THE KEYS TO ACHIEVEMENT

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    We love to hear words like achieve, advance, success, and victory.

 

B.      We also love to part of achievement, success, advancement, and victory.

 

C.     Many times, however, these things are elusive to us.

1.      We desire them, but they do not come.

2.      We plan for them, but they do not happen.

 

D.    The question that we ask is:  “Why?”

1.      The reason is because success and achievement are difficult to obtain.

2.      To bring them to pass, there are some key elements that must be implemented.

 

E.      In this lesson, let’s look at:  “The Keys to Achievement.”

 

I.                   WE MUST BE CENTERED

 

A.    By centered, we mean focused.

1.      Focusing involves a specific point.

2.      Focusing involves directing one’s concentration, energy, and effort on that specific point.

 

B.      Two Bible examples:

1.      Nehemiah was centered as he sought to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 6:3).

 

And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down:  why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

 

2.      Jesus (John 4:34)

 

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

 

C.     Question:  What is the OceanSide congregation centered upon?

1.      What is receiving our concentration and energy?

2.      Proverbs 4:25

 

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

 

II.                WE MUST CARE

 

A.    Care means:  “to be concerned about, to have regard for, to have fondness and affection for.”

 

B.      Someone can try to call attention to a particular point, but if I don’t care about the point, I will never move toward it.

 

C.     Example:  Calling Kathleen’s attention to a particular play during a football game.  She could care less.

D.    Jesus gives us a beautiful illustration of this principle in His parable about the Good Shepherd in John 10.

1.      He contrasts the good shepherd with the hireling.

2.      The good shepherd will give his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

3.      The hireling flees (John 10:13).

 

The hireling fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

 

E.      If we get focused on something as a congregation, will we truly care about it?  (concern, regard, fondness, affection).  If we do not, we will never achieve the goal.

 

III.             WE MUST BE COMMITTED

 

A.    Being committed means “to bind as an obligation” ourselves to something.

 

B.      Commitment is seen in different phrases.

1.      I will do it or bust.

2.      I will give my life for it.

3.      Nothing will stop me. 

4.      All the forces of Satan will not deter me.

 

C.     Peter and John had been commissioned to preach the saving message of the gospel to the lost.

1.      They were brought before the Jewish council and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17-18).

2.      Their response to this charge showed their commitment (Acts 4:19-20)

 

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

 

D.    Commitment is a big deal.

1.      We are in it for the long haul.

2.      It is equal to saying:  “I do,” at the altar.

 

IV.             WE MUST HAVE COMPULSION

 

A.    Compulsion is defined as force and energy.

 

B.      We cannot sit down with our hands under us and get anything done.  There must be labor and toil.

 

C.     Examples:

1.      Nehemiah in building the walls (Neh. 4:6)

 

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof:  for the people had a mind to work.

 

2.      Jesus (John 9:4)

 

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:  the night cometh, when no man can work.

 

D.    Many scriptures urge us to work.

1.      I Corinthians 15:58

 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

2.      This work and toil is not to be half-hearted in nature.

a.      Ecclesiastes 9:10

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…

 

b.      Romans 12:11

 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

 

E.      Quotes about work:

1.      “Anything worth having, you work hard for” (Demetria McKenney).

2.      “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

3.      “Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds” (Gordon B. Hinckley).

4.      “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work” (Colin Powell).

 

V.                WE MUST HAVE COOPERATION

 

A.    Cooperation is simply working together for a common purpose or benefit.

 

B.      This church is a body composed of many members (I Cor. 12:14, 27).

 

C.     All members MUST work together to get things done (Eph. 4:16).

 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

D.    In Nehemiah 3, we read of the cooperation of the Jews as they built the walls of Jerusalem.  One verse stands out in the chapter (Neh. 3:5).

 

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles put not their necks to the work of the Lord.

 

E.      Cooperation fails when:

1.      People quit.

2.      People get attitudes.

3.      People make excuses.

4.      People fail in their responsibilities.

 

VI.             WE MUST HAVE CONSTANCY

 

A.    Success comes after working and toiling for a long period of time.

1.      It took 1500 years to write the Bible.

2.      It took Noah many years to build the ark.

3.      It takes a space craft 162 days travelling at 36,000 mph to get to Mars.

4.      It took just over 4 years to build the Golden Gate Bridge.

5.      Most believe that it took 10-20 years to build each pyramid.

6.      It took seven years to build Solomon’s temple.

7.      It took five years to build the Hoover Dam.

 

B.      When we want to achieve and be successful, we must continue to do things over and over for a long period of time.

1.      Romans 2:7

 

To them who by patient continuance in well doing see for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.

 

2.      Hebrews 6:12

 

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

3.      Hebrews 6:15

 

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promises.

 

C.     If we quit too soon, we will never be successful.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    We have looked at six keys to success:

 

Centered         Caring         Commitment        Compulsion             Cooperation               Constancy

 

B.      Apply these things to anything we want to do at OceanSide and we will be successful, if it is the Lord’s will.

1.      We will grow the church.

2.      We can make an impact on our community.

3.      We can become more knowledgeable, faithful, loving, and dedicated.