This Is Success
Sermon Notes
What does true success look like in the eyes of Jesus? In this message, we examine how culture defines success—money, fame, numbers—and how Scripture calls us to something radically different. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 3, we’re reminded that ministry success isn’t about popularity, budgets, or brand visibility. It’s about lives being transformed by the gospel.
If you’ve ever wrestled with the pressure to perform or the temptation to measure yourself by worldly standards, this message will help reorient your heart toward the true goal: faithfulness to Jesus.
Key Takeaways
Success isn’t measured by numbers but by spiritual fruit.
We are called to faithfulness, not fame.
Transformed lives are the real metric of ministry
God is the one who causes growth. Our job is to plant and water faithfully.
It is easy to drift into performance if we’re not rooted in the gospel.
Discussion Questions
How do you tend to define success in your own life? Is it aligned with God’s definition?
What’s one area where you’ve been tempted to measure ministry or personal impact by worldly standards?
How are you actively helping others grow in their faith?
What role does comfort or fear of failure play in how you live out your calling?
Where in your life do you need to shift from performance to faithfulness?
Transcript
The Danger of Comfort and Complacency
Churches, like businesses, can fall apart when they forget their mission. From Blockbuster to Kodak, history is full of examples of people and organizations who got comfortable and stopped innovating. Churches can do the same thing. When we stop growing, stop going, and stop doing, we drift from our purpose.
Jesus warned churches in Revelation 2 and 3 that while they may appear active, they could be dead inside. They may have right doctrine and good programs, but if they forget their first love—Him—they are at risk of losing their influence and purpose. A church can be busy and still miss the point. So can you.
What Will We Have to Show?
Imagine standing before Jesus and offering a resume of titles, bank balances, and social media stats. It won’t matter. Our accomplishments fade. Our fame will disappear. What remains is the fruit of transformed lives.
We’re reminded of John Piper’s challenge: don’t waste your life collecting seashells when you could be making an eternal difference. A nice retirement is not success in the kingdom. Faithfulness is. Transformation is.
God's Metrics Over the World's
Churches can fall into the trap of measuring the wrong things. It’s easy to focus on attendance, budgets, and how enjoyable the service is. But that’s not how Jesus measures success.
Are people coming to faith? Are they growing in maturity? Are they being trained to disciple others? Are they living with gospel intentionality in their neighborhoods and workplaces? These are the metrics that matter. These are the signs of fruit.
Paul’s Credentials and Confidence
Paul was under scrutiny in Corinth. Critics challenged his authority and demanded proof of success. Instead of offering his resume, Paul pointed to transformed lives. He said the church itself was his letter of recommendation, written by the Spirit, not with ink.
His confidence wasn’t in personal achievements or ministry stats—it was in the work of God through the gospel. True ministry success is not about reputation. It’s about fruitfulness. And only God can cause that kind of growth.
Transformed Lives Are the Goal
When the gospel is preached, lives are changed. That’s what happened in Corinth. A city once known for sin and spiritual darkness became home to a community of people being made new. Paul writes that they were once defined by immorality, greed, and idolatry—but no more. They were washed, sanctified, and justified.
That is what the Jesus Way leads to: real people, radically changed. Visible transformation. Active discipleship. Supernatural power. Inner renewal.
The Source of All Success
Success doesn’t come from the preacher, the plan, or the program. It comes from God. Paul says he planted, Apollos watered, but only God made it grow.
We have a part to play—we go, preach, pray, and disciple. But the power belongs to God alone. He is the one who saves, sanctifies, and sends. That’s why our goal should never be applause. It should be obedience. God does the heavy lifting. We simply remain faithful.
