Success – Achievement Of Something Deserved

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Text: Gen.39:2-5

SUCCESS

2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

Success
This term has been variously defined as:
The achievement of something deserved or planned
Achievement of a desired out come
The life of Joseph is an amazing example of someone who overcome great adversity and human wickedness to become successful. Every where he turned, at home or outside adversity seemed to be attracted to him, but we are told from scripture, that inspite of it all, God was with him and saw him through

Seven (7) things you should Know about success
God wants us to succeed:
Our success brings Him pleasure – Psm.35:27- Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psm.147:11- The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.
Psm.149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
He wants us to be joyful & successful- John15:11;
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full
He showed us in scripture how to –Josh.1:6-9 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

When you succeed, you extend the frontiers of His kingdom and promote its agenda –IChro.29:3-5-Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver: 4 three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses; 5 the gold for things of gold and the silver for things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be done by the hands of craftsmen. Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” John.19:38-40
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

The prosperity (Well being) of our souls will affect or determine how successful we are: 3John3. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
A man’s soul is the mental and spiritual centre of the human person. It’s composed of:
Feelings – Prov.15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Longings & desires –Psm.21:2 You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips.
Thinking and reasoning –Psm.90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Decisions of the will –Prov.16:9
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Success is beyond money or human recognition Hosea 12:8
Lu.12:16-21 – Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”‘ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
God’s idea of success is submission to Him -1Cor.4:2
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Your success is determined by what you are willing to ignore.
Please note, there are at least 4things you must be willing to ignore:
Your personal weaknesses- Judg.6:14-16 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” 15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
The offences of others -Mk.16:7
But go, tell His disciples — and Peter — that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
Family disrespect – IJohn 7:1-6
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
Substitution of you assignment – Acts 6:2-3
Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
The testimony of your success will encourage other believers as well as challenge them to reach beyond the mark. Josh.24:15-16
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 16 So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods;
True success almost always require hard work. The truly successful person has learnt the value of hard work. No dependence on lottery, luck etc. Noah –Gen.6-9
Gen. Nehemiah –Neh.3:1-6,

THREE (3) THINGS SUCCESS IS NOT
Success is not a goal to be sought after but a by –product of learning to serve and actually adding value to peoples lives –Josh.1:6-9
True success in life is not measured by how many people serve you but by how many you serve e.g diet cake in 2010 overtaking Pepsi cola to the 2nd place in the USA.
Value addition is always the determinant –Matt.23:11but he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Gal.5:13
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Success is not just a reward to be enjoyed but a trust to be administered -2Cor.9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver

Success is not sacrificing your future on the altar of the immediate. GOD wants our labours to last –Prov.13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Psm71:18 Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
Acts 13:36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption.

Dr. Udoh
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