MAN’S DESIRE TO DO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
Psalm 90:17; Philippians 2:1-4
Dr. Glenn A. Jent, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
In 1838 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow published a poem entitled “A Psalm of Life.” It began with these words: “Tell me not in mournful numbers,/ Life is but an empty dream!/ For the soul is dead that slumbers,/ And things are not what they seem.// Life is real! Life is earnest!/ And the grave is not its goal;/ Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.// Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,/ Is our destined end or way;/ But to act, that each tomorrow/ Find us farther than today.// Art is long, and Time is fleeting,/ And our hearts, though stout and brave,/ Still, like muffled drums, are beating/ Funeral marches to the grave.// In the world's broad field of battle,/ In the bivouac of Life,/ Be not like dumb, driven cattle!/ Be a hero in the strife!// Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!/ Let the dead Past bury its dead!/ Act, - act in the living Present!/ Heart within, and God o'erhead!// Lives of great men all remind us/ We can make our lives sublime,/ And, departing, leave behind us/ Footprints on the sands of time;// Footprints, that perhaps another,/ Sailing o'er life's solemn main,/ A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,/ Seeing, shall take heart again.”
This poem reminds us that, within every person’s heart and mind, there is the desire to do something significant. Last week, we talked about God doing something significant when He sent His Son to earth. Today, we will discuss this same theme from man’s perspective.
I. LET US EXAMINE MOSES’ REQUEST OF GOD (Psalm 9:17).
1. He requests the favor of God—that God may take delight in and grace us.
2. He requests that the favor of God may rest upon us—be with us at all times.
3. He requests God to establish the work of our hands—make sure, fix, stand up.
4. He requests God to do this for us—to give our life validity and value.
Question: What work should we do that might be something significant?
II. LET US CONSIDER PAUL’S REQUEST OF MAN (Philippians 2:1-4).
1. He requests that we have the same love—that Christ has for us (vv.1-2).
2. He requests that we be one in spirit and purpose—a Spirit-filled fellowship characterized by tenderness and compassion (vv. 1-2).
3. He requests that we do nothing out of selfish ambition—intrigue that leads to contention—or vain conceit—empty glorying—but in humility consider others better than ourselves—superior to us (v. 3).
4. He requests that we should look—aim—not only at our own interests but also to the interests of others (v. 4).
Question: If we really desire to do something significant, are we willing to do it Paul’s (God’s) way; or will we insist on trying to do it the world’s way.
CONCLUSION
I submit to you that, if we are going to do anything significant, we must have the same attitude that Christ had in verses 5-8: (1) Make yourself nothing—Remember, our real value apart from Jesus Christ is zero, or nothing. (2) Take the nature of a servant—Remember, our real role in Christ is to be a servant, or slave. (3) Humble yourself—Remember, our real nature in Christ is humility, or unworthiness. (4) Be obedient to death—Remember, the real basis of life in Christ is death, death to self. Longfellow concluded his poem read earlier with these words: “Let us then be up and doing,/ With a heart for any fate;/ Still achieving, still pursuing,/ Learn to labor and to wait.” We must be working according to our Master’s plan, waiting for Him to accomplish His purpose in His time. Then, we must allow Him to establish that work so that our lives will make a difference. As we travel the journey of life, the footprints we leave behind may help someone else along life’s way. Let go and let God! Let His favor rest upon you! Let God do something significant through you!
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