This sermon challenges the pattern of selfishness as a contrast to the call to agape love. Through this teaching, we learn how selfishness undermines our call to be like Christ and practical ways we can address the selfishness that creeps into our lives.
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Overcoming Selfishness
• Cedrick Baker
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Cedrick Baker addresses the antithesis, or contrast, to agape love in this second sermon in the “Love Is” series. One of the opposites of love, according to this passage is being “self-seeking” or selfishness. To be selfish occurs when we lack consideration for others, as we are concerned chiefly with our own personal profit or pleasure and focused “excessively or exclusively” on ourselves.
Love never solely seeks its own way or seeks its own advantage because “agape” love is other-oriented and benevolent, a charitable way of being. However, it is a misinterpretation of this scriptural text that we need to exclusively think about the benefit of others at the expense of one’s self. One scholar writes that the expression used here is “comparative,” and denotes that we who are walking in agape love do not seek out our own happiness (ONLY) but we also seek the welfare of others, and desire to promote their happiness, even at great personal sacrifice and self-denial. This is driven home by verses like 1 John 3:17. The love of God creates a desire in us to think and act towards the benefit of other people. Being self-centered shuts off compassion and empathy towards others.
To do this we must think appropriately about ourselves. We first must love ourselves and we must receive the love of God to make that a reality. As directed by Paul in Romans 12:3, we are not to think too much of ourselves, but rather use “sober judgment.” This means that we think clearly and realistically about our self-identity. This way of seeing ourselves is not done in isolation. We practice love of self and of others in community. The love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 was written to a church which was falling short of agape love. These instructions are showing them the way to treat one another so that they might live in love, and therefore overcome selfishness.
This is the way to maturity, as pointed out at the end of chapter 13. We must grow (be transformed by the spirit of God) to experience and demonstrate the love of God and allow this love to permeate our way of being as we interact with others.
There are three things that Cedrick calls us to remember as we move away from selfishness. First, transformation comes from recognition. You can’t change what you won’t recognize. Second, Christian community supports the change. We must engage each other, welcoming feedback. Third, seek out ways to show love. Focus on one area and intentionally seek out ways to be considerate, generous (i.e., time, resources, etc).
Hide Extended SummaryTopics: Community, Love, Sacrifice
Sermon Series: Love Is, Wholehearted
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The MuseCast: September 16
Focus Scripture:
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1 Corinthians 13:1-7
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
2 thoughts on “Overcoming Selfishness”
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Cedrick WOW deep sermon lots to consider!
Cedrick you said “when I say church do not think of this building” I’d like to append from a prior comment:
As Gods resource managers Church, [the ἐκκλησία mobile temple agape Spirit filled community, often at odds with IYI Yahoos on the prowl contract society], points to a called-out body of people separated from the world NOT a “go to church” kingdoms of this world building.
Dan this was your, just loved it Yahoos on the prowl
Cedrick you said “Definition by negation: Defining something by what it is not”.
From a prior comment I made, I won’t mention where for I think I got in trouble. Sorry!
From: Nicholas Taleb’s book “Skin in the Game”
Most things we believe were invented by universities were actually DISCOVERED via hearing God’s voice “Skin in the Game” tinkering and later legitimized by some type of academic formalization. The knowledge we get by tinkering, via trial and error is vastly superior to that obtained through academic reasoning.
The purpose of a grok like computer is to load in a quadrillion permutation of combinations of possibilities with specific, to given project, requirements so as NOT to FIGURE OUT WHAT IS but to ELIMINATE the 99.99999% of WHAT IS NOT leaving only a small fraction of what might still be possibilities.
From the movie Rudy I loved the priest’s response “from my 40 years in this business I have come to know only one time for sure there is a God and it is NOT me.
The rest is a narrow path of discovery following Jesus!
Cedrick you said “my experience of me being a black man in America” likewise my experience of me being a white boy in America while lacking any formal education having the audacious tenacity to attempt to write this comment.
Sorry I apologize as just being a donkey standing in the road.
We have somewhat the same problem.
Cedrick you said “how do I take my God given skills and abilities…..”
From a comment I made on Dan’s sermon The Way of Empathy – one of the problems
From the Tennessee Ernie Ford song, “Sixteen ton what do you get another day older and deeper in debt – St Peter don’t you call me because I can’t go – I owe my Soul to the company store”, I consider this man was given, by God, a one talent say so – but he performed it Sixteen fold – however contract society says sorry pays the same at that level: if you want more you need to transcend above you God given talent say so however, Colossians 3:23-24, in the end God will make it right for the Agape community!
From a prior comment I made:
This book helped me. Bob Merritt – 7 Simple Choices for a Better Tomorrow
To state the essence of the book in a sentence: [Bob loves to fish]
In order to have a Hog Hole Heaven on earth you need to understand indiscretions are habitual in that the little stuff leads to the big stuff so, if you want a little more Heaven to come down to earth, you need not cut corners, MANIPULATE THE TRUTH or allow yourself these little indiscretions for if you do God’s wrath will be, not to punish you but, to remove his protective presence, letting you have your own way, so you now become liable for your own troubles.
I’d like to add to that from Dan’s book “CONFIDENT humility”
As I scrolled thru his book contract society versus Agape community caught my attention.
From the appendix: “Jesus wasn’t teaching us to condescend and serve one another; he was teaching us that we should not regard service as condescension to begin with. Service isn’t what unimportant people do for important people; it’s what equals do for each other”.
And adding Cedrick your “self-preservation”
Now let’s have a little fun with the new Gemini AI Model from Google Chrome
Search [Jesus kingdoms of this world lording over one another versus servant to one another the greatest in the kingdom is the least]
AI Overview
Jesus teaches that the principles of His kingdom stand in stark contrast to worldly systems of power, which are characterized by “lording over” others. Instead of seeking dominance followers in Jesus’ kingdom are called to “serve one another,” becoming the greatest by taking the lowest rank, becoming like a servant or a CHILD. This emphasis on humble service, not authority, is demonstrated by Jesus’ own example and is seen as the path to true greatness within the kingdom of God.
The World’s System vs. God’s Kingdom
• WORLDLY POWER: In the kingdoms of this world (often referred to as “Gentiles” in the Bible), leaders dominate and exercise authority in a hierarchical, often oppressive, manner, according to the Bible Hub. These rulers may even call themselves “benefactors” as a way to project a benevolent image while still seeking personal glory.
• JESUS’ KINGDOM: Jesus declares that “it shall not be so among you”. The leadership model for His followers is completely different, emphasizing humility, service, and self-sacrifice.
The Example of Service
• SERVANT-LEADERSHIP: Jesus instructs that the greatest among His followers should become as the youngest, and the one who leads should be like a servant.
• JESUS’ OWN EXAMPLE: To further illustrate this, Jesus performed the ultimate act of service by washing His disciples’ feet. He explained that He came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.
True Greatness in God’s Kingdom
• THE “LEAST” IS THE “GREATEST”: Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility and service, not in earthly status or power.
• CHILDLIKE HUMILITY: In Matthew 18:1-4, Jesus uses a CHILD as an example, stating that whoever humbles himself like a CHILD is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
• REVERSAL OF VALUES: This is a profound reversal of earthly values, where human criteria of rank and accomplishment are irrelevant in God’s kingdom. True leadership is measured by one’s willingness to serve others.
Self-preservation: Manipulating the truth leads to slightly elevating yourself for your personnel benefit at the expense of the other.
A few good books to help overcoming selfishness
Dan in a prior sermon recommended Larry Crabb’s books ‘Connecting’ and “Inside Out” Thanks read them both – well worth the read
Bob Merritt, who took an early retirement walking away from some pretty big pay checks favoring agape communities, recommends a couple books.
Kyle Idleman “Every Though Captive” calm the mental chaos that keeps you stuck, drains your hope, and holds you back
John Ortberg, who also stepped down favoring agape communities, “Steps” a guide to transforming your life when willpower isn’t enough
The foreword is by John Mark Comer who also stepped down favoring agape communities
STEP 10 THE REPETITION: CONTINUAL INVENTORY starts with a wonderful prayer by Pierre Teilhard De Chardin a French Jesuit Catholic priest, scientist, paleontologist, and philosopher, mystic inventing THE OMEGA POINT, a theorized future event in which the entirety of the universe spirals toward a final point of unification, taken from the Book of Revelation where Jesus describes himself three times as “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end”; and from the other side of the spectrum when at about the same time Georges Lemaître, a Belgian physicist and Jesuit Catholic priest, originally proposed a model of the Big Bang cosmology the ALPHA side of the coin.
1 Corinthians 13: 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
Cedrick goes on to say “…..scholars agree Paul is talking about eternity” – Chardin’s OMEGA POINT?
Interesting In 1925, Teilhard was ordered by the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Włodzimierz Ledóchowski, to leave his teaching position in France and to sign a statement withdrawing his controversial statements REGARDING THE DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL SIN. Rather than quit the Society of Jesus, Teilhard obeyed and departed for China.
From a prior comment on Greg’s sermon “Hearing God’s voice”: let me try to further elaborate on what Cedrick is saying.
EVENTUAL HUMANS:
Unless you REPENT [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and BECOME LIKE CHILDREN [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Children explore the world around them innocently, full of curiosity, trust and wonder, until they come to a boundary bordering on territory potentially dangerous. That’s when parents should step in to help them discern what is GOOD for them or NOT “Eat your vegetables” or “Don’t eat your crayons”.
Judging the difference between what is good for children and what is harmful is an essential skill to learn to grow up healthy. Judging shortcomings of another is NOT. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Greg – REPENTING of Religion: “When we judge others negatively, we stand in the place of God. We leave the proper domain given us, with its vocational description to be God-like in love, and we move to the center to carry out a job that belongs only to ONE who rightly occupies the CENTER”: knowing everyone’s WHOLE STORY, from beginning to end and taking into account, NOT just on a FIRST TAKE sizing folks up and writing them off.
[It appears it’s only a short matter of time until this CAST OUT/BROUGHT DOWN BOUND OVER WORLD IYI Yahoos on the prowl contract society will take CHILDREN’S IMAGINATION to LIES – ORIGINAL SIN].
From my prior comment the world CHILD has been bothering me so let’s again ask the Gemini AI Model from Google Chrome and click taking a DEEPER DIVE!
SEARCH “How many times in the New Testament are God’s people addressed as children?”
AI OVERVIEW
The term “children of God” appears frequently in the New Testament, often within specific translations and contexts, though a precise count is challenging to provide without a detailed textual analysis. However, several key verses emphasize that only THOSE who believe in Jesus and are BORN AGAIN THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT are considered GOD’S CHILDREN, NOT THE ENTIRETY OF HUMANITY. For instance, John 1:12 states that belief in Jesus gives people the right to become children of God, while Romans 8:14 and Galatians 3:26 highlight that those led by the Spirit and who believe through faith are God’s sons. The Greek word translated as “children” (teknon) appears ROUGHLY 90 TIMES in the New Testament, conveying a DEEPER SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP and NOT SIMPLY BIOLOGICAL LINEAGE.
Here are some significant verses and concepts:
• John 1:12: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name”.
• Romans 8:14: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God”.
• Galatians 3:26: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus”.
• 1 John 3:1: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! And so we are”.
IN ESSENCE:
• NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN: While God created all humans, only those who believe in Jesus and are regenerated by the Holy Spirit are considered His children.
• SPIRITUAL BIRTH: To be a child of God is to be “born again” by the Holy Spirit, receiving a new spiritual nature and relationship with God.
• THE WORD ‘TEKNON’: The Greek word for “children” (teknon) denotes a deep, intimate relationship of love, trust, and even instruction, much like a parent and child.
DIVE DEEPER INTO AI
There is no single number for how many times God’s people are addressed as children in the New Testament because the term comes from several different Greek words. While an exact count is not available, the concept appears frequently, most often from the Greek words teknon and huios.
The use of different Greek words for “child” or “son” reveals different aspects of a believer’s relationship with God.
Teknon (τέκνον)
This word emphasizes the natural relationship of an offspring to a parent. It points to the spiritual family connection believers have with God.
• John 1:12-13: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God”.
• 1 John 3:10: “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God”.
• John 13:33: In a moment of tender address to his disciples, Jesus calls them, “Little children…”.
Huios (υἱός)
This word typically refers to a male son and suggests a more mature status, including legal rights and inheritance. The use of this word for all believers, both male and female, emphasizes their adult standing as heirs in God’s family.
• Romans 8:14: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God”.
• Galatians 3:26: “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith”.
• Galatians 4:5-7: The passage explains that believers receive “the adoption as sons,” confirming their status as heirs of God.
Paidia (παιδία) and other words
Less frequently, the New Testament uses other words like paidia to describe believers, particularly in the context of spiritual immaturity or for endearing address.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20: “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature”.
• John 21:5: Jesus tenderly addresses his disciples as “children”.
Hmm! So is a child both good and evil and is very body in?
From a prior comment:
The 630+ laws, all vertical, how am [I] doing, [temple thinking], Jesus raised the bar so high on — none could meet. Then Jesus said God is not in need of your peace offerings, [by vertical grace – A FREE GIFT – you’re in], but rather if you want to know how you’re doing look around [horizontal] to the folks on your left and right for there is NOTHING more sacred then these now Spirit inhabited mobile temple folk. 1 Cor 6:19
Just maybe, David Bentley Hart thinks so, everyone gets eternal life, VERTICAL GRACE, but where you land, in community at the party and/or 1 Corinthians 3:4-15 alone in the lake of fire, a refining process, has a whole lot to do with how you have been taking, John Ortberg, “STEPS” on working with your HORIZONTAL process Matthew 5:25.