OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS

Matthew 16:24  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:25  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:26  What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?INTRO: This is a struggle of all people from early childhood until the last stage of life.

WHAT TO DO OVERCOME SELFISHNESS  1.GUARD HEART FROM SPIRIT OF GREEDINESS AND MATERIALISM.

Luke 12:15  Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 

2. SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THE WELFARE AND INTEREST OF OTHERS THAT HAVE BIBLICAL  PRINCIPLES.

 NOTE: BE CAREFUL NOT TO HURT OTHERS WITHOUT COMPROMISING YOUR BIBLICAL CONVICTIONS.Php 2:4  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Php 2:19  I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 

Php 2:20  I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 

Php 2:21  For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 

3. GIVE GENEROUSLY AND EVEN SACRIFICIALLY WHEN YOU FEEL SELFISHNESSProverbs 22:9  A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 11:25  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 

4. RETURN TITHES TO GOD FAITHFULLY FOR GOD’S WORK TO BE SUSTAINED AND TO EXPANDMalachi 3:7  Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 

Malachi 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 

Malachi 3:9  You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 

Malachi 3:10  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:11  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:12  Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the LORD Almighty.  

5. SET ASIDE A PORTION IN YOUR BUDGET OF ANY AMOUNT IN YOUR HEART TO BLESS OTHERS ESPECIALLY MEN OF GOD FOR THEIR MINISTRY , FAMILY , DISCIPLES AND OTHER PEOPLE IN NEED.Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

6. SHARE YOURSELF WITH OTHERS ESPECIALLY WITH DISCIPLES LIKE OUR LORD JESUS.

Mark 3:14 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

7. PRAY THE ABRAHAMIC BLESSING OF "BEING" A BLESSING TO OTHERS IN YOUR MORNING PRAYER.Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

8.REMIND OTHERS ESPECIALLY IN CARE GROUP MEETINGS TO BE A BLESSING TO ALL IN LIVING FOR CHRIST

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Proverbs 11:25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed

CONCLUSION:JESUS IS OUR MODEL OF SELFLESSNESS BY LIVING NOT FOR SELF BUT FOR THE FATHER IN HEAVEN