Description:Standing Strong in the Storms of Life Sermon Series
“Selflessness”
1 Peter 2:9
9But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (NASB)
1 Peter 2:18-25
18Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
Christ Is Our Example
21For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
23and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
(NASB)
Selflessness is what we should strive for as Christians
1. Selflessness should be desired by us.
- God wants to look at our hearts as selfless not only by our conduct (Vs. 18) but also by our calling
(Vs. 21). We are called to a selflessness purpose.
2. Selflessness is defined for us.
- Nothing can be done by someone else to sever our relationship with God (Vs. 20).
3. Selflessness is depicted for us.
- We’re called (Vs. 21) Hypo Gromas (Greek meaning is underneath). It’s as if you were to copy what’s already written under someone else’s writing word-for-word.
4. Selflessness is deserted by us.
- Christ gave us the example. In his Character, he had no sin. (Vs. 22). In His Consistency, he kept the faith even through wave after wave of abuse. (Vs. 23) In his concern, we don’t have to be sheep who have gone astray. We can return to the Shepherd. (Vs. 24 and 25).
We must choose to live a selflessness life. It doesn’t matter who gets the credit. Christ gets the praise. Nothing can destroy our relationship with Christ.
