Purpose FULL - Redefining Success, Part 2

What is it about your current circumstances you want to change the I mean it's something you think about you wish for. Almost every day now. Is it possible that you're missing out on God's best today because you so want different tomorrow.

Think about welcome to this Edition of Living on the Edge shipping Living on the Edges of international discipleship ministry focused on intentionally discipling Christian as many of you know trips a regular Bible for the past few programs. He struggled mic over to his son Ryan covering God's calling before we get started I would remind you of a great way to stay in the Chip Ingram map there. You can access all of chip series.

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With that said, let's join Ryan Mel for part two of his talk, redefining success from acts chapter 17 I will highlight three prevalently important areas for office. If you really have a purpose filled life where we need to redefine success in our lives. The first assembly. Here is what we learn from the apostle Paul and redefining success be present where God has placed you be present where God has placed you apostle Paul had no intentions of going to Athens. It was not part of the plan. He had a plan and it got completely messed up. He had a plan to follow this road and actually work his way all the way to Rome eventually Rome got closed off and I don't know if you know but Nero you know expelled all the Christians at one point and he was able to go to Rome even that way but but because of persecution because of what was happening. His plans got changed he finds himself united with his team anymore. Silas and Timothy are still in Berea.

Here's what he didn't do you know from self pity party. This stocks this is terrible I'm stuck in Athens look at all these idols I don't even have my team even go well, but I've been on vacation and long it's been hard.

I'm just vacation for a while. What did he do. He did what he did everywhere else. He did what God had called him to do and everywhere he went he began to speak with people about this Jesus to change his life. He could help it.

He just went so you know, first of the synagogues into the God-fearing Greeks and then into the marketplace. Anyone would hear you just did what he always did wherever he went.

He was fully present where God had him placed it didn't choose that place he wasn't intending to go to that place. That was the place he really ever wanted to go. He said since I'm here, I'm going to be present and do what God has called me to do in this place.

I think some of us are missing out on what God has for us because were complaining about the place were in were complaining about. I want to be in a different place and want to live in a different place. I want to work at a different place.

I want to have a different stuff away.

Can I just say that a lot.

Some of you thought it in your complaining about your place and redefining success is actually not enough.

Here is the place my work. I may be looking for another job but as long as I'm here I'm to be residents or God has me placed your location about about as is apparent I think.

So often, you know, especially you have kids and they realize assuming things you can do anymore like oh my gosh is so fun to watch everyone else live their best live on social media on Insta and we can go anywhere because we go anywhere is a hot mess in that time and all those other things yeses be present in that place.

You know, one of my biggest regrets. My kids I have three kids, one of my biggest regrets is I was so focused on what I thought was success of being a somebody in my younger years that I was not present in my home with my kids. I look on my phone all the time. I love those like highlights that they have.

You know of pictures on the iPhone were just showing others. A beautiful picture.

My daughter is like for an ago. I wish I would've been president of what I missed.

I don't take it for granted now be present where God has you play students were always wanting to be you know in the next thing I had seen many of us are version of success goes something like this when I get blank. Then I'll be when I get then we live in the wind. Then, and were never present because Gordon we never arrive.

See what happened for the apostle Paul was a circumstances change, but is calling didn't. His purpose is his plans change, but his purpose didn't see you go okay. Got you have me placed here I am here for purpose in this season and so I'm gonna be present to it and you have the freedom to work through me in this moment.

You made me a mom you may be a dad. I'm going be present with my kids and work through that you put me at this job.

I'm going to be present here with what you have to do and here's what's amazing. So cool.

The apostle Paul had the great opportunity to preach the gospel to the world renowned supreme Council of Athens had he not been present in that moment he would have missed out on one of the greatest opportunities of his entire life. I just wonder just one or a few of us are missing out on incredible opportunities because were just looking and living in the wind.

Then of life. First, and redefining success be present where God has placed you. Second, only a holy God can wholly satisfy only a holy God can wholly satisfy what you notice Paul's sermon and they remember the city is filled with idols he finds one. Anything talks about to the on known God where all of us are searching for someone or something to fully satisfy our soul.

We are pursuing is that if I have this then I'll have meaning if I have this then all finally feel valuable or significance only a holy God can wholly satisfy you know holiness. He begins to talk about the holiness of God not using that word. But as creator, sustainer, ruler, father says God did this so that they would seek him and reach out for him and finds him, though he's not far from any one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being like there is something set inside of you that long that has this longing and searching will you satisfy me and is put inside your soul and my soul so that will actually reach out and discovered that no thing and no person will ever fully satisfied.

We were created for a God who can only satisfy our soul.

I like how John Stott talked about Paul's sermon. He says he proclaimed God in his fullness is creeks creator, sustainer, ruler, father, and judge only holy, that means completely other set apart fully.

Good all-powerful God that is intimate, personal, relational can fully satisfy your soul. I like how CS Lewis said it said if I find in myself a desire which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world now we can attend to think that idols are missing the way back then right we don't have graven images away. We have bank accounts. We don't have graven images. Oh wait, it's that plaque on the wall for some it's your fantasy football trophy see an idol for us it is anything that will pursuing that we hope will actually fully satisfy our soul other than God. I like how Timothy Keller in his book, for God's defines an idol's is an idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give. Anything that is so sensual and essential to your life that should you lose it your life would fill hardly worth living mean, isn't that why we're talking about those definitions of success. Success was so fragile success didn't like its substance is once it once that thing got pulled away for many you felt like your purpose was on Ponce or you lost it all together, seek God. Only God only God can fully satisfy. Only Jesus can satisfy the deep longing of her soul and for some you get that intellectually, but you gotta get it practically in your bones.

I've sat with someone that I love dearly good say over and over again. My my values dryness, it's faith versus God's family and friends.

I had this conversation but you know what we live in such a driven success oriented culture. Practically you know what it is. Upward mobility practically you know it is shows by you spend your time and your energy where you give your best effort for this person. He sacrifices on the altar of his work. So many of us are sacrificing our lives on the altar is something hoping that'll satisfy us and I just had the vantage point of being a pastor and talking to so many people who are quote successfully at them and we get to the spot. Okay, okay, I have been searching that search reveals something in my heart. Those things aren't necessarily bad, they just can't beat ultimate things. In fact, God. You're the only one who will fully satisfy when redefining success. First be present where God has placed you. Second, recognize only God can wholly satisfied and then finally abandon outcomes to God. Abandon outcomes. Dallas Willard in his book, renovation of the heart alike. He says as we are not meant to live under the burden of outcomes.

Oh that our lives would be so different it if if we didn't live under the burden of outcomes. I think I don't think the apostle Paul walked away from Athens and Mars Hill. I don't think he walked away discouraged. I don't think he walked away just when we have no hope indication and that he somehow thought this was a failure, though other people look at them just set a by the numbers, it just you just didn't quite meet your quota. You then just quite get what you had in Berea humming and your cooking there but over here.

I mean you had your chance in front of the big hotshot philosophical counsel missed it, there's going to be recorded for all time.

Just some of the people became followers. He left the outcome and results in God's hands to have to be clear on our responsibility. This is not saying don't work hard, don't do your best peers with the same. I can't live under the weight of what the out of outcomes. II can't live under. If I'm trying to raise my kids is what I do. I'm going to I'm called to raise and help them no Jesus I can't live under the outcome of raising perfect kids raising godly kids. That's God's pulp part, their interaction and for some, how would it change your parenting if you didn't live under that outcome because isn't it true that when they act out then you feel like it's a reflection of you and so instead of helping guide them, helping them grow. We often punish them or discipline them in a way because it made us look I know for me even a preaching. My job, I can't be married to outcomes when I am I'm preaching for your applause instead of God's approval.

I called Dallas Willard says it.

He says the secret to peace. As great as great apprentices of Jesus have long known is being abandoned to God, we accept that we do not have in ourselves in our own heart, soul, mind and strength. The wherewithal to make this come out right whatever this is, instead, let us entrust our souls to the faithful Creator in doing what is right to redefining success means I'm going to be present where God has placed me. I'm seeking him as my sole satisfaction and through that I'm going trusting him to outcomes when entrusted him people that I love in my life. I like how John Warburg tells the story of Dallas Willard in Dallas Florida just got done preaching at the door birds church up in Menlo and I like how John says it is like it wasn't his best if you know but he's walking out so lights and so free and he gave this picture it's always stuck with me and he was just humming an old hymn, as he is walking to the car and any said as light as if like he he preached and he did his thing is like a helium balloon and then he just let go of it and let it float. I just wonder what would change in your life instead of living under the weight and under the pressure and feeling like everything rests on your shoulders instead abandon it to God and just going going God, I'm becoming who you made me to be. I'm doing what you called me to do. I'm going entrust the outcomes. The results to you. Jesus told us like the fruitfulness impacts success if you will. It actually comes in John chapter 15 explained by abiding in him resting in him, remaining in him saying deeply connected to Jesus and help take care of the results will take care of the free health, the fruit will come.

The fruit will happen.

You're not sides of the outcome.

Let Jesus be tied to okay Jesus what you have for me here would you speak to my heart, my soul, my mind would you push the burdens that are yours. I would bring the things that were curing you but you reorient our lives around you and your Jesus you're listening to Living on the Edge Chip Ingram Brian Ingram has been our guest teacher for this program. Redefining success from his series, purposeful chip and Roy will be here with us in just a minute to share their application for this message.

Have you ever thought to yourself, does my life matter or what am I here for if you've wrestled with these tough questions. This series is for you.

The lessons were learning from Ryan really speak to the deep desire inside all of us to know that we matter and that were here for a unique reason. Our hope is that this series will cause you to live your life centered on Jesus. Let me encourage you to get plugged in with the series and get everything you can out of Ryan's messages. For more information about purposeful discovering God's calling on your life. Just go to LivingontheEdge.org and if you have to miss a message. Catch up anytime with the chip and remap chip at Living on the Edge we say all the time. We exist to help Christians live like Christians when third grade line and all, but let me ask you what is that look like in real life. Will Dave I can tell you in a sentence it looks like a Romans 12 Christian if you study Romans 12 or what we call true spirituality. There's five relationships, five biblical expectations and it answers the five biggest questions in a person's life how to give God what he wants the most how to get the very best from God how to come to grips with the real you how to get connected and authentic community and how to overcome evil with good. The new daily discipleship with chip true spirituality will walk people through becoming a Christian who lives like a Christian. It's not a Bible study is not a teaching time.

It's me mentoring individuals who say I want to be an authentic follower of Christ.

I'm not sure how chip we you meet with me and my answer is yes. I will never taught more than 10 minutes you to learn to study the Bible in Romans 12 you'll learn to hear God's voice to develop the habit of meeting with him regularly and you can learn for yourself from God what it means to be a Christian who actually lives like a Christian. Perfect.

No authentic yes I hope you join me. Thanks chip what were so excited to share with you this new daily discipleship with chip true spirituality based in Romans chapter 12 our heart behind this video series is to really help you dive into God's word and discover how to more intentionally live out your faith for 17 days.

You and Chip will walk through were true spirituality looks like and how you can put these truths into practice. If you're looking for the next step along your faith journey. Let me encourage you to be a part of daily discipleship with chip true spirituality preregister for the study today and will send you our friend Lance Witt's devotional based on Romans 12 called leave ordinary behind at no cost. Sign-up now while this offer lasts by going to LivingontheEdge.org or by calling AAA 83336003 or go to LivingontheEdge.org hapless nurse just tap discipleship elements hear today's application from Ryan and Chip will write a have to tell you that I'm like everyone else who listens to different messages and I try and apply them to my life, but this particular message. It is interesting at the very end. You really develop the thought of leaving the outcomes to God. We can be thankful we can't tell the future. But you have to release you have to leave the outcomes to God and I think I told you this but your mom and I were having circumstantially each of us in our own little worlds some challenges and achieve early one morning came in and said you know what I think. Chip. I'm so wanting to control. I so want to fix this. I just have to leave the outcomes to God, and it could have been maybe two days later and I had something came up and then I got really uptight and then I realized all I needed to remember was Lord what's my part and then leave the outcomes to God that helped us so much and in fact it's been a joke. You know over the last few weeks something will come up. They will look at each other, say hey, remember Ryan's message lead the outcomes to God as share little bit about how you've done that, and maybe just a little bit more practice for those that have some struggles like me and your mom. But this is so counterintuitive in our culture today. In fact, I remember having to finish this sermon and a buddy of mine who is a principal at a local junior high school came up to me and is like man. This blew my mind. And he wrote down they made a little screensaver on his. We are not meant to live under the burdens of outcomes and and it's one of those incredibly freeing ideas and realities. But like you said it's actually pretty challenging to live out like how in the world do we actually live out this abandoning outcomes to God that a number of years ago I was with a friend. He's a pastor in the land area now in Nashville and were out to coffee and I don't really even remember the conversation or you know the subject matter about what we are talking about all I remember is on a napkin. He drew this chart. In this chart and stuck with me for the last you know 15 years and so if you can imagine in your mind. Three columns and and at the top of the left-hand side of the column is a question what is it only I can do.

And then if you go to the right hand side and you write in this question.

What is it only God can do, and then the column in the middle is is the great mystery to us is the stuff I don't know and literally he wrote this out so column to the left. What is it only I can do the middle column stuff.

I don't know in the right column. What is it only God can do. See, the reason this is so challenging and much of the things that we worry about we get stressed about that. We are anxious about actually land in the column of what only God can do and were trying to accomplish what only God can do.

Just think about it.

Only God can change of heart. Only God can heal a marriage. Only God can restore a friendship.

Only God can move in the prodigal to come home and where you just begin to outline on that side of it. What are the things in your life.

The prayers the dreams the longings that hurts the pains in his go-go cake. These are yours God and I'm going to abandoned outcomes to you. These are in your sovereign hands and these are for you to accomplish and the reality is I can't do anything to change them anyways and then you go over to the left-hand column.

What is it only I can do. These are our inputs. These are things we can do will I can't change of heart.

But I can pray diligently. Can't I write you know I can't heal a marriage but I can faithfully love I can figure out ways to speak life and not death to be a blessing. I may not be able to restore friendship, but I can own my part, I can ask for forgiveness. I can confess my sins, I may not be able to move the prodigal home but I can share my concerns and I can always be ready with open arms and then that middle column. This just such a profound area where you just begin to go God. These are the area. Things I don't know. I don't know whether our marriage is going to make it but I don't know if that friendships going to be restored. I don't know how long I'm going to be stuck in this season, but where you would take the time and I'd encourage you write these down and work through these what is it only I can do stuff I don't know and what is it only God can do to help abandoned outcomes to God before we wrap up this program you take just a second and think the generous people make monthly donations to support the ministry of Living on the Edge your faithful gifts help us inspire Christians to live like Christians.

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If you haven't partnered with us yet. Would you prayerfully consider joining the Living on the Edge team make a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation by going to LivingontheEdge.org or by calling us at AAA 83336003. Our website again is LivingontheEdge.org and our phone number is 8883336003 and I were blessed by whatever the Lord leads you to do well. Until next time, this is Dave Drew saying thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge