“Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race.” – William E. Gladstone
“Almost every sinful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive. It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves.” – Stephen Kendrick
“The most miserable people are those who care only about themselves, understand only their own troubles, and see only their own perspective.” – Anonymous
‘Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.” Isaiah 39:8 NLT
‘For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:16 NLT
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 NLT
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
‘But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NLT
And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18 NLT
You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19 NLT
‘Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 NLT
HOW IS A SPIRITUAL FAMILY BUILT?
1. THROUGH CONNECTION
THE DEEPER YOU CONNECT WITH PEOPLE THE MORE EMPATHY IS FORMED IN YOUR HEART. THE MORE DISCONNECTED YOU BECOME THE HARDER YOUR HEART BECOMES.
…whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. Proverbs 28:14 NIV
THE DEEPER YOUR EMPATHY THE HEALTHIER THE RELATIONSHIPS
THE DEEPER YOUR EMPATHY THE GREATER YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH
HOW IS A SPIRITUAL FAMILY BUILT?
1. THROUGH CONNECTION
2. THROUGH COMMITMENT
…we all belong to each other. Romans 12:5 NLT
‘Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 NLT
HOW IS A SPIRITUAL FAMILY BUILT?
1. THROUGH CONNECTION
2. THROUGH COMMITMENT
3. THROUGH CONTRIBUTION
“THE WORK OF OUR LIVES IS TO GO FROM THIS DEPENDENCE TO DEPENDABILITY.” -RYAN HOLIDAY
THE BIGGER OUR CIRCLE GETS, THE BIGGER OUR HEART GETS, AND THE BETTER THE WORLD BECOMES.
‘After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:12-17 NLT
‘For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’’ Matthew 25:35-40 NLT
‘No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:12 NLT
‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT