Introduction: Natural man is lazy, proud and selfish, assuming he has far more rights than responsibilities, and his life is his own for any privileges he desires and opportunities are to be exploited for his own pleasure. Christians know this kind of thinking is sinful and wicked, though it is part of their old man. But in today's world they also face an onslaught of entitlement programs, selfish thinking, self-love promotion, and constant talk of rights to the neglect of duties. Therefore, this simple sermon is to remind Christians how to think godly thoughts as indicated by the Bible.

1. Forget about rights! start focusing on responsibilities! Prioritize your thinking Scripturally!

2. Forget what you want! Start focusing on what others want! Christianity is giving, not getting!

3. There are two commandments, and neither has any rights or things for you (Mark 12:29-31)!

4. There are three persons in the world, and God has already ranked them. You are third!

5. There is a reason for our last question when you joined this church – will you remember that this church is where you come to love and serve, not to be loved and served? God requires it.

6. Your responsibility is to love others, since you are already infatuated with yourself, and your goal is to be constantly striving to love them as much as yourself and treat them accordingly.

7. Friendship is a privilege, not a right; it requires faithfulness in responsibilities (Pr 18:24).

8. Love from others is a privilege you do not deserve and should not expect; love for others is a responsibility that should own you; it will save you from a damnable selfish and lonely life.

9. Whether you expect or take a little or lot from others, your responsibility to give is the same.

10. It is more blessed to give than receive (Ac 20:35), and that does not make giving an option.

11. Anything you are or have is from God (I Cor 4:7) … a privilege, not a right … act like it.

12. Being born without defects is not a right, but a privilege from Potter and parents (Is 45:9).

13. God is your Potter, and you are clay; and if you want to argue against these thoughts, then find some potsherd (broken piece of pottery) like yourself for the foolish effort (Is 45:9-10).

14. You were not made for you; you were made for Him. Get used to it; like it (Pr 16:4;Re 4:11).

15. Jesus said God and He had the right to do what he would with His own (Matt 20:15). Amen!

16. Can God get glory from judging your sins (Rom 3:1-? Amen! He has all the rights! Amen!

17. God has all the rights … for mercy or compassion (Rom 9:15) … kingdom privileges (Matt 20:15) … hide and reveal truth based on His own will (Matt 11:25) … pick the youngest runt of a family to be king (I Chr 28:4-5) … do what He will when He will with the world’s greatest empire (Jer 27:5-7) … be a Potter in matters of eternal life (Rom 9:21-24) … judge you by His thoughts for every thought, word, and deed (II Cor 5:9-11) … etc.

18. Election to salvation is a privilege … with responsibilities (II Thess 2:13; II Cor 5:14-15).

19. What is the greatest love? Is it love for yourself, as the world sings? Really? The greatest love of all is God’s love for His Son and His people through that Son, and then it is their love for Him and His Son, and then it is their love for others. Get things right, not rights!

20. Is suicide a right? Of course not! It is self-murder! Your life is not your own. God gave you your life, and He and He alone determines the beginning and the end of it.

21. It’s my life? No, it is not! Jehovah created you for Himself, even if He uses you as cordwood for the lake of fire. Fall on your face and thank Him for the privilege of living in His universe, and then get up cheerfully with zeal to think, say, and do as He commands.

22. It’s my life? No, it is not, especially if a child of God! Jehovah created you for Himself, and then He saved you by the death of His Son, so you are twice His! You are not your own! What? Know ye not these simple facts, so that you cannot do what you want (I Cor 6:19-20)!

23. It’s my body! No, it is not. God created it for Himself. Jesus Christ bought it for Himself. And the Holy Ghost is in it (if you are His child). Read it, and shut up (I Cor 6:19-20)!

To continue reading, visit http://umuaka-church..com/2017/02/rights-privileges.html