Sunday Service: 22/01/2023
Supporting Scripture: Genesis 1:31
Title of Message: The Pursuit of Excellence
Delivered by: Pastor Mercy
Today I want us to talk about excellence and the pursuit of it in our lives.
The Oxford Dictionary defines Excellence as the quality of being outstanding or extremely good and comes from the word excel.
The word excel is defined as, “to do or be better than; to surpass.”
Excellence from the viewpoint of the world is defined in terms of competition, of surpassing others, usually for self-glory or a sense of significance or to achieve the praise and applause of other people.
From a Biblical perspective, excellence is a virtue and we, as disciples of Jesus, should always pursue excellence.
Whether we are washing dishes at home or washing windows for a living, whether we are running a business or running a small group, whether we are the CEO of a company or the cleaner of the company, we are to do it to the glory of God and with excellence.
God is a God of excellence, and He wants us His children to excel in our endeavours. (Genesis chapter 1:31a)
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”
I have come across many Christians who are lazy; they just sit at home and do nothing. They (won’t study, attend service, accept responsibility, etc.). Some have a quitter’s spirit – quick to start something but have no endurance (Luke 8:13) Some are content to be mediocre – never give their best at anything. Some don’t know how to do any better. Some have lost their first love (Revelation 2:4). The spark, enthusiasm of new birth is gone. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
God wants us to pursue and do the best we can with the gifts and abilities He has given us, giving our best to the glory of God. Living our lives, the way Jesus wants us to. Excellence is a way of life that needs to be at the centre of how we live our lives. We are called to abound or excel in Christian character, particularly in the various ways we express our love for God and for one another. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Paul also wrote to the Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
In other words, we should let every detail in our lives, our words, actions, our jobs, and the way we treat each other, be done in a way that pleases our Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father for all things.
Why would Paul encourage Christians to give their best effort in every area?
I believe the reason is that mediocrity produces apathy. It is so easy to fall into the trap of settling for the status-quo instead of putting in effort to strive for excellence. In fact, there is a big difference between doing a good job and doing something with excellence. Excellence always requires much more work and sacrifice. Consider the sacrifice God made by letting His Son die in our place. Wouldn’t you agree that He deserves the very best we can give in return? In all things, we as followers of Jesus, are to pursue excellence, for the glory of God.
Aristotle the ancient Greek philosopher and scientist put it this way: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
The pursuit of excellence is something we must continue to do until God calls us home.
Excellence means being your best.
Excellence means being better today than you were yesterday.
Excellence means matching your practice with your potential.
The pursuit of excellence has a cost that some are not willing to pay – it requires sacrifice and commitment.
Humanly speaking, excellence may be difficult to achieve, but that should not stop us from trying. When we ask God, He will help us. The Holy Spirit can work in us and through us to change and transform our lives. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Nothing we do for the Lord is ever useless.
Whatever we do, whether it is viewed by people as important or insignificant, regardless of what it is, it deserves our best, and should reflect God’s honour and His glory.
Friends, the pursuit of excellence will fuel our fire, the pursuit of excellence will keep us from just drifting through our days.
Life is full of opportunities and there is much to be done before God calls us to our eternal rest. God has given us strength, abilities, and spiritual gifts that we can use to bring glory and honour and praise to Him. Begin to take advantage of that.
By God’s grace and mercy, and by the power of The Holy Spirit, may each one of us experience spiritual growth and maturity as in the pursuit of excellence we discover our destiny. Amen!