The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NKJV
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:20-23 ESV
Assurances of a Faithful Follower:
1). Faithfulness leads to a blessed life.
A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:20
2). Faithfulness leads to an eternal reward.
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown if life.
Revelation 2:10
3). Faithfulness leads to increased responsibilities in God’s kingdom.
4). Faithfulness demonstrates the character of God and the confirmation of a true believer.
But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Matthew 25:18
He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’
Matthew 25:24-25
How does the Fear of Failure (lack of faith) damage your potential?
-Refuses _Responsibilities_. V24
The misguided genius of wicked men lay the blame of their failures on others- even God!
++Excuses become a substitute for obedience and faith.
-Conceals capabilities. V25
-Avoids Accountabilities V26-30
How can you change the fear of failure into promising potential?
The catalyst for any change. . . . .
++Faulty thinking produces faulty actions.
1). Accept that failure is universal.
We all have failures- at least the best of us.
++The best way out, is through.
2). Acknowledge the benefits of failure.
1). You learn what real growth looks like.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Philippians 3:12
3). Messing up can lead you closer to God through repentance.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
II Corinthians 7:10
4). You develop empathy for others.
As they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
John 8:7
3). Adopt a new definition of failure.
++Old Definition: Defeat/ not getting what I want/losing.
++New Definition: doing nothing/ lack of faith.
Failure isn’t fatal- but failure to do nothing might be.
++Giving up is the only sure way to fail.
4). Approach failure as only being temporary.
For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
Proverbs 24:16
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
Failure is a _teacher_, not a _undertaker_.
Failure is a delay, not a dead end.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day off Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
5). Avoid comparing yourself to others.
Refrigerator Questions:
1. What has God given you?
2. What are you doing with it?
3. Are you ready for Jesus’ return?
4. What will Jesus say to you on that day?
Bottomline takeaway: No Excuses—-> No Buts!!
Everything God has for you is on the other side of fear. So, whatever is buried in fear-
Go dig it up!!