THE “ME FIRST” MENTALITY
Luke 9:57-62

INTRODUCTION
A. As Jesus went about His earthly ministry, people either wanted to follow Him, or were invited by Him; yet some desired to do so on their own terms – Luke 9:57-62
1. “Lord, suffer me first go and bury my father.”
2. “I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.”
B. This “me first” mentality was fundamentally opposed to Jesus’ concept of following Him
1. Luke 9:23
2. Luke 14:26-27 … Hyperbole
C. We live in a culture that praises putting “self first” and “looking out for #1”
1. It is tempting for many Christians to fall into this “me first”
2. Consider some ways we can be guilty of…
DISCUSSION
A. THE “ME FIRST” MENTALITY
1. The “me first” mentality can be seen in one’s attendance
a. The Scriptures reveal the example and value of assembling together with other Christians
1) Acts 2:42; 20:7
2) Hebrews 10:25
b. Yet many will often put personal interests before opportunities to attend services:
1) Recreational outings
2) Family gatherings
3) Elective work or school related activities
4) Staying home to read or watch TV
5) Many stay home simply because they lack interest in spiritual matters
c. Haphazard attendance is a sign of the “me first” mentality
2. The “me first” mentality can be seen in our contribution
a. Christians are instructed to give of their prosperity to meet certain needs
1) 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2) 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 8:5
b. Yet many will give sparingly because:
1) They want to spend as much as possible on things for themselves
2) They have failed to properly budget their contribution to the Lord
3) They are burdened with bills for things that are not necessities, but actually luxuries
c. We are richly blessed people compared to most of the world…
d. Negligent giving of our prosperity is a sign of the “me first” mentality
3. The “me first” mentality can be seen in our service to one another
a. God has blessed each of us with gifts to serve one another
1) Romans 12:3-8
2) 1 Peter 4:10-11
b. Yet many make little effort to do their part in the work of the local congregation:
1) They do not learn the names of the other members
2) They do not seek to find their “gift” or ability God has given them
3) Men do not attend the business meetings; women do not teach classes
4) They may attend church, but only to receive, not to give of themselves
5) Many fail to be involved in the various programs of the church
c. Lack of involvement in the local church is a sign of the “me first” mentality
4. The “me first” mentality can be seen in our family relationships
a. Christians have duties to members of their physical families
1) Colossians 3:18-21
2) Ephesians 5:22, 25, 33
b. Many families suffer when people seek their own interests above another
1) When husbands and wives are selfish in their dealings with each other
2) When parents set poor examples for their children
3) When children fail to honor and obey their parents
4) When parents put the things of the world above God
c. Dysfunctional families abound where the “me first” mentality exists
5. Our service to the Lord, His church and our families is greatly hindered by the “me first” mentality, and is detrimental to our souls and those around us. How much better, for us to learn and practice…
B. THE “OTHERS FIRST” PRINCIPLE
1. As exemplified by Christ
a. He came to this earth because He put others first
1) 2 Corinthians 8:9
2) Matthew 20:28
b. We are called upon to adorn the same mind or attitude – Philippians 2:3-8
1) To do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit
2) To esteem others better than ourselves
3) To look out for the interests of others
c. Jesus exemplified the principle of “others first” that He desires in us as well
2. As exemplified by the Macedonians
a. Note their great liberality despite their own poverty – 2 Corinthians 8:1-4
b. Note why they were able to be so gracious in thinking of others first – 2 Corinthians 8:5
1) They first gave of themselves to the Lord, then to others!
2) The mentality of “Lord first” instead of “me first” enabled them to put “others first”
c. Their liberality continued in supporting Paul to preach the gospel – Philippians 4:10-18
d. Putting God and others first ensured that their needs would be met – Philippians 4:19
e. The Macedonians exemplified the true value of putting “others first”
CONCLUSION
A. Do we have the “me first” mentality?
1. If we do, we cannot be Jesus’ disciples
2. If we do, the church and our own spiritual lives will suffer
B. Do we want to be rid of the “me first” mentality?
1. The “me first” mentality will be destroyed when we adopt the “others first” principle
2. The “others first” principle will be developed as we make “the kingdom of God first” – Matthew 6:33
C. When we truly put the kingdom of God and others before ourselves, then the Lord will see to it that we have the things that we need!
1. Matthew 6:30-33
2. Philippians 4:19

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
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