Losing Is Winning

Matthew 16:24–27 KJV 1900

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Jesus wants all of you! 99% won’t do! He blesses our efforts but desires for us to follow Him with all of our heart! This morning I want to go over three points that tells us Losing is winning!

I. Find Faith—Lose Doubts

“If ye have faith, and doubt not, … it shall be done” (Matt. 21:21).

A. Some people are doubters. They doubt God’s Word, His creation, His salvation, and even God Himself. Doubters never win.

B. We should not be naive, nor should we mistrust everyone. Suspicion and doubt are self-destructive.

C. We must have faith—faith banishes doubt. Faith pleases God and enables us to win others.

D. We win by losing our doubt. Faith brings the victory

1 John 5:4 KJV 1900

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

II. Find Hope—Lose Despair

“Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him …”

Psalm 42:5 KJV 1900

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.

A. Many people are in despair. They have lost hope. Uncertain riches and sinful pleasures fail to satisfy.

B. We must hope in God. Helping the needy, comforting the discouraged, and sharing Christ with others helps us lose despair.

C. We win by losing despair. Hope in God brings the joy of salvation and the assurance of everlasting life

Psalm 51:12 KJV 1900

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.

III. Find Love—Lose Discord

“And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also”

1 John 4:21 KJV 1900

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

A. Christians often live in discord. They hold resentment and hostility toward others. Their witness is ineffective.

B. Love makes the difference. When we are totally committed to God, the Holy Spirit cleanses and fills us with His love.

C. Love is a built-in psychological need. Everyone needs to love and be loved; therefore, we should reach out in love to work, witness, and win.

D. We can win by losing. Lose the worst—hatred, misery, strife! Lose the fleshly things! Here are the works of the flesh that God wants us to lose:

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Win the best—love, joy, and peace, Here is what a winner looks like, act like, lives like! If you don’t have these fruit on your life, you are not winning!

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

CON: How many want to lose this morning? Losing is winning when you turn your heart to God and let Him break the hold this world has on you! When you break through the power of satan binding you, tell him to get LOST! Tell satan to get lost! Tell your flesh to get lost! Tell all the things holding you back to get lost! God desires you to be on the winning side! His side!