Introduction:
Good morning, my brothers and sisters in Christ! It’s always a privilege to be with you.
I want to speak on something today that I believe is deeply relevant to every single one of us here -“Failing Forward.”
Proverbs 24:16,
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Romans 8:28,
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
OPENING SCRIPTURES:
Let me start by asking:
How many of us have ever failed? Maybe it was a business that didn’t take off, an exam that we didn’t pass, a marriage that's not working, a relationship that fell apart, or even a promise to God that we couldn’t keep.
I think we can all agree that failure is something we have experienced in one form or another.
But here’s the truth-failure is not final. In fact, God uses our failures as opportunities to move us forward into the plans He has for us.
The world may tell you that failure is something to be ashamed of, but in God’s hands, failure can become a powerful tool for growth and transformation.
We All Fall, But We Get Back Up (Proverbs 24:16)
The Bible says in Proverbs 24:16, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again...” This verse tells us two important things:
First, it’s okay to fall. Even the most righteous person will stumble and make mistakes. Sometimes, we think as believers we have to have everything together all the time. But that's not the case! You and I will face failures in life-maybe more times than we’d like to admit.
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Second, the difference between those who stay down and those who rise is resilience. God calls us to get back up every time we fall. He doesn't count our failures against us. He’s cheering us on to rise again and again.
Think about Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. He failed Jesus badly by denying Him three times. But did that end Peter’s story?
No! Jesus restored him, and Peter went on to become a leader in the early church. Peter’s failure didn’t define him; his response to that failure did.
God Works Through Our Failures (Romans 8:28)
Romans 8:28 is one of the most comforting scriptures: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
This means that even your failures are part of God’s plan for your growth. I know sometimes when we fail, it feels like God is far away. We wonder, "Why did God allow this to happen to me?"
But God is sovereign, and He is able to use every failure, every mistake, every misstep to accomplish something good in your life.
Think about Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery.
He was wrongly accused and thrown into prison. By all accounts, Joseph had plenty of reasons to give up. But God had a bigger plan.
What looked like failure was actually setting Joseph up for promotion.
He became second-in- command in Egypt, saving his family and an entire nation.
Sometimes, our greatest failures lead to our greatest breakthroughs.
You might be here today feeling like you’ve hit rock bottom in some area of your life-your business, your marriage, your career. But I want to encourage you, God is not finished with you yet!
What looks like failure to you might be the very thing God is using to elevate you to the next level.
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul writes, “...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal...” Paul understood that you can’t move forward if you keep looking back.
Yes, you’ve made mistakes.
Yes, you’ve failed. But you can look ahead, something lies ahead.
Imagine trying to drive a car while constantly looking in the rearview mirror. You’ll crash! That’s why Paul encourages us to keep pressing forward. Don’t let yesterday’s failure steal tomorrow’s victory.
Maybe you’ve tried to start a business multiple times, and it just hasn’t worked. Or maybe you’ve prayed for a change in your life, but things seem to get worse instead of better. Don’t give up! God isn’t finished with you yet.
Paul had every reason to dwell on his past mistakes. He persecuted Christians before his encounter with Christ. But he didn’t let that define him. Instead, he kept moving forward, focusing on God’s calling on his life.
What's your own failure that thing holding you back?
It's time to forgive yourself and let go. You've carried the burden enough, lay it at His fit. There is more ahead! Brace up dear warrior.
Examples of Failing Forward:
Let’s look at a few examples from the Bible where failure was a stepping stone to greatness:
- Peter’s Denial: Peter denied Jesus when it mattered most. But after his repentance, he became a key figure in spreading the gospel. His failure led to a deeper understanding of grace.
- David’s Moral Failure: David sinned gravely with Bathsheba, but after repenting, he was still called a man after God’s heart. God didn’t throw him away because of his mistakes.
- Moses’ Anger: Moses lost his temper and struck the rock instead of speaking to it, but God still used him to deliver Israel and gave him the honor of being remembered as one of the greatest prophets.
How Do We Fail Forward?
- Repent and Learn: When we fail, we must humble ourselves and turn back to God.
Failure is an opportunity to grow if we allow it to refine us.
- Trust in God’s Grace: God’s grace is sufficient for us, even in our failures. His grace doesn’t just cover our sins; it empowers us to rise again.
- Get Up and Try Again:
Failure isn’t the end. Get back up! Proverbs 24:16 says the righteous person may fall seven times but rises again. You may fail at a business idea, a project, or even a personal goal, but that doesn't mean you’re done. Keep going!
Philippians 3:13-14
No, Christian brothers, I do not have that life yet. But I do one thing. I forget everything that is behind me and look forward to that which is ahead of me.
My eyes are on the crown. I want to win the race and get the crown of God’s call from heaven through Christ Jesus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to leave you with this thought: Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the journey to success. God uses failure to shape us, to teach us, and to prepare us for His purpose. So the next time you fall, don’t stay down. Get back up, and fail forward.
Remember, God is more interested in your progress than your perfection. He’s not counting how many times you fall but how many times you rise.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word today. We acknowledge that failure is a part of our journey, but we thank You for Your grace that allows us to rise again. Teach us to see failure as an opportunity to grow, to trust You more, and to move forward in faith. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you to keep moving forward, no matter how many times you fall. Amen.
Posted by Bro-samuel-wheto
Oct. 6, 2024, 10:37 a.m.