Run Your Own Race (Stop Comparing Yourself To Others)

Scripture

John 21:20–25 GNB

20 Peter turned round and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved—the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and had asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus answered him, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 23 So a report spread among the followers of Jesus that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he said, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you?” 24 He is the disciple who spoke of these things, the one who also wrote them down; and we know that what he said is true. 25 Now, there are many other things that Jesus did. If they were all written down one by one, I suppose that the whole world could not hold the books that would be written.

Introduction- Social Comparison Theory & Quotes

"Comparison is the thief of joy."— Theodore Roosevelt (late former US President & Rough Rider)

People constantly evaluate themselves, and others, in domains like attractiveness, wealth, intelligence, and success. According to some studies, as much as 10 percent of our thoughts involve comparisons of some kind

Social Comparison Theory

 Recently I read an article in Psychology Today that discussed Social Comparison Theory

This concept centers around the idea that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they measure up against others. The theory was developed in 1954 by psychologist Leon Festinger. Later research has shown that people who regularly compare themselves to others may find motivation to improve, but may also experience feelings of deep dissatisfaction, insecurity, anxiety, low self-esteem, guilt, or remorse by fostering a “scarcity mindset,” which may lead one to engage in destructive behaviors like lying, disordered eating, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse, . And in this social media age which we live, these comparisons are often an unfair comparison, comparing one’s "behind-the-scenes" to others’ curated, public lives. 

Jesus’ Inner Circle of Disciples (Peter & his brother Andres & James & John)

Matthew 4:18–22 ESV

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

They With Jesus @

Raising Jairus's Daughter: Jesus allowed only Peter, James, and John to witness him raising the synagogue leader's daughter from the dead.

The Transfiguration: They were the only disciples present on the mountaintop when Jesus was transfigured and spoke with Moses and Elijah.

Garden of Gethsemane: Jesus took these three into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with him before his arrest, though they struggled to stay awake. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

These three disciples, all fishermen by trade, were part of the initial group of followers and were provided with deeper, more intimate access to Jesus' ministry

Disciples What Jesus To Tell Them Who Is The Greatest

Matthew 18:1–4 ESV

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Disciples Argue Among Another About Who Is The Greatest

Mark 9:33–37 ESV

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Another Dispute Arose Among

The Disciples

Luke 22:24–30 ESV

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Even James & Johns Mother Got Involved

Matthew 20:20–28 ESV

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Transition To Body- The Other Disciple Who Always Seemed A Step or Two Ahead Of Peter:

Ahead At The LORD’S Supper- Reclining @ Jesus’ Side

John 13:23–24 ESV

23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking.

Ahead At Jesus’ Crucifixion- Nearby

John 19:26–27 ESV

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Ahead At Jesus’ Death- Witnessing

John 19:33–35 ESV

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.

Ahead At Jesus’ Resurrection- Believing

John 20:3–10 ESV

3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Ahead At Jesus’ Resurrection Appearance- Recognizing Jesus as LORD

John 21:7 ESV

7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

Body- What Could Be Greater Than Peter Taking Up His Cross?

Humbly Glorify God In Service Of Jesus (John 21:20-21)

John 21:20–21 GNB

20 Peter turned round and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved—the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and had asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

John 21:18–19 GNB

18 I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will bind you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, “Follow me!”

Followers Of Jesus First Take Up Their Cross Daily

Luke 9:23–24 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Man’s Fleshly Glory Fades

1 Peter 1:24–25 ESV

24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Man Is The Image & Glory Of God

1 Corinthians 11:7 ESV

7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.

Glory From Man Vs. Glory From God

John 12:43 ESV

43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

God Crowns Man With Glory & Honor

Psalm 8:4–5 ESV

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Those Whom Jesus Glorifies

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

{

Humbly Glorify God In Service Of Jesus (John 21:20-21)

}

Obediently Follow Jesus’ Desire For Your Life (John 21:22)

John 21:22 GNB

22 Jesus answered him, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”

Jesus’ Will

An Exegetical Summary of John 10–21 21:22

This verb means to desire to have or experience something

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 2. The θέλειν of Jesus.

This will determines the whole path of the disciple

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 ESV

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

{

Humbly Glorify God In Service Of Jesus (John 21:20-21)

Obediently Follow Jesus’ Desire For Your Life (John 21:22)

}

Constantly Look To Jesus Alone For Direction (John 21:22)

John 21:22 GNB

22 Jesus answered him, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”

Psalm 119:105 ESV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

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.

Philippians 3:13–15 ESV

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

{

Humbly Glorify God In Service Of Jesus (John 21:20-21)

Obediently Follow Jesus’ Desire For Your Life (John 21:22)

Constantly Look To Jesus Alone For Direction (John 21:22)

}

Faithfully Work Until Jesus’ Returns For You (John 21:23-25)

John 21:23–25 GNB

23 So a report spread among the followers of Jesus that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he said, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you?” 24 He is the disciple who spoke of these things, the one who also wrote them down; and we know that what he said is true. 25 Now, there are many other things that Jesus did. If they were all written down one by one, I suppose that the whole world could not hold the books that would be written.

Curiosity had evidently grown widespread over the fate of the person so well known as the one loved by Jesus. Chapter 21 puts in the mouth of Peter the question which the whole community had come to ask: “Lord, what about him?” (v. 21b). How will he end? What is God’s plan for him? Jesus resolves the speculation by answering cryptically (vv. 22ab). What comes through is that the beloved disciple’s ultimate outcome is God’s business and not a human affair. Being a follower is every disciple’s affair, not just Peter’s (cf. v. 22c).

Gerard Stephen Sloyan, John, Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1988), 231.

Paul might be the pioneer of Christ, Peter might be the shepherd of Christ, but John was the witness of Christ. He was the one who was able to say: ‘I saw these things, and I know that they are true.’

William Barclay, The Gospel of John, vol. 2 of The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY: Edinburgh, 2001), 335.

{

Humbly Glorify God In Service Of Jesus (John 21:20-21)

Obediently Follow Jesus’ Desire For Your Life (John 21:22)

Constantly Look To Jesus Alone For Direction (John 21:22)

Faithfully Work Until Jesus’ Returns For You (John 21:23-25)

}

Transition To Close

A Young Lady Was Sunbathing On The Beach When A ...

A young lady was sunbathing on the beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to her and asked her, "Do you believe in God?"

She was surprised by the question but she replied, "Why, yes, I do."

Then he asked her: "Do you go to church every Sunday?"

Again, her answer was "Yes!"

He then asked: "Do you read your Bible and pray every day?"

Again she said, "Yes!" By now her curiosity was very much aroused.

The little lad sighed with relief and said, "Will you hold my money while I go swimming?"

Acclaimed clinical psychologist Jordan B Peterson writes in his book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

“Don’t compare yourself with other people; compare yourself with who you were yesterday.” ― Jordan Peterson

Matthew 25:21 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

1 Timothy 6:11–16 ESV

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Or

Many Turns–One Road! (07.01.05--Direction--John 21:20-25)

Like life, most highways that we find ourselves on aren’t always straight and true. In fact, what makes some highways fun to drive is that they give you the opportunity to make a turn here and there from time to time, just to break up the monotony of sameness. I have often been very thankful for that highway jog here and there that simply causes you to focus, to concentrate a bit harder on what you are doing so as to avoid the inevitable sleepiness that often accompanies long trips on a very boring and very straight highway.

Turns aren’t a bad thing when they give you pause to be reminded that you are on a highway in the first place and it is very important for safety sake and for your purpose of getting to where you want to go not to drive off on the shoulder or exit on the wrong ramp. It’s the turns that put us on life’s shoulder or on the wrong road that most often get us into trouble. Traveling on too many roads when you belong on one is a sure recipe for losing your direction and, ultimately, not getting to where you needed to go in the first place.

Have you ever found yourself “driving” sleepily through the day on more than one highway? “A weakness of all human beings,” wrote entrepreneur and inventory Henry Ford, “is trying to do too many things at once. That scatters effort and destroys direction. It makes for haste, and haste makes waste. So we do things all the wrong ways possible before we come to the right one. Then we think it is the best way because it works, and it was the only way left that we could see. Every now and then I wake up in the morning headed toward that finality, with a dozen things I want to do. I know I can’t do them all at once.” When asked what he did about that, Ford replied, “I go out and trot around the house. While I’m running off the excess energy that wants to do too much, my mind clears and I see what can be done and should be done first.” (Bits & Pieces, September 19, 1991, p. 18.)

It’s not so much how many turns we may take that determines our getting to where we want to go. Oftentimes its more likely the number of roads we make them on that gets us lost. Turns are good, multiple highways aren’t. Managing multiple priorities in your day is important; as long as that management is directed and focused. Keeping a clear mind and not getting distracted is critical not only to our daily welfare but also to our spiritual well-being. The Apostle Peter once asked Jesus this question: “”What about him?” And Jesus replied “What is that to you?” As Jesus had laid out a path for Peter, one that he was to focus on and maintain, so we too need to accept the path that He has offered to each of us. There may be many turns, but it isn’t the turns that get us lost. Staying on the path is all that matters.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt 6:34)

Close

Close

Matthew 6:9–15 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

John 6:38–40 ESV

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Philippians 2:12–18 ESV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 ESV

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.