Seeking Success Gods Way
2 Chron. 1:6-12
2 Chronicles 1:6-12 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen
altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the
congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In
that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what
I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great
mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be
established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust
of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I
may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this
thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this
was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or
honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long
life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou
mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and
knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and
wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have
been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Introduction:
A. For the most part, I think people want to be successful. Once in
a while we see those who carry the defeatist attitude, and the don't
care, attitude, around with them from their youth to the grave.
B. If you gain the whole world without doing it God's way, then you
are a loser.
C. If you lose the whole world, and did it God's way, then you are a
success.
D. The key to success is seeking and finding God's will. Matt. 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.
E. Now, may we see how we are to seek God's will.
I. We Must Have An Humble Spirit
A. What is true humility?
1. Some have thought it is poverty.
2. Others have thought it to be ignorance.
3. Others think it to be disliked or hard to get along with.
B. None of these is humility. Humility is realizing that apart from
God we are nothing. All that we are or ever hope to be is by the
grace of God.
1 Cor. 15:9-10 For I am the least of the
apostles----But by the grace of God I am what I am---
C. There is entirely too much showism and wrong motives in the
Lord's work today. Its plain to see.
Illustration: The story is told of a little country boy who was out
fishing. All he had was an old crooked pole, and a bent pin for a
hook, but he was catching fish. A city man was fishing nearby. He
had all the latest gear, but was catching nothing. He asked the
little boy why he was catching fish and he was not. The boy said, "I
keep out of sight and don't make a fuss."
D. Humility is taking your hands off of your life, and letting God
have His way.
II. We Must Have A Hungry Heart
A. Solomon wanted to know God's will.
B. He asked for wisdom. Wisdom is knowing the mind of the Lord.
Seeing things from God's view.
C. God has a will for your life and mine. He wants to direct in
every area.
Prov. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.
1. Often it requires time. We must be willing to wait before the
Lord until the answer comes.
a. He will direct you in your finances.
b. He will direct in your business affairs.
c. He will direct in your education, and in your vocation. He knows
where the jobs are.
d. He will direct in your friendships and associates.
e. He will direct in your marriage.
III. We Must Have A Hearing Ear
A. Solomon heard from heaven (v 13).
B. Moses stayed in the mountain until he head from God.
C. Someone has well said, "Many attend classes on how to speak well.
We need some classes on how to listen well."
Illustration: A mother scolded her little daughter for not coming
when she called. The girl protested, "But mother I did not hear you
call me." The mother said, "That's because you were not
listening"
D. We must be sensitive to His voice.
Illustration: J. Vernon McGee tells of a man who came to him, and
said, "Something is wrong in my life. There is some sin that is
robbing me of my fellowship with God, and I don't know what it is."
Bro. McGee said, "Try guessing what it is. I have the suspicion
you'll get it at the first try."
IV. We Must Have A Heeding Will
A. Solomon came before the Lord with a heeded, yielded will before
asking what God wanted him to do.
B. We cannot bargain with God. We can't say, "Lord what do you want
me to do? I'll look it over, and see if that's what I want."
C. We must say, "Have Thine own way" before we can know the way