Living Selfless in a Selfie World!

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30, ESV)

The Transformed Life! I appeal to you therefore,

brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2 RSV)

A Selfless Life!

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. (Romans 12:14-17 NKJV)

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Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (Romans 12:14 RSV)

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Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 RSV)

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Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 RSV)

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LIFE

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Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 RSV)

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LIFE

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Be of the same mind toward one another. (Romans 12:16a NKJV)

How Can We Be So Selfless?

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 RSV)

We need to focus on God

& Jesus!

The Most Selfless Person Who Ever Lived!

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38 RSV)

This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases." (Matthew 8:17 RSV)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 RSV)

Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25 RSV)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Jesus lived for others! Jesus took the infirmities of others and made them His own. Jesus died for others! Jesus is now in heaven making intercession for others! Jesus will come back for others!

An IllusionThere’s a heap of joy in living,When we’re living as we should;And the greatest joy is giving,Where it does the greatest good;And we come to this conclusion,As the more of life we see,It is merely an illusion,When we live it selfishly!

It’s the old, but truthful story,If we strive for great success,And we win, it lacks the glory,If we win by selfishness,For we find life’s sweetest pleasure,After all is said and done,When we give the fullest measure,Of the riches we have won!

- Frank C. Nelson

Song # 92

“Others, Lord Yes, others, May this my motto be,Help me to live for others, That I might live like thee.”

Sources

Outline by Johnny Felker Knight’s Treasury of 2,000 Illustrations

by Walter B. Knight. Truth Commentary on Romans by

Clinton D. Hamilton The Epistle of Paul to the Romans by

Charles R. Erdman