I. EXORDIUM:
Do you have any ambition in life? Do you know these ambitions need to be align with GOD's Words?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To enumerate the ambitions according to the will of GOD.
IV. TEXT:
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
V. THESIS:
Make it our ambition the following ambitions enumerated on this text.
VI. TITLE:
Our Ambition
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Paul
B. Subject Matter: Chiefly counsels, exhortations and reminders
C. Special Doctrine: Future Advent of CHRIST
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Ambition came from the Greek word "philotimeomai" meaning to be fond of honor, eager or earnest to do something, strive, labour.
B. Our Ambitions:
1. To live a quiet life (Proverbs 11:12, Ecclesiastes 9:17, 1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Peter 3:4)
Proverbs 11:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.
1 Timothy 2:2 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
1 Peter 3:4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
A quiet life is a peaceful life marked by godliness and dignity coming from within us brought by the Holy Spirit changes in our lives.
2. Mind your own business (Psalms 112:5
Psalms 112:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
Good will come to us if we conduct our business fairly.
3. Work with your own hands (Proverbs 21:5,Psalms 127:1)
Proverbs 21:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Psalms 127:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
In all our hard work, let us remember the LORD GOD worked hard for us and not us bringing us the prosperity but the LORD GOD.
C. Results:
1. Unbelievers will respect the way we live. (1 Peter 2:13,1 Peter 2:17)
1 Peter 2:13 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
1 Peter 2:17 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.
Respect everyone whether they are believers or not, will gain you more respect until the end.
2. We will not need to depend on others. (Proverbs 3:5)
a. for our financial needs.
Proverbs 3:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
You only need to depend on the LORD GOD for your daily providence as the good master provides well for his slave, so is GOD.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Make it our ambition: (1) to be live a quiet life, (2) minding our own business and (3) working with our own hands for there's a promise of respect from non-believers and also financial help.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
