The Truth About Success In The Kingdom of God

The Truth About Success In God’s Kingdom Acts 19. 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the Word of the Lord. II Timothy 1.15 You know this, that all those in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Do you see what is going on here? Paul the apostle has preached in Ephesus as a center and all the Greeks and Jews living in the province of Asia heard the Word of the Lord. Then go ahead to a number of years to when he writes to Timothy. He tells Timothy that all Asia has forsaken him. He tells Timothy at the end of the letter that when he stood for his first defense no one stood with them may it not be held against them but the LORD was at my side. Paul and Stephen have the same attitude of Christ Jesus: Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. LORD, do not hold this sin to their charge. May it not be held against them. What a way to live and pray and finish! Oh to be like Jesus in this! What are some truths we can glean that will help give us a right perspective in our work for the LORD? We all want to be successful. This kingdom has different parameters that any other. This is not just in the church. It is in all of life. Work Done For Christ Is Just That: Work For Christ It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. Colossians 3.24 We need to remember that. Paul would have been disappointed if after years of preaching he was serving people who deserted him! If we serve the church we will become disillusioned. If we serve the LORD we will be content. There is a huge difference. We need to love the church but not be surprised when it lets us down. It will. I totally agree with Dr. E. Stanley Jones, “The church, with all other faults, is still the best serving organization on earth. So get into it and serve.” Just remember It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. But we must guard against bitterness... Milo Arnold/ E. Stanley Jones Remember the LORD Jesus. He had opposition, things said about Him that were not true. He also had His Deserters. John 6. 66 From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray Him.) Jesus gave us a perfect example of what to expect when we served Him in the account of the Ten Lepers Bring Healed. Luke 17. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Don’t be surprised if after someone is healed or helped that they go on and forget to even give thanks to the LORD. I remember the first time this happened. I was a young pastor. It blew me away nearly. We actually went to pray with a guy who was dying. A few weeks later he was fine. I figured the whole family would come to church. He never showed up. The family never acknowledged God’s healing to us. The rewards of serving Jesus blow us away. To be part of His work is wonderful!However we must remember that there is this other side we are speaking about this morning. You and the LORD know many things in your service to Him that others do not know or see. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. Those times when you do what is right because it is right, those times when you go the extra mile, do the extra work. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. Colossians 3.22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the LORD. The Only One We Can Always Depend On is Jesus. II Timothy 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the LORD stood at my side and gave me strength, It is marvelous to have the LORD stand at your side. To have His Hand upon you is simple amazing. He is with us. He will never leave us. Friends who leave when circumstances change were never ours to begin with! Proverbs 19.4 Wealth attracts many friends,     but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. Nobody wanted Him, No one cared But as long as the miracles flowed like wine they called him wonderful they came to dine. Jesus was crowded by so many wanting to be healed. When He talked about suffering they rejected that teaching, even His own disciples, even Peter! God gives us strength to suffer. It is not all a struggle. Serving Jesus is wonder filled. I Timothy 1.12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. It is the LORD Who Gives Success. Numbers are not the bottom line in this Kingdom. Faithfulness to the LORD is. Christian character is. Christian Influence matters. Some have ten talents, others of us just one. Use your talents in the Kingdom. John 3.27 A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. Success is faithfulness. Hebrews 4. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. God sees the things we do when no one is watching. He knows the giving and praying and fasting we have done in His Name. He knows the phone calls, cards and texts we we send to simply encourage souls. He is keeping account. That is what we will commended for when we stand before Him. Hebrews 10.25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.