Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Sermon on Selfishness

Am I my brother’s keeper? Sermon on Selfishness — The Bible teaches and love demands that the answer be yes. Sermon outlining our duties toward the world and the brethren.

INTRODUCTION: Read Genesis 4:9

1. This question was raised in response to God’s earlier question.

2. The right kind of questions may cause us to think soberly.

DISCUSSION: (Discussion of this sermon on selfishness.)

I. Am I My Brother’s Keeper? – Who Is Our Brother?

1. All have the same creator and earthly parents. (Adam & Eve) (Malachi 2:10; Isaiah 64:8; Acts 17:26)

2. All are not brethren in Christ, but all are brothers in the flesh because all are descendants of Noah.

3. We should feel obligated to all as far as possible. (Romans 1:14-15).

II. Am I My Brother’s Keeper? – Should We Be Our Brother’s Keeper?

1. The gospel of selfishness says, “no.”

1) Every brother ought to keep himself.

2) If a brother cannot keep himself, he deserves to perish.

3) Every brother has enough to do to keep himself.

2. The gospel of love says, “yes.”

1) God teaches us to be our brother’s keeper. (Genesis 4:9)

2) We should be our brother’s keeper because he is our brother. (Genesis 13:8).

3) Our brother will be lost unless we are his keeper. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

4) There is joy connected to being our brother’s keeper.

5) Failure to be our brother’s keeper means we fail both God and man. (Matthew 25:31ff)

III. Am I My Brother’s Keeper? – What Keeps Us From Being Our Brother’s Keeper?

1. Envy of the good of others. (1 John 3:10-12; Matthew 27:18; Proverbs 14:30)

2. Concern only for self — selfishness. (1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:4)

3. Indifference toward the welfare of others. (Luke 10:29-37)

Finally, in this sermon on selfishness…

IV. Am I My Brother’s Keeper? What Is Involved in Being Our Brother’s Keeper?

1. Teaching him the gospel. (Mark 16:15, 16)

2. Loving him as we love self. (Matthew 22:39; 1 John 3:17)

3. Restoring him when he falls. (Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20)

4. Sharing his burdens and joys. (Gal. 6:2; Romans 12:15)

5. Doing good to him. (Gal. 6:10)

6. Helping him when he is in need. (Ephesians 4:28) “Steal no more.” The very opposite of selfishness.

7. Treating him the way we want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12)

CONCLUSION: Am I my brother’s keeper? (Ending of this sermon on selfishness)

1. Am I really my brother’s keeper?

2. What will happen if we are not our brother’s keeper?

3. Are we willing to accept the consequences of past and present practice?