The importance of not being consumed by worldly desires and self-absorption, but instead focusing on the love of God and doing His will.
Good morning, brothers and sisters. We're diving deep into the Word today with a passage from 1 John 2:15-17. You know, it's easy in our modern world to get sucked into a self-absorbed lifestyle where our focus is all about us, our wants, our needs, and our desires. But John warns us against this kind of living.
In the words A.W. Tozer, "The widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart. Being made in the image of God, it is capable of almost unlimited extension in all directions. And one of the world’s worst tragedies is that we allow our hearts to shrink until there is room in them for little beside ourselves." Our hearts have the capacity for great love, but also for great self-absorption.
Let's read together from 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV):
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Dear God, open our hearts and minds today as we delve into Your Word. Help us to understand and apply these powerful messages in our lives. Let us not be caught up in the love of worldly things, but instead, be filled with the love of the Father. Amen.
Now, let's get started.
The dangers of a self-absorbed life are manifold and pervasive. This is a life where one's own desires, needs, and wants take precedence over everything else. It's a life where the individual becomes the center of their own universe, and everything else orbits around them. This is not the life that God intended for us. When we become self-absorbed, we lose sight of our purpose and our calling.
The potential for spiritual stagnation: When we are focused solely on ourselves, we can easily lose sight of our relationship with God. We may start to neglect our spiritual disciplines, like prayer and Bible study, because we are too busy pursuing our own interests. This can lead to a spiritual drought, where we feel disconnected from God and unsure of our purpose.
The potential for broken relationships: When we are focused on ourselves, we can easily neglect the needs and feelings of others. We may become insensitive to their struggles, and fail to offer the support and encouragement they need. This can lead to strained relationships, and in some cases, complete isolation.
A distorted view of reality: When we are consumed with our own desires and needs, we can easily lose sight of the bigger picture. We may start to believe that our problems are bigger than they really are, and that our happiness is the most important thing in the world. This can lead to a sense of entitlement, where we believe that the world owes us something.
A lack of fulfillment: When we are focused on ourselves, we can easily miss out on the joy and satisfaction that comes from serving others. We may spend our lives chasing after fleeting pleasures, only to find that they leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
A warning against the pitfalls of a self-absorbed life: These dangers remind us of the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective, where we consider the needs and feelings of others, as well as our own. They challenge us to strive for a life of selflessness, where we seek to serve others and glorify God, rather than pursuing our own interests.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when you really struggled with being self-absorbed and how that affected your faith.
The warning in 1 John 2:15-17 is a stark one, and it's a warning that we need to take seriously ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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