The Challenge of Competition
1/23
I Must Win
2/23
I Must Be First
3/23
I Must Be Ahead & Above Others
4/23
I Must Be Different from others
5/23
I must be the most
successful…
6/23
Competition Creates Tension
And there was also a strife among them, which
of them should be accounted the greatest.
[Luke 22:24]
7/23
Competition Creates Division
And when the ten heard it, they were moved
with indignation against the two brethren.
[Matthew 10:24]
8/23
How should we respond and live
biblically in a competitive society?
9/23
1) Live by a Different Set of
Standards
10/23
Society’s Standards / Practices
Exercise Lordship
[Lord Over Others]
And He said unto them, The kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they
that exercise authority upon them are called
benefactors.
[Luke 22:25]
11/23
Kingdom’s Standards / Practices
Exemplify Servanthood
[Serve Others]
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest
among you, let him be
as the younger; and he that is chief,
as he that doth serve.
[Luke 22:26]
12/23
13/23
14/23
Winner
Loser
15/23
2) Emulate the Example of Christ
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat,
or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at
meat? But I am among you as He that serveth.
28 And whosoever will be chief among you, let
him be your servant: Even as the Son of Man
came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give His life a ransom for many.
27
[Luke 22:27-28]
16/23
3) Complement Instead of Compete
17/23
Created to Complement,
not Compete
Eve
Adam
18/23
COMPETITION
vs
COMPLEMENTATION
19/23
COMPETITION
vs
COMPLEMENTATION
Salt
Ketchup
French fries
20/23
COMPLETE vs COMPETE
Instead of having a Piece of the Whole
21/23
COMPLETE vs COMPETE
Be a Part of the Whole
22/23
Triune Godhead
Father
Holy
Spirit
Son
Working With Each Other
vs
Working Against Each Other
The Challenge of Comparison
1) He Patterns His Life After Christ
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the
meekness and gentleness of Christ, who
in presence am base [timid] among you, but
being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I
beseech you, that I may not be bold when I
am present with that confidence, wherewith
I think to be bold against some, which think
of us as if we walked according to the flesh
[2 Corinthians 10:1-2]
1
1) He Patterns His Life After Christ
2) He Relies on God’s Wisdom
& Power
3 For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war
after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all
disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled
[2 Corinthians 10:3-6]
1) He Patterns His Life After Christ
2) He Relies on God’s Wisdom
& Power
3) He Seeks to Build Others Up
7 Do
ye look on things after the outward appearance? If
any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of
himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so
are we Christ's. 8 For though I should boast somewhat
more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us
[Authority is from the Lord] for edification, and not for
your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may
not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his
letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let
such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by
letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed
when we are present.
11
[2 Corinthians 10:7-11]
A) Comparison is Not Wise
For we dare not make ourselves of
the number, or compare ourselves with
some that commend themselves: but
they measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves
among themselves, are not wise.
12
Comparison is Rooted in Pride
S N
Pride goeth before destruction, and
an haughty spirit before a fall
PR DE
Pride come before a fall
Comparison Creates Complexes
A) Superiority Complex
Comparison Creates Complexes
A) Superiority Complex
B) Inferiority Complex
Comparison Leads to Discontentment
When You Stop Comparing
You Also Stop Complaining
Comparison Creates Envy /
Jealousy
Comparison Creates Tension
Comparison Creates Division
How to Overcome the Temptation
of Comparison
How to Overcome the Temptation
of Comparison
A) Accept Who You Are
How to Overcome the Temptation
of Comparison
A) Accept Who You Are
B) Accept Your Lot in Life