting tired, right? And the joy that once shone so brightly is now starting to flicker a little bit. Does that feel like that for you at all? Our service is still faithful, but sometimes it can feel. We can feel more obligation than joy. And so just like with the lights, it's the joy in the service that gets tangled. [00:02:08]

If that's you, or if that has ever been you, or if you're starting to get to that point, you're not broken. You're human. And I believe that's one of the reasons why God inspired Paul to write these words in Second Thessalonians, because these are beautiful words for burnout people. They really are. And it might not seem like it at first, but they are. So I want to dig into these words and I want to explore together how God can untangle all those feelings and strengthen your faith so that it shines joyfully again. [00:03:37]

But then we come to words in this prayer like persecution and trial and suffering. And I'm not going to downplay anything that we're feeling right now. We're going to get to that. But we start to realize that things weren't awesome in Thessalonica. In fact, they weren't just having a bad day. They were in danger. They were under all kinds of pressure just because they belonged to Christ. And when we realize that's the situation, we scratch our heads, because those don't sound like circumstances that would produce the things that we see here. Faith growing, love increasing under pressure. Doesn't that feel like the opposite of what we experience? [00:05:11]

I feel like pressure has this way of cooling our faith. Maybe we were once on fire, but we're feeling all kinds of pressure. Maybe from friends, maybe from church, maybe your own guilt. And then we're tempted to back off a little bit. It cools down. I mean, we're not facing any mobs that I know of. And yet think about how we feel after fall fest, after all kinds of meetings, after the hundredth time around the volunteer carousel, here at peace, after your friends and family roll their eyes at you again because you're saying, I'm going to go do another church thing. Pressure builds and it makes us want to step back a little bit. And when that happens, I think we often push through and we keep serving faithfully. But it feels more like a checkbox doesn't feels more like obligation and duty because of the pressure. And the joy goes away. [00:05:58]

And Paul realizes that in part of his prayer, he talks about deeds that are prompted by faith. Why does he talk about deeds prompted by faith? He knows that we are tempted to be prompted by something else. Guilt, pressure, comparison instead of faith in Jesus. [00:07:04]

And I think the worst part about that, when pressure cools our faith and it leads to this serving feeling like obligation and duty, then all of a sudden there's this little voice that starts creeping in and it starts to grow and it grows louder and louder and it says, hey, if this is what faith is about, if growing in your faith just gives you more duty and obligation and pressure and challenge and misunderstanding by everyone around you, why even grow in your faith? Doesn't it feel like getting a promotion at work and you get all kinds of new responsibilities but no extra pay? You start to wonder if the headache is worth it, even spiritually. Maybe. Maybe we should back off because maybe less growth equals less grief. Do you feel like that at all? Can I admit that I do? Sometimes I've got to believe you do too. [00:07:23]

God knows that's the temptation for the Thessalonians. God knows that's a temptation for we who are working so hard out of faith for God in this little part of his kingdom. Pressure is real. But God doesn't want to let the pressure tell the story. [00:08:25]

Silly illustration, but I feel like this prayer is kind of like a gospel reverse card for those who are burned out in serving. It really is. Pressure comes and it loads you up and it says, you're doomed. You need to quit. But God comes along with this prayer and he reverses everything by grace. [00:09:26]

This is where faith and love and service begin. And this is how faith and love and service are able to grow. Do you notice something before he gives a command to go out and serve, before he says, come on, get back out there. You got this. We are reminded who we are and whose we are. What a beautiful phrase in God, friends, we don't serve to get into God's favor. We serve because we are in the Father's arms, already on the cross. Jesus took upon himself everything I'm feeling guilty for right now. My cooling love and faith, my hesitating service, he took that on himself and he bore the verdict for that. For me, for you, for the world. And now I look at his empty tomb and it is still echoing with God's declaration of acceptance. [00:10:08]

And I think about our baptisms where God placed His name on us, right? We are in God. And so when we come to these words, grace and peace, I may say those a lot for the sermon, but this isn't just a greeting and this isn't just a pep talk. This is the comfortable setting in which we live. Grace and peace. And all of a sudden that starts to change things, right? When you're not serving to earn something. I mean, that can bring this heavy duty. But duty turns to delight when you're serving as a response to someone who loves you. [00:11:12]

And so that's where I would say the start of it is. When you're burned out, rest in God's grace and peace. Know you are in God. That's the foundation. Because that reframes how you see faith filled service again. [00:11:52]

That's why the prayer goes on with this in mind. We constantly pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling. And by his power he may bring to fruition every desire for goodness and every deed prompted by faith. So let's set aside fear and reluctance for a minute. Let's pretend that those don't exist because we're resting in that grace and peace. And we in that grace and peace we hear about desires for goodness. So what good desires do you have as you rest in grace and peace? Just think about that. [00:12:26]

Maybe it's a quiet, humble heart to love people more. Maybe it's a forgiving heart to work at repairing strained relationships. Maybe it's a generous heart to be able to give more. Maybe it's a bold heart to be able to share the good news of Jesus with the people around you. Maybe it's a willing heart to be able to step into those roles and places where people need to serve good desires, right? And yet there's hesitation. I'm not quite there yet. So set that hesitation aside for a second. [00:13:06]

We also hear about it as you're in God, there's deeds that are prompted by faith. What good things do you want to do? Maybe you saw all the people at Fall Fest. You're like, man, we need to follow up on them somehow. You want to help with that? Maybe you love seeing the kids come up here and then go to Sunday school. You're like, man, maybe I can help there. Maybe you think about the refresh project or the their new ministry plan that is gaining traction really well, maybe there's a spot for you there. Maybe the deed that is prompted by faith is just to work on being that spouse, that child, the parent, the friend, the co worker that God has called you to be. [00:13:41]

But that's the beauty of this particular prayer. These desires, these deeds that are prompted by your faith, they are not powered by your willpower. They're not fueled by your willpower. They're fueled by God's power. And just imagine that, right? The power of God to bring the sea and the mountains into existence. The power of God to breathe life into dust. The power of God to raise Jesus from the dead. That is the power prayed over you so that every good deed and desire that is prompted by faith can come to fruition. That's a big thing, isn't it? [00:14:54]

And so you don't have to throw away those desires because, man, the logistics look way too big. You don't have to bury the deeds you want to do because the outcome is unknown. Instead, do what Paul does, put in the hands of the one who has the power to bring it to fruition. [00:15:39]

So it's based in grace and peace. You live in that and then you have these desires prompted by faith. They're powered by God. But there's one more thing. There's one more thing. The prayer ends this way. We pray this so that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember where we started. Everything you do starts with grace of God. This reminds us that everything we do ends with the grace of God. So through and through, beginning to end, it's all about God's grace. [00:15:58]

And what does that mean? That takes everything you do as you step into it, out of this world, this exhausting world of did I get enough compliments? Did I accomplish enough things and puts it in the world of did Jesus name shine? Did God receive glory through this? And that's such a beautiful thing because when Jesus name shines, your joy shines. [00:16:37]

If you are feeling burdened because we've been working so hard at many things here, if you're feeling a little worn out, totally understandable. But how can this prayer help you today? I boil it down to three things. Prayer soaked gratitude style. Start with prayer soaked gratitude. Start everything that you do with a prayer of thanks. Say thank you to God out loud. Name those things, those evidences of faith and love. Maybe in your life, maybe in our congregational life that you see around you. Because when you start with gratitude, you're going to be already focused on God and not you or anything else. [00:17:21]

The Second thing is faith fueled service with joy. Don't start from a place of obligation, but let everything flow from your faith and here's how you can do that. Before you do anything, ask what about Jesus? Is prompting me to do this? Is compelling me to do this? Or ask what about Jesus? Am I trusting as I do this thing? And our joy grows. Where work flows from faith and then finally gospel focused love. [00:18:03]

Don't get stuck on how you feel and all the emotions and maybe even the results that are happening immediately. Instead, always keep your eye focused on the end goal. Always have in the front of your heart and your mind. This is for God's glory, so that his saving name is known and experienced through me no matter what the results are. And then when pressures and challenges come, your faith doesn't cool. You're always warmed by the gospel prayer soaked gratitude. Faith fueled service with joy. Gospel focused love. [00:18:43]

Whether or not you're feeling it personally right now, the tangles of hesitation and burden and burnout are waiting. That just happens, doesn't it? I can't do anything about the tangled Christmas lights for you, but for the other tangles, the worry, the burden, the burnout. First of all I offer a prayer of thanks for you. Thank you God for the increased love and faith that I am seeing here. It is amazing. And secondly, just that encouragement to remember that we live in God's grace, we serve in God's power and we aim for the brightness of Jesus name. [00:19:46]

And so brothers and sisters, if the joy is flickering, let's plug each other back into those promises of God so that we experience that joy of serving our Savior. Shoulder to should shoulder. [00:20:34]

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