QUITTERS, CAMPERS AND CLIMBERS Pt.3

2/4/01

 

Exod 33:1-14

1 The Lord said to Moses, "Lead these people you brought from Egypt to the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; for I said, 'I will give this land to your descendants.' 2 I will send an Angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

3 It is a land 'flowing with milk and honey'; but I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn, unruly people, and I would be tempted to destroy you along the way." 4 When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stripped themselves of their jewelry and ornaments.

5 For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, "You are an unruly, stubborn people. If I were there among you for even a moment, I would exterminate you. Remove your jewelry and ornaments until I decide what to do with you."

6 So, after that, they wore no jewelry. 7 Moses always erected the sacred tent (the "Tent for Meeting with God," he called it) far outside the camp, and everyone who wanted to consult with Jehovah went out there. 8 Whenever Moses went to the Tabernacle, all the people, when they saw it, stood and would rise and stand in their tent doors. 9 As he entered, the pillar of cloud would come down and stand at the door while the Lord spoke with Moses.

10 Then all the people worshiped from their tent doors, bowing low to the pillar of cloud. 11 Inside the tent the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Afterwards Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua (son of Nun), stayed behind in the Tabernacle. 12 Moses talked there with the Lord and said to him, "You have been telling me, 'Take these people to the Promised Land,' but you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You say you are my friend, and that I have found favor before you; 13 please, if this is really so, guide me clearly along the way you want me to travel so that I will understand you and walk acceptably before you. For don't forget that this nation is your people."

14 And the Lord replied, "I myself will go with you and give you success."

 

Josh 22:1-4

1 Joshua now called together the troops from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 2 and addressed them as follows: "You have done as the Lord's disciple Moses commanded you, and have obeyed every order I have given you-- every order of the Lord your God. You have not deserted your brother tribes, even though the campaign has lasted for such a long time. 4 And now the Lord our God has given us success and rest as he promised he would. So go home now to the land given you by the Lord's servant Moses, on the other side of the Jordan River.

 

Prov 12:3

3 Wickedness never brings real success; only the godly have that.

2 Cor 3:4-5

4 We dare to say these good things about ourselves only because of our great trust in God through Christ, that he will help us to be true to what we say, 5 and not because we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success comes from God.

 

Prov 19:8

8 He who loves wisdom loves his own best interest and will be a success.

 

   THIS MORNING I’M GOING TO CONCLUDE THIS MINI SERIES ON QUITTERS, CAMPERS AND CLIMBERS.  NOW HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT WHATEVER HE HAS CALLED YOU TO DO AND TO BE.  PART OF YOUR DESTINY IN CHRIST IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.  NOW FOR SOME REASON WE THINK THAT SINCE WE HAVE BECOME CHRISTIANS THAT SUCCESS IS AN AUTOMATIC BY-PRODUCT OF OUR FAITH IN CHRIST BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT SUCCESS IS THE RESULT OF A LOT OF HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT.    THE DICTIONARY IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT SUCCESS COME BEFORE WORK.   THAT’S WHY SUCCESS IN LIFE, IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS, IN OUR CAREER AND IN OUR MINISTRY IS LIKE AN UP HILL CLIMB.  BOOKER T. WASHINGTONS HAS SAID: “SUCCESS IS TO BE MEASURED NOT SO MUCH BY THE POSITION THAT ONE HAS REACHED IN LIFE...AS BY THE OBSTICALES THAT HE HAS OVERCOME WHILE TRYING TO SUCCEED.”  IF THAT IS TRUE THEN IT’S NOT DIFFICULT FOR US TO UNDERTAND WHY QUITTERS QUIT.  LET’S REVIEW THE FIRST TWO CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE ON THIS UP HILL CLIMB OF LIFE.  THE FIRST ARE QUITTERS.

 

QUITTERS.  IF LIFE IS AN ASCENT UP A MOUNTAIN, QUITTERS ABANDON THEIR CLIMB WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH.  THEY DESERT THE INNER DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND THEY ABANDON AND ABORT THEIR DREAMS.   HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT QUITTING IS THE EASIEST THING TO DO AND THAT’S WHY IT’S THE BIGGEST CROWD.  LISTEN, WE ARE ALL TEMPTED TO QUIT BUT WE MUST FIGHT THROUGH  PAIN AND DISCOURAGEMENT AND KEEP FOCUSSED PRESSING ON TOWARDS THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.  SO LET’S DETERMINE THIS YEAR, TO QUIT BEING A QUITTER.

 

2. CAMPERS: CAMPERS WILL ACHIEVE A LITTLE SUCCESS AND STOP.  THEY WILL SAY SOMEHTING LIKE: THIS IS BETTER THAN MOST OR THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. NOW IF LIFE IS AN UP HILL TREK THEY GET TIRED OF THE CLIMB.  SO CAMPERS DO CLIMB BUT IN GETTING TIRED THEY TEND TO MOVE THEIR VISION FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP TO A SMOOTH COMFORTABLE PLATEAU IN WHICH TO HIDE FROM THE PRESSURE AND ADVERSITY OF THE CLIMB.  NOW THEY’VE TAKEN SOME CHALLENGES IN LIFE BUT THEY’VE REACH THE CAMP GOUNDS AND THEY FOCUS ON BEING COMFORTABLE AND PREDICTIBLE.  LISTEN, CAMPERS CHOOSE PREDICTIBILITY OVER FULFILLMENT.  GEORGE S. PATTON ONCE SAID,” I DO NOT FEAR FAILURE.  I ONLY FEAR THE ‘SLOWING UP’ OF THE ENGINE INSIDE OF ME WHICH IS POUNDING SAYING, KEEP GOING, SOMEONE MUST BE ON THE TOP.  YOU SEE THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INNER DRIVE OF PASSION AND TENASITY THAT WON’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.

 

Prov 1:32-33

32   For they are simpeltons who have turned away from me-- to death;

33   your own complacency will kill you. Fools! 33 But all who listen to me

shall live in peace and safety, unafraid."

 

WE MIGHT SAY THAT CAMPERS HAVE RETIRED PREMATURELY AND SOMETIMES THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW IT BECAUSE IT SNEEKS UP ON THEM IN THE FORM OF COMPLACENCY.  COMPLACENCY IS A DEADLY FORCE THAT DEADENS YOU TO WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND YOU SO THAT YOU’RE NOT EVEN ALERT TO THE EMMINIENT DANGER THAT CAN DESTROY YOU.  NOW, WHAT IS COMPLACENCY?  DEFINED IT MEANS CONTENTED TO A FAULT.  SELF SATISFIED AND UNCONCERNED.  COMPLACENCY IS WHAT KILLS CAMPERS.   NOW LAST WEEK I TALKED ABOUT 4 AREAS WE NEED TO WATCH OUR FOR BECOMING COMPLACENT AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.      WATCH OUT FOR COMPLACENCY IN OUR VOCATIONAL LIFE OR ON THE JOB, OUR CAREER OR OUR WORK.  DON’T JUST BE THERE AND PUNCH A CLOCK REACH FOR SUCCESS AND PROMOTION.

2.      WATCH OUT FOR COMPLACENCY IN OUR MARRIAGES AND OUR OTHER MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS.  BEING BETTER THAN MOST IS NO REASON TO STOP.

3.      LET’S FOLD UP OUR TENT OF COMPLACENCY IN OUR MORAL AND ETHICAL CAMPGROUND.  SUCCESS EVADES MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY JOIN THE CROWD OF, “WELL EVEYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT.”  AND THEN…..

4.      WE NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR COMPLACENCY IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES.  GOING TO CHURCH, READING YOUR BIBLE AND PRAYING ARE ONLY PART OF BEING A SUCCESS AS A CHRISTIAN.   LET’S FOLLOW THROUGH ON ALL OF OUR COMMITMENTS.

 

SOMEONE ONCE SAID:, “ SUCCESS CAN BE ATTAINED IF YOU: RISK MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS SAFE, CARE MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS WISE, DREAM MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS PRACTICAL, AND EXPECT MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS POSSIBLE.  CAMPERS GIVE UP AFTER A LITTLE SUCCESS BUT CLIMBERS HAVE A DREAM AND AN EXPECTATION OF REACING THE SUMMIT. 

 

 NOW LET’S LOOK AT THE THIRD ONE:

 

3. CLIMBERS.  CLIMBERS ARE DEDICATED TO THE LIFE LONG JOURNEY.  THEY LIVE LIFE TO ITS FULLEST.  SO IF LIFE IS AN ASCENT  CLIMBERS CONTINUE UP AND ONWARD REGARDLESS  OF ADVANTAGE, BACKGROUND, DISADVANTAGES, MISFORTUNE, OR PAST ACHEIVEMENT.  THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS VISION ORIENTED.   THEY SEE OBSTICALES AS OPPORTUNITIES AND THEY FEEL A DEEP SENSE OF PURPOSE AND PASSION.  THEY EMBRACE CHANGE AND CHALLENGE.  THEY HAVE STRONG FAITH, THEY’RE TENACIOUS, REZILLENT AND DETEREMINED.  THEY GET KNOCKED DOWN BUT THEY GET UP AGAIN.  CLIMBERS, LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE GET HURT, USED OR BETRAYED BY FAMILY OR FRIENDS BUT THEY GET OVER IT.  THEY WILL STOP AT A CAMP GOUND TO  BE REFRESHED AND REFUEL BUT THEY DON’T STAY IN THE CAMPGOUND THEY CONTINUE IN THE UP HILL CLIMB OF SUCCESS.  ROBERT SCHULLER SAID,  SUCCESS IN LIFE IS NOT A DESTINATION BUT A JOURNEY.   LET’S DETERMINE RIGHT NOW THAT WE WILL RESUME THE UP HILL CLIMB OF SUCCESS IN OUR LIVES.

 

Phil.3:12-14 (Amp)

Not as though I have already attained this ideal or have already been made perfect but I press on to lay hold of and make my own for that for which Christ Jesus the Messiah has laid hold of me and made me His own.

13 No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.

 

   FORMER PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE SAID,  NOTHING WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF PERSISTANCE, TALENT WILL NOT.  NOTHING IS MORE COMMON THAT UNSUCCESSFUL MEN WITH TALENT.  GENIUS WILL NOT.  UNREWARDED GENIUS IS ALMOST A PROVERB.  EDUCATION WILL NOT, THE WORLD IS FULL OF EDUCATED DERELIKS.  PRESISTENCE AND DETERMINATION ALONE ARE OMNIPOTENT.  THE SLOGAN, PRESS ON,  HAS SOLVED AND ALWAYS WILL SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THE HUMAN RACE.  HERE IS A PRESS ON ATTITUDE OF A CLIMBER FROM SCRIPTURE:

 

Prov 24:16

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

 

WARREN WERSBE FROM MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE HAS MADE THIS COMMENTS AFTER THE WORDS OF JESUS: MEN OUGHT ALYWAS TO PRAY AND NOT FAINT. HE SAID, BASICALLY YOU HAVE ONLY TWO CHOICES IN LIFE TO PRAY OF TO FAINT.  QUIT, GET UP OR GIVE UP.  THAT’S IT, THAT’S THE ONLY TWO CHOICES YOU HAVE IN LIFE.

 

Matt 24:13

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

 

II Th 1:4

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

 

2 Tim 4:5

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

James 5:11

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

 

Mark 4:14-17

14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh  mmediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

 

LISTEN, CLIMBERS GET OVER IT AND ENDURE HARDNESS AS A GOOD SOLIDER OF JESUS CHRIST.  COURAGE BECOMES COWARDNESS SOME WHERE ALONG THE LINE IF THERE’S NOT ENDURANCE.  DISCIPLINE ONLY BECOMES GOOD INTENTION WITHOUT ENDURANCE.  SO A LOT OF PEOPLE START BUT VERY FEW FINISH CAUSE THEY CAN’T ENDURE.  LET’S LOOK AT THE GREEK  TO GAIN A BIBLICAL PRESPECTIVE OF ENDURANCE BECAUSE ENDURCANCE IS ONE OF THE MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF CLIMBERS:

 

ENDURE, ENDURING

 

            A. Verbs.

 

            1. meno ^3306^, "to abide," is rendered "to endure" in the KJV

            2. hupomeno ^5278^, a strengthened form of No. 1, denotes "to abide under, to bear up courageously" (under suffering),

            3. phero ^5342^, "to bear," is translated "endured" in <Rom. 9:22>

            4. hupophero "to bear or carry," by being under, is said metaphorically of "enduring" temptation, "bear"; persecutions,

            5. anecho "to hold up" (ana, "up," echo, "to hold or have"), always in the middle voice in the NT, is rendered "endure" in <2 Thes. 1:4>, of persecutions and tribulations.

            6. makrothumeo: "to be long-tempered" (makros, "long," thumos, "mind"), is rendered "patiently endured" in <Heb. 6:15>, said of Abraham.

           

            B. Noun.

            hupomone ^5281^, "patience," lit., "a remaining under" and is translated patient enduring, longsuffering, PATIENCE.

 

James 1:2-4

2 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations?

Then be happy, 3 for when the way is rough, your endurance has a

chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your

problems. For when your endurance is finally in full bloom, then you

will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.

 

Now before we close this morning let me show you three AREAS OF ENDURANCE THAT ALL CLIMBERS POSSESS:

 

 

1 Cor 13:13

13 There are three things that will endure-- faith, hope, and love-- and the greatest of these is love.

 

   So god says there are three things that will always endure: faith, home and love and if I got those three things in my life I will make it through anything and I’m going to endure because he put a gaurantee of approval on these three things that will aways endure.  Faith, hope and love.  So let’s look at all three this morning.

 

Heb 10:35-39

35 Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what

happens. Remember your reward! 36 You need to keep on patiently

doing God's will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised.

37 His coming will not be delayed much longer. 38 And those whose

faith has made them good in God's sight must live by faith, trusting

him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no

pleasure in them. 39 But we have never turned our backs on God

and sealed our fate. No, our faith in him assures our souls' salvation.

 

   SO WHEN WE SEE A TRUTH IN GOD’S WORD AND WE SAY YES AND WE COMMITT OURSELVES TO OBEY AND DO IT THEN THERE’S A POINT AFTER WE DO IT THAT WE RECEIVE THE PAY OFF.  THAT’S WHERE THE PROMISE BECOMES TRUE AND REALIZED.  SO BETWEEN THE PROMISE GIVEN AND THE PROMISE RECEIVED WE MUST ENDURE BECAUSE THAT’S WHEN OUR FAITH IS TESTED.  SO THE TIME BETWEEN THE WORD GIVEN AND THE WORD FULFILLED IS 15 YEARS OF PAIN, DISCOURAGEMENT, SET BACK, DELAY, BETRAYL, HURT AND A WHOLE LOT OF SUFFERING.  YOU SEE, THAT’S WHERE CHRISTIANS ABANDON THE CLIMB BECAUSE THEY ARE DISILLUSIONED INTO THINKING THAT NOW BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST ALL THEIR PROBLEMS ARE GONE.  WELL, WE ALL KNOW BETTER THAN THAT BECAUSE GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF BUILDING THE KIND OF CHARACTER IN US THAT WILL MAKE US SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE, ON THE JOB, IN OUR MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND IN OUR MINISTRY.   CHARACTER IS BUILD IN THE CALDRON OF TRIALS, TEMPTATIONS AND ADVERSITIES.  ENDURANCE IS WHAT EVERY CLIMBER MUST POSSESS IF THEY ARE GOING TO OBTAIN THE FULLFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE GIVEN AND WE DO IT BY FAITH.

 

I READ A STORY OF A MAND NAMED IRWIN, HE WAS A JUNIOR NAVAL OFFICER.  HE WAS DISCHARGED WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER ACCORDING TO THE NAVAL CODE.  IRWIN WASN’T WILLING TO CAMP OR QUIT CAUSE HE WANTED TWO THINGS IN LIFE MORE THAN ANYTHING: TO BE HEALED OF THE CANCER AND TO BE ABLE TO RE-INLIST AS AN OFFICIER IN THE U.S. NAVY.  SO WITH A TENACIOUS FAITH HE TOOK ON THE FIRST CHALLENGE TO FIGHT THE CANCER.  AT ONE POINT IT GOT SO BAD THAT THE DOCTORS GAVE HIM 2 WEEKS TO LIVE.  HOWEVER, EVENTUALLY, THROUGH HIS FAITH IN GOD HE HAD A COMPLETE RECOVERY AND HEALING FROM THE CANCER.  THEN HE WANTED BACK IN THE U.S. NAVY.  HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO GET BACK IN.  IT WAS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE.  SO UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF HARRY S. TRUMAN A SPECIAL BILL WAS ENACTED TO PUT IRWIN ROSENBURGH BACK IN THE U.S. NAVY AS AN OFFICIER.  THAT’S AN ACT OF FAITH AND ENDURANCE.

 

Heb. 6:12 (Amp)

In order that you may not grow disinterested and become spiritual

Sluggards but imitators behaving as those who through faith, that is their leaning on the entire personality of God in Christ, and absolute trust and confidence in his power, wisdom and goodness; and by practice

Of patient endurance in waiting are now inheriting the promises.

 

  THE KING JAMES SAYS:  THAT YOU MAY THROUGH FAITH AND ENDURANCE WE INHERIT THE PROMISE.  THAT MEANS IT DOESN’T ALWAYS HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY BUT ITS GAURANTEED TO HAPPEN IF WE’LL TRUST IN THE LORD AND LEAN NOT UNTO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING AND PRECEPTION OF THINGS.

 

Heb 10:36

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the

will of God, ye might receive the promise.  ( HE DIDN’T SAY

YOU NEED MORE TONGUES OR MORE HANDS LAID ON YOU OR MORE PROPHESY.  HE DIDN’T SAY YOU NEED ANY MORE

WARM FEELING; YOU SIMPLY NEED ENDURANCE.  LISTEN, PENTECOSTALS ARE THE WORST AT ENDURACNE BECAUSE THEY MAJOR ON FEELINGS AND THE WAY THINGS LOOK IN THE NATURAL)

 

   NOW, HOW DO YOU EXERCISE FAITH WHEN YOU NEED TO ENDURE:

 

1. YOU NEED TO READ GOD’S WORD AND SEARCH HIS PROMISES FOR YOUR PROBLEM.  THAT MEANS THE ANSWER FOR MY PROBLEM IS IN GOD’S WORD BUT I’M GOING TO HAVE TO DIG THEM OUT.  YOU MAY HAVE TO BUY A TOPICAL BIBLE AND LOOK UNDER DEPRESSION, OR ANGER OR FINANCES AND SEE WHAT GOD SAYS. 

 

2. YOU NEED TO REHEARSE GOD’S WORD.  RENEW YOUR MIND THROUGH REPEATING AND MEMORIZING THE PROMISES YOU FOUND IN GOD’S WORD TO ANSWER THE THING YOU ARE PRESENTLY ENDURING.  PSA. 119 SAYS: THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST YOU.  HOW DO YOU HIDE IT IN YOUR HEART?  YOU MEMORIZE IT, BUT UNTIL YOU MEMORIZE IT WRITE IT DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND PUT IT ON THE REFRIGERATOR OR PUT IT ON THE MIRROR SO THAT YOU CAN READ IT AND SAY IT UNTIL YOU MEMORIZE IT.

 

3. REFUSE ANYTHING CONTRARY TO THAT PROMISE.  SO OTHER PEOPLES DECISION, OPINIONS, PAST FAILURES, PERSONAL DOUBT OR FEARS MUST BE TENACIOUSLY REJECTED.  THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE DOCTOR IS NOT THE FINAL WORD IF YOU CAN RECEIVE A PROMISE FORM GOD’S WORD FOR YOUR HEALING.  SO LEARN TO REJECT ANYTHING THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE PROMISE.

 

4. REJOICE AS IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE PROMISE.  BEGIN TO THANK GOT THAT YOU’RE HEALED, THAT YOU FINANCES ARE RESTORED.  HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE TOWARDS GOD AND HE WILL REVERSE YOUR SITUATION.

 

II.  REMEMBER THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT WE NEED IF WE ARE GOING TO ENDURE. #1 IS FAITH AND # 2 IS HOPE AND # 3 IS LOVE.  NOW NEXT WEEK WE WILL LOOK AT THE LAST TWO QUALITIES WE NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO ENDURE THE CLIMB AND EXPERIENCE THE SUCCESS THAT GOD HAS FOR OUR LIVES IN OUR WORK, IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND IN OUR MINISTRY.

 

Heb 11:1

1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

 

NOW WHAT ARE YOU DREAMING FOR, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR OR HAVE YOU STOPPED DREAMING?  IT MAY BE TIME TO DREAM AGAIN.  YOU SEE, IF WE’RE GOING TO CLIMB THEN WE HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO DREAM AGAIN.