Selfishness & Pride

Introduction
• As a church, we have a vision and mission – mature disciples
• Remember -the five spheres: This series is a home sphere series the last one was the world sphere – Everyone has a home –no matter your marital status
• In Christ, we find the plans and the power –and His presence to be different everywhere

The reason for this series: We live in an isolated world –polarized
• Sometimes the word isolated means alone –without relationships
• Sometimes this means we have a lot of what looks like relationships –business activity –disguised isolation
• Some people redefine relationship as social media – Some people are ok with this –but you shouldn’t be
• Right now, peoples past choices are being exposed –they don’t have real relationship and their distractions are taken away to expose them
• Some are fleeing –divorce –some are relapsing –some are just living through the misery and some are trying to end their misery

As we dive into this subject as Christians – let’s look at Gods bigger story

1. God made you to have relationship with Himself and others
• Genesis 2:18 (NIV) — 18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

2. Sin causes death –separation –Isolation (hiding or pretending)
• Genesis 3:7–9 (NIV) – Genesis 3:16 (NIV)

3. The root of sin is pride (selfishness—self-absorption) –it leads to isolation

Isolation is the result of pride –
• Pride kills relationship how?

Arrogant pride isolates me because we run people off –they isolate from us
A. Pride says it’s my time I will spend it on what makes me happy
B. Pride says I am never wrong
C. I am not sorry because I was not wrong
D. Pride says you exist for me –your job is to make me happy
E. Pride says I won’t slow down to include others because they will just slow me down
F. Pride says your useful if you help me get what I want
The result – people isolate from you either physically or emotionally
The other side of pride – self-absorption/ self-focus-kills relationships how?
• No one would understand me so I will withhold my self
• I can’t trust you because you will hurt me –fear
• If I shared what was really going on inside of me you would reject me so I will just act preemptively
• I can’t control what you will do with the information so I won’t trust you with it –or with the decision-making process – or a task –etc.…
• I have been hurt before so I refuse to let that happen again

4. Isolation kills –the devil is the instigator of isolation (back to the garden)
• The devil isolates us because it kills us
• No return for labor –less effectiveness–No help when you fall –no intimacy –no protection
John 8:44 (NIV) – Ecclesiastes 4:8-12(NIV)

Your next steps
1. Choose relationship with God
• Gods desire is to restore relationship with Himself –
• This leads to restored relationship with others –abiding is key
1 John 1:5–7 (NIV) The answer to isolation – love is …. love does
Philippians 2:12–13 (NIV) – 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (NIV)
2. Choose people who choose God to be in relationship with
• They are not perfect but they aspire to accept and honor God
3. Protect your walk with God
• Don’t take for granted your relationships they are the source of your life
• You can be lured into stepping out of what you need and will really want most

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Philippians 2:3-8; Matt 22:34-40 & Ecclesiastes 4:7-12; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Ice Breaker: If you had to go to a deserted island what would you want to take with you?
• What was ‘speaking to you’ from the sermon?
Questions:
1. Read Matt 22:34-40 & Ecclesiastes 4:7-12. What stands out to you from these passages? What truths are being conveying?
2. What is your understanding of the importance of relationships? A) Where have you experienced healthy relationships? B) What can be challenges in building relationships?
3. How can (or how has) isolation become a part of you and your relationships? A) What helps you press in and pursue relationship?
4. Read Philippians 2:3-8 & 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 In what ways do these passages instruct us about real relationships? A) What is challenging to you from these?
5. Think of you and your home sphere; how is pride or selfishness impacting it? (think about yourself, not others)
6. What can you do this week to consider others in particularly your home sphere relationships?
Resources:
• RightNow Media Series to explore: Prodigal – Christian Putman; Runaway – Jim Putman; Real Relationships – Les & Leslie Parrott Or find your own to explore search: topics of relationships, pride in relationships, communication, goals, building trust or forgiveness
• If you don’t have access to RightNow media yet— Text “RLM” to 49775 to sign up for free access to Rightnow Media.