The Trophy Lied to You

John 13:1-35 – Pastor James

  

You were created for more than simply going through the motions of life. The desire to make your life count is not an accident—it is evidence that God made you on purpose and for a purpose. Your life counts when your love moves. This week, we are going to explore the question, “What if everything you’re living for doesn’t actually count?”

  1. If someone found a box of your most prized possessions from ten years ago, what’s one thing that would be in there that would be hard to explain why it ever mattered so much to you?
  2. Pastor James drew a contrast between monumentsand movements. How would you describe the difference between the two in your own words? Which do you think most people are actually building with their lives, even if they don’t realize it?
  3. Read John 13:35. Before reading or hearing this passage discussed, how would you have described what it means to follow Jesus? Does this verse change or add to that description?
  4. Read John 13:1-5. Pastor James pointed out that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, knowing exactlywhat was coming — the betrayal, the denial, the cross. Why do you think John makes a point of telling us what Jesus knewbefore describing what Jesus did? What does that tell us about the nature of love?
  5. In that culture, foot washing was considered so degrading that some teachers said even a Jewish servant shouldn’t be required to do it. Given that, what do you think it felt like for the disciples to watch Jesus — their Rabbi, their Lord — pick up that towel? Why do you think none of them tried to stop him or take over?
  6. Pastor James highlights that Jesus washed Judas’s feet— the man who had already taken money to betray him. John 13:2 tells us that Jesus knew this. What does it say about the kind of love Jesus models that he didn’t skip Judas? How does that challenge the way we typically think about who deserves our love and care?
  7. In John 13:34, Jesus calls his command to love one another a “new”command. Pastor James explains that the word “new” doesn’t mean it never existed before, but that it’s new in kind. What makes it new? What’s the difference between “love your neighbor as yourself”and “love one another as I have loved you”? Why does that distinction matter so much?
  8. Read John 13:35. Jesus said by this EVERYONE will know. I will keep loving this world through you. My love will land on you, fill you, empower you, AND then flow through you to people who cannot see me. Can you recall a time when someone showed you the love of Christ? Think of one person in your life who may be struggling, drifting, or just going quiet. Don’t send a “thinking of you”text. Call them. Show up. Ask how you can pray with them right now, not later.
  9. Pastor James outlined three things love does, based on this passage. In your own words, how would you summarize each one?
    • Love notices the need
    • Love says, “I’ll do it.”
    • Love moves toward people

Which of the three is the most difficult for you?

  1. Think about the people who shaped your life the most. Now, be honest. Were they the most impressive people you’ve ever met? The most powerful? The ones who won every argument and proved every point? No. They were the people who loved you when you had nothing to offer in return. Is there someone in your circle right now who may be waiting for you to move toward them? What would it look like to take one step in that direction this week?
  1. Pastor James said, “Insecure people can’t afford to notice needs because they’re spending all their attention managing their own image. Secure people are free to look up.”On a personal level, how much of your daily energy goes into managing how others see you? How does that affect your ability to notice what’s going on with the people around you?
  2. John 13:17says, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” Pastor James points out that the blessing isn’t in believing, studying, or reposting — it’s in the doing. Have you noticed a need recently that you’ve been mentally assigning to “somebody”instead of responding yourself? What’s been holding you back?
  3. 1 John 4:10-11,19says, “We love because he first loved us.” This command comes wrapped inside his love for you.Pastor James said the real reason we struggle to love people is often that we’ve lost sight of how loved weare. How does staying connected to God’s personal love for you change the way you love others? What’s the difference between loving out of obligation and loving out of overflow?

This week, choose at least one of the following:

  • Look up. Spend one day this week genuinely paying attention to the people around you — at work, in the school pickup line, in your neighborhood. Ask God to give you eyes to see what he sees. If you notice something, don’t just notice it. Do something about it.
  • Pick up the towel. Identify one specific, practical need in someone’s life that you’ve been waiting for somebody to meet. This week, be the somebody. It doesn’t have to be dramatic — a meal, a text, a conversation, a Saturday morning with a truck.
  • Find your place. If you’re not currently serving somewhere, take the next step this week to get connected. Whether it’s Journey Kids, a Group, a launch team, or simply showing up early to welcome someone new — find your towel and pick it up. https://journeyconnect.org/serve

Prayer

Lord, thank you for a love that didn’t wait for me to deserve it. Thank you for not just observing me from a distance — you moved toward me, got low, and gave everything. I confess that I spend a lot of my life filling a box with things that won’t last. I want my life to count for something more than that.

Help me to see the people right in front of me the way you see them. Give me the courage to stop waiting for somebody else to move and start saying, “I’ll do it.” And when I get tired or feel like I have nothing left to give, remind me that the power to love doesn’t come from me trying harder — it comes from staying close to you and what you’ve already done for me.

Use my love — imperfect and small as it is — to let someone know you. Move through me toward the people you’ve placed in my life on purpose. I don’t want my life to be a monument. I want to be part of the movement.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Why Go to Daytona?

We believe the best is yet to come, and Daytona is ready. Families, students, and new neighbors are moving here every day, bringing energy and opportunity. Yet beneath the surface, many are searching—for hope, community, and a place to belong. We want to be the church that meets that need by serving the city and welcoming everyone to experience life together.

 Go here for more information and to sign up for Daytona: https://journeyconnect.org/daytona