` March 9, 2008 Summit PM
Thinking Like A
Winner Decide What You Want
Introduction
A. Text Mt.13:44-46
B. Jesus calls for His followers to make a decision
1. Most are not really listening many distractions
a. Following for the perks perhaps the excitement
b. With lips speak well of Him Heart far from Him
2. Makes things harder speaks in parables
a. Text compares the kingdom to a hidden treasure pearl of great price
b. Something so precious the finders are willing to sell all to obtain it
C. Question we ought ask ourselves how precious is the kingdom to us?
1. If we are going to win must make a decision to win
2. So easy to become discouraged hardships & injustice of life
a. Throughout ages man has wrestled with question good suffering
b. Is it really worth the effort?
D. Pray
A. Ps.37:4 delight self in Lord give you the desires of your heart
1. Context
a. David is older considering again the struggle of the righteous
b. Theology behind the struggle God owns the land
1) Is His - to do with as He wishes.
2) Is allowing the wicked to succeed while righteous suffer
3) Is being true to His covenant with Israel Deut.28
4) Was chastening them to get them to repent
2. Davids admonition delight yourself in the Lord
a. Idea often perverted today name it & claim it crowd
b. Root of word delight = brought up in luxury; pampered
1) Speaks of the abundance of blessings in God Himself
2) Focus is on Him not His blessings
3) Delight yourself in Him not what He is able to give
4) Delight is in Him whether receive anything else
c. To enjoy the blessings & ignore the blesser = idolatry
1) Col.3:5,6 greed is idolatry
2) Many want blessings but not the giver of the blessings
3. To truly delight in the Lord chief desire will be Him
a. To know Him really know Him
b. To continually dwell with Him honor Him
c. Not a promise to those who want things those who want God
B. Jesus wants His followers to know how precious an opportunity they have
1. Offer of a lifetime
a. Earthly riches pale in comparison
b. 1 Pet.1:3-7 never perish or fade away
2. Offered to all who find it - No matter how poor or insignificant
A. The Lord can be trusted
1. Political year hearing all kinds of promises
a. Joke how can you tell if a politician is lying? Lips moving
b. Already seeing candidates talk out of both sides of mouth
2. When see wicked prosper easy to fret get angry
a. Tempted to envy them compromise principles
b. Reality wicked will pay the price
c. Learn to rest in the Lord
1) The meek will inherit the earth Mt.5
2) The wicked will be cut off
B. God
understands our situation dont fear
1. Ps.34:7-15
a. He is still in control laughs at the attempts of the wicked
1) 1 Cor.10:13 tempers the temptation
2) James 1:2-4 strengthens us
b. Their efforts will backfire on
them
1) Gal.6:7,8 God is not mocked
2) In the end they will lose
A. Isa.58:1-10
1. Their focus was selfish give God a pittance
a. God was looking for more than just a day of fasting
b. God was looking for a lifestyle change
2. Eph.5:1-16 imitate God
a. Whole lifestyle must change
b. Live as children of light
B. Job 22:21-28 Jobs friends wisdom
1. Submit to God & be at
peace with Him
a. He was mistaken that Job was not at peace with God
b. But principle spoke is true
2. Mt.11:28-30
a. Take My yoke = willingly submit to My yoke
b. Learn of Me I am gentle & humble of heart
c. Heb.5:8 learned obedience through hardships (humbly trust)
3. James 1:2-4 joyfully accept life as it comes
C. Lk.14:25-27 take up your cross & follow Me
1. The cross was part of Jesus
purpose
a. From beginning - decided He would die on cross
b. To ignore this was to ignore His calling
2. We too have a purpose a calling
a. Something God wants to do through us
b. To ignore our cross means we cant be his disciple
c. Vs.34 salt is good unless it has lost its saltiness