Ambition
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
I. Introduction
I. Introduction
1. Ambition: (1) an ardent desire for position or rank, fame, or power (2) desire to achieve a particular end
2. Is ambition a virtue or a vice?
II. Ambition and Slothfulness
II. Ambition and Slothfulness
1. Some people mistake “ambition” for “hard work,” and thus view it as a virtue.
2. The Bible is clearly against slothfulness or laziness (for example: Proverbs)
26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
Mt.
12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
3. The Bible commands honest work and labor
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
4. The difference between “hard work” and “ambition” is our attitude. The goal of hard work is to please the Lord. The goal of ambition is to honor one’s self.
4. The difference between “hard work” and “ambition” is our attitude. The goal of hard work is to please the Lord. The goal of ambition is to honor one’s self.
III. Ambition as a Vice
III. Ambition as a Vice
1. When we are willing to trample others in order to benefit ourselves, our ambition has become a vice.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
(1) At work: we should never use unethical means in order to advance. We should never knowingly or willingly hurt or exploit others for our own success.
(1) At work: we should never use unethical means in order to advance. We should never knowingly or willingly hurt or exploit others for our own success.
(2) In spiritual matters, we should never serve in order to honor ourselves
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
2. Ambition may seem “natural,” but that’s only because it is a work of the flesh, and thus against walking in the Spirit (, “rivalries” – ESV, “Selfish ambition” – NKJV)
2. Ambition may seem “natural,” but that’s only because it is a work of the flesh, and thus against walking in the Spirit (, “rivalries” – ESV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
3. Ambition destroys relationships and hinders spiritual success and growth. ()
3. Ambition destroys relationships and hinders spiritual success and growth. ()
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(1) Leadership should be marked by wisdom, humility, peacefulness, gentleness, and mercy; not ambition, jealousy, and contention.
(1) Leadership should be marked by wisdom, humility, peacefulness, gentleness, and mercy; not ambition, jealousy, and contention.
(1) Leadership should be marked by wisdom, humility, peacefulness, gentleness, and mercy; not ambition, jealousy, and contention.
(2) Ambition causes a desire to be recognized and praised. It is a manifestation of pride, and leads to rivalries, jealousy, and hatred.
IV. Ambition as a Virtue
IV. Ambition as a Virtue
1. Ambition is tied to our motivation. Evil ambition is that which is focused on self; righteous ambition is desire focused on pleasing God. (; “aim”—ESV, “ambition”—NASB)
9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
(1) Philotimeomai = “to exert one’s self to accomplish a thing, use one’s utmost efforts, endeavor earnestly” (Mounce)
(1) Philotimeomai = “to exert one’s self to accomplish a thing, use one’s utmost efforts, endeavor earnestly” (Mounce)
(1) Philotimeomai = “to exert one’s self to accomplish a thing, use one’s utmost efforts, endeavor earnestly” (Mounce)
(2) People put such an effort into work, chores, hobbies, etc. Do we put such effort into serving God?
2. The New Testament exhorts Christian’s to make a quiet life our ambition
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
(1) Selfish ambition rarely leads to peace and quiet.
(1) Selfish ambition rarely leads to peace and quiet.
(1) Selfish ambition rarely leads to peace and quiet.
(2) The Christian ambitiously seeks a life free of the distractions that cause spiritual harm.
(3) The Christian’s life will not always be peaceful. (i.e. – persecution). Yet, we do what is in our power to “live peaceably with all” ()
3. Spreading the gospel should be one of our ambitions
20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
(1) How excited are we to spread the gospel? How much do we train to be able to share the gospel? How much do we pray for the spreading of the gospel? How much do we support the spreading of the gospel? Is spreading the gospel truly our ambition?
(1) How excited are we to spread the gospel? How much do we train to be able to share the gospel? How much do we pray for the spreading of the gospel? How much do we support the spreading of the gospel? Is spreading the gospel truly our ambition?
V. Conclusion
V. Conclusion
Ambition, like many attitudes, can be both a virtue and a vice. When we make ourselves and our desires the focus of ambition, then it is a vice that leads us away from godly service. When we humbly submit to the Lord, however, and make pleasing Him our chief aim, then ambition can be the fuel that motivates us to obey and serve the Lord in a whole-hearted manner.