ARE WE FAILING?

June 2       Are We Failing?       1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time, did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”  (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)

Jake walked up to his teacher’s desk, holding a report card with a big red F. "If I were you," said Jake, "I would change this while you still can." "Why is that?" asked the teacher. "Because my daddy told me that if I brought home one more failing report card, someone was going to get a beating."  Did you ever fail a class in school? Which subject? Failing at something doesn’t make you a failure in life. You may fail at one thing, but not at another.  Someone wrote:
Failure does not mean I’m a failure;
It does mean I have not yet succeeded.
Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing;
It does mean I have learned something.
Failure does not mean I have been a fool;
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.
Failure does not mean I have disgraced;
It does mean I have dared to try.
Failure does not mean I don’t have it;
It does mean I have something to do in a different way.
Failure does not mean I am inferior;
It does mean I am not perfect.
Failure does not mean I have wasted my life;
It does mean that I have an excuse to start over.
Failure does not mean that I should give up;
It does mean that I should try harder.
Failure does not mean that I will never make it;
It does mean that I need more practice.
Failure does not mean that you have abandoned me;
It does mean that you must have a better idea.

It appears that Paul was a failure, but only in the eyes of the world, not in the eyes of the Lord.
1- He was insulted, but daring                                                               2- He was accused, but pure
3- He was displeasing, but pleasing

Paul was living his life, being guided by the Lord God, and his mission was much greater than the world could even imagine.  It should be obvious to us that if we live a faithful Christian life some people won’t like us. In fact, they may insult us, persecute us and even oppose us.  II Timothy 3:12 states a fact: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Have you ever been persecuted or opposed because of your faith in Christ? If not, could it be that we need to examine our faith?  Paul was insulted, accused and was truly displeasing to the Religious Establishment, yet, he continued to PREACH THE GOOD NEWS!  Folks, I may be a failure in the eyes of man, however, I am not interested in what Man may think, I am fully and wholly interested in what MY GOD AND SAVIOR thinks!!  Failure?  Absolutely Not!  Regardless of the opposition, regardless of the challenges, regardless of the insanity, stay true, stay committed and KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!!!  We are in the midst of some trying times and we need to, we must see this world and those in it, through the eyes of Christ. I believe that my job is to share Jesus with this world, regardless of who they are or what they look like.  Race, Gender, Creed, Color, Sexuality are not important in the Message of Hope for this world.  If we are to truly do “WHAT JESUS WOULD DO,” then we have to see others, as Jesus saw them! Our ultimate goal in life should be to please God in all things and in all ways! We owe Him everything good!  God’s man. That was Paul. And we need to decide in life to be God’s man or God’s woman. And that means we will not always be liked, loved, or treated right. But we will be blessed. And in the end, it will be worth it all!  We will NEVER be a FAILURE, when we are truly engaged in sharing and living the “GOOD NEWS!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!