Excellence as a Way of Life - Motivacional -2024

Point 1 - With Your Whole Heart

we are called to live a life of excellence by giving our best effort in everything we do.

Reference Daniel 6:3 to illustrate how Daniel distinguished himself because of his excellent spirit, rooted in his approach to work and commitment to God.

Daniel 6:2–4 NLT

The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

With Your Whole Heart

As believers in Christ, we are called to live a life of excellence in all we do.

This means that we should strive to do everything with our whole heart, giving our best effort and attention to detail.

Daniel 6:3 shows that Daniel became distinguished above all others because of his excellent spirit.

This excellence did not come from his position or title but from his approach to his work and commitment to God.

Excellence is only associated with leadership and corporates.

It is pursued by leaders to lead their organisations, their families, and their partnerships.

But it is way more connected with the supreme Creator.

Excellence is exemplified not only by God our Father and the Lord Jesus, His Son, but also by His followers.

It is also expected in us as His disciples.

God, who has created all of us differently, has given us the power to perceive everything differently.

Because of these differences, we all have our own perception of excellence, so we define excellence differently.

So, tell me, what does Excellence mean to you?

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, as Beethoven composed music, or as Shakespeare wrote poetry.”

Whatever we do in our life, be it in our career or personal lives or for others, we should strive to do our best.

The measure of our success should not be attached to a particular career or what we earn but to our character and our commitment.

Excellence is not just about achieving success in our careers or personal lives, but it is about being faithful stewards of the gifts and abilities that God has given us.

As Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

Colossians 3:23 NIV

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

This means that we should approach our work as if we are doing it for God Himself and not just for the approval or recognition of others.

We must do everything entrusted to us with a 100% commitment or wholeheartedly.

My personal conviction is that if anything is worth doing, it is worth doing with all our commitment, wholeheartedly or not.

Excellence is also about developing our character and cultivating a spirit of integrity.

Proverbs 22:29 NIV

Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

This means that when we do our work with excellence and integrity, we will be recognised and rewarded for it.

In conclusion,

let us strive to live a life of excellence with our whole hearts, giving our best effort in all we do.

Let us approach our work as if we are doing it for God Himself and not just for the approval of others.

And let us seek to cultivate a spirit of integrity so that we may be recognised and rewarded for our efforts.

May God help us to be excellent, just as He is excellent. Amen.

Point 2 - Influence Through Excellence

Introduction:

Good morning, everyone. Today, we are going to explore what it means to live a life of excellence and how that can influence the world around us.

Our focus will be on the words of Jesus from Matthew 5:13-16, where He tells us, "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world."

Matthew 5:13–16 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

These powerful metaphors of salt and light teach us about the transformative power of Christian living.

As we delve into this passage, we will discover how we can become beacons of hope and sources of moral preservation in a world that often seems to be in decay.

Point 2: The Call to Be Salt and Light

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Illustration:

Imagine a lighthouse on a stormy night, its beam cutting through the darkness, guiding ships safely to shore. This is a picture of what our lives should be like—guiding others to Christ through our actions and integrity.

Application

In your workplace, strive to be known for your honesty and hard work. In your family, be a source of encouragement and support. In your community, be involved and show compassion. By living with integrity and excellence, we can make a positive impact on those around us.

Point 2: The Impact of Living a Life of Excellence

Real-life Example

Consider the story of a person in your community who is known for their integrity and excellence. Perhaps it's a teacher who goes the extra mile for their students or a business leader who runs their company with honesty and fairness. Their dedication and high standards not only make them successful but also positively influence everyone around them.

Reasoning

Living excellently in all areas allows us to be a beacon of hope and a source of moral preservation in a decaying world. Just as salt preserves and flavors food, our lives can preserve moral values and bring a positive influence to our surroundings.

Application

Reflect on how you can excel in your daily tasks. Are there areas where you can improve and shine brighter? How can your actions inspire others to seek God and His kingdom?

Point 3: The Worthiness of Belief and Commitment

Argumentation

This mandate to be salt and light comes directly from Jesus, making it both reasonable and essential for believers. When we live according to His teachings, we not only honor God but also become powerful witnesses for Christ.

Illustration

Let me share with you the story of Jane, an exceptional nurse. Through her dedication and excellence in caring for her patients, Jane became a powerful witness for Christ. Her kindness, patience, and professional excellence drew people to her, and through her actions, many came to know the love of Christ.

Application

Think about how you can apply this in your life. Maybe it's through your profession, your hobbies, or your interactions with others. Aim to live in a way that reflects God’s love and excellence in every aspect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, living a life of excellence is a way to honor God and influence others positively. By being the salt and light, we can guide others to Christ and preserve moral values in our world.

Call to Action

I invite you today to commit to a life of excellence. Reflect on how you can be the salt and light in your daily lives, and pray for God's strength and guidance to shine brightly for Him.

Prayer

"Lord, enable us to bring You glory by being Salt and Light in this world. Help us to live lives of excellence in all that we do, so that others may see Your love through us and be drawn to You. Amen."

Practical Applications:

1. Workplace Integrity

- Application: Commit to ethical practices, even when it's difficult or when others around you may not.

- Parallel: Consider Joseph in Genesis, who maintained his integrity in Potiphar's house and in prison, ultimately influencing all of Egypt.

2. Family Life

- Application: Be a pillar of support, love, and moral guidance in your family.

- Parallel: Reflect on the Proverbs 31 woman who influences her household through her diligence and care.

3. Community Involvement:

- Application: Volunteer for community services, help those in need, and show kindness to your neighbors.

- Parallel: Think of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), whose actions spoke volumes more than words ever could.

4. Personal Growth:

- Application: Pursue continuous improvement in your spiritual life, career, and personal relationships.

- Parallel: The Apostle Paul, who despite his many achievements, constantly strove to grow closer to Christ (Philippians 3:12-14).

Conclusion

Summarize the key points, emphasizing the importance of living a life of excellence in heart, effort, and influence. Encourage self-examination and commitment to improving areas where excellence can be pursued. Offer practical steps such as prayer, Bible study, and serving others. Close with a prayer for God's guidance and strength in pursuing excellence, and end with an inspirational charge from Philippians 1:9-10, encouraging the congregation to honor God in all they do by striving for excellence.