MEASURING SUCCESS
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (NLT)
INTRO: There was a man in a community that had the reputation for always being able to catch fish. Regardless of the time of the year it was, or whether anybody else was catching fish, this man was always managed to come back with a boat load of fish. His brother-in-law, who happened to be a Game Warden had always been amazed at the man’s success. So, one morning the man agreed to take his brother in law fishing with him. They went to a lake that was known for its poor fishing. The game warden watched his brother-in-law take the boat out to the middle of the lake and cut the motor off. The game warden was confused as he noticed that his brother-in-law didn’t worry about finding a ledge or brush-pile, or anything like that. Then instead of getting his rod and reel out, the game warden’s brother-in-law pulled a stick of dynamite out of a sack, lit it, and threw it overboard. A few seconds later, there was a big boom, and almost immediately the surface of the lake was covered with stunned fish. The Game warden couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. He immediately began reciting the fishing laws and regulations to his brother-in-law. But this didn’t seem to bother his brother in law in the least. He simply reached into the bag for another stick of dynamite, lit it, and tossed it to the game warden and said, "You gonna talk, or you gonna fish?" The game warden noticed the fuse was almost to the end and He quickly decided to fish. (sermon central)
. The game warden quickly became a successful fishermen.
. We all measure success in different ways.
. If I were to ask ten people what being a successful person means, I would probably get 10 different answers.
. Some would say having enough money that you don’t have to worry financially.
. Some would say raising their children to be responsible adults.
. Some consider success as being important. Rubbing elbows with the important people.
. I’m sure you have heard this before. He who dies with the most toy’s wins.
. In our scripture this morning, the Apostle Paul writes about measuring success.
. How do you measure success as a minister or as a Christian.
. Paul is still focusing on the division in the Corinthian church regarding who to follow and he addresses how one looks at success in the ministry. While he is talking about himself and Apollos, this principle applies to all who claim Jesus Christ as their savior.
. Measuring Success
. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
1So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries.
2Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.
3As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.
4My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
5So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
. The first thing we see here is that Paul says we measure success through:
. Faithfulness
. Look at verse 2 again
2Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.
. A minister must be faithful. He or she is in control of their own lives and they must do what they are supposed to do. What God has called them to do.
. Paul is referring to his and Apollo’s ministry but this applies to all of us.
. We are all called into the ministry. Paul and Apollos just happened to be called as preachers. You may be called as a teacher, or song leader or choir member or nursery worker or sound room worker or bus driver or as some tell me, anything you need me to do pastor.
. We are all called to service and no one job is more important than the other.
. A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.
A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly.
The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.
The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man’s words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.
There was nothing dramatic or sensational in the young boy’s preparations – he just faithfully did what was needed each day.
Paul says "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
.Success is measured by our faithfulness to what God has called us to be and do.
. Next Paul writes that our success is measured by our:
. Focus
. We are to focus on who we are trying to please.
. Look at verses 3&4 again.
3As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.
4My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
. If we want to be successful, we cannot focus on how other people evaluate us.
. We all want to be liked don’t we? We all, deep down care about what others think of us. There is nothing wrong with that. I believe that it’s human nature to feel that way.
. In terms of a successful Christian life though, in terms of a successful ministry, Paul writes that he doesn’t care what you think of his ministry. Your opinion of his ministry doesn’t matter.
An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There’s been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he’s just a boy." The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. "I feel it all," he replied, "but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty."
On that day the minister’s heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign. After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, "Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher--perhaps a missionary?" Again tears welled up in the minister’s eyes. "Ah, this heals the ache I feel," he said. "Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher."
Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish church. (sermon central)
. We can listen to others or we can be faithful in what God has called us to be and do.
. Paul also writes that not only do you not concern yourself with what others think, you really can’t rely on your own judgment.
Look at verse 3 again:
3As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.
. He says that he doesn’t even trust his own judgment or assessment of his ministry.
. He writes in verse 4:
4My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right….
. He is saying that I believe I have been faithful but even I can’t tell you how successful I am as a minister.
. All I am doing is using what God has given me and doing all that I can with it.
. The great evangelist D.L. Moody was preaching one day and after he was finished someone came to him and said, "You made eleven grammatical mistakes in your message tonight." Moody looked at the person and said, "I’m sure you’re right. My education is limited. I wish I could have had more, but I’m simply using the grammar I have to serve the Lord."
. Do the best we can with what we have and don’t lose your focus on what this is all about.
. Don’t beat yourself up, just be faithful in who you are called to be.
. Paul writes that I am just gonna be faithful because this is what really matters.
. Look at the second part of verse 4:
“…It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.”
We measure our success in ministry by what the Lord sees when He looks at us.
. Does God see us being faithful?
. Does God see us worrying more about what others think of our ministry than the actual performing of the ministry?
. Do we get down on ourselves sometimes thinking we are not being successful?
. Paul writes that we are to simply be faithful and focus on who we are and what we are called to be.
. If we do this, we will be successful.
If we are faithful and focused, we will be:
.Found Praiseworthy
Look at verse 5 again:
5So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
. God is who you want to please, not man.
. Only you know the deepest part of your heart.
. Only you know the motivation or lack of motivation for your ministry.
. God is the only person you need to please.
In his book Eating The Elephant, Thom Rainer tells of an interview Billy Graham had with an interviewer. The interviewer was fascinated by Rev Graham’s success and asked if he anticipated being given great rewards in heaven for the millions of lives he had impacted through his worldwide ministry.
Billy Graham said that he was not sure of the extent of his own rewards, God is the final Judge, but he was certain that others would have greater rewards than he. He went on to say that there is a faithful elderly woman whom he knows, who is right now on her knees praying for her little country church, her family, and her nation. For nearly 80 years, the sweet lady has been faithful to her Lord. She has been constantly praying, and reading the Bible daily. To Billy Graham, that lady and many others like her, will receive the greatest rewards in heaven.
. You see, our success is directly related to our faithfulness and Focus in our lives.
. When God comes, we will be examined and our success as a minister of Christ will be determined by the motives of our heart and our faithfulness to or call into the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Don’t worry about what others think.
. Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go exactly as you planned.
. Be Faithful to your calling, Focused on who you are doing this for and strive to be Found Praiseworthy by God.
. Paul writes that this is how you have a successful ministry.
. Invitation
*** To my Christian brothers and sisters, thank you for taking the time to read this sermon. I ask that you take another second and score this for me. I am always open to feedback so that I can continue to grow in the proclamation of God’s word.
May God bless you as you continue to strive to walk worthy of His calling.
Sources: The Holy Bible, NLT
Emil Boniog: Have I Been Faithful; (sermon central)
Christian Cheong: Be Faithful; (sermon central)
