The Challenge of Competition 1/23 I Must Win 2/23

The Challenge of Competition

1/23

I Must Win

2/23

I Must Be First

3/23

I Must Be Ahead & Above Others

4/23

I Must Be Different from others

5/23

I must be the most successful…

6/23

Competition Creates Tension

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

[Luke 22:24]7/23

Competition Creates Division

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

[Matthew 10:24] 8/23

How should we respond and live biblically in a competitive society?

9/23

1) Live by a Different Set of Standards

10/23

Society’s Standards / Practices Exercise Lordship

[Lord Over Others]

And He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called

benefactors.[Luke 22:25]

11/23

Kingdom’s Standards / Practices Exemplify Servanthood

[Serve Others]

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be

as the younger; and he that is chief,as he that doth serve.

[Luke 22:26]

12/23

13/23

14/23

Loser

Winner

15/23

2) Emulate the Example of Christ

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at

meat? But I am among you as He that serveth.28 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of Man

came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

[Luke 22:27-28]

16/23

3) Complement Instead of Compete

17/23

Eve Adam

18/23

Created to Complement, not Compete

COMPETITIONvs

COMPLEMENTATION

19/23

Ketchup

Salt

French fries

COMPETITIONvs

COMPLEMENTATION

20/23

COMPLETE vs COMPETE

Instead of having a Piece of the

Whole 21/23

Be a Part of the Whole

COMPLETE vs COMPETE

22/23

Triune Godhead

Working With Each Othervs

Working Against Each Other

Son HolySpirit

Father

The Challenge of Comparison

1) He Patterns His Life After Christ

1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base [timid] among you, but

being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh

[2 Corinthians 10:1-2]

1) He Patterns His Life After Christ

2) He Relies on God’s Wisdom & Power

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down

imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of

Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled

[2 Corinthians 10:3-6]

1) He Patterns His Life After Christ

2) He Relies on God’s Wisdom & Power3) He Seeks to Build Others Up

7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of

himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 8 For though I should boast somewhat

more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us [Authority is from the Lord] for edification, and not for

your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his

letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by

letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

[2 Corinthians 10:7-11]

A) Comparison is Not Wise

12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with

some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by

themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Comparison is Rooted in Pride

SINPride goeth before destruction, and an

haughty spirit before a fall

PRIDEPride come before a fall

Comparison Creates Complexes

A) Superiority Complex

Comparison Creates Complexes

A) Superiority ComplexB) Inferiority Complex

Comparison Leads to Discontentment

When You Stop Comparing

You Also Stop Complaining

Comparison Creates Envy / Jealousy

Comparison Creates Tension

Comparison Creates Division

How to Overcome the Temptationof Comparison

How to Overcome the Temptationof Comparison

A) Accept Who You Are

How to Overcome the Temptationof Comparison

A) Accept Who You AreB) Accept Your Lot in Life