SPIRITUAL AMBITION

A Biblical Study

Sometimes, we can have a ‘negative’ view of ambition; as if we as Christians should not have ambition at all!

Jesus’ Ambition

Lk 12:49-50 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Paul’s ambition

Ro 15:20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

Spiritual ambition is good!

Jesus had it. Jesus told the twelve, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”

Paul had it. He surrounded himself with other ambitious evangelists.

How do we gain it?

Jehu’s ambition

2Ki 9:6-7 Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD'S people Israel.You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD'S servants shed by Jezebel.

2Ki 9:8,10 The whole house of Ahab will perish…As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’ ”

Jehu kills (bad king) Joram

2Ki 9:21-23 “Hitch up my chariot,” Joram ordered. And when it was hitched up, Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!”

Jehu kills (bad king) Joram

2Ki 9:24-26 Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot. Jehu said to Bidkar, his chariot officer, “Pick him up and throw him on the field that belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. Remember how you and I were riding together in chariots behind Ahab his father when the LORD made this prophecy about him: ‘Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the LORD, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the LORD.”

After Jehu kills Jezebel (Mrs. Ahab)

2Ki 9:35-37 But when they went out to bury [Jezebel], they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands. They went back and told Jehu, who said,

“This is the word of the LORD that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel.’ ”

Jehu’s speech in Samaria

2Ki 10:9 The next morning Jehu went out. He stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these? 10 Know then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail. The LORD has done what he promised through his servant Elijah.” 11 So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his chief men, his close friends and his priests, leaving him no survivor.

Jehu’s challenge to Jehonadab

2Ki 10:15 After he left there, he came upon Jehonadab son of Recab, who was on his way to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, “Are you in accord with me, as I am with you?” “I am,” Jehonadab answered. “If so,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.” So he did, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot. 16 Jehu said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD.” Then he had him ride along in his chariot. 17 When Jehu came to Samaria, he killed all who were left there of Ahab’s family; he destroyed them, according to the word of the LORD spoken to Elijah.

Spiritual ambition is about…

1. Conviction on the Word of the Lord

It’s not just about extraordinary deeds It’s knowing the desire of GodIt’s sharing the heart of God

Spiritual ambition is about…

2. Choosing the ‘greater’ goal

The things we do (or don’t do) have underlying objectives. We have to be in touch with these in order to have spiritual ambition.

Spiritual ambition higher goals “To finish an argument”

vs. “To be understood by the other person”

“To show my feelings”vs. “To be vulnerable about my needs”

“To become a BT leader”

vs. “To use all my gifts” “To get married”

vs. “To cherish (love and protect) God’s blessings as they come”

Spiritual ambition higher goals

“To get promoted” vs. “To make my light shine”

“To have a regular Quiet Time”vs. “To be close to God”

“To give more money (offering)” vs. “To grow in sacrificial giving”

“To do more for God” vs. “To become more for God”

Let’s choose the higher goals in life!

Spiritual ambition is about…

3. Relying on God to bless your dream

We need to have a dream that God will bless. Ultimately, we may be surprised to see that God has greater plans and has been working ahead of us!

Dumaguete - Frontier Bible Talk

Spiritual Ambition is about…

1. Having conviction from God’s Word2. Choosing the ‘greater’ goal3. Relying on God to bless your dream

Let’s rise up!

Let’s grab hold of the spiritual ambition that God wants us to have!