Selfism

Isaiah 14:12-15, Proverbs 25:6-7, Proverbs 27

1. What should we avoid?

Do not exalt yourself and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for the king to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

2. What phrase did the morning star repeat?

The morning star is the son of dawn which is Jesus. He came down as a low being to save us.

The self

Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 43:1-5

1. Who was the psalmist encouraging?

The psalmist was encouraging himself that at times God seems to be not present in his life, he reminded himself to put his hope on the Lord. Though he is oppressed, he will still praise and thank God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

2. Who was doing the encouraging?

God.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cross-bearing

Luke 12:13-21

1. What does life not consist of?

Be on your guard against all kinds of greed for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

1 Timothy 6:6-19

2. What should rich people do?

Those who are rich in this present world should not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Improving your service

Matthew 23:1-12

1. Why did Jesus criticise the Pharisees?

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Everything they do is done for men to see, they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

1 Peter 5:1-6

2. What does God give to the humble?

Young men should be submissive to those who are older. We should clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

The Jesus way

Matthew 20:29-34

1. Why did Jesus serve others and meet their needs?

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Mark 8:1-10

2. How did this compare with the reaction of others nearby?

Jesus have compassion for these people who were following Him and that they have already been with Him three days and have nothing to eat. Thus as Jesus feeds the four thousand miraculously from little food, every ate and was satisfied.

Who is the greater?

1 Sam 16:1-13; Psalms 78:70-72

1. What qualified David to be king?

God does not consider appearance or his height. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

David shepherded the sheep with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Acts 9:36-42

2. What made Dorcas worthy of special mention?

Dorcas was always doing good and helping the poor. When she dead and was revived, everyone believed in the Lord.

Tools of our trade

Acts 6:1-8

1. What may be the result of practical service?

The result of practical service will be of great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

James 3:13-16

2. What does true wisdom produce?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Therefore, true wisdom produces humble deeds through a good life.