I. MOST PEOPLE (CHRISTIANS INCLUDED) HAVE A TENDENCY TO AIM THEIR LIFE (AND CHILDREN) AT A

FUTURE FOCUSED ON SUCCESS.

Success’ measurements:

1. GOD’S WORD ENCOURAGES US TO AIM OUR LIVES (AND CHILDREN) AT A FUTURE OF TRUE GREATNESS.

Matthew 20: 20-28 (ESV) 20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. ²¹And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” ²²Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” ²³He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” ²⁴And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. ²⁵But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ²⁶It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, ²⁸even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Colossians 3:1-4 ¹If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1. AN ATTITUDE OF TRUE GREATNESS IS EASIER TO MAINTAIN WHEN WE EMBRACE FOUR WONDERFUL QUALITIES OF GOD’S GRACIOUS HEART.
   1. A                                               heart.

Philippians 2:3-4 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1. 1. A                                               heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

3.    A                                               heart.

Luke 6:38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into h the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

4.    A                                               heart.

Matthew 25:34-40 34Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” ³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” ⁴⁰And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

IV. WHEN WE LIVE A LIFE OF TRUE GREATNESS, WE AUTOMATICALLY SET OURSELVES (AND OUR CHILDREN) UP TO BETTER ANSWER THE THREE BIGGEST QUESTIONS OF LIFE:

1. What is my                                          in life going to be?

1. Who is my                                            going to be?

1. Who is my                                            going to be?

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Matthew 20:20-28; Colossians 3:1-4

• What was insightful or impactful from Tim Kimmel’s sermon?

1. What typically comes to mind when you hear the words success or greatness?
2. Read twice: Matthew 20:20-28. What is happening in this scene? A) What cultural norm or understanding did Jesus challenge?
3. What would be our current culture’s norm or understanding of great? A) What is your own personal idea of “great” and “success”? B) In what ways did either of those two understandings of great and success impact you this last week?
4. In what ways is Jesus’ definition of great and success different and similar to what you encounter and aim at? A) What would it take to align to what Jesus said? What would help? What would be a challenge?
5. How would aligning your view to Jesus’ way impact you, your family, and your work? Even your calendar and finances? A) What do you need for that re-alignment?
6. This is the last sermon in the series, Built to Last. What has God shown you through this series? A) How will you continue to respond to what He has shown you?

Passages to prepare for next week’s new sermon series, GREATER!: The book of Colossians

Challenge: As we journey through Colossians, read through the book and focus chapter each week. This week, read through and/or listen to :

D Colossians (it’s 4 chapters long) once

D Colossians chapter 1, a couple of times.

o     You could even break it in half and read Colossians 1:1-14 and then Colossians 1:15-29.

As you read, ask a couple of questions:

1. What is the passage saying about God, people, and how the world works?
2. What questions do I have about/from this passage? C) What stands out to me?

Bonus: Use the YouVersion app. Pick a reading plan for Colossians. Do it together with your small group, friends, or family.