Architect of Success

ILLUST: Trying to do a job without the right tools

Doing a job well takes work, challenge to learn a skill

Building a building right - blueprints, money, permits, clear direction laid out

A great boss, planner - sets you up to succeed

Issue: Many don’t want the job, don’t want to work

Jesus Prepares Disciples

It has been apparent that it is increasingly important for His disciples to be ready to take the banner of the Gospel

It will be challenging, do-able, and worth it

Jesus does all He says He is going to - leave and return (ref to Resurrection?)

This confuses them, still, but Jesus knows they’ll get it

He knows they can “do it,” even if they don’t

(Jesus prepares disciples)

1) Explaining the Cost

The pain of childbirth - compared

Temporary

Intense, will it ever end?

Is it worth it? Ladies?

The resulting joy makes the pain endurable - lots of ladies have more than one child!

But what IS the job, the task, the cost?

Job/task - Being the voice of Jesus, the feet bearing the good news of the Gospel

The world makes the job difficult, seeming impossible at times

Yes, the world hates Jesus, hates believers - the cost

Enemy was rejoicing when Jesus died - short-lived

The world will rejoice when believers are gathered together from here (Rapture)

End Times aside: The Church will be removed - for a short time (7 years)

Then Jesus will return, again, literally, with us!

We will be leaving, and we’ll be back!

Meanwhile - it may simply get more difficult for us - Jesus is good to warn us

2) Creating the Access

If you have a job and you report to a superior - it’d be nice to be able to talk with that superior

The Access to the Father - accomplished by Jesus’ work

They’ve been able to go to Jesus for everything

Jesus had the connection with the Father

And He passes that on to them

Yes, His work opens that door to the Father, so they have direct access

“In Jesus’ name”

Comes from allowing Jesus to establish relationship with them

“Truly, truly” - over and over

“If it were not true I would have told you”

“Trust Me” - the promise of Jesus is golden

From the beginning of sin - access to the Father was the challenge

Reconciliation needed

All must be re-connected with the Father - can’t happen without Jesus

3) Creating the Path

Gotta know where to walk, how to walk, how to accomplish the task, navigate through the obstacles (world)

Victory is complete - yeah, OK…we say that…

Jesus faced an immensely difficult trial

Even He trusted in the purpose, the victorious purpose of the Father

Jesus did not avoid the trial

He did not duck the responsibility

“Thy will be done”

There is a path cleared to walk

Psalm 119:105 NASB95

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

The Word actually allowed Jesus to complete His task

Now - Faith is what keeps on on the path lit by the Lord

Job to do - Finishing the work that is begun, Phil 1:6

Philippians 1:6 NASB95

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

FOR US - So what?

Knowing Jesus did all this for His disciples, for us…What is our response?

Knowing Jesus will return in “a little while…”

If someone gives you an answer, “little while,” don’t you want to know specifics?

Arrival times, how long, etc.?

What question is asked of Jesus, over and over? WHEN?

A little while :)

1 - This world brings pain, suffering, disappointment - that is, if you are a believer and are frustrated by the injustice shown to believers

If you are really comfortable here, maybe this isn’t a problem

This world is not fair

The pain in childbirth is not fair - and it’s worth it

The reward here for living for Jesus - hatred - is not fair - and it’s worth it! Eternally

2 - Where do you turn for help? Ever seem like there is just nobody to listen?

Jesus died and rose again, in order for you to go straight to the Father

ASK - and experience JOY

Experience JOY and your perspective changes

Pray differently! Not just “in Jesus name, Amen,” but boldly, proclaiming and celebrating access to the Father

Ask the Father - is the same spirit of Jesus, how HE prayed

YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE CREATOR!

That’s rather special

The Father sent the Son - 1 John 4:14

1 John 4:14 NASB95

We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

TO SAVE! That means access, restoration, BOLD LVIING FOR HIM

Jesus saved you, gave you access to the Father - trust Him, He’s there to help you!

You might worry about Freedom. Do you? (Don’t show hands) -

What are you doing with the freedom you already have??

3 - How is your “path-walking” going?

That path - how/where we are to walk

It’s well-lit - by the Word

The decisions we face, choices we make, opportunities we encounter

Temptations we face

Stumbling blocks

Real danger! Real trouble

Lego bricks…

Shoes in way

Potholes in the road

Flying rocks…

The world throws stumbling blocks in the way

Goodness, we put our own there, too

Opportunities to sin, try to make our own path

We tend to put them there ourselves

We do life “Our way” - and God lets us

Look at the aids God gives us for our path

Prayer - obviously, or is it obvious?

The Word - to keep it lit - why don’t we utilize it???

The Church - yeah, the Church

Trouble looks like this

Choice, not a great one

Consequences - natural

Do you see the Church as a resource to help you?

Most will avoid church when conflict arises

“I know I should be at church, but I’m just so angry, I’m so hurt, I’m so frustrated, I’m just gonna go somewhere else…”

Trouble typically includes a lot of “I” - “I” - “I” - “I think, I want, I feel….

Jesus knows this

Jesus knows that this world is totally “I” - focused

And Jesus has overcome the world

So you don’t have to rely on YOU

This is encouraging!

This world is focused on winning!

This world is focused on defeating us!

This passage/chapter, is not defeatist

Jesus doesn’t share this to alarm or to invoke depression

Jesus is a REALIST

World - suffering, trouble, challenges

Jesus - Death and resurrection, just as REAL

Jesus - secured the victory - REAL

Living for Jesus - truly living each day with living for Him in mind - REAL

The path will not always be clear of obstacles - and Jesus/Spirit helps navigate

Jesus returning to gather us together - REAL

SO…..

Saved - accepting that salvation?

Relying on Him? Allowing prayer, the Word, and the Church to keep focus?

Seeing the world as already overcome by Jesus?

Philippians 4:4 NASB95

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Jesus, the victorious KING, has given you all you need to live a prosperous spiritual life - for Him

If you want to…

Jesus, the victorious KING, has set you up for success - He knows you can do it