Deal Breakers: The ABC's of Godly Success

Welcome — Reintroduce sermon series: (Deal Breakers) The ABC’s of Godly Success. Tonight we’ll not only learn what Godly success looks like but we’ll also wrestle with rather or not God wants it for you and if so, how much is enough.

Why do I feel the way I do about this topic?

Is it because of what I was taught in the past? Is it that my current reality causes me to doubt, or is it that you just don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. If so, that’s where the next question comes in.

What do the Scriptures reveal about this topic?

When I was in the Air Force we had a manual for every piece of equipment called a technical order (T.O.) They were usually very thick manuals that explained in great detail, the machine’s purpose, its specifications, and the theory of how it should work and what to do if it doesn’t. That’s what the scriptures are to Christians. It’s the operations manual, or the T.O. for the believer’s life. It tells us what to do when life seems broken.

Whatever you’re going through in life, however broken things may seem at the moment, there is a theory and a remedy for your situation that can be found in God’s word. Unfortunately, sometimes we don’t like the fix action. Which leads us to ask,

Is this a deal breaker for me?

If this is what I have to do to fix it, if this is what it takes to follow Jesus, if God really wants me to act in that way, is it time for me to change course? Is God’s word a deal breaker for me?

Guests disclaimer

(Pray)

Deal Breakers

When I was in the 10th grade my parents moved my little sister and I from Clarksville to Nashville TN. When we arrived the admin arranged for the football coach to give me a tour of the school. He was very nice and welcoming… Until I joined his team...

To be fair, he celebrated great tackles, touchdowns, and everything else with the same energy he had when he’d insult you. In retrospect, all this man wanted was for us to win. He understood that when we win, he wins.

Ever been a member of a marching band, a sports team, or a high performance job like the military? I’ve been involved in all of those and if your experiences were anything like mine, you might recall that some of the best teams had some of the hardest leaders.

In 1985 the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl with Mike Ditka as head coach.

I’m told the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown used to deduct pay from his band members for missing a note or beat during his live shows.

In military basic training, public humiliation has proven to be a very useful tactic for minimizing unwanted behavior. (Latrine story)

The stories and illustrations I shared with you help us to understand a very important reality.

High Standards = Great Success

I think we’ve confused God’s love and kindness and His willingness to accept us just as we are with an excuse to live a life of mediocrity. It is true that God doesn’t simply turn us away because we are imperfect. But it is also true that God expects us to experience new life.

After all, we are born again. That means that once we decide to become followers of Jesus, we can no longer wallow in mediocrity. I think you would agree that we serve a great God. And in case you did not know, you are made in His image and likeness, which means that there is also greatness in you.

If that’s true, and I believe it is, then why do we get so upset when someone expects more from us? Christians are supposed to be like Jesus. So why do we get so upset when people call us out when we are not behaving like Him? What becomes of Christ’s church when the church no longer follows? What do citizens of the Kingdom do when there is no King? And how does that affect the culture?

In the book of Judges, if you were to read between chapter 17 through chapter 21 you will find the following words on repeat:

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”

And what they saw fit included, deception, theft, dishonesty, rape, murder, war, and human trafficking. The culture was a disgusting mess that would leave the reader wondering why God would allow such chaos. And to that question, I believe God would answer with this proverb:

The New International Version Chapter 29

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;

Another translation says, “Where there is no vision, people perish.” Vision and revelation both speak to one’s future. Restraints are talking about boundaries or guard rails. (Highway 1 in California).

Let’s say there were no speed limits and no guard rails. That’s freedom, right? That’s independence, you can do whatever you want with no consequences from the guard rail. Yet, the lack of guardrails increase your likelihood of death and destruction.

So, before you put the idea of total autonomy on a pedestal, let me share with you the ABC’s of true success.

Autonomy - Boundaries = Catastrophe

It matters not who you are or what you do, Autonomy without boundaries lead to catastrophe.

Married couples know they can’t do whatever they want to do whenever they want to do it and still have a successful marriage.

Children should know that they can’t come and go, do and say whatever they please without consequences.

Pro athletes still have to practice and even the president of the U.S. can’t just hit the red button whenever he feels like it.

Autonomy without Boundaries equal catastrophe.

Even Jesus told his disciples

Jn 5:19

John 5:19 NIV

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Jesus understood that Autonomy without boundaries equal catastrophe. Perhaps that’s why God, in his divine wisdom assigns people to our lives that correct us when we’re wrong. Not to hurt us, but to protect us. Let’s go back to Proverbs 29:17-18

Proverbs 29:17–18 NIV

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. 18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

Here is wisdom’s instruction for success. This scripture has guided me my entire life.

Matt 6:33

Matthew 6:33 NIV

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

This is my success formula. But there’s a caveat to this. Luke 12:48 Jesus teaches that “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. “

But for some of us, this might be a deal breaker.

How many of you believe God has a future planned for you. Do you believe that God wants more for you than what you are currently experiencing? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why God is taking so long to bring you out, to bring you over, to take you through?

Could it be that God is waiting for you to heed wisdom’s instruction? Could your lack of blessings be due to your lack of discipline? God’s not going to force you to practice spiritual disciplines.

He’s not going to make you pray if you don’t want to pray. He’s not going to rob you of your money if you don’t want to give. You may not ever fast, but God still puts food on your table. He’s given you autonomy over your life and he’s added boundaries. If you ignore them, don’t blame the catastrophe on God. The real question is, is it possible that your autonomy is blocking your ascension?

Someday, my daughter might meet a young man who is worthy to consider dating. My advice to her is, “Pay attention to who he submits to. If he answers to no one, if he has no mentor, no pastor who can speak into his life and tell him when he’s wrong, send him on his way.”

That’s a man with no accountability, no boundaries, no discipline. What’s wrong or right will always be decided by his feelings. And as all humans know, feelings change. Which means, boundaries change. But God’s word will never change. That’s why anyone who follows him, follows the road to success.

So before I close, let me say this again:

Autonomy - Boundaries = Catastrophe

God has a plan for you. He has an expected end and he even chose the road that gets you there.

As a church, we are moving down the road God has prescribed for us. This movement will take discipline. That means we can’t just do anything and act any way and not expect God to correct us.

As the ultimate planner, God set in place people in the church with certain gifts, wisdom, and understanding to act as boundaries for us because he knows that without restraints, we would have a very hard time making it to our final destination. Some of you may not like where we’re going, but we’re going, nonetheless.