JESUS STYLE SUCCESS

For the first time in 44 years, the Purdue Boilermakers Men’s Basketball team will be playing in the Final 4 this weekend. Coach Matt Painter and 7’4” center Zach Edey have led the Boilers to a successful season. 

Success is unfortunately becoming viewed as a bad word by many in our culture. They reason if you are successful then you have hurt others or wronged them in order to get ahead in life. 

If we want to know what success in life truly is, we should look to Jesus’ example because Jesus redefines success. 

Jesus was both loved and hated. That tells us success does not necessarily mean popularity. As followers of Jesus, you will also be both loved and hated. 

In the book of Matthew, Jesus’ ministry is summarized by saying: 
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38 NIV) 

In word and action, Jesus brought the reality of God’s presence and Kingdom into the lives of those around Him. This is what Jesus style success look like and this is what you and I are called to imitate. To achieve success like Jesus, you need to model your life on Jesus and share His vision. 

Why? 

Because the need is urgent. 


Jesus saw that ‘they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd’ (v.36). Today, we see so many people around us who don’t know Jesus and are spiritually lost. In addition to that, we see many who are in need of the basics of life. The need is urgent. We need to pursue Jesus style success. 

Why? 

Because of love. 


Jesus had compassion (v.36). His heart broke when He saw the condition of the people. Jesus loved them all. 

Jesus was not concerned with the people having worldly success or importance, but He knew true success is knowing God and being faithful to Him. This is why Jesus told His disciples to pray that God would raise up more people to follow Jesus’ example of success and bring in a huge harvest of people.  

Will you follow the success model of Jesus in your life?
Will you share in His mission and allow God to multiply yourself?
That’s true success.