Redefining Success: Centering Life on Christ

 

Summary

Winning at life is often defined by worldly standards such as power, prestige, possessions, and pleasure. However, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to redefine success through the lens of the gospel. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this transformation. Before his encounter with Christ, Paul sought worldly accolades through religious achievements. But after meeting Jesus, his perspective shifted entirely. Winning at life became about centering his life on Jesus Christ and making Him known to others. This is the mindset that Paul urges the church at Corinth to adopt, and it is a call for all believers today.

While pursuing personal dreams and goals is not inherently wrong, they should never overshadow our primary mission: to glorify Christ and share His gospel. We are here to live out our roles as family members, community participants, and professionals, but all these roles should funnel through our ultimate purpose of making much of Jesus. This requires holding our rights and freedoms with an open hand, ready to set them aside for the sake of the gospel.

Paul emphasizes the importance of engaging with the lost, making a conscious decision to become a servant to all in order to win more souls for Christ. This involves identifying those around us who need Jesus, interacting with them, and introducing them to the gospel. It means looking beyond our own interests and focusing on the needs of others, just as Jesus did. Jesus left His heavenly rights to become a servant on earth, and we are called to follow His example.

To effectively share the gospel, we must be willing to adapt and meet people where they are, culturally, religiously, and socially. This requires discernment to reject what is blatantly evil, receive what aligns with God's goodness, and redeem what sin has distorted. We must exert maximum spiritual effort, running the race of faith with purpose and discipline, always striving to make much of Jesus and extend His grace to others.

Key Takeaways:

- Redefining Success: True success for a follower of Christ is not measured by worldly standards but by how much we center our lives on Jesus and make Him known to others. This involves a shift in perspective, prioritizing the gospel over personal accolades and achievements. [03:23]

- Purposeful Living: While pursuing personal goals is permissible, they should never overshadow our primary mission of glorifying Christ. We are called to live out our roles in life with the ultimate purpose of making much of Jesus, holding our rights and freedoms with an open hand. [04:31]

- Engaging the Lost: Winning at life involves engaging with those who do not know Christ, becoming a servant to all to win more souls. This requires identifying, interacting, and introducing people to the gospel, looking beyond our own interests to focus on the needs of others. [08:21]

- Adaptability in Evangelism: To effectively share the gospel, we must be willing to adapt and meet people where they are, culturally, religiously, and socially. This involves discernment to reject evil, receive goodness, and redeem what sin has distorted. [24:30]

- Running the Race: We are called to exert maximum spiritual effort, running the race of faith with purpose and discipline. This involves laying down our freedoms and rights to create opportunities for others to know Jesus, striving to make much of Him throughout our lives. [32:19]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:50] - Defining Success
[01:58] - Paul's Transformation
[03:23] - Centering on Christ
[04:31] - Purposeful Living
[08:21] - Engaging the Lost
[09:59] - Servant Mindset
[11:20] - Looking Beyond Self
[12:51] - Following Jesus' Example
[14:25] - Heads Up, Eyes Open
[16:12] - Identifying Needs
[17:20] - Interacting with Others
[18:33] - Introducing to Jesus
[20:00] - Personal Testimony
[21:20] - Learning from Others
[23:04] - Embracing Their World
[24:30] - Adaptability in Evangelism
[25:39] - Global Vision
[26:16] - Urgency for Salvation
[27:30] - Cultural Adaptation
[29:29] - Sacrifices for the Gospel
[32:19] - Drawing the Line
[33:26] - Engaging with Non-Believers
[33:57] - Redeeming Opportunities
[34:57] - Running the Race

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Philippians 2:3-8
Acts 9:1-19

#### Observation Questions
1. How did the Apostle Paul's understanding of success change after his encounter with Jesus Christ? [03:23]
2. What does Paul mean when he says he has made himself a "servant to all"? [08:21]
3. How does Paul suggest we should engage with those who do not know Christ? [16:12]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of adaptability in evangelism? [24:30]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to redefine success through the lens of the gospel, according to the sermon? [03:23]
2. How does Paul's approach to engaging with the lost reflect the mindset of Jesus as described in Philippians 2:3-8? [12:51]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal rights and freedoms should be held with an open hand for the sake of the gospel? [04:31]
4. How does the sermon describe the balance between pursuing personal goals and fulfilling the mission of glorifying Christ? [04:31]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current definition of success. How does it align or differ from the gospel-centered success described in the sermon? [03:23]
2. Identify one area in your life where you can become more of a servant to others, as Paul describes. What practical steps can you take this week to serve someone in need? [08:21]
3. Think of a person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you engage with them in a meaningful way that reflects the adaptability in evangelism discussed in the sermon? [24:30]
4. Consider your personal goals and dreams. Are there any that might be overshadowing your mission to glorify Christ? How can you realign them with your ultimate purpose? [04:31]
5. How can you practice looking beyond your own interests to focus on the needs of others, as Jesus did? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [12:51]
6. Reflect on a recent interaction with someone who is not a believer. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time to introduce them to the gospel? [18:33]
7. What is one specific way you can exert maximum spiritual effort in your daily life to make much of Jesus, as Paul encourages? [32:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Redefining Success in Christ
True success for a follower of Christ is not measured by worldly standards but by how much we center our lives on Jesus and make Him known to others. This involves a shift in perspective, prioritizing the gospel over personal accolades and achievements. The Apostle Paul serves as a profound example of this transformation. Before his encounter with Christ, Paul was driven by religious achievements and societal recognition. However, after meeting Jesus, his entire outlook changed. He realized that true success was found in living a life centered on Christ and sharing His message with others. This redefined success is a call for all believers to adopt a gospel-centered mindset, focusing on eternal values rather than temporary worldly gains. [03:23]

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, ESV)

Reflection: What worldly success are you pursuing that might be overshadowing your relationship with Christ? How can you realign your priorities to focus more on making Jesus known?


Day 2: Purposeful Living for Christ
While pursuing personal goals is permissible, they should never overshadow our primary mission of glorifying Christ. We are called to live out our roles in life with the ultimate purpose of making much of Jesus, holding our rights and freedoms with an open hand. This means that in every aspect of our lives—whether as family members, community participants, or professionals—we should aim to reflect Christ's love and truth. Our personal ambitions should be aligned with our mission to glorify God, ensuring that our pursuits do not detract from our witness. By living purposefully for Christ, we demonstrate that our ultimate allegiance is to Him, and we are willing to set aside personal gains for the sake of the gospel. [04:31]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you integrate your faith into your daily roles and responsibilities to ensure that you are living purposefully for Christ?


Day 3: Engaging the Lost with Love
Winning at life involves engaging with those who do not know Christ, becoming a servant to all to win more souls. This requires identifying, interacting, and introducing people to the gospel, looking beyond our own interests to focus on the needs of others. Just as Jesus left His heavenly rights to serve humanity, we are called to follow His example by reaching out to those who are lost. This engagement is not about imposing beliefs but about lovingly sharing the hope and truth found in Christ. By prioritizing the spiritual needs of others, we reflect Christ's love and compassion, creating opportunities for them to encounter the transformative power of the gospel. [08:21]

"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." (1 Corinthians 9:19, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? How can you intentionally engage with them this week to share His love and truth?


Day 4: Adaptability in Evangelism
To effectively share the gospel, we must be willing to adapt and meet people where they are, culturally, religiously, and socially. This involves discernment to reject evil, receive goodness, and redeem what sin has distorted. By understanding the context and background of those we are reaching out to, we can communicate the gospel in a way that resonates with them. This adaptability does not mean compromising the truth but rather presenting it in a manner that is accessible and relatable. By being culturally sensitive and aware, we can break down barriers and build bridges that lead others to Christ. [24:30]

"I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: How can you adapt your approach to sharing the gospel to better connect with someone from a different cultural or social background?


Day 5: Running the Race with Purpose
We are called to exert maximum spiritual effort, running the race of faith with purpose and discipline. This involves laying down our freedoms and rights to create opportunities for others to know Jesus, striving to make much of Him throughout our lives. Just as an athlete trains with dedication and focus, we too must be intentional in our spiritual journey, prioritizing our relationship with Christ above all else. By doing so, we not only grow in our faith but also inspire others to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to finish the race well, having made a significant impact for the kingdom of God. [32:19]

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to run your spiritual race with greater purpose and discipline, ensuring that you are making the most of every opportunity to glorify Christ?

Quotes



And he now knew and he now understood that winning at life was centered not on your personal preferences, prerogatives, or pursuits, but the person of Jesus Christ. And what Paul communicates to the church at Corinth is that they need to get this mindset. [00:03:24] (23 seconds)


But it should never trump the mission as to why God has us here. And we forget that. Friends, we are here for a lot of reasons, but we are here for one reason. Can you understand what I mean by that? I am here to live out my life as Tim. [00:04:31] (20 seconds)


I am here to be a good husband to Amanda, to be a good father to my children. I am here to be a good husband to Amanda, to be a good father to my children. children, to be a good upstanding citizen within my community. I am here to render goods and services in the roles and occupations that I have. [00:04:51] (15 seconds)


And God says don't lose sight of the most important thing for other important things and he says what we need to do is give up some of the freedom in pursuing the important things for the most important thing to make much of Christ and to make him known in the world. [00:06:00] (20 seconds)


And so he makes a decision. He says this word, I make myself a doulo, that is a doulos, a slave, a servant. And I do this, notice, to win people. So I've made a decision to give up some of my freedoms, to give up some of my rights, to give up some of my time, talents, and treasures. [00:08:59] (24 seconds)


And the reason why he wants us to do it is he wants to make us low so that by us going low, we can raise others up. And the reason why is because that's what Jesus did. That's what Jesus did. Jesus left heaven. He left all his rights and freedoms in heaven. [00:13:17] (20 seconds)


And so the purpose that you have on this earth as a Christ follower isn't to live a middle-class, comfortable life. God has given you that as a gift. You should enjoy it. You should use it to the best of your ability and be wise. But the reason why God has done that is in the place that he has you. [00:13:42] (22 seconds)


And he looks up for two reasons, and it's the same reason why all of us should look up. Number one, it says that Jesus looked up to the heavens, and he communed with his Father. He looked up to heaven, and he praised his Father. He looked up into heaven, and he communicated with his Father. [00:16:41] (17 seconds)


And the way that he communicates, the definition that we would get is what we would get from a police officer or a firefighter, that when the call comes in, when the opportunity is made aware, they are... They are running to it. They're engaging in it. They're going where the person is. [00:24:49] (18 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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