Facing success by Stephen Coffin Philippians 2v5-11, Luke 19v28-40

The bible offers plenty of success stories, especially in the Old Testament – e.g. Joseph, David, Solomon, Daniel
But it does NOT promise worldly success to God’s people

• Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. (I Corinthians 1v26)
• Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. (Mark 10v23-24)

But we are to do our best!

• Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3v23)

However we must not show favouritism to the successful

• Don't show favouritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there“… have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2v1-4)

Jesus’ “success” with the crowds - Celebrated on “Palm Sunday”
Jesus rides a donkey, not a horse - He comes with peace not war

• He comes humbly “your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9v9)

Paul underlines Jesus’ humility

• “He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant… he humbled himself and became obedient to death…” (Philippians 2v7-8)

Why Jesus came

To do God’s will

• I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6v38)

To love

• Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15v13)

To serve

• The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10v45)

This is how to judge success as God does !!

• Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19v30)

Be thankful to God for success

• For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1Timothy 4v4-5)

But be content with what you have

• I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4v12)

Do not get complacent

• Luke 12v16-21 – Parable of the barn builder

Be humble

• "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4v6; 1Peter 5v5)

Aim to please God not people

• “We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts… We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.” (1Thessalonians 2v4, 6)

But accept praise graciously
Encourage others by praising what is praiseworthy

• Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (I Thessalonians 5v11)

Questions to consider

• How does our society measure success ?
• Should we challenge this ? If so, how ?

• Who are the people you admire most ? Why ?
• How do you measure the success of other people ?

• What are your aims in life, your goals ?
• How do you measure success for yourself ?
• How can you please God ?

• Do you encourage others enough by praising praiseworthy success or effort ?
• Do you accept praise graciously or dismiss people’s expressions of thanks ?

• Was Jesus successful ?
• How do you measure his success ?
• How did he measure success himself ?
• Read Luke 12v16-21 - What does this say about success and how to handle it ?

• “Jesus taught & demonstrated that the goal of life is to love.” How do your criteria for success connect with that statement ? Do you agree with it ?