Scriptures: Proverbs 16:1-9, Mark 10:17-31 and Mark 10:35-45
Message: “AMBITION”
Proverbs 16:1-9
(1) To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.
(2) All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord .
(3) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
(4) The Lord works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster.
(5) The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
(6) Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
(7) When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord , he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
(8) Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
(9) In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Mark 10:17-31
The Rich Young Man
(17) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
(18) “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. (19) You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ “
(20) “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
(21) Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
(22) At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
(23) Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
(24) The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! (25) It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
(26) The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
(27) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
(28) Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”
(29) “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel (30) will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. (31) But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Mark 10:35-45.
The Request of James and John
(35) Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
(36)”What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
(37) They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
(38) “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
(39) “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, (40) but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
(41) When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. (42) Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. (43) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, (44) and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. (45) For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
This is the word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Our Scriptures today, speak to us about “AMBITION”. The lack of, or the abundance of, our need of it and its usefulness in our lives. What role it plays when one is trying to achieve righteousness, peace, purpose, and position in this life. As followers of Christ, “Ambition” begs us questions today, just as it did in the days of Jesus. Questions like, what motivates us? How can we help others to have ambition, for a more life changing, purposeful and successful walk with Christ?
According to Webster’s dictionary, the noun ”Ambition” is described as, “Drive” or “Aspiration”. It’s meaning is, “A strong desire to do or achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.”
So, before we begin looking at our Gospel readings today, I would like to start with a couple of stories about the dangers of ambition, and its rewards.
In the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains, you don’t see too many people hang gliding. But ol’ Zeek decided to save up and get a hang glider. He goes to the highest mountain, and after struggling to get to the top, he gets ready to take flight. He takes off running and reaches the edge, and off into the wind he goes!
Meanwhile, Maw and Paw Hicks are sittin’ on the porch swingin’, talkin’ bout the good ol’ days when maw spots the biggest bird she’d ever seen!
“Look at the size of that bird, Paw!” she exclaims.
Paw stands up, “Git my gun, Maw.”
She runs into the house, brings out his pump shotgun. He takes careful aim. BANG . . . BANG . . . BANG! The monster-size bird continues to sail silently over the treetops.
“I think ya missed him, Paw,” she says.
“Yeah,” he replies, “but at least he let go of ol’ Zeek!”
That must have been a surprise to ol’ Zeke, to end his glider flight like that. But you have to admire him. For his ambition and his desire to achieve something that he aspired too.
Well, ol’ Zeke was the exact opposite of a certain wild duck I heard about. This duck could fly high and far, traveling hundreds of miles in glorious freedom above the landscape. But one day he landed in a barnyard. There life was less exciting but easier. He didn’t have to scramble for food and when the weather was bad, he could take shelter in the barn. The duck began to eat and live with the tame ducks and gradually he forgot how to fly. He became fat and lazy.
In the spring and fall, however, as the wild ducks flew overhead, something stirred inside this wild duck, but he could no longer rise to join them.
There’s a poem about this duck, and it ends with these lines: ‘He’s a pretty good duck for the shape he’s in . . . But he isn’t the duck that he might have been.”
How many of you are like that duck? You’ve given up what you aspired to be, because it required too much hard work and determination. Your drive and aspirations have flown the coop. Your “AMBITION” to be “Christ like”, is lacking.
In our Gospel reading, “The Request of James and John”, Jesus’ disciples, James and John, one day asked him for a favor. They asked him to allow them to sit on his right and left hand in glory. In other words, they wanted the best seats in the house, places of honor and prestige. But they wanted to be appointed to these choice places not because they had earned them or deserved them, but because they had influence with the Boss’ Son. Does that sound familiar?
Jesus said to James and John, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
In other words, he was asking, “Are you willing to give your all, as I am giving my all, to see my kingdom established?” To their credit James and John answered, “We can.”
And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right or left hand is not mine to grant . . .”
Now it’s easy for us to criticize James and John for their ambition. Their peers, the other 10 disciples, certainly made their feelings known about their request.
But notice that Jesus doesn’t criticize them. It doesn’t seem to bother Jesus at all that their ambitious aspirations were to fly a little higher, like ol’ Zeek, than the rest. Jesus knew that ambition can be a good thing. Jesus simply needed to refine their ambition.
In our Gospel reading of, “The Rich Young Man” this guy definitely had ambition. We can see that in the drive he had and his aspirations to inherit eternal life. It seems that his hard work and determination had left him still wanting more. And that he was not willing to give up, the rewards his ambition had all ready gained him. He was like the duck trapped in the luxuries of the easy life.
That’s the same trap many today find themselves. Our government has enabled them to stay home and receive more than they had previously earned. Their ducks in the barn yard who have let go of their “Ambition”, their Drive and Aspirations to have a purposeful, fulfilling life because of fear.
Likewise, as Jesus did with James and John, Jesus didn’t criticize his ambition, instead he loved him and instructed him of his need to refine his, “Ambition”.
In the parallel story of, “The Request of James and John” in Matt. 20:20-28, it says that the inquiry came from their mother, perhaps a version of the story intended to spare the disciples full responsibility for the request.
The mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. Probably because as many believe she was the sister of Jesus mother Mary, his aunt. A close family relationship could have prompt her to make this request for her sons.
Parents naturally want to see their children promoted and honored. But this desire is dangerous if it causes them to stand in the way of God’s specific will for their children. God may have different work in mind for them, perhaps not as glamorous but just as important. Parents desires for the children’s advancement must be held in check as they pray that God‘s will be done in their children’s lives.
I’m reminded of the time when a mother came to me concerned about the ambitions of her son, or rather the lack there of, and the path he was headed. She wondered if I would speak to him about his direction in life. So I told her I would.
So, one Sunday morning, after our worship service, I caught him at the door as he was leaving, and asked if we could talk before, he headed home. And he, rather hesitantly, waited patiently, while the rest of the people exited the church.
In starting our Conversation, I asked him, do you ever think about the direction of your life? Where you’re going? His response was “Lunch.” I guess my ambition needed a little refining.
Sometimes, those who love us most, especially mothers, try to help us refine our ambitions and confront us with the decisions we make. Jesus certainly did.
Jesus applauded the rich young man’s ambition and the disciples by encouraging them to understand the dangers and the rewards of ambition and the need of ambition in there, and our lives today.
Hear these words of Jesus again. (Mark 10:25,27) ”It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
In Mark 10:29-31 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Jesus also reminded them and us today, by practicing what he preached, and teaching us, that the greatest “Ambition”, our aspirations, our drive we can and should have is one of service to others.
Remember these words of Jesus. Mark 10:42-45. “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
What motivates your ambition? Is it the fear of the Lord? Does your ambition, help others to have ambition, for a more life changing, purposeful and successful walk with Christ?
Whenever “Ambition” drives you or inspires you to take action, I encourage you to open your bible and read the words of wisdom from Solomon. They’re what each of us need to know about refining, purifying and improving your ‘Ambitions”. Proverbs 16:1-9.
“To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.
All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord .
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
The Lord works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster.
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord , he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
We all have “Ambition” to what end does it bring us? That’s the real question. Does your ambition motivate you to serve others? Does your ambition need refining? Purifying? Improving? Think on it, pray about it.
I have a plaque in my office that always reminds me to not get to carried away with my ambition.
It reads:
“Fill my mouth with Worthwhile stuff, And nudge me when I’ve said enough.”
In His Service,
Pastor Joe
Listen To Audio: Sermon 20211017
Listen To Audio: Service 10172021
Prayer of Confession: O Lord, you are the maker of justice and the source of righteousness, the one who hears the cries of those who suffer and satisfies all who hunger. Forgive us when we fail to reflect your just love: when we have food and food left over, yet we do not share with any in need; when we have power for good and power for change, yet we use it only for our own self-preservation; when we have the words of the prophets before us, yet we cover our ears lest they make us uncomfortable. Forgive us, O Lord, and teach us to follow in your way. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Joe will be available at the church on Thursday afternoon from 2 to 4. If you need to speak to him, contact Pastor Joe at 570-267-4570 (cell) or Email: joe.s.travis@gmail.com
Loose change goes to Kenya/Rev. Malaho
Sunday School starts at 8:30am
Choir practice will be on Thursday at 1:00! Please come a join us in singing praises to Jesus!
“Feed-a-friend” Mission continues until November 7th. Monetary donations only.
Session meets Tuesday, October 19th, at 9am in the community building
Men’s Breakfast Wednesday October 20th at 8:00.
Newsletter Deadline – Tuesday October 26, 2021.
EMAIL address for the church has been changed to: fhpc400@att.net
The PW is selling Franklin Hill Presbyterian Cookbooks called “Recipes From The Hill” at $10.00 each. All proceeds go to missions. See Debbie Stalker.
Pastor Appreciation: Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NKJV).
