On Sunday morning, "Chris" attended the church meeting. He enjoyed the singing, fellowship and teaching. He was encouraged. However, later that day, he began to think about his work. On Friday, he had received disappointing news about his job, and he was sensing failure in his life. As he thought about this "failure," other failures came to mind, and he became very discouraged.

Sensing Failure ?
Why do we sometimes feel like we have failed? Why do we sometime feel like failures?

• Maybe because we have ______________________.

  "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

• Maybe because we have wrong ideas about __________________________.

  * What we want and try to do may be opposed to what we ought to do.
  * Our values and priorities may be out of order (Matthew 6:19-21).
  * A lack of desired results does not necessarily mean failure (Isaiah 6:8-13).
  * Getting desired results does not necessarily mean success (Numbers 20:2-12).

• Maybe our sense of failure is imposed on us by others (society, family, friends, etc.).
  
  
• Other?

Spiritual Success What is "success?" One Christian pastor says, "It is learning to apply God's grace." When we rely on our own works to be acceptable before God, we fail (Luke 18:10-14). "From God's perspective, a successful person is one who knows how to accept God's remedy for failure."

Set Back by Failure

? Why do we sometimes get greatly discouraged and distraught because of our "failures?"

• Maybe because we lack ___________________ in _____________________.

  * Do we doubt God's forgiveness, acceptance and restoration?

"[Jesus Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."(1 John 2:2, NIV)

"If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."(1 John 1:9, NIV)

* Do we doubt God's sovereignty, goodness and providence?

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)

* Do we doubt the Lord's sufficiency and power to help?

In response to Paul's tormenting problem, the Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13, NIV)

* Maybe because of opposing spiritual forces. (Luke 22:31-32)

* Maybe because of our _______________ - centeredness.

* Other?

The Positive Side of Failure

? Failure is disappointing, painful, and sometimes destructive. Is there anything good about failure? If so, what is the positive side of failure?

* It humbles us.

* It teaches us lessons, which can help us succeed.

* It causes us to evaluate ourselves, our ambitions, values and priorities.

* It helps us see our need of God.

* It helps us to more deeply appreciate God's grace.

* It helps us in sympathizing with others who fail.

* Other?

"It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail." (Peter Marshall, former Chaplain to the U.S. Senate)

A Successful Attitude
In his state of discouragement, Chris opened his Bible and began to flip through the pages. A familiar passage caught his attention, and he began to read. As he read, he realized that part of his problem was his attitude. His attitude seemed similar to that of James & John in Mark 10:35-45. In this passage, Jesus taught his disciples a lesson - a lesson that Chris felt he needed to hear.

The Disciples' Ambition

* Late in Jesus' earthly ministry, he and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem. He had just told them that he would be betrayed, condemned, abused, and crucified; but three days later he would rise (Mark 10:32-34). Then James and John approached Jesus.
* Read Mark 10:35-41.
? What do James and John really want? What attitudes underlie their request?

* The disciples want to be great. They want high rank and status. They want prestige, privilege, and power. There is nothing inherently wrong with being great. But what does Jesus say about true greatness?

Jesus' Teaching on Greatness

* Read Mark 10:42-45. Jesus says that the wrong way of greatness is exemplified by the Gentile rulers, who struggle for rank, power, and position in order to "lord it over" or "exercise authority" over others. Jesus is not criticizing structured authority in society, but he is contrasting the values of the world with the values of the kingdom of God.

"Self-importance, the desire to be noticed and respected, the ambition to make one's mark and to impose one's will on others, this is the value-scale of the rat-race, not the kingdom of Christ."

? What does Jesus say is the way of greatness?

"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." (Mark 10:45, NIV)

As Chris reflected on Jesus' teaching, he realized that part of his problem in overcoming his "failure" was his pride and selfishness. He was too self-interested. He also realized that thinking more about others, with an attitude of humble service, brought relief from his discouragement and offered a way of fulfillment.

Reflection/Application

* Are you struggling with a sense of failure? Whatever it is, go to God. While God has the ultimate high standards (which are impossible for us to meet), He also is the ultimate Dispenser of mercy, grace, love, forgiveness, acceptance, and restoration (which are received though faith in Jesus Christ).
*If you are "set back" (feeling very discouraged) about failure, prayerfully re-read this handout and see if something helps. Your problem may be very different from Chris' problem. If you need encouragement, talk to Jay or a trusted, mature Christian friend.
* As Christians, we are supposed to "build up" the church. That includes encouraging one another in times of "failure." Do you know someone you can encourage today?