TOPIC:‌“Three Holy Ambitions”

                  by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌II Corinthians 5:9

 

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it” (NIV)

 

‌The word “ambition” means “an eager desire for something.” To be ambitious means “to be strongly desirous for.” That something could be good or bad. Every person here today is motivated by some degree of personal ambition. Perhaps for a job. Perhaps for a promotion. Perhaps to be the best at what you do. Ambition can be good if it is the right ambition.

 

‌Some people have ambitions which are destructive. They are out to destroy. David's ambition was to destroy Uriah. The ambition of Judas was to destroy Jesus. But other ambitions are constructive. That leads me to ask you: What are your ambitions? What do you strongly desire? The answer to those two questions might give insight as to where you are spiritually speaking.

 

‌The English word “ambition” does not appear in the KJV of our Bible. But it is there in the Greek translation of the New Testament. The beloved Apostle Paul makes use of it three times and it means “to seek after honor.” And since it is only used by Paul, the usage of it teaches us much concerning our own ambitions. Let's consider three verses of the Apostle Paul in this message and his three holy ambitions for life.

 

I.

 

‌Consider, first of all, Paul's ambition to PLEASE Christ. In II Corinthians 5:9 we read from the KJV these words: “Wherefore we labor.” Literally it means: “We make it our aim.” The NIV has it: “So we make it our goal.” But it is the Weymouth translation that gives us the correct wording here: “We make it our ambition.”

 

‌And what is our ambition according to Paul in verse 9: “to please Him.” That should be the number one ambition of each one of us. To do everything in life to please Christ. Now two things stand out here:

 

‌1. Please Christ as to PLACE. Recall Paul's words in verse 9: “whether we are at home in the body or away from it” (NIV). In other words, our chief goal in life is to please Christ whether we are alive or dead, whether we are in this earthly body or in our heavenly body. Everywhere and in all places we are to please Christ.

 

‌Here Paul gives us insight into his own heart. The basic ambition which motivated him was to please Christ. It was Paul's passion in every situation and circumstance of life. It was his . . .