25 Nov Is The Quest For Excellence Biblical?
Pastor Vincent - 10 October 2013
Follow The Lord's Instruction Closely In Spiritual Battle
It is human nature to worry about tomorrow. What if I can't do this, what if things don't work well tomorrow.. what if we often let what has yet to happen to rob away our present happiness in Lord. Before Jericho, the Lord said to Joshua, " See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.." God is always there, He is always present in your sadness, your current helplessness, your current family problem, relationship problems and even your insufficiency. But we often forget, we are often being frightened by what have yet to comeÉ the what if's in your mind - Satan is always instilling the fear, the deceptions and confuse our spirits so that we cannot look at the truth of God and draw strength from it. Behind the problem we are seeing everyday is actually the deeper spiritual battles that we need to fight against Satan - who is attacking us in every possible way just to divert us away from God's truth so that we feel the gospel irrelevant. But God has a precise instruction to our problems now, so that we can stand against the devil's scheme. Be in sync with God, hear what the Lord says and follow it carefully. As we wait upon the Lord and see what He is doing right now in our lives, we will then not be distracted by Satan into following our own desires and emotions. The Lord is not slow in fulfilling His promise and He has time for everything, therefore, go into prayer and ask God to reveal the very next thing we can do while waiting for His timetable. As we develop the instinct to hear Him through prayers, our faithful God will not hide from you and when the perfect time comes, your Jericho will be conquered, as you become more intimate with God.
From Series: "All English Service"
More From "All English Service"
|
The Covenant To The New Generation19 September 2013 |
|
|
Answers We Need To Receive For Evangelism26 September 2013 |
|
|
The Way Of Evangelism: Christ Convictions3 October 2013 |
|
|
Follow The Lord's Instruction Closely In Spiritual Battle10 October 2013 |
|
|
Beware Of The Influence Of Sin17 October 2013 |
|
|
Pray To Receive Transcending Power24 October 2013 |
|
|
The Undeserved Became The Deserving31 October 2013 |
|
|
Great Victory Comes Through Partnership With God7 November 2013 |
|
|
No Problem Too Big If You Obey14 November 2013 |
|
|
A Different Spirit That Follows The Lord Wholeheartedly21 November 2013 |
|
Powered by Series Engine
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
No Comments