FRIDAY 03.11.2017
TEXT : MATTHEW 3:14
THEME: THE KEY OF SELFLESSNESS
INTRODUCTION
In the wisdom of God, whatever Jesus was doing on the earth was not because of himself but because of us. In fact, when we read carefully John the Baptist's statement, he says this to Christ,
"I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" (Matthew 3:14)
By his statement, it appears clearly that Jesus never needed to be baptized. However, at that moment, John could not understand that Jesus was not being baptized because he needed it but because we needed it. He went to be baptizeed to give us an example that we should follow.
How is that ? Remember when Jesus was washing the feet of his disciples, he made a strong statement to Peter in John 13:15
"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."
By this, Jesus is teaching us today that he was not a selfish but a self-less man.
In the wisdom of God, whatever Jesus was doing on the earth was not because of himself but because of us. In fact, when we read carefully John the Baptist's statement, he says this to Christ,
"I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" (Matthew 3:14)
By his statement, it appears clearly that Jesus never needed to be baptized. However, at that moment, John could not understand that Jesus was not being baptized because he needed it but because we needed it. He went to be baptizeed to give us an example that we should follow.
How is that ? Remember when Jesus was washing the feet of his disciples, he made a strong statement to Peter in John 13:15
"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."
By this, Jesus is teaching us today that he was not a selfish but a self-less man.
So many people will never experience the blessing of open heaven because of so much selfishness and self centeredness in their heart.
What does it
mean to be selfish?
To be selfish is to hold one's own
self-interest as the standard for decision. It is to have regard for oneself
above others’ well-being.
What are the dangers of being selfish?
1st danger : God never hears and never answers selfish motivated prayers
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.2nd danger : A selfish might smile but he will never be happy. He might be rich but he will never prosper. He might have but he will never enjoy.
Why ? Because the selfish struggles to give and when he gives, his motives are never right. Considering the fact that there is hapiness, prosperity and enjoyment only in giving not in receiving, to be selfish is no more no less than to be miserable.
1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
3rd danger : Because
a selfish is a miserable man, he will always make sure to make others’ life
miserable
"This know also, that in the last
days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own
selves" (2 Timothy 3:1-2)
WHAT ARE THE BLESSINGS OF BEING SELF-LESS? WHAT TO DO
TO OVERCOME SELFISHNESS?
1. PRAY MORE FOR
OTHERS THAN FOR YOURSELF
1st case : It was only after Job prayed for others
that God turned his captivity.
Job 42:10 "The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."
2nd case : It was only after Hannah vowed to
give to the Lord her baby boy that God opened her womb.
1 Samuel 1:11 "And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head."
1 Samuel 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
2. LIVE MORE AS A SEED CALLED TO BE SOWED THAN AS A NEED CALLED TO BE MET.
3rd case : When God asked Solomon to ask him whatsoever
he needed, Solomon prayed for wisdom to advance the kingdom of Israel. By praying
so selflessly, the Lord advanced him to a higher level of wisdom and wealth.
1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1 Kings 3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
QUESTION TO YOU: In which extent your personal prayers like Solomon
and Job are they oriented to promote the kingdom of God?
PROPHETIC
DECLARATIONS AND PRAYERS
PRAYER 1 | SELFISHNESS IS A SIN AND A CURSE. AS A SIN, IT HINDERS THE ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS AND AS A CURSE, IT CLOSES YOUR HEAVEN.
REPENT BEFORE THE LORD AND PRAY THE FATHER TO FORGIVE YOU AND DELIVER YOU FROM THAT EVIL SPIRIT.
PRAY WITH 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER 2 | UNTIL YOU LIVE AS A SEED, YOU ARE ONLY EXISTING. YOU HAVE NOT
YET STARTED LIVING.
PRAY THE FATHER TO DESTROY ANY SELFISH MENTALITY BY GRANTING YOU TO LIVE AS A SEED.
Pray with John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
PRAYER 3 | YOUR WORTH IS NOT IN WHAT YOU HAVE BUT
IN WHAT YOU ADD. IT IS NOT IN WHAT YOU EARN OR WHAT YOU GET BUT IN WHAT YOU
GIVE.
PRAY THE FATHER TO CHANGE YOUR MINDSET TODAY!
Pray with Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
SO SHALL IT BE.
🔃🔃🔃🔃🔃🔃🔃🔃🔃
JESUS IS LORD !
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Pastor T.D. KASUKU K.K.
The Word Of Life Church International
Nairobi/Kenya
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