A Proper Perspective of Self | Bible Study Notes

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Psalm 8:3-8

I. Definition

A. Perspective is our view in relation to something else

B. Comparison

C. The size of the Queen Mary II to the Empire State Building Measure by football fields

D. Scope

E. “Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear” Get an idea of what is behind us; not the exact perspective

F. Nature

G. A “dogleg” turn on a golf course describes the way the turn is madeA “knee jerk” reaction involves our mouth more than our knee

H. We use perspective to help us understand the size, scope, or nature of something.

I. The Christian must keep himself in proper perspective

II. In relation to creation we are above the animals; the crown of creation

A. Genesis 1:26-31 – Man was given dominion and stewardship of nature

B. Psalm 8:6-8 – God gave man dominion over the animals

III. Compared with others we are pretty good

A. Luke 18:9-14 - The Pharisee considered he was pretty good because he compared himself to the tax collector.

B. 2 Corinthians 10:12

C. We can always find someone “inferior” to us in any category This is foolish judgment

IV. Compared to God we are nothing

A. Psalm 8:3-5 – Our nature is inferior

B. Isaiah 55:8-9 – Our knowledge is inferior

C. Romans 3:9-20 – Spiritually, we are inferior

D. We are not God’s equal in any category

E. We cannot be arrogant about our relationship to Him as children of God for that relationship came through God’s grace, not our worth. We can never hope to approach God as His equal

V. Proper perspective of self

A. A proper perspective of myself demands that I not strive to be better than others but to be like my God

B. I must judge myself by His standard

C. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

D. Though I will never reach perfection, I must strive to be holy The only thing that really matters is pleasing God with our lives

E. James 1:18-27 – perfect law of liberty

F. We must examine ourselves in light of God’s word and change our lives to bring it in subjection to God’s will. A foolish man does not change the things in his life that are out of place Galatians 1:10 – I cannot please man instead of God

G. I must strive to be holy, 1 Peter 1:13-23

H. I must strive to be holy because God is holy

I. In order to be holy I must be cleansed

J. Redeemed by Jesus’ blood, v.18-19 Purified by God, v.22-23I must live holy, 2:1-2

K. I cannot be arrogant about my holiness and obedience

L. Luke 17:10

M. When I follow God’s law, I am only doing what is practical, rational, and beneficial for our soul. Righteousness is not something special I give to God but is my duty that He expects me to perform.

N. 1 Corinthians 15:10

O. I should never be arrogant about my salvation which God gave me. By God’s grace I am what I am.

P. I must always exalt Jesus

Q. In the church

R. Ephesians 3:20-211 Peter 4:7-11 Nothing must be done for self; all things must glorify our Savior.

S. In my life

T. Hebrews 13:20-21 – My life must glorify Jesus2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 – Glorify Him in all thingsI should never let myself eclipse the glory of Christ In subjecting our will to God and calling Jesus Lord, we take our ego out of the picture and do all things to His glory Luke 9:23-26 – Deny self in order to follow God

U. When I know my place and Jesus’ place, I can maintain a proper perspective of my self and my role in God’s plan

VI. Conclusion: Poem When I Say, “I am a Christian”

VII. When I Say, “I am a Christian”

VIII. Author Unknown

IX. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

X. I’m not shouting ” I’m clean livin’’”.

XI. I’m whispering ” I was lost,“

XII. Now I’m found and forgiven.

XIII. When I say…” I am a Christian”

XIV. I don’t speak of this with pride.

XV. I’m confessing that I stumble

XVI. And need CHRIST to be my guide.

XVII. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XVIII. I’m not trying to be strong.

XIX. I’m professing that I’m weak

XX. And need HIS strength to carry on.

XXI. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXII. I’m not bragging of success.

XXIII. I’m admitting I have failed

XXIV. And need God to clean my mess.

XXV. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXVI. I’m not claiming to be perfect,

XXVII. My flaws are far too visible

XXVIII. But, God believes I am worth it.

XXIX. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXX. I still feel the sting of pain,

XXXII. So I call upon His name.

XXXIII. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXXIV. I’m not holier than thou,

XXXV. I’m just a simple sinner

XXXVI. Who received God’s good grace, somehow.

XXXVII. Proper Perspective of Self

I. Definition

A. Perspective is our view in relation to something else

B. Comparison

C. The size of the Queen Mary II to the Empire State Building Measure by football fields

D. Scope

E. “Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear” Get an idea of what is behind us; not the exact perspective

F. Nature

G. A “dogleg” turn on a golf course describes the way the turn is madeA “knee jerk” reaction involves our mouth more than our knee

H. We use perspective to help us understand the size, scope, or nature of something.

I. The Christian must keep himself in proper perspective

II. In relation to creation we are above the animals; the crown of creation

A. Genesis 1:26-31 – Man was given dominion and stewardship of nature

B. Psalm 8:6-8 – God gave man dominion over the animals

III. Compared with others we are pretty good

A. Luke 18:9-14 - The Pharisee considered he was pretty good because he compared himself to the tax collector.

B. 2 Corinthians 10:12

C. We can always find someone “inferior” to us in any category This is foolish judgment

IV. Compared to God we are nothing

A. Psalm 8:3-5 – Our nature is inferior

B. Isaiah 55:8-9 – Our knowledge is inferior

C. Romans 3:9-20 – Spiritually, we are inferior

D. We are not God’s equal in any category

E. We cannot be arrogant about our relationship to Him as children of God for that relationship came through God’s grace, not our worth. We can never hope to approach God as His equal

V. Proper perspective of self

A. A proper perspective of myself demands that I not strive to be better than others but to be like my God

B. I must judge myself by His standard

C. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

D. Though I will never reach perfection, I must strive to be holy The only thing that really matters is pleasing God with our lives

E. James 1:18-27 – perfect law of liberty

F. We must examine ourselves in light of God’s word and change our lives to bring it in subjection to God’s will. A foolish man does not change the things in his life that are out of place Galatians 1:10 – I cannot please man instead of God

G. I must strive to be holy, 1 Peter 1:13-23

H. I must strive to be holy because God is holy

I. In order to be holy I must be cleansed

J. Redeemed by Jesus’ blood, v.18-19 Purified by God, v.22-23I must live holy, 2:1-2

K. I cannot be arrogant about my holiness and obedience

L. Luke 17:10

M. When I follow God’s law, I am only doing what is practical, rational, and beneficial for our soul. Righteousness is not something special I give to God but is my duty that He expects me to perform.

N. 1 Corinthians 15:10

O. I should never be arrogant about my salvation which God gave me. By God’s grace I am what I am.

P. I must always exalt Jesus

Q. In the church

R. Ephesians 3:20-211 Peter 4:7-11 Nothing must be done for self; all things must glorify our Savior.

S. In my life

U. When I know my place and Jesus’ place, I can maintain a proper perspective of my self and my role in God’s plan

VI. Conclusion: Poem When I Say, “I am a Christian”

VII. When I Say, “I am a Christian”

VIII. Author Unknown

IX. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

X. I’m not shouting ” I’m clean livin’’”.

XI. I’m whispering ” I was lost,“

XII. Now I’m found and forgiven.

XIII. When I say…” I am a Christian”

XIV. I don’t speak of this with pride.

XV. I’m confessing that I stumble

XVI. And need CHRIST to be my guide.

XVII. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XVIII. I’m not trying to be strong.

XIX. I’m professing that I’m weak

XX. And need HIS strength to carry on.

XXI. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXII. I’m not bragging of success.

XXIII. I’m admitting I have failed

XXIV. And need God to clean my mess.

XXV. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXVI. I’m not claiming to be perfect,

XXVII. My flaws are far too visible

XXVIII. But, God believes I am worth it.

XXIX. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXX. I still feel the sting of pain,

XXXI. I have my share of heartaches

XXXII. So I call upon His name.

XXXIII. When I say… ” I am a Christian”

XXXIV. I’m not holier than thou,

XXXV. I’m just a simple sinner

XXXVI. Who received God’s good grace, somehow.

XXXVII. Proper Perspective of Self