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.