Selfishness
II Timothy 3:2-5
Selfish
» Only addressed directly one time. (II Timothy 3:2)
» But attitudes of people and examples found throughout.
» Bible focuses upon NOT being selfish.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Selfish Agenda
1. Who does selfish benefit?
2. Who does selfless benefit?
3. God as an example of selflessness.
1. Who does selfish benefit?
» Answer is in the word itself:» SelfSelf
» How does that benefit me?
Acts 5:1-6 Ananias & Sapphira» jealousy» greed» lies
St. Basil’s Cathedral
» Commissioned by Ivan IV (Ivan the terrible)
» Had architect’s eyes removed so no other like it could be made.
How does the Church benefit me?
» Attitude some people have.» I need: A big band,
entertainment, social groups, people my age, a famous preacher, opulent facility with huge parking, and bumper stickers.
» People need to think about me.» No room to serve God.
Numbers 15:2-3
Num 15:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you,
Num 15:3 and will make an offering by fire unto Jehovah, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill-offering, or in your set feasts, to make a sweet savor unto Jehovah, of the herd, or of the flock;
Amos 5:21-22
» 800 Years later
Amo 5:21 I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Amo 5:22 Yea, though ye offer me your burnt-offerings and meal-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts.
» What have we done with it today?
2. Who does selfless benefit?
» Less self, not looking at what is good for yourself.
Luke 10:25-37 Good Samaritan» Was the Samaritan benefited?
Money, status, or gratefulness?
Luke 6:31-34 Not looking for what you can get out of it.
Do unto others
Romans 13:8-10 Love thy neighbor as thyself
Ephesians 4:31-32 be ye kind to one another
Philipians 2:3-4 counting others better than himself;
Colossians 3:13 forgiving each other
Who does God expect me to be?
Genesis 50:15-21
• Recognized what God expected of him.
Mark 9:33-37
• How God defines greatness: To serve others.
3. God as an example of selflessness.
Luke 6:35-36 But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
» God sets the bar high.
Jesus as an example
Matthew 20:28 Jesus came to serve and give His life.
Php 2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus: Php 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, counted
not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
Php 2:8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto
death, yea, the death of the cross.
God has called you to serve
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.