Zeitgeist: Putting Yourself First

In "Putting Yourself First," Pastor Bob Moss preaches on the conflict between societal norms and the teachings of Christ which encourage self-sacrificing love and care for others. He asserts that the worldly spirit promotes self-centrism, while followers of Christ are called to prioritize others' welfare over their interests. He buttresses this point with Matthew 22:37-39, which emphasizes the commandments to love God whole-heartedly and extend this love to others as we would ourselves. Pastor Moss acknowledges that the capacity to live altruistically varies across individuals, with some naturally selfless, while others grapple with selfish tendencies. However, he assures us that through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, believers can be led to express higher levels of selfless love. He cites the story of a Samaritan who helped a robbed Jew to demonstrate the transformative potential of the Holy Spirit to foster a selfless spirit even towards those beyond our cultural sphere. By emphasizing the necessity for an active desire for the Holy Spirit to resist worldly influences, Pastor Moss encourages creating an environment that caters to the welfare of everyone in the church, community, or workplace. He concludes that while the understanding of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are complex mysteries of faith, believers must be guided by the Holy Spirit and embrace the challenge to live selflessly. Thus, Pastor Moss's sermon is a call for believers to rebel against the self-centred spirit of the age and put others first, powered by the Holy Spirit.