Denying Self

Denying Self

Lk. 9:23-25

Intro.

A. There are three attitudes we may have toward self:

1. No confidence - the grasshopper complex (ten spies) - inferiority complex (lack of self- esteem) causes failure to try.

2. Too much confidence - conceit, arrogance - results in strife (Prov. 13:10 “By pride comes

only contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom.”) and apostasy (Prov. 16:18 “Pride

goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”)

3. Self-respect - the proper love (Mt. 22:39). Cannot respect others if no self-respect.

B. What is discipleship? (Lk. 9:23-27; Mt. 16:24-26).

1. Three steps - deny - take - follow.

2. Some do not become Christians because they will not deny self - repent. (“I feel this,” or

“I have always thought/believed this.”)

3. Some Christians do not grow - because of self-centeredness. “My way - or the highway,”

Often offended (self-centered - feelings easily hurt).

4. Phil. 2:5-8 - “made Himself of no reputation” (emptied Himself, made Himself nothing) - He did what was best for others, not self.  How do we develop this attitude?

 

Body:

A. The problem - self (based upon the mountain of pride and self-righteousness):

1. Pride - “showing oneself above others, though often denoting pre-eminent, is always used in the N.T. in the evil sense of arrogant, disdainful, haughty” (Vine).

a. Prov. 6:16-19; Rom. 12:3

b. It is childish to pout when we don’t get our way - “If not first, take my marbles and go home,” “If I can’t pitch, won’t play,” Ball-hog, rather than team player.

c. Spiritually - the chief seat (Mk. 10:35-45).

2. Self-righteousness - characteristic of pharisaism (Lk. 18:9-14). The elder son syndrome

(Lk. 15:28-32); like Jonah ends outside pouting in his self-righteousness.

3. How do we deal with the problem?

 

Body:

A. Consideration - perceive with the mind, think about, ponder.

1. Consider the example of Jesus (Heb. 3:1; 12:2,3).

a. Did He quite serving His Father when others mistreated Him? What have you suffered

compared to what He endured?

b. In the dungeon under the traditional house of Caiaphas - group sang “My Jesus I Love

Thee” - being there and thinking about the meaning, I could not sing it.

c. When people are wronged - why do they blame God and turn to the devil (the source)?

2. Consider one another (Heb. 10:24,25; Phil. 2:4; Rom. 15:1; Gal. 6:1).

 

B. Recognition - to acknowledge the existence, validity or genuineness of person or thing.

1. Recognize the God whom we serve (Ps. 8:3,4).

a. When I consider His greatness - diminishes my own.

b. Do I consider and recognize (acknowledge) the love and mercy of God?

2. Recognize the validity of other people (Jas. 2:8; Gal. 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one

word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”)

a. Self-centered people always look to their own feelings - never consider others. (Complain about their feelings being hurt, but no thought about hurting others.)

b. I have a bad disease (don’t think it is contagious, but is wide-spread - have some of it around here!  Hoof-in-mouth disease - Didn’t sound good - “take it back” - can’t do

that, but apologize for letting it out; I called school-mate, room-mate!  I expect you

to bear with me - but when you “say it wrong” - it’s different!

 

C. Love (agape) - “can only be known by the actions it prompts. God’s love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 Jn. 4:9,10. But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom. 5:8. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God himself...Self-will, that is self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God” (Vine).

1. Husband is told to love (agape) their wives (Eph. 5:25,28,33) - it balances headship with consideration. You do what is best for her - regardless of how you feel.

a. Wives are to love (phileo) their husbands (Tit. 2:4). Addresses wife’s problem - waiting

to receive affection, rather than giving it.

b. Both are to have both kinds - but a reason for the emphasis.

2. Love analyzed (1 Cor. 13:4-8).

a. Put the best construction on the words and actions of others (“always ready to excuse”

Jerusalem Bible, v. 7 - “believes all things”). Love does not make false accusations and put the worst construction on the words/actions of others.

b. Have you noticed that often those who accuse others of “running the show” are self-

centered people who want to run the show?

c. You can love without liking - man said understood how his wife could love him when

nothing about him she liked!

3. Love is an identifying mark of discipleship (Jn. 13:34,35).

 

D. Care for - close attention, watchfulness; to take charge of; look after; provide for.”

1. 1 Cor. 12:25-27 - hammer hits wrong “nail” - no sympathy, told you to stay out of the way.

2. Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:26,27 - “visit” - “to inspect, look upon, care for.”

a. May need material things - money, food, etc.

b. May be mental things - encouragement, and exhibition of love - doing what is best.

 

Concl.

A. Denying self is putting God’s cause first - Jesus “emptied Himself of self” - we have the mind..

1. Sad to say that the cause of Christ will not prosper until the right funeral. (Phil. 1:21-25 -

Is the cause of Christ better because I live, or will it be better when I’m dead?)

2. The elder son could not partake in the feast because of selfishness.

B. We must crucify self (Gal. 2:20).  Do it by consideration, recognition, love and care for - SELF

is still there - but not prominent (may not even notice it, if it were not pointed out).

C. Would you give one year of faithful service for a lifetime retirement? (Not destroy your health,

but total commitment to the job.)  Jesus said “deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Me for one lifetime” - the retirement is out of this world!