Gods at War: gods of success

Gods at War: gods of success

Mark 10:17-22, Philippians 3:4-9, Luke 10:38-42

Pastor Miles

October 12, 2014

Many measures of success: money, power, politics, etc.

The gods of success appeal to our desire to control our world; it's about pride; we often find our identity in these gods of success.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE IDOL OF SUCCESS 

1. Take a good look at how you measure success.

Success is finding out about how to score points, and keeping track of that score.

Objects of pride can easily become idols and symbols of our success.

Questions to identify our idols of success (success "currencies"):

Who do you find yourself envying?

Who are you competing with?

What are you competing for?

Who are you comparing yourself with?

2. God's measure of success begins with declaring bankruptcy.

The rich young ruler is an epitome of success:

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬ NIV)

Salvation does not come from our achievements.

Salvation comes from our acknowledgment of our spiritual bankruptcy.

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭20‬ NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭21-22‬ NIV)

Jesus looked into this man's heart and saw the idol that was occupying the throne of his heart, and challenged him to choose his god. This was obviously an idol that he was unwilling to give up.

Paul recognizes his past rewards and achievements were of no value in comparison with gaining Jesus Christ:

... If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭4b-8‬ NIV)

Paul overcame his pride by recognizing that he was spiritually bankrupt compared to the riches that could be found in Christ:

... and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ NIV)

3. Daily choose our relationship with God over our measure of success.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38-42‬ NIV)

What sort of idolatry do we see?

Martha was distracted by her to-do checklist (good things) but Mary was focused on what mattered more (best things).

Don't let the distractions of life (idols) take the place of the Lord.

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God." (‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ NIV)

Choose the better thing. 

Stop. Set it (my idol) aside. Choose God.