No Regrets

Intro

· Time passes – can’t get it back – no do overs – what’s done is done – whether good, bad or indifferent

· Can’t go back in time

· Seed – whatever was sown will grow – whether sparingly or abundantly

o People you helped

o Things you did

o Words you said

o Money you spent

o Decisions you made

3 Areas of Relationships:

Ministry – you and God – Bible study, prayer, church

– you and God – Bible study, prayer, church

Family – you and yours – kids, parents,

– you and yours – kids, parents,

Community – you and everyone else – work, neighbors, sports, clubs

– you and everyone else – work, neighbors, sports, clubs

Illustration – story of Joseph – even though he was treated badly, he took the high road, even

Key Scripture – STAND

· Having done all to stand

(NKJV)

Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Part 1 – Ministry

Focused on the Prize, Not the Size

(AMP)

Philippians 3:14 AMP

14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

· Sumrall - success = doing God’s will vs size

· Sumrall - success= doing God’s will vs size

· Mother Teresa – called to be faithful vs successful

· How big was her church? We don’t know

· But viewed as a success

· If size = success, then close all the churches and go to a WVU football game - 65,000 people

· Gideon had a small army

· Jesus focused on the 12

Truth

· Stuck with the Word

(ESV)

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

· Paid the price

· Paid the price

· Said what need to be said

· Did what need to be done

· Kept a good attitude (most of time)

· Therein is My Father glorified and honored!

Motives

· Did it unto the Lord – walked in love

· Turned the other cheek – zipped the lip

(ESV)

Matthew 5:39–42 ESV

39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

· Giving every chance – even for years –

40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

· Giving every chance – even for years –

· Longsuffering – forgiving

· Longsuffering – forgiving

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(ESV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Part 2 – Family

Time

· Time is a non-renewable resource – how did you spend last year?

· Made the most of the time (redeemed)

(NKJV)

Ephesians 5:16 ESV

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

· Billy Graham – if I had 3 years to preach, I would spend 2 in preparation

· Spent quality time with Father God – holy moments of a loving exchange of thoughts, feelings, concerns.

· Busy-ness – too many waste time on trivial things – (social media)

· Spend QUALITY time with your spouse – date night.

· Spend QUALITY time with your kids

Worked while it was yet day

(ESV)

John 9:4 ESV

4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

· Be glad you Took the risks

Part 3 – Community

Preferred Others

(ESV)

Ephesians 4:2 ESV

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

· Took the high road – lived there –

· be the adult in the room

· Bit the tongue – trusted God to defend me

(ESV)

Leviticus 19:18 ESV

18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Forgave others – Even those who never asked for it

· Examples – People who quit…

(ESV)

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

(ESV)

Philippians 2:3 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

(ESV)

ate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

(ESV)

1 Peter 4:9 ESV

9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

· Asked for forgiveness for things you never did – just to clear the air!

(ESV)

Colossians 3:13 ESV

13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Take one for the team

(ESV)

John 15:12–14 ESV

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

· Laid down your life for others

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

· Laid down your life for others

· Let others stand on your shoulders

· Let others take the credit – but GOD sees! J

· Did without so others could have

· Prayed and even sowed to others who were already doing better than you

Closing – Benefits of Doing the Right Thing

Evangelism

(ESV)

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Forgiveness

· God forgave you – as you forgave others – (Lord’s prayer)

Peace

· Sleep well at night

· Wronged no man

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 7:2 ESV

2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.

Reward

· Works tried by fire – the proof of our time (and life) will be made evident

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 3:13 ESV

13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

Galatians 6:4 ESV

4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.

4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

Well done good and faithful servant

(NLT)

Matthew 25:21 ESV

21 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.’

21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

Altar Call