PROMOTION AND POTENTIAL – II

1. Introduction

Matt 25  Servants of the Lord each entrusted with talents

verse 9

· Purpose of giving account Þ opportunity for master to promote.  Heart of God is to promote us.

· Promotion – to advance, go forward, go upward, increase responsibility.

Ps 75:6-7  Promotion comes not from east – God is the judge.

Note:    God’s purpose is to promote.

            God has a process of promotion.

            God has principles upon which He promotes.

verse 20-23 – Promotion:

i) Came from same source as gifts.

ii) Related to fulfilling potential – becoming productive.

iii) Released increased opportunity/potential.

iv) Brought joy and change in relationship with master.

verse 26-28 – Demotion:

· Opportunity was lost because of failure to be productive.

· Potential was not realised – removed, buried.

· Fear was the source of lack of personal growth and productivity.

· Fear arose out of unbelief – wrong view of master.

2. Self-promotion

a) Prov 20:6  Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?

· Most Þ multitude, majority of people.

· Proclaim = pronounce, call out, impose upon others.

· Self-centred people constantly promote themselves, personal agenda.

· A faithful man – doesn’t promote self – is hard to find.

· Self-promotion = elevate or alter position, bypassing God’s process.

b) Roots:

· Wrong view of God – unbelief!

· Wrong view of others – envy!

· Wrong view of self – pride!

Gal 6:3-5  If a man ‘thinks himself’ to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

· Let every man prove his own work – shoulder responsibility.

· Must have realistic view of own self and gifts God has entrusted.

· Not to think of himself more highly – but soberly as God has given faith.

“To esteem oneself over much”

soberly = sound mind = properly formed view of self.

Sozo = sound = to save, make whole, deliver, heal.

· Must see ourselves as God sees us, ie His perspective on life.

· God never intended for success in life to be measured by opinion of others.

· When people reject or are ignorant of God’s view – they promote self.

Examples:

i) Lucifer (Is 14:12-14)

ii) Adam and Eve (Gen 3:5-6)

iii) Simon (Acts 8:9)

c) Self-promotion is a destructive force

2 Sam 15  - Absalom

vs1    seeking recognition from people.

vs1    giving out impression of importance.

vs3    flattery – insincere praise to impress.

vs3    fault finding – tall poppy syndrome.

vs4    exaggerating and promoting own abilities.

vs4    position and title conscious.

vs3-4 stirs up feelings of injustice to gain a hearing.

vs5    actions to impress people and win heart.

vs6    drew people to himself, his cause.

· Note: Results were destructive both for Absalom and those who followed.

· Absalom’s actions rooted in pride (2 Sam 14:25-26) and offence.

3. God is the Source of Our Promotion

· Dan 2:21  God – changes the times and seasons – removes and sets up kings.

· Dan 4:32-37  Most high God rules in the kingdom of men.

· Dan 5:18-20  He was ‘deposed’ = made to come down from kingly throne, until knew that the most High God rules in kingdom of men.

· 1 Pet 5:5-6  God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Humble self under mighty hand of God that:

i) He may exalt you (lift you up, promote).

ii) Due time (at the set or proper timing, season).

· Keys for releasing your potential – untapped possibilities.

i) Know who is your source – God Himself.

ii) Know how God designed you to function – by faith.

iii) Discover the purpose God created you for and commit yourself totally to it.  (Individual and corporate – who God connects you with)

iv) Discover and make good use of what God has gifted you with – resources!

v) Cultivate and maintain an environment that promotes your growth.

vi) Apply yourself to work!

vii) Persevere until season changes.