Untitled Sermon (3)

Introduction

I’m going to teach a topical lesson tonight. I want to talk with you about your motivation. I want us to look at why we do what we do. Why did you make that new years resolution to lose 10 lbs? Why did you make that resolution to forgive more? Yell less, spend less money on coffee?

What’s the reason you decided to make your New Years Resolutions?

John Maxwell has said that the best motivation is a self motivation.

I don’t completely agree with him however I agree with the premise behind the statement.

Here is what I mean by that: If I come to you and tell you “you will lose 10 lbs this year” how much that motivates you will depend upon how much you care about my opinion. Right?

Ok, now instead of me coming to you and saying that, you decie on your own “I want to lose 10 lbs this year”

Did you feel the different emotions when I described those?

An exterior source motivating you will not be as effective an as interior source.

In essence, the motivation comes from self because you decide what will be your motivator however, the best source for your motivation should not just be yourself.

How does that work?

Let’s go back to those infamous 10 lbs. You know what, for the sake of the story let’s make it 100 lbs.

Here’s Robert, he’s 5’8 and weighs 250 llbs. For a point of reference, I’m 5’8 and 168.

Robert’s doctor has told him to lose weight or he will have heart problems. Robert doesn’t do anything. The external motivator did nto work. Robert likes to eat, bob doesn’t like exercise, Bob doesn’t see anything wrong.

Robert goes a few months and now Robert weighs 265. After gaining this weight Robert notices a problem with his breathing. Now Robert is concerned, Robert decides “I’m going to lose 15 lbs.”

Robert has now allowed himself to motivate himself and 4 days into his diet and exercise routine he gives out. He gives up on himself because of self doubt and self confidence issues. He begins to question why he should lose weight. He decides to give up.

couple months go by, Robert gains more weight. Now Roberts daughter, who is 7 years old, comes up to him aand says “Daddy, will you be here at Christmas?” Robert, with a puzzled look on his face responsds “Of course sweety, why wouldn’t I”. His daughter says “Because I thought you would die if you didn’t lose weight. I don’t want you to die daddy, will you lose weight?”

BOOM...

Now Bob, has an externall source that means somethign to him that he decides willl be the reason he is losing weight. He is losing weight because of his love for his daughter.

The first motivator was completely external and Bob didnn’t care.

The seocnd was internal but not powerful enough.

The third was an external source that had such an impact on Robert, he responded with an internal motivation that will lead to life change.

Whether your goals for the new year are physical, spiritual, or fun, your willingness and desire to continue working towards them in 3-6 months will be dependent upon what is motivating you.

What shouldl be motivating you?

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Cor 16

1 Cor 16:14

1 Corinthians 16:14 KJV 1900

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

Let all the things you do, be done with charity…with love.

You see, Robert was motivated by the love he had for his daughter. Yes it was internal but it took an external source to spark the motivation for the cause.

Are the goals you have set for this year goals that are set from love or are they sat from hate? Are you seeking to accomplishing something for a positive, God glorifying purpose, or are you trying to be motivated by negative emotions and ideas?

Your motivation for physical fitness, improved spiritual walk, more time with family, and so on should be from love not hate.

Don’t lose 10 lbs because you hate the way your body looks. If you hate your body now, you will hate your body then. I encourage you to lose 10 lbs or whatever physical goal you have because God loves you and gave you a body to steward for Him. Be motivated by the love of God in your goals.

Don’t improve your prayer life because you don’t like your current one or think you are a failure as a Christian because you don’t pray like others. Improve your prayer life because God loves you and you want to commune with Him more intimately that your love for Him may deepen.

Don’t plan a vacation because you need a vacation and know your supposed to get away so your planning time with the family. Plan your vacation because God loves you enought o say you need rest. Plan time with the kids not becuase your supposed to but because God loves you and you love your children.

Do everything in love.

Let love be your great motivator. Not hate.

Too many of us allow hate or negativity to rule lives. I’m afraid as Christians we have labeled a positive mental attitude as humanistic when in reality God told us to have one.

Phil 4:8

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

True, honest, just, pure, lovely. good report, virtuous, praise…Think on these things.

have you been motivated by negative emotions or ideas? Are you willing to flip the script on your motivation? How could achieving your goals be more of a blessing than a burden when motivated by positive emotions and ideas?