Zion Church | The Pathway to Success Part 5 | Pastor Keith Battle

God’s word is the foundation for a life that is truly prosperous and successful—not just in material terms, but in every area that matters: relationships, peace, purpose, and character. Joshua 1:8 makes it clear that the pathway to “good success” is rooted in a living, daily relationship with God’s word. This relationship must be expressed in three ways: what we say (our mouth), what we meditate on (our thoughts), and what we do (our actions). When God’s word governs all three, it brings us into a flow of favor and blessing that transcends mere financial gain.

God has masterfully designed each of us for a specific purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says we are His masterpiece, created for good works that He prepared in advance for us to do. Not only has He given us the skills and gifts necessary for our assignment, but through salvation in Christ, He also gives us the character to sustain it. Skills may open doors, but character keeps us in the room. Many people fail to reach their potential not because they lack ability, but because their character undermines their opportunities. The mouth, as a reflection of the heart, often reveals where our character needs growth.

Focus is essential. Many of us are spread too thin, saying yes to too many things that are not part of our God-given assignment. Like Archippus in Colossians 4:17, we need to be reminded to “do the work the Lord gave you.” Time is a precious, non-renewable resource, and every yes to something outside our assignment is a no to what God has truly called us to do. Even good things can become distractions if they are not the best things God has for us.

Ultimately, only what we do for Christ will last. We must be able to say, like Jesus in John 17, “I have completed the work you gave me to do.” This requires focus, discipline, and a willingness to let God continually shape our character. Elevation brings exposure, and God wants to ensure our character can handle the platform He gives us. The invitation is clear: accept Christ, let Him work on your character, and be totally committed to the unique work He created you to do.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Word is the Pathway to Success True prosperity and “good success” are not found in worldly strategies or self-help formulas, but in a living relationship with God’s word. When scripture shapes our speech, thoughts, and actions, it aligns us with God’s favor and guidance. This alignment brings a flow of blessing that money cannot buy—peace, purpose, and lasting impact. [03:14]
• 2. Character Protects Your Calling Skills may get you noticed, but character keeps you effective. God not only equips us with talents, but through Christ, He transforms our hearts so we can steward those gifts well. Without character, even the most gifted person will sabotage their own opportunities. Character is the insulation that keeps the “live wire” of our gifts from causing harm to ourselves and others. [08:35]
• 3. Focus Guards Your Assignment Saying yes to everything is a recipe for mediocrity and exhaustion. God calls us to focus on the specific work He has assigned to us, not just any good work. Every unnecessary commitment drains time and energy from our true calling. The power of “no” is essential to protect the “yes” that matters most. [17:19]
• 4. Only What You Do for Christ Will Last At the end of our lives, the only work that will truly matter is what we did in obedience to God’s assignment. Earthly achievements fade, but eternal impact remains. Like Jesus, we should aim to finish the work God gave us, so we can hear “well done” from Him—not just for effort, but for faithfulness to our unique calling. [30:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - The Power of God’s Word
• [02:05] - Prosperity as a Flow, Not Just Finances
• [03:14] - The Threefold Relationship with Scripture
• [04:21] - Getting Back on Track with God’s Word
• [05:35] - Created and Designed for Purpose
• [07:11] - Character: The Other Side of Calling
• [09:06] - The Wild Part Within Us
• [10:42] - When Skills Aren’t Enough
• [13:45] - Focus: Doing the Work God Gave You
• [16:24] - The Danger of Being Average
• [17:19] - The Cost of Distraction and Saying No
• [25:20] - Jesus’ Example: Finishing the Work
• [27:00] - Grace, Character, and Good Works
• [30:36] - Only What You Do for Christ Will Last
• [31:19] - Responding to God’s Call

Bible Reading

Joshua 1:8 (ESV) —
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

- Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

- Colossians 4:17 (ESV)

"And say to Archippus, 'See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.'"

Observation Questions

1. According to Joshua 1:8, what three ways are we supposed to relate to God’s word? ([03:14])
2. In Ephesians 2:10, what does Paul say about how God designed us and for what purpose? ([05:35])
3. What was Paul’s message to Archippus in Colossians 4:17, and why do you think he singled him out? ([15:07])
4. The sermon mentions that “skills may open doors, but character keeps us in the room.” What examples did the pastor give about how character can undermine opportunities? ([07:31])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God emphasizes not just reading or knowing His word, but also speaking, meditating, and doing it? How might each of these affect a person’s life differently? ([03:14])
2. The sermon says that God gives us both skills and character for our assignment. Why is character just as important as skill when it comes to fulfilling God’s purpose for us? ([08:35])
3. What are some reasons people, like Archippus, might get distracted from the specific work God has given them? How does this relate to the idea of “good” things being the enemy of “best” things? ([17:19])
4. The pastor said, “Only what you do for Christ will last.” What does this mean in practical terms for how we spend our time and energy? ([30:36])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about God’s word shaping our mouth, meditation, and actions. Which of these three areas do you find most challenging to align with God’s word, and why? What is one step you could take this week to grow in that area? ([03:14])
2. Think about a time when your skills or talents opened a door for you, but your character was tested. How did you respond? Is there a character trait God is highlighting for you to work on right now? ([08:35])
3. The pastor said, “Saying yes to everything is a recipe for mediocrity and exhaustion.” What is one “good” thing you need to say no to in order to focus on your God-given assignment? ([17:19])
4. Are there any areas in your life where you feel you are “spinning your wheels” but not making progress? How might returning to God’s word help you get back on track? ([04:21])
5. The sermon challenged us to be able to say, like Jesus, “I have completed the work you gave me to do.” If your life ended today, what unfinished assignment would you regret not completing? What is one step you can take toward that assignment this month? ([25:34])
6. The pastor mentioned that elevation brings exposure and that God wants our character to be able to handle the platform He gives us. Are there any “wild” areas in your life that you need to let God work on before He elevates you? ([33:30])
7. The message ended with an invitation to accept Christ, let Him work on your character, and be totally committed to your unique assignment. Which of these three steps do you sense God is inviting you to focus on right now? ([36:31])