Redefining Ambition: From Fame to True Fulfillment

Summary

### Summary

Tonight, we delved into the concept of ambition, particularly how it manifests in our lives and the potential pitfalls it can bring. We began with a prayer, asking God to help us focus and open our hearts to His word. The story of decibel drag racing served as an illustration of how ambition can drive people to extreme lengths, often leading to absurd outcomes. This desire to be the best, to be known, and to win at all costs is something we all wrestle with in various forms.

We explored how ambition has evolved over the decades, from the corporate ladder of the 80s and 90s to the social media-driven world of today. Social media has amplified our desire for recognition, making fame seem more attainable than ever. We discussed the story of Kabi LeMay, a young man who went from obscurity to social media stardom, highlighting how ambition can sometimes lead to unexpected success but also to potential pitfalls.

Turning to Scripture, we examined Jesus' words in Matthew 23, where He criticizes the religious leaders of His time for their showy displays of piety. Jesus warns against doing things merely for show and encourages us to seek genuine humility and service. He emphasizes that true greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking personal glory.

We concluded with practical steps to combat unhealthy ambition: identifying and killing the things that feed our desire for attention, serving others in quiet and humble ways, and striving to be known rather than famous. The ultimate goal is to shift our focus from seeking personal glory to giving glory to Jesus, aligning our lives with the purpose for which we were created.

### Key Takeaways

1. Ambition and Its Pitfalls: Ambition can drive us to extreme lengths, often leading to absurd and unhealthy outcomes. The story of decibel drag racing illustrates how a simple desire can escalate into an obsession. It's crucial to recognize when our ambitions are leading us astray and to realign our focus on what truly matters. [03:01]

2. The Evolution of Ambition: From the corporate ladder of the past to the social media-driven world of today, ambition has taken on new forms. Social media has made fame seem more attainable, but it also brings new challenges and temptations. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against the lure of instant recognition and superficial success. [05:49]

3. Jesus' Warning Against Showy Displays: In Matthew 23, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their showy displays of piety. He warns that everything they do is for show, and this is not what we should aspire to. Instead, we should seek genuine humility and service, focusing on what truly pleases God rather than seeking human approval. [11:00]

4. Practical Steps to Combat Unhealthy Ambition: To combat unhealthy ambition, we must identify and kill the things that feed our desire for attention. This might involve taking a break from social media or finding ways to serve others quietly and humbly. By doing so, we shift our focus from seeking personal glory to giving glory to Jesus. [14:27]

5. The Importance of Being Known: Striving to be known by a few close, meaningful relationships is far more fulfilling than seeking fame and recognition from many. When we focus on being known and loved by those who matter most, we find true contentment and purpose. This aligns us with God's design for our lives, which is to give glory to Jesus rather than seeking it for ourselves. [22:09]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - Introduction and Prayer
[01:48] - Story of Decibel Drag Racing
[03:01] - The Nature of Ambition
[05:11] - Ambition in the Corporate World
[05:49] - Social Media and Modern Ambition
[07:09] - Story of Kabi LeMay
[10:10] - Jesus on Ambition
[11:00] - Warning Against Showy Displays
[13:45] - The Desire for Recognition
[14:27] - Practical Steps to Combat Ambition
[17:33] - The Call to Serve
[18:15] - Story of Dan Cathy
[20:20] - Serving in Quiet Places
[22:09] - Being Known vs. Being Famous
[26:02] - Final Thoughts and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 23:5-12

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus criticize the religious leaders for in Matthew 23:5? How does He describe their actions? [11:00]
2. According to the sermon, what extreme lengths did people go to in the story of decibel drag racing? [01:48]
3. How did social media change the nature of ambition compared to the corporate ladder of the 80s and 90s? [05:49]
4. What practical steps did the sermon suggest to combat unhealthy ambition? [14:27]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize that everything the religious leaders do is for show? What does this reveal about their true intentions? [11:00]
2. How does the story of Kabi LeMay illustrate both the potential success and pitfalls of modern ambition? [07:09]
3. What does it mean to "kill the things that feed your desire for attention," and how can this be applied in daily life? [14:27]
4. How does serving others in quiet and humble ways align with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 23? [17:33]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your ambition led you to make a decision you later regretted. How can you realign your focus to what truly matters? [03:01]
2. Social media can amplify our desire for recognition. Have you ever felt the pressure to gain likes or followers? How can you guard your heart against this temptation? [05:49]
3. Jesus warns against doing things merely for show. Are there areas in your life where you seek human approval over God's approval? How can you shift your focus? [11:00]
4. Identify one thing in your life that feeds your desire for attention. What steps can you take to "kill" this source of unhealthy ambition? [14:27]
5. Think of a way you can serve someone quietly and humbly this week. How can this act of service help you shift your focus from personal glory to giving glory to Jesus? [17:33]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of being known rather than famous. Who are the people in your life that truly know you? How can you deepen these relationships? [22:09]
7. Consider taking a social media fast as suggested in the sermon. How might this help you combat the desire for instant recognition and superficial success? [24:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Pitfalls of Ambition
Ambition can drive us to extreme lengths, often leading to absurd and unhealthy outcomes. The story of decibel drag racing illustrates how a simple desire can escalate into an obsession. It's crucial to recognize when our ambitions are leading us astray and to realign our focus on what truly matters. Ambition, when unchecked, can become a consuming force that distorts our priorities and values. It can lead us to pursue goals that are ultimately hollow and unfulfilling, causing us to lose sight of what is truly important in life. By being aware of the potential pitfalls of ambition, we can take steps to ensure that our desires and goals are aligned with our values and purpose.

[03:01]

Ecclesiastes 4:4 (ESV): "Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind."

Reflection: Think of a recent goal or ambition you have pursued. Was it driven by a genuine desire or by comparison and envy? How can you realign this ambition with your true values?

Day 2: The Evolution of Ambition in Modern Times
From the corporate ladder of the past to the social media-driven world of today, ambition has taken on new forms. Social media has made fame seem more attainable, but it also brings new challenges and temptations. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against the lure of instant recognition and superficial success. The story of Kabi LeMay, a young man who went from obscurity to social media stardom, highlights how ambition can sometimes lead to unexpected success but also to potential pitfalls. In a world where likes, shares, and followers can become measures of worth, it's essential to remember that true value and fulfillment come from deeper, more meaningful sources.

[05:49]

Proverbs 27:20 (ESV): "Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man."

Reflection: Reflect on your social media habits. Are you seeking validation and recognition from others? How can you shift your focus to find fulfillment in more meaningful and lasting ways?

Day 3: Jesus' Warning Against Showy Displays
In Matthew 23, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their showy displays of piety. He warns that everything they do is for show, and this is not what we should aspire to. Instead, we should seek genuine humility and service, focusing on what truly pleases God rather than seeking human approval. Jesus' words remind us that true greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking personal glory. By embracing humility and a servant's heart, we align ourselves with God's will and find true fulfillment in our actions.

[11:00]

Matthew 23:5-7 (ESV): "They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others."

Reflection: Consider a time when you did something good but sought recognition for it. How can you practice humility and serve others quietly this week?

Day 4: Practical Steps to Combat Unhealthy Ambition
To combat unhealthy ambition, we must identify and kill the things that feed our desire for attention. This might involve taking a break from social media or finding ways to serve others quietly and humbly. By doing so, we shift our focus from seeking personal glory to giving glory to Jesus. Practical steps include setting boundaries on our media consumption, engaging in acts of service without seeking recognition, and regularly reflecting on our motives. These actions help us cultivate a heart that seeks to honor God rather than ourselves.

[14:27]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you seek attention or recognition. What practical step can you take today to shift your focus from personal glory to serving others?

Day 5: The Importance of Being Known
Striving to be known by a few close, meaningful relationships is far more fulfilling than seeking fame and recognition from many. When we focus on being known and loved by those who matter most, we find true contentment and purpose. This aligns us with God's design for our lives, which is to give glory to Jesus rather than seeking it for ourselves. Deep, authentic relationships provide the support and encouragement we need to grow spiritually and emotionally, helping us to live out our true purpose.

[22:09]

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

Reflection: Think about your closest relationships. How can you invest more deeply in these connections and prioritize being known and loved over seeking broader recognition?

Quotes

1. "This desire to be the best. This desire to win at all costs. This desire to be number one. Ambition. This desire to be known by people, to be known for something, typically to be the best. And we all wrestle with it. Like we all we all want that probably in some some way, shape or form. Back in the 80s, 90s, probably early 2000s. Your adults could probably tell you this. They grew up in this time. Not too long ago. Like the ambition, when you talk about ambition, you thought about like the corporate world, like, like where you're headed, if you go to college or to the workforce afterwards, where people, they were trying to climb that ladder of corporate success because they wanted to be at the top." [04:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You're living in a world of steroids. And the steroids are social media. Right. Like I'll tell you, like our generation, when we were your age, we didn't have to deal with that. You guys are having to. You're crossing some unfavorable. Uncharted territory. Like ambition for us might have been valedictorian. But you know what? About halfway through your freshman year, you probably had a good idea if you had a chance at that or not. Right. Like, you know, that C is going to, you know, in Spanish, knocking me out. If you look at Tom Brady, seven Super Bowls, like you might go, yeah, I want to be the best like that. But everyone in here kind of knows, like, hey, you've got to have some natural God-given talent. You've got to have, you know, some courage. You've got to have a lot of coaches. It takes a lot of money." [06:29] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Everything they do is for show. Here's what you don't want. Guys. Here's what you don't want. I promise you this. You don't want Jesus one day talking about you, referring to you and go, everything he does is for show. Everything that she does. I'm not pointing at anybody in particular. Everything that she does is for people to look at her. Everything that he does is for people to like him. Everything that she does is to have all eyes and all the attention on her. Everything they do is to be somebody. That's what he says. He says, everything they do is for show." [11:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you identify what it is, kill it. Like, like if you know it's, if you know it, it's important to you. And it makes you famous rather than Jesus famous. Get rid of it. Like if you get a dopamine hit, if you get super excited when something that you post on social media gets a lot of traction and all of a sudden you get giddy about that, or you post something that doesn't get a lot of traction, nobody likes it. And you feel like you have to delete it because no one liked it. And oh my goodness, I can't have that out there because nobody liked it. So I'll delete it. That might be it. That might be a red flag. That might be a warning that, Hey, I, I have this desire inside of me to have everybody's eyes on me." [14:27] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have to learn how to serve. Uh, y'all love Chick-fil-A, Christian chicken. Like everybody loves that Christian chicken. There's a story. It's a true story. There's a guy named Rick Warren. He was a pastor at Saddleback church, which at one point was the largest church in America. And it's in Southern California. Dan Cathy was now the owner, the CEO of Chick-fil-A. His dad had found it, Truett Cathy. He'd passed away. Dan Cathy's in charge. Dan Cathy's building a Chick-fil-A close to Saddleback. And Dan Cathy travels and speaks about Chick-fil-A. And he's talking about Jesus lots of places. So he and Rick Warren are friends. So he's in Southern California. He and Rick Warren are out walking around the site where this Chick-fil-A is being built. And they're talking, they're hanging out, just kind of catching up as friends. They get hungry. Chick-fil-A is not built yet. It's being built. There's a Taco Bell next door. So they go over to the Taco Bell and they go into the bathroom. Their hands are all dirty because they've been like out at the construction site. And Rick Warren's the one that tells the story. He says they go into the Taco Bell bathroom to wash their hands. As they're washing their hands, Dan Cathy, the CEO, not an owner of the Taco Bell, but Chick-fil-A, the CEO of Chick-fil-A out of Atlanta, Georgia. The Taco Bell bathroom counter has got paper towels on it, it's got water all over it. They finish washing their hands. Dan Cathy goes and pulls some paper towels, what's in it, and he starts wiping down all of the sinks in and around that Taco Bell in the men's room. Cleans it all up, makes it look nice. And Rick Warren's just watching him do it. And Rick Warren says something to him, he goes, man, this is, this is kind of crazy, ironic. That the CEO of Chick-fil-A. Is in the Taco Bell bathroom, his competitors cleaning up and making their establishment look great. Dan Cathy said to Rick Warren, he said, well, we have a philosophy at Chick-fil-A to leave things better than you found them." [18:15] (102 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You were made not to receive glory, but to give glory to Jesus. I'll say that again. You were not made to receive glory. God made you to give glory to Jesus. And that's why this conversation matters. Because when we live in a world where I want eyes on me. I want to be the best. Best sound system. Best quarterback. Best volleyball player. Most likes. Most popular. Homecoming king. I want everybody looking at me. You're actually moving in the direction opposite from what you were created. And when you begin to go, I want all eyes pointing to Jesus. I want all glory given to Jesus. Is when you start living the life that God created you for. So if you can figure it out now. You'll be much better. Much better for it." [26:02] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Here's the second thing you might consider. I'm going to say you do all these things. Just here's some ideas. If you're thinking, Hey, what do I do? Some of you may need to consider like a social media fast. Like if the likes, if that really drives you, you want to go viral, you want to be an influencer, shut it down. Kill it. Maybe not forever, but go on that. I'm shutting it down for a month. I'm not posting anything. I'm not getting on. I'm locking it out. Parents having the password. I'll get it back on a month from now and see. And that might be what your soul needs to go, you know what? I don't care what everybody sees. I don't care." [24:31] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Just serve people humbly. Intentionally. Like look for ways that you can serve. Here's what's interesting. I'm going to close with this. In 2020, they interviewed 3,000 teenagers. And they asked them about being popular, about being an influencer. 21% of those teenagers, one out of every five, said it was absolutely necessary. Another 27%. So we're at 48. Almost one in two teenagers said it was very important. Like one out of two of you. Being an influencer. Being social media famous is very important to your absolutely necessary. That's why I talked about social media earlier. Because you're living in a world where it says you can do it. And here's what I want you to hear. Last thing. You were made not to receive glory, but to give glory to Jesus." [25:14] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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