Reckless Ambition

Sermon Reflections from Reckless Ambitions | Alex Hardt | June 11, 2023

I was not acquainted with the movie Blackberry but I am more than familiar with the term reckless ambition.  All you have to do is look around at companies that seek to dominate the market, governments that put their desired and ambitions above others so they can control them, or in the pages of the Bible where we see kings seeking to subdue or enslave others and even the Pharisees who sought to dominate and control Jesus.  Ambition is a good thing in many ways as it keeps us motivated and working towards our goals.  Being reckless can be more than hazardous and is often associated with the young who think they are invincible!  Pastor Alex pointed out the 2 sides of reckless ambition which show the faces of greed and selfishness in regard to the world, which was shown in the movie, and adventure and hope for future gain towards God and His kingdom as described in the pages of Matthew and Luke.
Every person can access the way of Jesus and follow His adventure that is filled with hope and glory for God.  As we know, we all have that choice to follow Jesus when we hear about Him.  We know from experiences in life that the world has a strong appeal to our sin nature.  Jesus described this in Matthew 7, in His sermon on the mount, 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Why is it harder to follow Jesus instead of the world?  Following Jesus and living an obedient life take perseverance and time to study His Word, pray, accept the fellowship of other believers, witness to the truth of Jesus in our lives and to serve the body of Christ.  There are many benefits to living a life obedient to Christ.  John 15:10-11 speaks of our being able to remain in God’s love and the joy that brings. “ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  Being obedient to Christ we gain forgiveness and eternal life, John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”  With faith in Jesus comes the empowering and indwelling of His Holy Spirit, 1 John 3:24 “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”   Knowing and loving Jesus allows us to reject the ways of the world and seek to live for Him, He promises us in 1 John 5:3-4,” In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”  Jesus proclaims His way is for all but sadly we know not everyone will chose to follow Him.
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Once the way of the cross through Jesus is chosen it becomes the driving motivation in our life. He empowers us to follow Him with diligent perseverance, hope and clarity that leads to passion for Christ.  The Bible refers to this as zeal!  Zeal is intense enthusiasm, passion and fervor with a purpose.  Jesus wants us to pursue Him with ‘reckless’ love and ambition that is zealous for the honor and glory of His name in all the world.  Jesus had this passion as he cleansed the temple of corrupt money changers.  John 2:17 ‘ His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”   The Apostle Paul described himself as zealous for the law before being confronted by Jesus on the Road to Damascus then he became zealous for Jesus!  In his letters to the Romans and the Corinthians he exhorted followers of Jesus to lead with zeal and talk about Jesus with zeal. In Revelation, Jesus admonishes the church at Laodicea not be to lukewarm but to be zealous. Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”   Our attitude and service for the Lord Jesus needs to one filled with zeal for the Lord and lived with reckless ambition for God and His kingdom.

How can one do this?  Pastor Alex reminded us that it takes focus and complete surrender to Christ.  A life lived for Christ is empowered and directed by Him.  When we fall or stumble or struggle in our walk, we can claim 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 over our lives.  “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong”.  Power filled words of promise!   We can lean into God’s promises in Deuteronomy 31:6 for strength and hope. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  He can seek comfort and hope from Philippians 1:6 and 4:19 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  The Bible is filled with promises for us to claim as we seek to live each day for Jesus.  
Linda

Need a promise?  See me for a copy of my book, Promises for Dynamic Living.  It is filled with promises we can claim for our lives.
 
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