Category: Selfishness
Subject: Selfishness
Sermon: The Church of ME!
A self-centered, and willful individual is destructive to the people of God. Diotrephes was such a man (cf. 3 John 9-10). It is worth time to examine the way that self-centered people see their relationship with God and His people.
COVID-19 (2) The Trouble with Brooding
Are you familiar with the term brooding? How about the etymology of the word? It is of Germanic origin, and originally referred to breeding. The term is a figurative use of the idea of a hen sitting on her eggs, or sitting with her chicks under her wings.
In fact, country folk are familiar with a broody hen:
“A broody hen is a chicken that has decided to sit on and hatch a clutch of eggs. The eggs may be fertilized or unfertilized. The broody hen will sit on the eggs day and night, leaving only once daily to eat, drink, and poop. If you try to remove her from her eggs, she may hiss at you and peck you.” (thespruce.com)
Today, the word brooding refers to “showing deep unhappiness of thought.”
Sermon: Absalom’s Treachery
Absalom was an evil, selfish and self-centered man. He murdered his brother and sought to steal the throne of his father David. His vanity and selfishness eventually destroyed him.
Sermon: The Older Son
Most lessons from Luke 15 deal primarily with the Prodigal son in the parable. However, this lesson discusses the failings of the older son who remained with his father.
Sermon: Respect
Paul described himself, prior to becoming a Christian, as an insolent man. Pride and selfishness lead to disrepect of others. We must show respect to God, and our fellow man.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Selfishness
Selfishness is perhaps the single human characteristic most destructive to the unity of God’s people. When men are more concerned with their own desires and will, and less interested in the welfare of the many, division is the natural consequence.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he wrote, “I implore Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2). These words strike the only sour chord in Paul’s letter of love to that congregation. It seems that strife existed between the two women, and Paul admonished them directly.
Earlier in his letter there is a possible explanation for the conflict, as Paul expressed in the second chapter the basis for unity among believers. He wrote, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (2:1-4). The ladies may have been acting selfishly.
Selflessness is the example set by our Lord (cf. 2:5-8). If Jesus had acted selfishly, not mindful of our needs, He would have remained in Heaven with the Father. If He had, He would not have secured our redemption. We rejoice that our Lord was more concerned for us than for His own welfare. And, we should follow His example.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Boasting in Evil
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.You love evil more than good,
Lying rather than speaking righteousness.You love all devouring words,
You deceitful tongue.God shall likewise destroy you forever;
He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place,
And uproot you from the land of the living.The righteous also shall see and fear,
And shall laugh at him, saying,“Here is the man who did not make God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.”(Psalm 52:1-7)
Here on earth the wicked may prosper, but as the Psalmist knew, ultimately God will settle all accounts. It is a righteous thing with Him to take “vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Instead, as the Psalmist we must make God our strength, and serve Him with all our might!
Sermon: little gods
Idolatry still exists today. There are little gods people put (metaphorically) in their pocket. Gods like money, human wisdom, tradition, pleasure and self.
In The News: Jon and Kate Plus 8
You may not be aware of it, but in pop culture the biggest piece of news is the impending divorce of Jon and Kate Gosselin. The Gosselin family resides in Pennsylvania, and the two with their 8 children (one set of 8 year old twins, and one set of 5 year old sextuplets) are the subject of a very successful reality TV series, Jon and Kate Plus 8.
The series has been on television since January of 2007, and is widely viewed. Until recently the show revolved around the children, and the challenges of raising such a large and young family. However, the Gosselin’s marital problems have dominated reports in the entertainment media, and have been dealt with in the most recent episodes of the television show, which airs on TLC.
Sermon: I’m the Exception!
Some people, most often in attitude rather than explicitly, exhibit the following attitude:
For some reason, God has released me from my spiritual obligations and responsibilities. I can shirk my duties without fear of punishment. God will not hold me accountable, despite not fulfilling my responsibilities toward him.
This lesson deals with such an ungodly attitude.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon: Unselfishness
Bill Crews’ sermon points out that though the word “unselfishness” is not used in most English versions of the Bible, the concepts of “unselfishness” and “selfishness” are certainly prevalent in scripture.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon: Self
In order for us to please God, self must be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
In The News: NBA is Unfair!
There a number of passages that come to mind that bear on the subject of this short article:
“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).
“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:18-20).
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
In the news Saturday was a notice that the National Basketball Association’s Players Union has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board concerning unfair “business practices” by the NBA.
Sermon: Attitudes
An individual’s attitude has a direct bearing on his words and actions. In this lesson, three negative and three positive attitudes are examined that impact our lives.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
In The News: T.O. & Lord Byron
A couple of weeks ago two events happened on the same day, that represented the best and worst of our society.
First, former pro golfer Byron Nelson passed away from natural causes after having led a long and eventful life. Second, Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Terrell Owens was admitted to the hospital after overdosing on pain medication.
