Principles to Living the Unthinkable Life

This blog post is Part 7 of a series entitled, "(re)born to Lead" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN. 

Message Date: November 20, 2022

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What do I hope heaven will be like?

I can’t wait to see my grandparents again. Amy’s grandparents! It will be indescribable to see my younger brother.  

What about you? – A reunion. Family. Friends. No pain. No regrets!  

I also hope for stuff like the best iced tea ever brewed! Heaven’s version of Florida’s Rosemary Beach on 30A! Or, reeling in a largemouth bass every time my spinnerbait hits the water!  

Let me ask…is it wrong to think about the prizes awaiting us in heaven? I say, “No!” Dream big!!  

Actually, rather than dream big, I say, “Do big!”  

Today you are going to see a passage in God’s Word that focuses on exactly this - - doing what is required to get the prize that awaits you in heaven.  

The Bible says that in heaven we will receive a prize for the things we have done while on earth as Christians.  

Prize (Greek) = Reward; trophy.

Unless we are talking Little League baseball, one does not receive an award or trophy unless one does what is required!  

Over the past 7 weeks, we have talked about the requirements upon us each as a (re)born New Testament leader.  

Remember this verse: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14  

As we have discussed throughout this series, as a (re)born leader, Jesus says that you can do even greater things than He did! 

What a privilege. Too, what a tremendous responsibility!    

A (re)born New Testament leader is:

1. Willing to Surrender

2. Loyal

3. Ambitious

4. A Servant

5. Honest  

We conclude this series today by discussing one final attribute of a (re)born New Testament leader who, if choosing to “do big,” can do even greater things than did the leader above all leaders who walked our planet over 2,000 years ago!  

And, this last attribute is so critical because, honestly speaking, in order to maintain a willingness to surrender, and if one is to stay the course as a loyal leader, coupled with ambition, and a true servant’s heart, while embracing a posture of honesty, then this final attribute is one that must be continually exercised. Att

A (re)born New Testament leader is:

6. Disciplined  

Each of us is disciplined in some ways and in various arenas of life.  

For some, it is the discipline of exercise, interests, and hobbies, or binging a favorite Netflix series. For others, being disciplined is counting calories or mastering Sudoku. Still, for some, discipline is trying to win at the stock market or picking the right 6 numbers for the Powerball.  

We each are disciplined in areas of life. 

Discipline is critical to one’s success. A disciplined life is not easy to master. But a life without discipline creates even greater challenges.  

Actually…I would say this is true:

A life void of discipline is a life rich in regret.    

So, I first want to talk about why discipline is so necessary for the life of a leader.  

Why do I need discipline in my life as a (re)born leader?

1. Without discipline, I cannot resist my sinful nature.  

Isaiah 64:6: All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away.  

Galatians 5:19-21: The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  

Romans 13:12-14 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh  

Romans 7:14-25: We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.    

Why do I need discipline in my life as a (re)born leader? 

2. Without discipline, I cannot restrain the demonic influences of this world.

Ephesians 6:12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  

1 Timothy 4:1: The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  

1 Peter 5:7-9: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering.

As a (re)born leader, if I am not taking the necessary steps to live a disciplined life: 

1. My sinful nature will destroy my influence as a leader.

2. My enemy will render me ineffective as a leader.    

You know, I’m often asked by people: How do I grow in my walk with the Lord? Or...how do I defeat the temptations in my life? Or...what are the proper steps to take to have a consistent devotional time with God? The answer to each of these and similar questions about our walk as Christ-followers rests in this one word: Discipline.  

And the key to applying discipline to these important areas of our lives isn’t really that foreign to us. I’ve often said:  

What works here, apply there! Meaning - - those areas of my life in which I am disciplined… use that same intentionality and the same processes as it relates to my walk with the Lord. Does that make sense? Work to apply the same principles to my spiritual life as I do to other areas of my personal life in which I have been successful at being disciplined.  

For instance, Wesley is a runner. He set a personal best in the Sub 4 Mile last year running in under 4 minutes. 4 minutes folks!  

I am sure Wesley focused heavily on eating well, set a schedule for training, and stuck with it!  

Discipline is necessary to having a robust spiritual life – a life in the Word, a life devoted to prayer, a life doing “BIG” to gain the prize, and a life that screams to the world: Life with God is far better than life without.  

Imagine how disciplined one’s life has to be to confidently be able to tell others: Follow my example!  

Well, this is exactly the words one of the greatest New Testament leaders to have ever walked the planet, Paul, said to the Church about his leadership. See his words:  

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

The Greek word follow doesn’t mean to simply “go in the same direction.”  

Follow (Greek) = imitate me  

That’s some confidence, is it not?  

Other than Jesus Christ, there is no greater leader in the New Testament, and, dare I say in the entirety of the bible worth following more than Paul.  

Is this something you can say to others as it relates to your walk with Christ? To be able to confidently tell others: “Hey, imitate what I do!”  

I sure want to be able to say this!  

I gather several truths from these words.  

First, let me point out what Paul is NOT saying.  

He isn’t saying: “Imitate me AND imitate Jesus Christ.”  

No! This is NOT a “do this” AND “do that!”  

Instead, it’s a “do this” as I “do that!”  

Paul is saying:

1. Imitate me…

2. as I imitate Jesus.

In relation to our (re)born to Lead series, Paul is saying:

Let me lead you as Christ leads me!  

THIS is who we are called to be as (re)born New Testament leaders.  

Follow me as I follow Christ!  

What an aspiration for each of us – to be so disciplined in one’s pursuit of Jesus to be able to say follow my lead – I lead well!  

So, how can we as (re)born leaders mirror such a disciplined life?  

Go with me to the words of Paul in - - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

We know that each year the people of Corinth would host the Isthmian Games. These games would consist of a variety of competitions including racing, boxing, wrestling, discus and javelin throwing, the long jump, chariot racing, and even singing and poetry reading.  

Look at verse 24 and read what Paul states about winning:

1 Corinthians 9:24 - “...only one.”  

In the Corinth competitions, 2nd place was never an option. There wasn’t a second place. Only, a winner!  

Paul’s words remind me of a Nike commercial that aired during the 1996 Olympics. It was only a 30 second commercial. There were no words spoken during this commercial until the final seconds. And then, only 2 sentences: “You don’t win silver. You lose gold.”  

In essence, Nike was saying, “Second place is not an option!”  

As a (re)born leader, there is no room for mediocrity.  

And this is exactly what Paul is saying: 1 Corinthians 9:26 - - “Do not run aimlessly!”  

Guys, I am sure you know this about me. You know that I expect this of me & of us each!

God deserves my very best. “Good enough” is not good enough. “Getting by” is not giving my all. I should never run the race merely to finish. I should run the race to get the prize!

When Paul mentions “strict training,” the people of Corinth, especially the athletes, would have understood such an analogy.  

See again 1 Corinthians 9:25  

Athletes who competed in these games would actually sign an oath that was punishable by imprisonment if they lied or broke the oath. The oath consisted of a promise to abstain from wine, meat, and any sexual relations for a minimum of, hear this, 10 months prior to the Games.  

It is believed that, while training, these ancient boxers would trade blows with one another to prepare for the competition. Their knuckles would be wrapped in leather thongs, and they would beat one another literally black and blue in training.  

So Paul states in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I strike a blow to my body...” as he disciplines himself to “preach to others.”

1 Corinthians 9:27: No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.  

See these words in the ESV:

1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV:  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.  

Paul is saying to us as spiritual athletes:  

I am to discipline myself in such a way to win in the arena of leadership. 

He never uses the word leadership, but it is obvious his challenge to me as a (re)born leader is to lead in such a way that points others to Christ. This was the highest ambition of Paul.  

And, this is why Paul is able to say: “Follow me as I follow Jesus!”

Remember the question with which we began: What do I hope heaven will be like? No one fully knows how amazing the prize of heaven will be for the believer. But, I can tell you for sure of one thing that will NOT be in heaven:

In heaven…There will be no... Cheese! No cheese in heaven!  

Seriously, in heaven, there will be no disappointments! There will be no disappointments!  

Throughout this passage in 1 Corinthians 9, he mentions the “prize” or “crown” 5 times! In so many words, Paul says, “Dream big!”  

And Paul is saying that we are to live in such a way as Christian leaders that we are not disqualified from receiving the prize that awaits those who live unashamedly for Jesus!

1 Corinthians 9:24: “Run in such a way to get the prize.”

Based on what Paul says: There is nothing wrong with running with hopes set on the prize that awaits the (re)born leader in heaven.  

The key to this attainment: Discipline! 

This can be great motivation for the (re)born leader: Living a disciplined life enables me to run in such a way to get the prize.

So... this leads us to this question: How can we live disciplined?  

Before I offer 2 thoughts, I also want to say…   What I am about to tell you, you already know. But just because you know, does not make the disciplined life any less difficult. This is difficult stuff! This is not easy, and we all struggle with this in various ways. Whether it’s being consistent in spending time in the Word, being intentional with holiness, or, and here is a big one - - staying focused during your alone time with the Lord… These things aren’t easy and do not come naturally.

That’s why this word discipline is a critical necessity for the (re)born leader.  

There are many, many ways in which we can focus. For time's sake, I give you two:  

1. Be disciplined in the Word.

What’s your favorite binge-watch these days?

The buzz this past week has been for the release of Season 5 of Yellowstone. Then there is The English, Tulsa King, The Crown & Virgin River.  

As a society, we have never had more entertainment options than we do now: Hulu. Netflix, Peacock, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Starz & YouTube TV... As a society, we make the choice to let these countless options consume our time, attention, and priorities.  

Think about it - - Christmas Hallmark is back baby! I remember last year, once the girls got on Christmas break, we were hitting Hallmark just about every night. And, I must say…these Hallmark movies are so captivating because you JUST DON’T KNOW if the couple in each movie is going to make it in the end! It’s so intense. Nail-biter after nail-biter! But, imagine… whether it be Hallmark or your movie of choice… it’s nothing for us movie-watchers to commit 2, 3, or even 4 hours an evening to our favorite watch!  

I really got convicted this week as I thought: When was the last time I spent the same amount of time… or, honestly, anywhere close to that amount of time in the Word?!  

Here’s the deal: I choose what consumes my mind.  

Ask yourself:

What consumes my mind? On what am I most focused? That which is holy or that which is unholy? If you need to make some adjustments in this area of life, that is the Holy Spirit talking to you. Don’t ignore it. Run the race well. Run to win!

What I allow to entertain me consumes my mind. Where my mind goes, my body follows.  

Romans 7:21-25: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.  

Just as I am disciplined in the shows & series I choose to watch, I too must apply the same pattern of discipline to my time in the Word.  

1 Corinthians 9:27: But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.  

Paul reminds us: My body has to be disciplined. My mind has to be disciplined. Otherwise, I am led astray and my position of leadership is disqualified. I’m often asked, “Jeffrey, how do you study the Word of God?” I always try and answer 2 questions each time I’m in the Word.  

When reading God’s Word, I answer:

1. What is God saying in His Word?

2. How can I apply what God is saying to my life today?    

2. Be disciplined in Prayer.

Thomas Edison taught his wife Mina morse code so that they could communicate by tapping their hands on a table when Thomas was around Mina’s family. Mina’s dad did not, at first, approve of Mina dating the brilliant innovator, mostly due to the fact that Thomas was 20 years older than Mina. But Thomas and Mina did not allow her father’s disapproval to halt their communication and budding relationship. As a matter of fact, it has been said that Thomas communicated his ultimate love to Mina by proposing to her via morse code. She tapped back, “Yes.”

Many people did not know that this man who had more than 1,000 patents to his name could not see very well. His revolutionary advancements contributing to the morse code were not simply for the use of spies and governments. This way of communicating was imperative to him. And equally imperative to your role as a (re)born leader is your communication with God.  

Think of all the gifts that God has given to us. One of the greatest gifts is the gift of access to Him. Though we deserve death, He offers us life and a life in close companionship with Him.

Prayer very well may be the greatest gift God has given to me… of which I do not fully take advantage.

Life is inundated with distractions.  

It’s no wonder why we read over and again that the Savior of the world took very seriously His time alone with God! Jesus began His ministry alone with God in prayer. He prayed before making big decisions. He prayed alone with God before going to the Cross. And He even prayed while on the Cross.  

Jesus even said in Matthew 6:6, when it comes to the discipline of prayer: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  

Unseen (Greek) = in seclusion  

Why “in seclusion?” Jesus fully understood the solitude required for me to be fully focused without hindrance, having the ability to hear the voice of God. There are distractions all around me. And it can be extremely difficult to hear the voice of God above all the other noises in my life. So, when I choose to “go into my room,” close the door and pray to a Father who is unseen, in seclusion: I become disciplined in hearing the voice of God. Such a process enables me to be the (re)born leader the world needs. End with a final question:  

As a (re)born New Testament leader: How is God prompting me to be better disciplined?