POWER: Properly Pursuing Excellence

POWER: Properly Pursuing Excellence

A. Why Should We Pursue Excellence?

1. As followers of Jesus, we should pursue excellence because, being made in God’s image,

such a pursuit is us.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky, over livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27)

2. As followers of Jesus, we should pursue excellence because we know that our pursuit

will ultimately be .

“Each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:10b-15)

B. Where Should We Pursue Excellence?

1. We should pursue excellence…

“Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

2. We should pursue excellence…

“This is what the LORD ALMIGHTY, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’” (Jeremiah 29:4-7)

3. We should pursue excellence…

“’Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:36-37)

C. How Should We Pursue Excellence?

1. Recognize that pursuing excellence is not a quest for .

a. Biblical excellence is not about being best, it is about being best.

2. Recognize that pursuing excellence should not be affected by the size of .

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Eccl 9:10a)

“So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

3. Recognize that pursuing excellence should not be affected by the size of

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Eccl 9:10a)

a. Biblical excellence is not about perfection. Biblical excellence is about doing the that you , with the that you .

4. Recognize that pursuing excellence always begins with .

“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Today’s “Big Idea”…

When you Christ,

you will excellence.