Embracing Sacrificial Love in Challenging Times
Summary
In these challenging times, Paul’s words to Timothy resonate deeply with us. We are reminded that the "last days" are not just a distant future but a reality we live in now. Paul warns of the difficulties that arise when people become lovers of themselves rather than lovers of God. This self-love is the root from which all other negative traits flow, such as pride, arrogance, and materialism. It’s a sobering thought that these characteristics are not just found in the world but within the church itself. We must be vigilant and introspective, ensuring that our faith is genuine and not just a form of godliness without power.
The danger lies in the subtlety of self-love, which is often masked as self-care or self-esteem. Society encourages us to love ourselves, but this can lead to a life centered around personal desires and material possessions. True love, as Jesus taught, is sacrificial and outward-focused. It’s about loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving others as ourselves. This is the narrow path that leads to life, a path that few find because it requires us to deny ourselves and take up our cross.
Despite the grim picture of the end times, there is hope. The church, built on the rock of Christ, will stand against the gates of hell. There is a remnant of believers who are passionate about living out their faith authentically. They are not swayed by the patterns of the world or even the patterns within the church that promote self-love. Instead, they are committed to loving God and others, even at great personal cost. This is the good news: that in the midst of darkness, the light of Christ shines through His people, and His church will prevail.
Key Takeaways:
- Self-Love as the Root of Sin: The love of self is the source from which many sins flow. When we prioritize ourselves, we naturally become proud, arrogant, and materialistic. This self-centeredness leads to a life devoid of true spiritual power and fulfillment. Instead, we are called to love God and others, which brings genuine joy and purpose. [05:02]
- The Danger of Conformity: It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if everyone is doing something, it must be right. However, history shows that the majority is often wrong. We must be willing to stand against the tide, even within the church, and hold fast to sound doctrine and genuine faith. [09:02]
- True Love is Sacrificial: Contrary to popular belief, the greatest love is not self-love but sacrificial love. Jesus exemplified this by laying down His life for us. We are called to love God with all our being and to love others selflessly, which is the true path to fulfillment. [13:13]
- Materialism and Misplaced Priorities: Loving money and possessions more than people leads to a life of misery. We must evaluate our priorities and ensure that we are more concerned with others' well-being than our standard of living. This shift in focus aligns us with God’s heart and brings true contentment. [21:47]
- The Resilience of the Church: Despite the increasing evil in the world, the church will stand firm. There is a new generation of believers who are passionate about living out their faith authentically. They are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, and their commitment is a testament to the enduring power of God’s Spirit. [35:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:28] - The Challenge of the Last Days
- [05:02] - Self-Love: The Root of Sin
- [06:52] - The Danger of Conformity
- [09:02] - Standing Against the Majority
- [12:28] - Misguided Love: Self vs. Others
- [13:13] - True Love is Sacrificial
- [14:27] - Evaluating Our Love for God
- [15:21] - The Trap of Self-Centeredness
- [16:17] - The Path to True Fulfillment
- [17:38] - Embracing a New Identity in Christ
- [19:27] - The Formula for Misery
- [21:47] - Materialism and Misplaced Priorities
- [24:55] - Testing Our Love for Possessions
- [32:21] - The Resilience of the Church
- [35:40] - A New Generation of Believers
- [36:46] - Living a Life of Love and Sacrifice
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5: "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
- Matthew 22:37-39: "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what are some of the characteristics of people in the last days? How do these traits relate to self-love? [05:02]
2. In the sermon, how is self-love described as a "sewer pipe" from which other negative traits flow? [05:02]
3. What does the sermon suggest is the danger of conformity, especially within the church? [06:52]
4. How does the sermon describe the resilience of the church despite the challenges of the last days? [32:21]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of self-love as described in the sermon contrast with the biblical command to love God and others? [13:13]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between materialism and misplaced priorities? How does this relate to the love of self? [21:47]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of having a form of godliness but denying its power? What does this mean for believers today? [09:02]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church can stand firm against the increasing evil in the world? [32:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where self-love might be leading to pride or materialism? How can you shift your focus to loving God and others more? [05:02]
2. The sermon warns against conformity within the church. How can you ensure that your faith is genuine and not just following the crowd? [06:52]
3. Consider the concept of sacrificial love. What is one practical way you can demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your life this week? [13:13]
4. Evaluate your priorities: Are there possessions or financial goals that you prioritize over relationships with others? How can you realign your priorities to reflect God's heart? [21:47]
5. The sermon speaks of a new generation of believers passionate about living out their faith. How can you be part of this movement in your community? [35:40]
6. Think about a time when you felt the pressure to conform to the majority, even within the church. How did you handle it, and what would you do differently now? [09:02]
7. How can you actively participate in the resilience of the church, ensuring it stands firm against the challenges of the last days? [32:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Perils of Self-Love
In today's world, self-love is often celebrated as a virtue, but it can become a dangerous idol when it overshadows our love for God and others. The sermon reminds us that self-love is the root of many sins, leading to pride, arrogance, and materialism. These traits can infiltrate not only our personal lives but also the church, creating a form of godliness that lacks true spiritual power. We are called to examine our hearts and ensure that our faith is genuine, prioritizing love for God and others over self-centered desires. [05:02]
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you prioritized self-love over your love for God and others? How can you begin to shift your focus today?
Day 2: Standing Firm Against Conformity
Conformity to the world is a subtle trap that can lead us away from genuine faith. The sermon highlights the danger of assuming that if everyone is doing something, it must be right. History shows that the majority is often wrong, and we must be willing to stand against the tide, even within the church. This requires a commitment to sound doctrine and a willingness to hold fast to our faith, even when it is unpopular or challenging. [09:02]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have conformed to the world’s standards? What steps can you take to renew your mind and align with God’s will?
Day 3: The Power of Sacrificial Love
True love is not self-centered but sacrificial, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. The sermon emphasizes that the greatest love is not self-love but the willingness to lay down one's life for others. We are called to love God with all our being and to love others selflessly, which is the true path to fulfillment. This kind of love requires us to deny ourselves and take up our cross, following the example of Christ. [13:13]
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you show sacrificial love to today? What practical steps can you take to demonstrate this love?
Day 4: Re-evaluating Material Priorities
Materialism and the love of possessions can lead to a life of misery and misplaced priorities. The sermon challenges us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that we are more concerned with the well-being of others than our standard of living. By shifting our focus from material wealth to spiritual richness, we align ourselves with God's heart and find true contentment. [21:47]
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What material possessions or desires are you holding onto too tightly? How can you prioritize the well-being of others over these possessions today?
Day 5: The Resilience of the Church
Despite the increasing evil in the world, the church is called to stand firm. The sermon speaks of a new generation of believers who are passionate about living out their faith authentically. These believers are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, demonstrating the enduring power of God's Spirit. In the midst of darkness, the light of Christ shines through His people, and His church will prevail. [35:40]
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the resilience and authenticity of your church community? What sacrifices are you willing to make for the sake of the gospel?
Quotes
"Paul says to Timothy, and I think it's appropriate after watching that video, in chapter 3, verse 1, he says, But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. When Paul is talking about the last times, you know, the end times here, he's talking about the time that we live in and also the time that he lived in, any time after the period of Christ. And when you read Acts, you see that they talk about how they were in the end times and how he says, look, you've seen my life. He tells this young pastor, he goes, you saw how I was tortured. You saw how I was beat up for the sake of Jesus Christ." [00:00:00] (40 seconds)
"And a lot of us don't get persecuted because we don't speak up. But you guys know, once you start speaking up, that's when the persecution begins. I mean, the truth is, is people in India don't have to be persecuted. If they would just shut up about Jesus Christ and not stand up for what they believe, they can dodge the persecution as well. But Paul explains, no, in the end times, it's going to be difficult. He just told Timothy, okay, you're a young pastor. You're just getting going here. He goes, make sure you're patient. Make sure you're loving. Make sure you're gentle. But then he goes, but understand these are some difficult, difficult times that we live in. It's not going to be easy to follow." [00:00:49] (38 seconds)
"Why is it going to be so hard to live out our faith? He says, because so many people, the vast majority of people, will love themselves. They're not lovers of God. They're lovers of self. And many people will attend church not because they love God, but because they love themselves. And they're hoping God will do something for them. It's not out of a love for God. It's out of a love for self. And I heard one commentator say this, and I love this phrase. He talks about how, you know, if you're lovers of self, then all these other things will happen. He says, it's the sewer pipe. Lovers of themselves. the sewer pipe out of which all the other garbage flows." [00:04:19] (44 seconds)
"In other words, look, if you love yourself, of course you're going to love money because you'll start thinking, you know what? I love myself, and so I want to indulge myself. So I want money because I want stuff for me. Why do people love money? It's because they love themselves. Why are people proud? Because they love themselves. They think they're lovable. You know, why are they arrogant? Why are they abusive? Why are people abusive? You know, when we make an abusive statement towards someone else, it's because you're thinking about, you're not thinking about loving them." [00:05:02] (31 seconds)
"And I'm not saying I'm there. I mean, there's times I get off the phone. I'm like, man, that was all about me. I'm sick of myself. I don't want to be about myself. But I love this adventure of having God come into my body and me becoming this new creation and being less and less self -absorbed and saying, well, I don't even care about Francis. I'm starting to care more and more about these other people. I'm caring more about his agenda and his desires. And as I do that, there's a fulfillment in life. It feels good to love, doesn't it?" [00:17:58] (32 seconds)
"And like Philippians 2 says, to consider others as more important than yourself. It's a good thing. And that's what he's saying here. But he goes, be careful because at the end times, people are going to love themselves. I love the way this one commentator put it. He says this. He goes, in this universe, there's God, there are people, and there are things. We should worship God, love people. And use things. But if we start worshiping ourselves, we'll ignore God and start loving things and using people. This is the formula for a miserable life. Yet it characterizes many people today." [00:18:59] (42 seconds)
"Here's the danger if we love ourselves and love money we love ourselves and love money More than we love others. Be careful. Evaluate if this is you. We will get to a point where we will be more concerned about our standard of living than we are about others living. I'm going to say it again. Again, we can get to a point where we are more concerned about our standard of living than we are about other human beings actually living." [00:21:18] (43 seconds)
"Meanwhile, there are people that are walking miles and miles every night. Moms that are staying up all night walking for miles to get clean water for their kids and hopefully to bring back this stuff. I mean, I'm reading those stats, those stats on your water bottle, the stats on those, you know, why do we have you focus on these things? And we're going, man, you've got to understand how people live. And we've got to be more consumed and concerned about them living than we are about our standard of living. Because that's what we worry about. We all worry about money to some degree." [00:23:02] (28 seconds)
"Why is it that we talk about the inner city? And why is it that we talk about, maybe we can build a rescue mission in the San Fernando Valley for those people that are homeless. And maybe we can just have church inside the rescue mission. So all week long, we're just helping people, and then we'll push the beds aside on Sunday. Maybe it'll be less. You know, why is it that over on Tierra Jara, we don't want to build a big church building? Instead, let's build Children's Hunger Fund. And maybe some days we'll have to sit in the warehouse, and we'll sit on sacks of beans rather than on chairs." [00:37:05] (29 seconds)
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