FAILING DOESN’T MEAN FAILURE
Introduction
A. The first president of the United States, the father of our country lost 2/3 of the battles he fought in the Revolutionary war. BUT, Washington won the war, founded a nation and succeeded in spite of his failures.
B. Babe Ruth was considered one of the best baseball players of his day. His career lasted for 21 years and he hit 714 home runs. BUT, he struck out 1,330 times. This famous failure was baseball’s biggest attractions.
C. Thomas Edison had 10,000 failures. BUT, he had over 1,000 inventions.
THREE INDIVIDUALS THAT FAILED!
1. Thomas
So often Thomas is remembered as doubting Thomas. A man who failed to believe that Jesus was alive. BUT, there is more to Thomas than is FAILED FAITH
A. Thomas demonstrates love and Courage
1. John 11:16, “Then Thomas said to the rest of the disciples, let us go, that we may die with him.”
2. Here, Thomas triumphs as a true leader among his peers.
B. Thomas set in his failed belief
1. John 20:24-28, (Turn and Read)
2. Thomas’ encounter with the Messiah
2. Paul
A. Paul had another name – SAUL. Saul wasn’t a very good guy. In fact, he wasn’t good at all.
B. Acts 7 tells the story of Stephen who was an outstanding leader and teacher in the church. Stephen is facing his executioner. Stephen was in trouble because of his believe in Jesus and now at the request of Saul, he must be put to death! (Acts 7:58-60).
C. Paul had his days of failing but he didn’t allow it to keep him down!
1. Transformed by God from a persecutor to preaching Christ.
2. Preached for Christ throughout the Roman Empire on 3 missionary trips.
3. Wrote 13 letters to various churches that were inspired by God.
4. A WORRIORS TESTIMONY!
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (22) If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! (23) I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. (24) But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”
Philippians 1:21-24
3. You and I
A. Many times we get discouraged, disappointed and distraught about the way our spiritual growth is going. Sometimes our disappointments cause us to throw up our hands and say its time to quit. It is when we quit we begin to fail. BUT, we must not allow ourselves to get sucked in the notion that quitting is the answer. THAT’S WHEN WE BECOME A FAILURE!
B. There is a story told of an old preacher that felt he had failed miserably when he reported to the congregation that only one person was baptized and just a boy at that. BUT, that boy went on to become a missionary in Africa.
C. Grantland Rice, America’s first great sportswriter said it this way: “When Jesus comes to judge us, he will not be so concerned about whether we won or lost, but how we played the game!”
1. The world will measure by your success…..but God will measure you by YOUR faithfulness!
2. I Cor 4:2, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithfulness.”
3. A servant will do what his Master tells them to do!
