Good, Better, Or Best

Good, Better, Best

I. I recently read a book on leadership. One chapter dealt with decision making. The writer pointed out the importance of looking at as many choices as possible. One can face a decision and consider one option, that option may be a good choice; but if it is the only choice considered it cannot be the better choice, because the word better indicates more than one option. He continued - better does not mean best. Best indicates that every available option has been considered.

A. A good choice is not necessarily the better.

B. As the better choice is not necessarily the best.

II. My objective - to point you to the best thing available!

A. Good - the American possibility! Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Chasing the American dream! Good health, good marriage, decent income, good family, much laughter! Life is good

B. Better - The potential of a religious life. Living with moral purity, being righteousness. Maintaining integrity. Anything one does to bring discipline or direction to their life is better than some of the thing they could be doing. If one is Islamic and abstains from alcohol abuse, in some sense, it makes them a better person for the abstention.

C. Best - Discovering the greatest option that is available. Uncovering the magnificent:

1. I am come that they might have life and that more abundantly

III. Cornelius in Acts 10 is a portrait of choices - good, better, and best

A. Good - 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

1. Cornelius was a rather common name. A specific event made it famous. In 82 B.C. Cornelius Sulla liberated 10,000 slaves. All 10,000 took their liberators name to begin a new life. It is possible that this Cornelius was descended from an emancipated slave. It was a good life.

2. He led 1/10 of a legion. Stable position of prestige

B. Better - Cornelius in stationed in Caesarea - surrounded by Jews, he was influenced by their godliness. He began to perform godly acts himself

1. 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

C. Best - 10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

1. Peter comes and preaches the gospel.

2. While he yet spake v. 44 the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.