Knowing How to Lose

Introduction:

Read Mark 8:34-38; John 12:24-26; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:7-11. Knowing how to lose is the foundation of Christian existence. Christianity achieves victory through losing. Contrast this to how we are in our society. Everything is about winning. Winning is the American goal in everything. Most of us, if not all of us, know how to win, but most of us do not know how to lose. Today, we will discuss how what deity has been willing to lose for our sake. And we will talk about how the basis for Christianity is knowing how to lose.

I.      Consider what deity was willing to lose for us.

A.    Mercy exists because God knew how to lose.

1.      Grace and forgiveness exists because God knew how to lose.

2.     1 John 4:10

B.    Think of how indebted to Jesus we should be b/c He knew how to lose.

1.      Phil. 2:6-7 - Life Jesus lived on earth was the life of a loser – He lived it for us.

a)    Phil. 2:8 - Jesus suffered the 2 ultimate acts of losing in His day: death & crucifixion. He lost so that we can be blessed! Eph. 1:7-8a

II.     Part of Christianity is knowing how to lose.

A.    There are many things that we will never be:

1.      Perfect. Sinless. Guiltless. Possess full knowledge and understanding of God’s will & priorities.

B.    God took a risk for us. He made Himself vulnerable for us.

1.      Mt. 27:45-46 – imagine His pain as Jesus died on the cross.

2.     What about us & our willingness to lose? To make ourselves vulnerable?

3.     How willing are we to serve others?

4.     Demonstrate: compassion, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, gentleness, patience, self-control, and peace?

5.     How strong are our relationships with our brethren?

Conclusion:

A.    Thankful we belong to a God who knows how to lose.  He loves us in spite of the fact that we are weak, fickle creatures.

B.    While we live in a culture that emphasizes winning – winning at all costs...and domination of those we win against….

1.      Do we know how to lose? To sacrifice for others?  To make ourselves vulnerable?

2.     Is it evident in the way you treat people? In your marriage? In your relationships with other Christians?

C.    Have you lost your life for Christ? Gal. 2:20