|
In this lesson we’re going to learn how when we are selfish we can lose friends and the shear joy of living. Many times in my own life I’ve seen that the times that I’m selfish and self-centered it has made me more sad and lonely.
We go around feeling this loneliness is killing me yet we don’t see that its selfishness that killing us.
1. Selfishness leads to loneliness
Proverbs 18:1
An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
2 Timothy 3:1-2
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
When we’re being selfish we don’t make friends and the Bible says a man who is unfriendly is basically being selfish.
When God gave us life, breath and everything; family, friends education and even salvation through Jesus what more could he have done?
Yet when we hold back, and think only about ourselves- my family, my career, my job or my privacy we’re being totally selfish, the opposite of what Jesus was in his life and his selfless death on the cross.
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Tells us to deny oneself and taking up the cross daily for Jesus
John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
When we die to ourselves truly we will have so many people to help and they’ll be our friends forever.
2. Selfishness leads to sadness
Psalm 119:36
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Mark 10:17-22
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone.
19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Many times we don’t live according to God ‘s word and we get consumed with what we can get.
The rich young ruler fell into this trap – he didn’t listen to Jesus’ advice and went away sad.
Sometimes we do the same thing by not listening to our discipling partner advice and in the end no matter what we do we can’t be happy because we think of our own selfish
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Jesus was the one who left heaven and came and died for us and he did it joyfully.
Hebrews 12:2-3
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Jesus knew that if He endured the cross what joy he experiences when we all become disciples and get forgiveness of our sins.
In conclusion let’s decide that we can focus on helping others and trusting God and his word and truly we’ll be blessed with great friendships and everlasting joy.
|
