Falling Out Of Love With Myself

Falling out of love with Myself

Selflessness

Mt 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Lev. 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD

----the Pharisees loved themselves more than anything. They could not imagine loving someone else to that degree.

If we are honest, most of us probably feel the same way.

I. Gods' church is NOT to be a Glamorized Social Club

Phil. 2:6,7 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

It is all about building the Kingdom of God. It should never become about who has the prettiest

church or largest congregation or the most sophisticated members.

Jesus went about doing the will of the Father. He was not worried about what others said concernig His methods or manners. He was not seeking to please men.

What about you and what about me? Are we so concerned about our image that we are missing out on fulfilling the ministry that God has in mind?

II. The Ideal Church Economy

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

If we want the revival that the first church had, are we willing to live and share like the first church did?

GIVING AND SHARING---novel ideas?

III. God is still looking for those who will Give their All.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

--One will never become what God wants if he or she is seeking to be the center of attention.

---Hide yourself in the shadow of the cross.

We have a tendency of making the Great Commission a multiple choice matter. We say some may go, some can give, others can pray. In reality, God requires us to do all of the above.

It is not about what makes you feel good, it is about building the Kingdom of God.

--the rich young ruler thought that he was doing pretty good. He told Jesus about the commandments that he had kept. But he was not willing to take care of some other matters in his life.

--Jonah failed because he was more concerned about his reputation. He didn't even want to be around those people.

Could it be that our church does not grow due to our selfishness?

Selflishness comes naturally. Selflessness does not. We must work at it.

Take a look at your social media network. Who does it magnify most, Christ or you?

We are selfish because we are consumed with ourselves and all that makes our flesh feel good.

2 Tim. 3:1-4 "In the last days perilous times shall come.....men shall be lovers of their own selves....lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

What is lacking is Self-control. Within the list of the Fruit of the Spirit, it is listed as Temperance. When a believer gets so full of the Holy Ghost that he or she is possessed by Him, the emphasis changes.

2 Co. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

A Key Principle:

Holiness must be sought after above Happiness. When happiness is the priority, we are following our human emotions; seeking after holiness is to follow the will of God.

A Motto of Apostle Paul

1 Co. 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.