Encouraging Words from the Word of God Message 11

Encouraging Words from the Word of God

Message 11

Acts 20:24

We:

Self-Love

a. Some quotes

i. "Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." - Lucille Ball

ii. “To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness.”

iii. “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.”

iv. “If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.”

Self-hate

i. “I hate watching myself. It’s terrible. It’s horrifying.”

ii. “To one’s enemies: “I hate myself more than you ever could.”

iii. “If you had a person in your life treating you the way you treat yourself, you would have gotten rid of them a long time ago…”

iv. “Why should I love myself? No one else does!”

c. Today’s passage

i. Acts 20:24 (ESV) — 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24 ESV

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

ii. So, what is it?

iii. That doesn’t sound like self-love

iv. Should we hate ourselves?

God:

God’s Love and Self love

a. Created by God

i. You are of value to God

ii. You are the apple of His eye.

iii. You were created for a purpose

Your life is a gift from God.

i. Even before you were born, God knew you and had a purpose for your life.

ii. Your talents and abilities

iii. Your interests

iv. Your strengths

v. Even your weaknesses

vi. All of this is part of God’s divine plan

c. God gave you natural life

i. He also gave you a spiritual life

ii. You got it through faith in Jesus Christ

iii. God made you but God also saved you.

iv. We can love ourselves because of God’s love for us.

v. You are a…

Pearl of Great Price

vi. Matthew 13:45–46 (NCV) — 45 “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a man looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found a very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:45–46 NCV

“Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a man looking for fine pearls. When he found a very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

vii. The life you have, physically and spiritually, is the gift of God.

viii. A pearl of great value

Self-Love and Selfishness

a. Selfish people are always unhappy people.

i. If you count your life dear to yourself

ii. Protect your own interests

iii. Demand people meet your needs (what can you do for me?)

iv. Then you will never really live.

b. The bible talks about selfishness

i. 1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT) — 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT

Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

ii. Jesus reminded the disciples

iii. Mark 8:35 (NLT) — 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Mark 8:35 NLT

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

iv. Jesus said again

v. Matthew 16:24 (GW) — 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.

Matthew 16:24 GW

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.

c. Where will you find joy and contentment?

i. Acts 20:24 (ESV) — 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24 NLT

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

ii. “I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,”

iii. Paul knew nothing would bring purpose and fulfillment in life

iv. His mission and his ministry

To testify of the gospel of the grace of God.

Do you love yourself?

a. Wrapped in the love of God

i. You are of great value

Are you selfish?

i. Me first then you?

ii. Is this a weakness in your life

iii. Have you become cynical?

iv. Maybe God needs to soften your heart.

v. I believe in boundaries

“My course”

“if only I may finish my course”

ii. Think race

iii. And within that race you have been given a lane assignment

iv. You run your race with all you have