2016.10.23 礼拝

2016.10.23 礼拝

2016.10.23 1 Corinthians 1:22-31 「Love Yourself with Correct Self-image」

Theme of October: “Love Yourself”

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Most people take it for granted that we do love ourselves. But as Christians, we must understand there is no other happiness without the grace of God and love of Jesus. Are we really aware of the happiness having been forgiven by God with love of Jesus?

【Review of last week:】

●Jesus teaches that “you” and the “neighbor” are both subjects of God’s love.

●Paul forbids “self-love” in the sense of being attached to own interests, however, he does not prohibit loving yourself with God’s love.

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

2 Timothy 3:2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Loving yourself with God’s love is different from self-love.

“Self-love” is like

・having the feeling of self-importance regardless of actual ability and performance

・being seized by fantasy of success, power, beauty, brilliance or of an ideal love.

・believing you are “special”, “unique” and can only be understood by other “special” or people of high-rank.

・expecting extraordinary praise.

・believing to have privilege. (Expects to have “your” own way.)

・using other people unfairly for your own interests

・lack of empathy. (Does not notice or tries to understand other person’s feelings.)

・being envious or thinking being envied.

・acting haughty and arrogant or having such manners.

➀ Knowing the relations between “good news” and “to love yourself”

　“Denying Yourself” ＝　“Loving Yourself”

Matthew 16:24　Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

➁ Denying yourself is to do away with your “self-love” and make it the first step to “love yourself”.

A. “Denying Yourself” ＝ Giving up “self-love” and “being attached to your own interest”

1Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

Luke 15:18-19 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’

The son realized his sin and denied any privilege he may have.

“Denying Yourself” ＝Giving up “self-love” and “being attached to your own interest” means:

You don’t care if you’re made fun of, how you’re evaluated, about inferiority or superiority, don’t think you’re special, don’t envy others when you have given up your attachment to your own interest and stop being self-centered.

B. “Denying Yourself” ＝ Taking care of yourself

Luke 15:18-19 I will set out and go back to my father…

You will be enabled to judge what is best for you and what steps to take.

C. “Denying Yourself” ＝ being “affirmative” and “positive” instead of being “negative”

Luke 15:18-19 I will set out and go back to my father…

You will be able to choose the positive outlook when you are able to give up your self-love and your attachment to your own interest.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me,…

1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

You become aware of God’s grace.

➂ “Denying Yourself” ＝ “Loving Yourself”

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Deny yourself and love yourself and you can take another look at yourself.

Trust in the Lord that God forgives you as you are, sinful and imperfect, therefore, you should be able to love yourself (and love your neighbor as yourself).