Crazy Love of Self (The End Times Series, Pt. 1) | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

In this message, we're reminded that the end times will be marked by a prevalence of self-love and selfishness. The majority of people, including those within the church, will prioritize their own desires and interests above all else. This is evident in Paul's warning to Timothy, where he describes the characteristics of those who will be lovers of themselves, such as being proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, and treacherous.

Key Scripture References

• 1 Timothy 3:1-9 - Paul warns Timothy that in the last days, there will be times of difficulty due to people's love for themselves. This is evident in the list of characteristics he provides, which includes being lovers of self, money, and pleasure, as well as being proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, and treacherous.
• 1 Timothy 4:6-7 - Paul cautions Timothy to avoid those who have a form of godliness but deny its power. This is a warning against the temptation to prioritize self-love and selfishness over true devotion to God.
• Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus teaches that loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength is the greatest commandment. In contrast, prioritizing self-love and selfishness is a fundamental error in understanding this command.
• Romans 12:2 - Paul reminds us to not conform to the pattern of this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This includes recognizing and rejecting the tendency towards self-love and selfishness that is so prevalent in society.
• Psalm 119:113-115 - The psalmist expresses his desire to love God's law more than anything else, even more than life itself. This verse highlights the importance of prioritizing a love for God above all other loves, including self-love.
• Proverbs 28:26 - This proverb warns against those who trust in themselves and their own strength, rather than trusting in God. It emphasizes the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of recognizing our limitations and dependence on God.

Key Points to Consider

• The end times will be marked by a prevalence of self-love and selfishness, even among those within the church.
• Prioritizing self-love and selfishness is a fundamental error in understanding the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength.
• Recognizing and rejecting the tendency towards self-love and selfishness is essential for spiritual growth and transformation.
• The majority of people, including those within the church, will prioritize their own desires and interests above all else, making it a fight to stand against this trend.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this message reminds us that the end times will be marked by a prevalence of self-love and selfishness. It's essential for us to recognize and reject this tendency in ourselves and others, prioritizing instead a love for God above all else. By doing so, we can avoid being swayed by the crowd and instead stand firm in our commitment to following Jesus Christ.