25 Nov Is The Quest For Excellence Biblical?
Preacher Huijun - 8 January 2015
Restoring A Gospelised Culture
Christian living is not merely positional, i.e. God doesn’t give us the full gospel and Holy Spirit indwelling just to secure ourselves a place heaven. The grace and love of God is not a direct entrance ticket to heaven when we leave this world. Deeper than this, God’s grace and love are always with us even today, so that we can always meet God in all our situations, propelling us to increasingly abandon our old ways, thinking and nature and start living in the power of gospel at where we are and in all that we’re doing. Christian living is an ongoing self-gospelization process centering on the promise of God and unstoppable help of the Holy Spirit. As we resolve into living out Christ in all of our areas, the full gospel we root ourselves on will also create in us a heart of indebtedness to others, so much so that our hearts are also expanded by this full gospel, and evangelising to our family, closed friends, right to the people who’re different than us. Remnants have to start living in the gospel we’ve listened repeatedly. Before we seek to confirm Lord’s word, they’ll remain theoretical and vague. But as we confirm the Word until it becomes our values and heartbeat, we’ll start to think, decide and act in Christ, bringing a gospel culture around us. The Lord will surely fulfil His Great Commission through the gospel culture we have and through the mutual edification of His children.
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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