Excellence | Core Values | Chris Jones
Message Text
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians 5:8-20
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Message Notes
1. Declaration 1 God did not save me with the expectation that I would be mediocre.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
God did not save you so you could be an awful representation of His grace. Paul continually, in his letters to the church, calls us to a more excellent life.
2. Declaration 2 I will find excellence in the perfect will of God.
Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness
We must allow God to define what is excellent and then strive to attain that.
We will find what we were designed to excel in when we find ourselves in the will of God.
Our value system must change.
3. Declaration 3 Excellence is not a destination but a road trip.
Excellence is not something you arrive at it is something you continually strive for.
2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We must be continually moving towards God’s perfect will. The pursuit never ends.
4. Declaration 4 I will use everything to achieve excellence.
Who do you invite on a road trip? Only people you like? Only people you have fun with?
Invite people who will drive you to excellence. Never write off a situation because it’s not going the way you want it to. Embrace the pain and let it drive you to become better.
You are the only one who gets to decide if your mind will be renewed.