Sermon: Overcoming Selfishness
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
One of the greatest hinderances to living life the way God intended is selfishness. Our need to please "self" has destroyed more relationships and has brought more pain and destruction to lives than almost anything else humanity has done. I know those are strong words and some might think that it is an oversimplification of the struggles of humanity. However, think back to the story of the Garden of Eden - why did Adam and Eve disobey God? It was to please themselves - they thought first and only about themselves and not their relationship with God. This sin has since been repeated over and over. And one of the primary reasons relationships are broken? At least one person is overly focused on themselves, or in other words, selfishness.
W. E. Gladstone observed, “Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race.” Dr. J. Mason has written this about selfishness: "Self-interest is a fire that consumes others and then itself. Almost all of our unhappiness is the result of selfishness. Instead, think in terms of what the other person wants, not just what you want. It is absolutely true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others succeed. The measure of life is not in its duration, but in its donation. Everyone can be great because everyone can serve." And the great chaplain of the US Congress, Peter Marshall, once said: "When you are serving others, life is no longer meaningless."
This coming Sunday, we will talk more about overcoming selfishness through being love focused, honoring others, demanding less and requesting thoughtfully as we begin the sermon series, "Love Busters." Hope to see you then!
