Serving Others: Start with Joy in Mind

When it comes to serving others, start with joy in mind.

That’s what Jesus did.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross...”

What was Jesus’ joy that caused him to endure the cross?

His joy was securing our eternal forgiveness through his once-for-all sacrifice for sins.

It brought Jesus great joy to secure our eternal forgiveness through his sacrifice.

He knew his sacrifice and forgiveness would bring us great joy.

Jesus gets joy as he sees us experiencing his eternal forgiveness.

Jesus’ sacrifice was him serving us in love by meeting our need for forgiveness.

His sacrifice was painful.

His service was painful.

The nails were painful.

The thorns were painful.

The cross was painful.

But he endured the pain of the cross for our joy and for his joy, the joy he experienced when we received his forgiveness by faith.

When serving us, Jesus started with joy in mind...

...our joy.

Serving others works the same way with us, start with joy in mind.

Start with the joy of those on the receiving end of our act of service.

We may have to endure pain when serving others, but set their joy before you...

...endure pain for their joy.

In Philippians, Paul says “Let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus.”

What is this mind?

It is the mind of serving others in love for their joy.

In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul says to “Be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”

So, as we lovingly serve others with sacrificial love, just as Christ did for us, we will bring joy to them.

Start with joy in mind.