“I DON’T DESERVE THIS!”

There are many things we do NOT deserve!!

Statement often spoken in the form of complaint…

“I Don’t Deserve This”There Are Many Things We Do NOT Deserve!!

Salvation – (and every spiritual blessing )– “we are saved by grace through faith” – Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:10;

Physical blessings – health, lot in life, length of life, etc. . . . Ecclesiastes 9:11,12

“I Don’t Deserve This”

The Age of Entitlement

Æsop. (Sixth century B.C.)  Fables.

The Harvard Classics.  1909–14. 

THE SLUGGARD – Proverbs 6:6-9; Matthew 25:26; 2 Thessalonians

3:10

THE SELFISH – Luke 12:13-

21; 1 Timothy 6:7-10;

2 Timothy 3:2

THE AGE OF ENTITLEMENT

Injustices should be fought against – James 4:17; Matthew 25:34-40

But we must also remember – there will always be those less fortunate – there will always be injustice – Matthew 26:11; Mark 14:7; Deut. 15:11; Eccl. 7:8-15

“I Deserve This”

“I Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

EVE – Genesis 3:1-6 CAIN – Genesis 4:3-8 ESAU – Hebrews

12:16,17 ACHAN – Joshua 7:20,21 KORAH – Numbers 16:1-

3; Jude 11

“I Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

AHAB – 1 Kings 21:1-16 SCRIBES &

PHARISEES – Matthew 23:5,6

JEWS – Romans 11:6 JUDAS – Matthew 26:14-

16 FALLEN ANGELS –

2 Peter 2:4

“I Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

“Pride goes before destruction, and a

haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide

the spoil with the proud.”

PROVERBS 16:18,19

“I Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

“Before destruction the

heart of a man is haughty, and

before honor is humility.”

PROVERBS 18:12

“I Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

“A man's pride will bring him low, but the

humble in spirit will retain honor.”

PROVERBS 29:23

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Contentment

JOB – Job 1,2; James 5:11 JOSEPH– Genesis

37;39;40 PAUL – 1 Corinthians

15:10; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 12:7-10; Philippians 3:1-11; 4:4-13

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Contentment

JESUS – Birth (Luke 2:7); Life (Luke 9:57,58); Betrayal (John 13:21); Suffering (Luke 22:39-45); Trial (Luke 22:47-53, 63-71) 23:1-25) Crucifixion (Luke 23:26-56)

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Contentment

It is easy to grumble, complain and worry when something happens to us that we perceive as unfair – Matthew 6:19-34; 1 Peter 5:7

It is easy to be jealous, envious and even bitter – Ephesians 4:31

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Contentment

There will be times when things don’t go our way. (We lose friends, a spouse, our job, our health . . .) – Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Life isn’t fair – Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in

all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,

both to abound and to suffer need.”

PHILIPPIANS 4:11,12

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

“I can do all things through

Christ who strengthens me.”

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Entitlement

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be

content with such things as you have. For He Himself

has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

HEBREWS 13:5,6

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Faith

What happens TO US is not the issue—but HOW we respond Does God care? Why me Lord? This isn’t fair? I don’t deserve this!! Trust the Lord…

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Faith

The Battle is NOT EXTERNAL BUT INTERNAL— 2 Corinthians 11:24-28; Job 14:1

Understand the purpose of the trials— James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 1:5-9

“I Don’t Deserve This”The Attitude of Faith

Don’t blame God— Job 1:22

Look toward the reward— 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 1 Peter 1:9