Selfishness Pays Off?!

Sunday Morning Service, October 25, 2026

This sermon examines the contrasting responses of Abram and Lot to material wealth and land, highlighting how Abram's generosity reflects a childlike trust in God while Lot's selfishness mirrors an orphan's anxiety. The central message challenges the worldly notion that selfishness pays off, arguing instead that such pursuits lead to spiritual danger and temporary satisfaction only. By contrasting the 'eyes of the flesh' with the 'eyes of faith,' the exposition encourages believers to look beyond earthly possessions toward the eternal inheritance promised by God. The tone is pastoral and instructive, urging the congregation to reject the lies of consumerism and embrace the security of being adopted as children of the King. Ultimately, the sermon points to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of these promises, inviting listeners to surrender their lives to Him and receive the Holy Spirit as the truest gift. Outline: 1) Abram's Generosity 2) Lot's Selfishness 3) God's Generosity

1. Hezekiah Receives the Envoys of Merodach-Baladan (v.1) 2. Hezekiah Shows off His Kingdom's Wealth (v.2) 3. God Rebukes Hezekiah, Who Responds with Meekness (v.3-8) Conclusion a. See the humility and integrity of Christ versus Hezekiah's pride and flattery. b. See how Christ became poor for us versus Hezekiah's display of wealth. c. Thank God for Hezekiah's godly response, but learn meekness from Christ instead.

In Genesis 33:8-11, both Jacob and Esau said they had enough. But Jacob only had enough. Both Jacob and Esau had enough physical wealth, but Esau did not have spiritual wealth. Jacob did. Do you have enough? Not just physically, but spiritually. Both Jacob and Esau had enough physically, but only Jacob had enough spiritually.

Godless, anti-Biblical scientists like Stephen Jay Gould have always exaggerated the veracity of scientific claims with phrases like "well-validated scientific results" which frequently turn out to be wrong! We will not reject God's word for any reason, including the fickle claims of "science"... https://bbfohio.com

This sermon provides a verse-by-verse exposition of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, emphasizing that true blessedness is rooted in spiritual humility rather than material wealth or self-esteem. The speaker argues that acknowledging one's total depravity and sinfulness is the necessary prerequisite for salvation, citing David's confession in Psalm 51 as a model of honest self-assessment. Each beatitude is presented as a divine fact describing the character of God's saints, who mourn over sin, submit to God's chastening, hunger for righteousness, and extend mercy despite their own unworthiness. The tone is pastoral and convicting, urging listeners to rely entirely on God's grace and the finished work of Christ, while warning against the false security of self-righteousness or the world's approval. The message concludes by affirming that those who remain faithful in the face of persecution possess an eternal inheritance that no earthly loss can diminish.

This sermon examines Solomon's deliberate experiment with pleasure in Ecclesiastes 2, analyzing why his pursuit of joy through laughter, wine, and material wealth ultimately resulted in futility. The message argues that earthly pleasures cannot provide an escape from life's difficulties, nor can possessions recreate a perfect paradise, as they remain infected by sin and the brokenness of the world. By highlighting Solomon's failure to find profit in his highest achievements, the text demonstrates that placing excessive value on temporal happiness leads to misery rather than fulfillment. The preacher emphasizes that while pleasure is a gift from God, it must not be expected to cure the fundamental brokenness of human existence. True and lasting happiness is found only in Christ, who offers the eternal profit that earthly pursuits cannot provide.

Joshua 18:7 (KJV) But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.

Pastor Paul Takach teaches on Philippians 2:5-11, the Christ hymn, showing that its profound Christology is given not merely for doctrine but to shape believers' lives with humility, love, and unity in the local church. Because Christ humbled Himself to death on the cross, God highly exalted Him through resurrection, ascension, and enthronement as Messianic King, fulfilling Isaiah 52:13, Psalm 110:1, and Psalm 97:9, and giving Him the name above every name: Lord, the covenant name Yahweh from Exodus 3 that God shares with no other (Isaiah 42:8; Acts 2:36). Since Paul's words that every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord quote Isaiah 45, where Yahweh alone says to look to Him and be saved, the passage proves that Jesus Christ is Yahweh, equipping believers to answer groups like Jehovah's Witnesses who deny His deity. Takach warns that all will bow, some willingly as Savior and others under compulsion in judgment, as in Matthew 25's shut door and Revelation 6's wrath of the Lamb, so unbelievers must repent and confess Him now, since wealth, status, or defiance will spare no one. For believers, His exaltation calls for humility (Matthew 23:12; 1 Peter 5:6), loyal obedience, worship especially on the Lord's Day (Psalm 95:6), and assurance that, united with Christ (Romans 6:5), they will share His future glory.

The way of true riches is to truly wait for God's reward on your spiritual investment. Be Rich Within and Forever.