Excellence

4 November 2007

“EXCELLENCE”

2 Peter 1:1-8

To be great.  To make great

I wan to work with this word excellence today.  For so often in our lives and our Christian walk, we do just enough to get by.  WE have started to settle for mediocrity.   We are being slowly extinguished by our failure to seek and embody excellence. 

I’ve been reading the new book by Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint, “COME ON PEOPLE”   Trying to address the issues that move us from Victims to victors.  I should make this required reading for you.    It’s a strong and honest lament about what we are failing to do to take charge of our very lives.

In order to get to this word, we have to do some groundwork.  IN the Book of Genesis, we find this notion that humanity was made in the image and likeness of God.  The Imago Dei, In God’s image.  Meaning that we have within us the reflection of who God is,  

This is a great challenge for humanity because we do not always live into our identity as in God’s image but we are to aspire for the qualities and distinctives that are of God.  AS God is holy, we are to strive for holiness

 As God is love, we are to aspire to be loving people

The argument then goes, if God is excellent, we ought to strive for excellence.  

Sense of nobility

Psalm 16.3

Most of the references in the scripture refer to aspects of God but there are a few that refer to us.  They warrant a closer look.

The word, excellence is not easily seen.  It goes by other names, virtue.  Moral character   . 

Phil. 4.8

Cannot have excellence without virtue

A Biblical location for a solid definition of EXCELLENCE

Phil. 1:9-11

Overflowing Love +  More Knowledge + full Insight.

Education as a means of excellence

Daniel 5:12,14; 6:3

If you are God’s you are to strive to do everything to God’s glory.  Give God your best.

1 Peter 2.9

The Church needs to be a place of excellence

1 Cor. 14.12

Offering and sacrifice.   The word carries with it both quality and quantity

Hebrews 11:4

How the prodigal son came home

Luke 15: 

I can do better than this!

Back to original text

2 Peter 1:9-11