Defining Success Again

What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

How often do you try to “beat the system”?

Water in the Boundary Waters

Rights and comforts in living

Success is living “the first must be last” - being a servant of Christ to everyone.

Philippians 2:3–11 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

“Looking out not only for your own interests but also the interests of others.” but really adopting the mindset of Christ.

Success is growing in endurance as a servant of Christ.

Success is cross-filled living.

Rather than in human definitions of greatness.

Not servanthood as in doing whatever everyone else wants

1. Choose Christ-filled living instead of right-filled living

Groups & Life-

Stumble vs sin

Others > you

Application - sports, pornography, manipulation and being manipulated

Kaisa illustration of helping and taking orders

Salt > devotion to Christ

Marriage

rights vs grace

Keller - repentance/ choosing grace cycle

Money / Comfort

Performance / success/ money

God changes hearts to generosity. because of obedience

2. Thrive in trouble and blessing by setting your eyes on the kingdom

“We’ve done this.” - Jesus doesn’t say they haven’t.

But says your reward in this life will be mixed with trouble.

The reward ultimately is eternal life.

and following Jesus

Jesus has been here first. Your identity is not in your own success or failure.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

How much of your life is about Jesus?

Considering trusting Jesus - Jesus’ honesty and Jesus’ value

Believers - Do you maintain your impact if you don’t? Value Jesus’ mercy and example

Being a Baptist

Don’t try to “beat the system” . Trust and obey.

Choose acts of service vs status

Choose joy in following Jesus vs personal fulfillment

Choose faithfulness vs rights in marriage

Choose welcoming vs self-importance

Choose generosity vs wealth

Endure rather than demand reward in this life