How to Move Forward

Personal maturity starts by seeing beyond ourselves, but spiritual maturity begins by putting others before ourselves. 

John 13:34-35  (ESV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Luke 10:29  (ESV)

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

1.  We are blinded by our own needs.

2.  We see people's differences as barriers.

3.  We avoid inconvenience. 

Galatians 6:2  (ESV)

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

How to move forward- put others first.

1.  Start with prayer. 

Matthew 19:13-15 (ESV)

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

2. Show commitment to those closest to us. 

John 13:5 (ESV)

5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

3. Share everything that we have.  

Luke 10:35  (ESV)

35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’

Prioritizing ourselves brings no long term satisfaction.  Prioritizing others is the key to a meaningful life.

Allen Pedram, Church of the Highlands