March 22, 2008 Summit AM

Winners Don’t Allow Success to Cripple Them

Introduction

A. Text - Mt.28:1-20

B. Imagine the exhilaration

            1. They were right – Jesus was the real Messiah

                        a. Some still struggled – but the evidence is now so overwhelming

                        b. What they knew as a tragic loss a few days ago – victory

                        c. To see Jesus again – alive & in an awesome body

            2. Jesus quickly brings them back to reality – there is work to be done

                        a. Go make disciples everywhere

                        b. Share with them all that I have shared with you

            3. Success was not to cripple them – they were winners – spiritually victorious

B. Discuss the crippling effect success can have on us

            1. If we are to live victoriously – regardless how successful – not let it cripple us

            2. See this in action – steps to take to prevent this

C. Pray

 

I. People Who Allowed Success To Cripple Them

            A. Mt.22:1-14 – parable of the marriage feast (esp.11-13)

                        1. Context

                                    a. Jesus has been teaching & Chief Priest & Pharisees listening

                                                1) Parables spoke were about them

                                                2) They want to deal with Him & can’t (fear people)

                                    b. Now a parable concerning a great opportunity

                                                1) Opportunity to attend God’s wedding feast

                                                2) Everyone is invited – many attend

                                                3) Yet someone enters without wedding clothes

                                                            a) Not a party crasher just improperly dressed

                                                            b) Reality – king had provided clothes for all

                                                            c) This man just assumed he didn’t need them

                        2. He was a success in that he was allowed into the feast

                                    a. He just allowed his success to cripple him

                                    b. Ended up being rejected – into outer darkness

            B. Mt.25:1-13 – parable of the 10 virgins (esp.8-13)

                        1. Another parable concerning a wedding feast

                                    a. 10 virgins are to be a part of the wedding procession

                                                1) Excited & show up with lamps – groom tarries

                                                2) Fall asleep – awakened suddenly

                                    b. In the rush 5 discover they are low on oil

                                                1) Seek to find more – ask others to help & they can’t

                                                2) Go to get more & are excluded

                        2. In their success – failed to prepare themselves

                                    a. Anticipated that what had was sufficient

                                    b. Never prepared for a waiting time

           

C. 2 Tim.1-14 – esp.vs.14

                        1. Paul warns about the future of Christianity

                                    a. People will have a form of godliness but deny the power

                                                1) Ritualism but not real conversion of the heart

                                                2) Ever learning but never able to truly understand

                                    b. Paul urges Timothy – follow my example

                                                1) You know what I teach & live

                                                2) Make sure you consistently live this way too

                        2. Although heard truth & initially responded = success spiritually

                                    a. Allowed their success to cripple them

                                    b. Like warning in Hebrews 2 – drifted away

            D. 2 Tim.4:1-5

                        1. Paul’s final charge to Timothy – do the work of an evangelist

                                    a. Preach the word – in season & out of season

                                    b. When you feel like it & when you don’t

                                    c. When it’s easy & when it’s not easy

                        2. Time coming – they won’t want to hear it

                                    a. In their success – want things their way

                                    b. Gleefully accept those who say what they want to hear

 

II. How Do we Prevent Success From Crippling Us?

            A. Readily accept all that God has to offer

                        1. Phil.3 – Paul’s attitude

                                    a. His accomplishments garbage

                                    b. I want all the righteousness of Jesus I can acquire

                                    c. Allowing nothing to deter me – forget past & press on

                        2. Man without wedding garment  - Mt.22

                                    a. Proud, self-willed & insulted his host

                                                1) Not dress in garments provided

                                                2) Attend on own terms – like Cain & his sacrifice

                                    b. 2 Pet.1:3,4 - God has provided all need in Jesus

                                                1) Make every effort to add to your faith

                                                2) If do will never fall – awesome opportunity

            B. Quickly prepare yourself spiritually – while you can

                        1. Foolish virgins waited too long

                                    a. Should have thought ahead

                                    b. Instead allowed the excitement of attending hinder them

                        2. Are we doing what we can while we can?

                                    a. Me & my eyesight fading – memorize while can

                                    b. Not know what future bring – get prepared now

            C. Take your spiritual condition Seriously

                        1. So many take it for granted

                                    a. Assume all OK – grow naturally

                                    b. Just attend & never deal with character; lifestyle

                                    c. Continue to live as the world around them

                                    d. Are Christians in name only

2. Get out of comfort zone – try, keep on trying

                                    a. Eagle & their young illustration

                                                1) Begin tearing up nest – make it uncomfortable

                                                2) Push young off cliff & fly under

                                                3) Keep doing this until they learn to fly

                                    b. God also puts us into situations so will grow

                                                1) Allows temptations & struggles – 1 Cor.10:13

                                                2) All of them intended for our growth – good – Rom.8:28

            D. Keep yours ears in tune with God’s word

                        1. David’s attitude -  Ps.119

                                    a. Lay up your word in my heart so I will not sin against

                                    b. Never wanted to stray from God – man after His own heart

                        2. Satan will do anything to get us to not hear truth

                                    a. Deceived Eve – all condemned

                                    b. Col.2:8 – see to it no one deceives you – philosophy

                                    c. Lies sound so logical – must be right

                                    d. 2 Thess.2:7-15 – believe lie because not love truth

 

Conclusion

A. Will we allow our successes to cripple us?

            1. We have come so far – will we finish strongly?

            2. Are we ready to accept Jesus’ challenge?

                        Go make disciples of all the nations

                        So much to do – so few to do the tasks – will we be one of them?

            3. Remember – many are called but few are chosen!

B. Pray