THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN TRADITION

 

Chapter 16

​

​​

​​

Selfless Use of God's Blessings

​​​

Text

Mark 1:35-39 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

​

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

​​

Memory Verse

Matt. 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

​

 

Introduction

Everything you have - your skills, gifts, money, influence, even your body - is a gift from God. You are a manager, not the owner (1 Cor. 4:7). Whether it is spiritual or physical, it belongs to God and it is meant for other people too.

​

Jesus showed us how this works. After healing people, crowds looked for Him just to see more miracles. But He did not stick around for the hype. He said He was sent to preach, to change hearts so that people could become like God. He stuck to that mission all the way to the tree of His death (Rev. 2:10).

 

Presentation

​

1. Jesus Is Our Model of Selflessness

​

(1) Jesus used His power only while preaching, not for personal gain (Matt. 4:10). He did not turn stones to bread for Himself. He did not perform miracles to build a brand.

 

(2) He wanted to be known as a preacher more than a miracle worker (John 10:41; Matt 12:38-41). Miracles get attention, but only the Word changes a heart.

 

(3) Gathering crowds just because someone does miracles is not biblical (Mark 1:35-39).

The point is not the show. The point is people hearing and responding to God.

 

2. Selflessness Is Part of Following Jesus

 

(1) Selfless people look for Jesus to find a way to serve (Acts 9:6; Luke 3:10-14).

“Lord, what do You want me to do?” That is the question.

 

(2) Selfish people cannot inherit God’s kingdom (Luke 18:24-28).

If it is all about you, you are missing the point.

 

(3) Selfishness is being carnally-minded (1 John 3:16-19; John 10:9-10, 17).

It is living for yourself instead of for God and others.

​

3. Selflessness Brings Glory to God (Matt. 8:16-18)

Jesus’s selfless life fulfilled prophecy and showed that God is true (Isa. 53:4).

 

When you stay selfless, you are depending on God. And He rewards those who seek Him seriously (Heb. 11:6).

 

Conclusion

The Christian faith is not a competition for who can do the flashiest miracle. It is about who helps the most people become like Christ.

 

We do not need people who can copy Satan’s tricks and signs. We need people who carry God’s love, truth, and Spirit.

 

Satan can fake signs and miracles. He cannot fake love, light, truth, and a changed life. You can always tell by the fruit (Matt. 7:15-20).

​​​​​​​​​

Evaluation Questions & Answers​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

1. Mention one significant reason goodness should be moved from one place to another.

   • Because God gave us gifts to bless others, not to hoard them. Moving goodness around spreads His kingdom and meets real needs.

2. Between working miracles and preaching Christ, which can change a life and is more important?

   • Preaching Christ. Miracles get attention, but only the Word of Christ changes a heart permanently.

3. At what point does God permit us to use our gifts for personal advantage?

   • When it does not contradict His purpose. Our gifts are primarily for serving God and others. Personal benefit comes as a by-product, not the goal.

4. When people are selfish, they are also carnally minded. True or False? Why?

   • True. Selfishness means that you are living for the flesh - your own desires - instead of for God’s Spirit and purpose (1 John 3:16-19).

​​

Prayer

Father, thank You for this lesson. Make us agents of Your blessing to the people around us, using everything You have given us according to Your will and grace in Christ Jesus. Amen.