The Nothings From Aspirations and Achievements (Part One) by Dr. Rod Mattoon.

About this sermon

We live in a day where a premium is placed upon being successful, powerful, beautiful, and bountiful. People tend to place value on individuals based on their accomplishments, achievements, or attainments. That is a tragedy for sure. Should we do our best at whatever we do? Absolutely! Should we try to be effective, productive, creative, or constructive? Yes, in fact Paul said, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God”(Colossians 1:10). Understand clearly that your quest to achieve, accumulate, or accomplish your desires can still leave you with nothing and feeling dissatisfied. In spite of all that King Solomon accomplished in his life, in his latter years he concluded that all that he had done was a big waste. It was all vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:11). He felt this way because he got away from the Lord. Why did he feel empty? The psalmist said in Psalm 106:13-15, "They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: [14] But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. [15] And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." Many suffer from leanness in their souls today because they achieved their dreams or desires, but they still felt empty. * Matthew 16:26- For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? When we look through the Scriptures we find several principles about the nothings of our aspirations and achievements. They are worth noting because these principles apply to us today and provide instruction about our priorities as well as our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In part one of this message we will focus on our attitude toward our aspirations and accomplishments. We will take a good look at John 21. This message was preached on Sunday night, January 24, 2021 at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.