The Spirit of Excellence

Hebrews 8:1–6 NKJV

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Excellent (Webster): Superior, Very Good of Its Kind, First-Class

Jesus Obtained a More Excellent Ministry

High Priest, the Order of Melchizedek

Seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

A Minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the Lord erected, not man

Mediator of a better covenant established on better promises

God is a God of Excellence

Everything He created was good, it was VERY good!

God’s Servants are to Reflect the Spirit of Excellence

Solomon was a Man of Excellence

1 Kings 4:30 NKJV

Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 10:4–9 NKJV

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

Daniel was a Man of Excellence

Daniel 5:12 NKJV

Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

Daniel 6:3 NKJV

Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.

Mediocrity brings a Curse

Jeremiah 48:10 NKJV

Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully, And cursed is he who keeps back his sword from blood.

“Deceitfully” means “with laxness” or “with slackness”. It is being satisfied with poor rather than excellent quality.

Strive for Excellence

Excellence is NOT perfection.

Excellence IS:

Doing the best you can with what God has given you.

Many have much and do little. Others have little and do much.

Going the extra mile.

Putting the icing on the cake.

Refusing to settle for second best.

Never being satisfied with less than your best.

Never being satisfied with less than God deserves.

Allowing creativity to take you to a new level of excellence.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”

Excellence Brings Favor and Promotion

Excellence will get you the attention of those in positions of power and influence.

Proverbs 22:29 NKJV

Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

Excellence in God’s House

2 Timothy 2:20–21 NKJV

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Two Types of Vessels

Honorable - silver and gold

Dishonorable - wood and earth

What kind of vessel will you be?

Philippians 1:9–10 NKJV

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

Response to the Word

God is a God of excellence

Jesus obtained a more excellent ministry

Repent of laxness and laziness in the work of God

Strive for excellence for the glory of God

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.