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  NOT A FAILURE
  by D.L. Moody
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Summary: D.L. Moody's sermon emphasizes that true success in God's eyes
often appears as failure in the world's view, highlighting the enduring
impact of faithful service.

Topics: "Success in God's Plan", "The Power of Decrease"
Scripture References: Isaiah 55:11, Matthew 5:16, John 3:30, Acts 7:60, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Philippians 1:12, Hebrews 11:32-34, 1 Peter 4:12-13

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DESCRIPTION
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D.L. Moody emphasizes that what may appear as failure in God's work is
often a part of His greater plan. He uses the example of John the
Baptist, whose life and death served to glorify Christ, demonstrating
that true success is measured by the impact one has in pointing others
to Jesus. Moody highlights that even the seemingly insignificant actions
of God's servants can lead to monumental outcomes, as seen in the lives
of Stephen and the apostles. He reassures that God's purpose prevails,
and every apparent setback can lead to a greater victory in His kingdom.
Ultimately, the message is that in our decrease, Christ's increase is
what truly matters.

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CONTENT
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"He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Sometimes it looks as if God's servants fail. When Herod beheaded John
the Baptist, it looked as if John's mission was a failure. But was it?
The voice that rang through the valley of the Jordan rings through the
whole world to-day You can hear its echo upon the mountains and the
valleys yet, "I must decrease, but He must increase." He held up Jesus
Christ and introduced Him to the world, and Herod had not power to
behead him until his life work had been accomplished. Stephen never
preached but one sermon that we know of, and that was before the
Sanhedrim; but how that sermon has been preached again and again all
over the world!

Out of his death probably came Paul, the greatest preacher the world has
seen since Christ left this earth. If a man is sent by Jehovah, there is
no such thing as failure. Was Christ's life a failure? See how His
parables are going through the earth to-day. It looked as if the
apostles had made a failure, but see how much has been accomplished. If
you read the book of Acts, you will see that every seeming failure in
Acts was turned into a great victory Moses wasn't going to fail,
although Pharaoh said with contempt, "Who is God that I should obey
Him?" He found out who God was. He found out that there was a God.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/dl-moody/not-a-failure/
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