True Success: Pursuing What Matters for Eternity

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves caught in the pursuit of success, yet we must ask ourselves: Are we succeeding at things that truly matter? Inspired by the words of William Carey, we are reminded that the real tragedy is not failure, but succeeding at things that hold no eternal value. Many people achieve worldly success, amassing wealth and accolades, only to find themselves spiritually and relationally bankrupt. The challenge lies in discerning between the lesser and greater things in life, and ensuring that our pursuits align with what truly matters.

The antidote to this dilemma is a productivity rooted in biblical principles. This form of productivity is not about achieving more for the sake of achievement, but about stewarding our gifts, talents, time, and energy for the good of others and the glory of God. The Bible calls us to live productive lives, not by the world's standards, but by God's. It encourages us to focus on the greater things—those that bring glory to God and benefit others.

The essence of true productivity is found in glorifying God through our actions. The world, in all its beauty, exists to declare the glory of God, and so do we. Our lives should reflect this purpose, directing all honor and glory to Him. We glorify God by doing good to others, as Jesus and the apostles taught. Our good works, flowing from our salvation, are meant to serve others and bring glory to God.

However, living a life of true productivity is not without its challenges. Distraction, procrastination, and busyness are constant threats that can derail our focus on what truly matters. In a world filled with endless distractions, we must be diligent in prioritizing the things of eternal significance. By overcoming these challenges, we can live a life that truly matters, one that is remembered for its impact on others and its dedication to God's glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Tragedy of Misplaced Success: True failure is not in failing at tasks but in succeeding at things that don't matter. We must discern between lesser and greater pursuits, ensuring our lives are aligned with what holds eternal value. [01:48]

2. Biblical Productivity: Productivity, as defined by the Bible, is about stewarding our resources for the good of others and the glory of God. This perspective shifts our focus from self-centered achievements to God-centered service. [05:33]

3. Glorifying God Through Good Works: Our lives should reflect God's glory by doing good to others. This is not about earning salvation but responding to God's grace with gratitude and service. [08:14]

4. Overcoming Distractions: In a world full of distractions, we must be intentional about focusing on what truly matters. Distractions often mask laziness, and overcoming them requires diligence and prioritization. [15:09]

5. Balancing Busyness and Diligence: Busyness can lead to neglecting what truly matters. We must find a balance, understanding our limitations, and focusing on the few things God has called us to do well. [16:53]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:32] - The Fear of Misplaced Success
- [01:12] - A Story of Success and Failure
- [01:48] - The Cost of Lesser Pursuits
- [02:28] - The Worst Form of Failure
- [03:05] - The Antidote: Biblical Productivity
- [03:44] - The Bible's Call to Productivity
- [04:23] - Succeeding at What Matters
- [05:33] - Defining Productivity Biblically
- [06:13] - The Glory of God in Creation
- [06:55] - Living for God's Glory
- [07:39] - Good Works and God's Glory
- [08:54] - Salvation and Good Works
- [10:12] - Directing Life Toward Greater Things
- [13:20] - Challenges to Productivity
- [15:09] - Overcoming Distraction
- [16:19] - The Problem of Busyness
- [18:09] - Living a Life That Matters

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 19:1-2 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge."
2. Romans 11:36 - "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."
3. 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the real tragedy in life as expressed by William Carey? [00:32]
2. How does the sermon define "Biblical Productivity"? [05:33]
3. What examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the concept of succeeding at lesser things at the cost of greater things? [01:12]
4. What are some of the challenges to living a life of true productivity mentioned in the sermon? [13:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Psalm 19:1-2 relate to the idea that our lives should reflect God's glory? What does it mean for the heavens to declare the glory of God?
2. In Romans 11:36, what does it mean for all things to be "from him and through him and for him"? How does this perspective influence our daily actions?
3. The sermon mentions that doing good to others brings glory to God. How does this align with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"? [07:39]
4. How does the concept of "Biblical Productivity" challenge the common understanding of success in today's society? [05:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current pursuits. Are there any areas where you might be succeeding at things that don't truly matter? How can you realign your focus to prioritize what holds eternal value? [01:48]
2. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on what truly matters. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? [15:09]
3. Consider the balance between busyness and diligence in your life. Are there tasks or responsibilities you need to let go of to focus on what God has called you to do well? [16:53]
4. Think of a person in your life who could benefit from your gifts and talents. How can you intentionally serve them this week for the glory of God? [10:12]
5. Reflect on a recent decision or action. Did it align with the idea of glorifying God through good works? How can you ensure future decisions reflect this purpose? [06:55]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of doing good to others into your daily routine, ensuring it becomes a natural expression of your faith? [08:14]
7. What is one specific way you can steward your gifts, talents, time, and energy for the good of others this month? [05:33]

Devotional

Day 1: The Tragedy of Misplaced Success
In our pursuit of success, it is crucial to discern between achievements that hold eternal value and those that do not. True failure is not about failing at tasks but succeeding at things that ultimately do not matter. Many people find themselves achieving worldly success, such as wealth and accolades, only to realize they are spiritually and relationally bankrupt. The challenge is to align our lives with pursuits that have lasting significance, focusing on what truly matters in the eyes of God. [01:48]

"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 is one area of your life where you are striving for success? How can you ensure that this pursuit aligns with what holds eternal value?


Day 2: Biblical Productivity
Biblical productivity is about stewarding our resources—gifts, talents, time, and energy—for the good of others and the glory of God. This perspective shifts our focus from self-centered achievements to God-centered service. The Bible calls us to live productive lives, not by the world's standards, but by God's. It encourages us to focus on the greater things—those that bring glory to God and benefit others. By embracing this form of productivity, we can ensure that our efforts are meaningful and aligned with God's purposes. [05:33]

"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: How can you shift your daily tasks to focus more on serving others and glorifying God rather than seeking personal accolades?


Day 3: Glorifying God Through Good Works
Our lives should reflect God's glory by doing good to others. This is not about earning salvation but responding to God's grace with gratitude and service. The essence of true productivity is found in glorifying God through our actions. We glorify God by doing good to others, as Jesus and the apostles taught. Our good works, flowing from our salvation, are meant to serve others and bring glory to God. [08:14]

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one good work you can do today to serve someone else. How can this action reflect God's glory in your life?


Day 4: Overcoming Distractions
In a world full of distractions, we must be intentional about focusing on what truly matters. Distractions often mask laziness, and overcoming them requires diligence and prioritization. By overcoming these challenges, we can live a life that truly matters, one that is remembered for its impact on others and its dedication to God's glory. It is essential to be diligent in prioritizing the things of eternal significance, ensuring that our focus remains on what truly matters. [15:09]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one distraction that often derails your focus on what truly matters? How can you take a practical step today to minimize this distraction?


Day 5: Balancing Busyness and Diligence
Busyness can lead to neglecting what truly matters. We must find a balance, understanding our limitations, and focusing on the few things God has called us to do well. It is important to recognize that busyness does not equate to productivity. By balancing busyness with diligence, we can ensure that our efforts are directed toward meaningful pursuits that align with God's purposes for our lives. [16:53]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What are the few things God has called you to focus on? How can you prioritize these over the busyness that often fills your schedule?

Quotes


"I am not afraid of failure. I am afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter. I am not afraid of failure. I am afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter." You might recognize those words from the great missionary, William Carey. I think he was just giving voice to thoughts that we've all had at one time or another. [00:08:00]

We know there are a lot of things in life we could do, a lot of things in life we could succeed at, but we know intuitively there are very, very few things in life that really actually matter. There's only a few things in life that will make a difference to the world, that will make a long-term difference to the people we really care about. [00:27:00]

Succeeding at the lesser things at the cost of the greater things is its own form of failure. What does it matter if you become CEO but lose your family along the way? What does it matter if you win the gold medal but you lose your spouse? Or like Jesus said, "What does it matter if you gain the whole world but lose your soul?" [02:40:00]

The art of productivity is the art of succeeding at things that matter. At its best, productivity is ensuring that you're succeeding at those things that matter the most. It's meant to ensure that you don't have that moment where you look back on your life and realize that you've succeeded just at the fleeting things, at the minor things, those things that don't matter. [04:23:00]

"Productivity is effectively stewarding your gifts, your talents, your time, your energy, and your enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God." It's effectively stewarding your gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and for the glory of God. [05:33:00]

We are meant to live lives that glorify God in every way and in every moment, which raises the question, "How do we do this? How can we live in such a way that we're glorifying God?" We bring glory to God when we do good to others. See, there's nothing more precious that God has made than people, people He's made in His own image. [07:10:00]

Do you see that we do good to others and God gets the glory? God gets the glory through the good things we do. Well, that means that the greater things in life are the things we do for others, not the things we do for ourselves. The greater things in life are the things that we do for the benefit of other people. [08:14:00]

God has freely saved us through the gospel. He saved us by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. He's given us these great gifts, the gift of peace with God, the gift of justification, the gift of security forever. Best of all, He's given us the gift of Himself, of this real and living relationship with the Creator of the universe. [09:00:00]

Do you want to succeed at the greater things in life? Then, you need to direct your life at bringing God glory by loving other people, by doing good to other people. This is why I can say productivity is effectively stewarding your gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and then the glory of God. [10:29:00]

To be productive, we need to find ways of shutting out distractions. We need to find ways of removing them so we can focus on the things that are truly significant. Now hear me, entertainment is not wrong. Rest is not wrong. Netflix isn't intrinsically evil. I don't want to go back to a world without YouTube, but they've got to take their proper place. [15:02:00]

So much of busyness is simply not understanding our limitations, not understanding that God doesn't call us to do everything, but to do a few things and to do them very, very well. Distraction, procrastination, busyness, somehow they all collide in the world of laziness. We get busy, so busy, and the busier we get the more we procrastinate and get distracted. [16:47:00]

Friends, God calls us to live productive lives, not according to our definition of the term, not according to anyone else's, but according to His. God calls us to live this kind of productivity that involves glorifying Him by doing good to others. He calls us to deal with whatever will keep us from that, distraction and procrastination and busyness. [17:43:00]

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Transcript
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