Self-Life, the Silent Killer - Ajay Chakravarthy - March 17, 2019
http://rlcfchurch.org/self-life-silent-killer River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker compares self-life to a silent killer, warning that it can be dangerous and unknown until it strikes. He emphasizes that following Jesus requires daily self-denial, not just a one-time commitment. The sermon warns against the subtle dangers of self-satisfaction, jealousy, and seeking the approval of others, citing the example of Saul's downfall due to his own pride and desire for human recognition.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The self-life as a silent killerJust like silent medical conditions such as heart disease or hypertension, our self-life is hidden, unknown, and dangerous.
Deny yourself dailyJesus states that anyone wanting to follow Him must deny himself and take up his cross daily.
Water baptism vs. daily self-denialWhile water baptism happens once, denying yourself cannot be done just once in the past; it must happen every single day.
Open evil versus hidden self-willWhile overt sin is visible like the wickedness before Noah's flood, living according to one's own eyes or lacking self-control is a subtle and dangerous wolf in sheep's clothing.Genesis 6:5
Saul's jealousy and concern for human opinionStarting as a humble man, Saul succumbed to jealousy over David's praise and cared more about the opinion of men and public worship than repenting before God.
Judas's unfaithfulness and inability to bear correctionDespite walking with Jesus for years, Judas harbored secret unfaithfulness with money and fell away when his self-life was confronted.
Haman's obsession with honorHaman had wealth and honor, but his inability to endure one man failing to bow down to him fueled a destructive self-centered obsession.
Ahithophel's pride in his own adviceWhen Ahithophel's counsel was not followed by Absalom, his self-centeredness and wounded reputation drove him to take his own life.
An unbridled tongue and getting easily irritatedSpeaking whatever we want without restraint and being easily irritated like a touch-me-not plant are symptoms of a preserved self-life.
Jesus as the ultimate example of suffering in the fleshJesus never pleased Himself or sought His own will, but suffered in the flesh to show us the path of true self-denial.1 Peter 4:1
Peter learning to receive correctionThough rebuked many times, Peter learned to accept correction, such as Paul's rebuke years later, because he embraced Jesus's command to deny himself.
Putting to death the deeds of the flesh by the SpiritWe overcome the self-life not in our own strength, but by asking the Holy Spirit to give us self-control over our tongue and pride until the end of our race.Romans 8:13
