LOVE YOUR LIFE NOT THEIRS Sermon Outline 1. INTRODUCTION: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST THOUGHT WHEN YOU WOKE UP THIS MORNING? a. Most likely, it wasn t something like, Today will be a complete success if I just make myself miserable. But many of us set that tone for our day without even realizing it... because we start the day with an unhealthy dose of comparison. b. Think about it: If you use your phone for an alarm, it s the first thing you pick up in the morning. While it s still hot in your hand, you decide to flip through some of your social media accounts. There you are with a bad case of bed head and morning breath checking out your neighbor s awesome, exotic vacation or the perfect family picture posted by a friend from church. c. Meanwhile, feelings of frustration and discontent work their way into your brain. The negative thoughts start to take root: Why in the world can t I get my life together? Why can t I be like them? And just like that without even trying you ve let unhealthy, unrealistic comparisons define your day! d. We live in a culture of comparisons, but those comparisons are never apples to apples. We compare where we are in the journey even if we re early in the process to the highlights we see in others even if they ve put thousands of hours of practice into what they do and how they do it. i. It s like comparing your own athletic ability to the superstar who hits the monster home run or scores the most points in a game. Even if you had the physical ability of a star athlete, you haven t spent the time needed in the weight room or on the practice court to make it pay off. So, it s not really fair to compare where you are to their highlight reel. ii. What we see most often is a moment in time shot of someone s life. We see a nice car, a nice house, a nice family, a nice vacation. But it s just a snapshot. We don t know the whole story. And we forget that the people LOVE YOUR LIFE NOT THEIRS Sermon Outline - 1
we are comparing ourselves to are probably comparing themselves to others as well. e. Comparisons are a no-win situation. The Bible makes it clear that we should love the life God has given us not compare our life to someone else s. 2. WHY COMPARISONS DON T WORK a. Comparisons ignore God s creativity. The Bible makes it clear that... i. You are made in the image of God. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27 NIV). ii. You are God s workmanship His masterpiece in the making. For we are God s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). iii. You are created for a purpose. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). iv. God didn t make you to be someone else. He made you to be you and to fulfill His design for your time on earth. v. Comparing yourself to others ignores the incredible value that God has uniquely instilled in you. b. Comparisons rob you of your joy. i. The Bible tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15 NIV). But you can t do that when you keep comparing yourself to someone else s highlight reel. You can t feel happy for them if their success leaves you feeling bitter. ii. Jealousy and discontentment sneak in and can lead you down unhealthy roads. And eventually you forget that God is the true Source of your joy. iii. SPEAKER: Social media fuels discontentment and a lack of gratitude. We feel jealous or ungrateful when we see the things our friends get to do or buy. If you feel this way, you might consider taking a break from LOVE YOUR LIFE NOT THEIRS Sermon Outline - 2
social media. Don t add fuel to the fire if you re constantly being burned by discontentment. c. Comparisons damage your relationships. i. When you think about it, comparisons take you in one of two directions: 1. They puff you up. You become arrogant and assume you re better than others. 2. They tear you down. You wrestle with feeling worthless and assume you ll never be good enough. ii. Neither of those is healthy for you or your relationships with others. 1. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment (Romans 12:3 NIV). 3. HOW TO KEEP COMPARISONS AT BAY a. Keep Things Real i. Change your perspective on what constitutes success. Genuine success doesn t equal stuff or position or popularity. ii. Looks can be deceiving. You can t assume you know someone s whole story just by looking on the outside, so it s dangerous to wish you had that person s life. b. Intentionally choose to cheer others on. i. Again, we re called to rejoice with those who rejoice, so find ways to celebrate the victories and blessings of others. ii. It s all right to cheer the big wins of others while you work on your own highlight reel. 1. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV). c. Redefine what you deserve. i. The spirit of entitlement is one of the most devastating consequences of comparisons. We thing we deserve something just because someone LOVE YOUR LIFE NOT THEIRS Sermon Outline - 3
else has it. 1. Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread (Proverbs 30:8 NIV). ii. Remember that the world doesn t owe you anything. The only things you really deserve are the things you can afford and that might require waiting a while. iii. For example, your parents had a thirty-year head start on you, so it makes sense that you may not be where they are now. But you can get there if you reject a spirit of entitlement. d. Develop a plan that lets you love your own life. i. Focus on making your own highlight reel the best it can be the unique plan God has for you. ii. Take practical steps that will help you win. 1. Financially, get out of debt, live on a budget and save for the future. When your own financial house is in order, you don t feel the need to compare yourself to others. 2. Relationally, keep open lines of communication. If you re married, talk to your spouse about how you re feeling. If you re single, find a trusted friend to be an accountability partner. Allow people you trust to be the compass that keeps you moving in the right direction. 3. Spiritually, be generous with your time, talents and resources. Giving is a spiritual exercise because givers reflect the character of God. They understand stewardship and gratitude. They know that they are managers, not owners using God s resources God s way for God s glory. e. Remember that contentment always works better than comparison. i. The Bible emphasizes the power of contentment, and it s still true today. 1. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:11 12 NIV). Paul wrote this letter while under house arrest and awaiting trial before the Roman emperor. LOVE YOUR LIFE NOT THEIRS Sermon Outline - 4
2. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV). Paul wrote this letter while in a Roman prison. Unlike the Philippians passage, he had no real expectation of release. He knew that essentially he was waiting to be martyred. ii. Content people understand who they are in God s eyes. This allows them to display humility and gratitude. 4. CONCLUSION: THE BEST WAY TO QUIT THE COMPARISONS IS TO FOLLOW JESUS. a. In John 21:20 22, Jesus went for a walk with Peter to talk about a few things. John followed them at a distance. b. When Peter turned around and saw John, he asked Jesus, Lord, what about him? c. Jesus told him, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. d. Peter wanted a comparison. He wanted to hold his work up against someone else s work to prove he was doing things right in ministry. Jesus simply wanted a commitment. He wanted Peter to follow the path of faith and obedience that God had laid out just for him. e. Stop comparing yourself to others. Jesus is our standard. If we are becoming more like Him each day, we will be exactly what He wants us to be. In her new book Love Your Life, Not Theirs, Rachel Cruze shines a spotlight on the most damaging money habit we have: comparing ourselves to others. She then unpacks six other healthy money habits for living the life we really want without being buried under debt, stress, and worry. Preorder Now or Learn More. LOVE YOUR LIFE NOT THEIRS Sermon Outline - 5