25 Nov Is The Quest For Excellence Biblical?
Deacon Hui Zhen - 28 August 2014
Preach Gospel To Yourself Daily
As children of God, we need to always examine ourselves if the truth we have always heard become have become our spiritual state. Can we look to Father, always listening and following Him in all things, just like Lord Jesus. There're moments in our journey of faith that we seem to enter into a spiritual stupor. As we continue serving in the church or hearing the gospel, our faith does not seem to grow deeper in Christ, and we do not seem to draw closer to God. Situations and information seem to rob away our joy easily, distorting our judgment core and peace without even us knowing. The truth that gives birth to us call us to be God's child, one with an unchanging relationship with God. It is this relationship that gives us strength to look to Father for strength and wisdom daily. With the complete truth, we ought to tear down the "old written code" that Satan hideously put in our lives that stop us from hearing the living and active conviction of the Holy Spirit. And often, we have entered into a complacent state, forgetting to repeatedly connect and confirm the truth we have heard through deep prayers. The fruit of genuine faith [vs religion] is strength, love, and grace of God, it means we should have daily recharge, daily renewal and daily regeneration. As much as preaching gospel to others is important, we should all the more preach the gospel to ourselves daily so that we will not fall into spiritual stupor. Be led by the living and active word of God daily. The Word of God does not only bring comfort, it operates into the depths of our souls, penetrating, exposing and revealing the spots that need healing. The journey with Abba Father is always so true and active.
From Series: "All English Service"
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Is The Quest For Excellence Biblical?
We are living in a merited world, and the quest for excellence does not escape the eyes of men. Likewise, many Christians pray for excellence in what they are doing, so that they can testify the blessing of the Lord. Yet is that kind of strive for excellence right to start with? And is the quest for excellence biblical after all?
Verses to read:
<Dan 1:2-5,8; 19-20; 2:17-19>
<Php 1:9-10> <2 Cor 8:7> <1 Cor 12:31>
Introduction
- Human being possesses the sense of excellence.
- The World is merit driven, thus excellence focus.
– School ⟹ Grades, Achievements
– Workplace ⟹ Performance
– Church and ministry?
King Saul
<1 Sam 14:52>: All the days of King Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.
Daniel in Babylon
<Dan 1:3-4>: Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.
*** Heart Vs Excellence
1. Worldliness Vs Christianity
1) The World believes in Superiority, thereby pushes everyone to pursue Excellence.
2) Yet, the Christian call is first about Purpose.
- Therefore, even with purpose, there must be a Purpose for that excellence.
** Consider carefully:
E.g. Daniel and friends: Were they 10 times wiser than all the magicians and enchanters first, or did they set themselves apart first?
E.g. David: Was he anointed as king after he beaten Goliath or before? Did he glorify God as a shepherd boy or after he became king?
E.g. Joseph: Did Jospeh glorify God when he was the PM of Egypt or when he was a slave, a prisoner.
** Yet the Bible did NOT say we can be cavalier about studying, learning and working. In fact, getting the purpose right pushes us towards a Spirit-driven excellence.
2. With godly purpose right, pursue excellence in 5 areas:
1) Achieve excellence in the knowledge and application of truth
2) Embrace excellence in the grace of giving
3) Pursue excellence in gifting through serving
4) Seek excellence in loving others
5) Seek excellence while knowing there is a price to excellence
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