Count it as Loss

Loss - detriment, liability

An intentional act of laying aside

Involves two step, this week we are looking at the 1st.

The first step is a decision to not allow anything to compete with Christ.

There are things that we have to be willing to let go of in order to be used and usable by God.

Paul demonstrated for us, and described for us, what God led him to set aside for the purpose of Godliness

There is another component to loss that must be considered. It is not just what you have obtained that you are trusting in, but also what you have been pursuing.

Pursuing Christ means necessarily not pursuing other things

Matthew 6:24 NASB95

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Joshua 24:14–15 NASB95

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Seven Losses for One Gain

Abilities

Natural or learned skills are not a substitute for a heart yielded to God.

Many people today try to serve God in their ability instead of their surrender.

Your abilities will never be sufficient to the mission that God has called you to.

Religion

Allegiance to a set of ideas or principals can be valuable but it can also become an idol.

The exercise of our devotion is not the end goal it is the tool that God uses to mold us.

You cannot trust in religious activities to gain God’s favor.

Nationality

We are blessed to live in the United States. She is not perfect but for over 200 years, the principles upon which she was founded have served her citizens well and provided for an environment in which the Gospel has been freely preached.

We must be careful to realize that the Gospel has not been so powerful because of America but that America has been so powerful because of the propagation of the Gospel.

The value of the nation lies not in the natural resources, the inspired founding documents or even in the generic goodness in many of her people.

There will be millions and millions of Americans in hell.

Status

Many of us have lots of friends. Our social circle is very important to us.

Others have reached a place of high esteem in their professions and find joy in the prestige that comes with positions.

More than anything, our status must serve as a platform from which the Gospel can be spread further rather than a perch upon which we rest.

Accomplishments

When our sense of value comes from the things we have done or the things we possess we are off the mark.

Striving to do well and being diligent in your efforts in life is an important tool to point others to the grace of God that allows you to reach those milestones.

Living to achieve or possess, is an empty existence that has placed your ambition ahead of God’s will.

Passion

Passion can be very easily misplaced.

Later today in the Superdome in New Orleans, tens of thousands of Saints fans will be cheering on their team with a passion the Church can only dream of.

Hitler’s followers were passionate, the 9/11 hijackers were passionate, many people in our world today are passionate following what they believe to be a worthy goal.

Be certain that you run your race with passion but only in the proper direction.

Self-Righteousness

Some people are very impressed with themselves.

They would give you a hand but they are too busy patting themselves on the back.

If he sum total of your knowledge, goodness and virtue were gasoline it wouldn’t get an ant’s go-cart around a Cheerio twice.

What is God telling you that you need to set aside for His glory?

Explain the paper on the tables up front.

Put nothing ahead of God today. Choose Him and Him only and count everything else as loss.