1 John 3:16
He, in the most literal sense, laid down his life for a fellow believer.
"Daws died the same way he lived: holding others up."
You will have the opportunity this week to lay down your life in a spiritual sense.
Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for OTHERS.
We ought to lay down our lives for one another.
1. We begin by moving away from center stage.
This is why it is our job as followers of Jesus Christ to make every effort to push this tendency aside.
It's not about me.
"It's not about you."
Because it's not about me and it's not about you.
This is what happens to those who insist on being the center of it all.
When we move away from the spotlight, we are able to get our priorities straight.
"Feed my sheep."
2. We Build our lives on the principles of service and sacrifice.
It was all for the love of a sister.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
(1 Peter 4:10)
How much am I expected to give?
I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.
3. There is a close connection between living for others and living for Jesus.
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Mt 25:40)
We forget sometimes that he extends that opportunity to us everyday.
There is close connection — an unbreakable connection — between serving others and serving the Lord.
I'm encouraging you to make the right choice.
God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10)
The man who lives for himself is a failure...the man who lives for others has achieved true success.