Breaking Free…from Selfishness
First
Presbyterian Church, Brownsville, TN
January 18,
2009
Dr. Will Jones
Summary: Jesus promises his followers that they
will be free. In the book of John, he promises to set us free from
spiritual slavery and from sin. Freedom through Christ is a major theme of
Paul’s writings as well, especially in the books of Romans and Galatians.
Being a Christian brings freedom from selfishness and for generosity.
Outline:
I.
Breaking free…
a.
Jesus’ promises of freedom:
i.
“If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!”
ii.
Imprisoned to bad ideas (head) and wrongful desires (heart): sin.
iii.
…free from slavery to sin.
iv.
…free for God and others
1.
“Let my people go, so that they can worship me.”
II.
Selfishness
a.
Selfishness: the flaw from which all others arise
b.
The Selfish Gene; 1976 book by Richard Dawkins
i.
Evolutionary psychology; everything is motivated by
survival of me and mine (genes, DNA, me)
c.
James’ plea against selfish ambition
i.
Ambition itself is not wrong
1.
Ambition = pursuit of excellence
2.
Self-preservation; self-respect
ii.
Selfish ambition
1.
Promotion of self at others’ expense
2.
Location: in one’s heart: part of us to be selfishly ambitious
3.
Disorder & every evil practice
4.
Inevitable conflict
III.
Freedom from selfishness through Christ
a.
Sets us free from self-absorption
b.
His own example
c.
…and freedom for generosity
i.
Toward God and others.
Please send me a DVD copy of this sermon ….