“THE VERY BEST”
Perth Bible Church Sunday August 16, 2009 AM
Rev. Todd G. Leupold
Setting: removed pulpit, wooden cross center stage
OPEN:
I believe that one of the most dangerous combinations of two words in the English language is . . . “Good Enough.” Confused? Think about it. How much is held back, left undone, put aside, and stopped short because someone (perhaps you, perhaps me) decided “Hey, it’s good enough.” In other words, “I/we could DO more, but why bother. I/we could BE more, but why bother. I/we already did enough and it’s good enough.”
How far does that attitude really get us, though? In 2001, the highly esteemed business teacher and consultant, Jim Collins, published a book that took the world by storm and became an instant classic and ’must read’ in every business school in America and many more around the world. The title: Good To Great. The Premise: The companies that achieve sustained success are the ones that refuse to settle for “good enough” and strive relentlessly for nothing less than “great.”
Similarly I believe that perhaps the single most dangerous word in the English language is . . . “average.” What’s wrong with that? Nothing at all if you are spiritually dead in your sins and without Christ in your life. But those who have been saved from their sins, spiritually enlivened, and are indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit of the Living God should NEVER be average or ordinary. Anyone who is actively living in the Spirit of Christ and guided by the Mighty Hand of the LORD God Most High must be extra-ordinary!
Yet, how often we fall down, fall behind, or plain fall by the wayside.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (25) Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. (26) Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. (27) Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Dim lights, and keep such throughout rest of service
ILLUSTRATION: “The Death Crawl”
- clip from the movie Facing The Giants (scene 12) 7:15 mins.
as clip is playing move off to side and sit at piano. Preach from here following clip.
Life in this sin savaged world is a seemingly never-ending Death Crawl. Only, instead of carrying a classmate who is gripping onto our backs and doesn’t want you to shake him off, we carry other much more difficult burdens – Fear, Uncertainty, Bitterness, Unforgiveness, Sickness Distraction, Pride, Selfishness, Personal Agendas, Embarrassment, Anger, Unreconciled Relationships, etc.
We rebel, we slow down, we look for another route because we believe the burden is too great and something we should not have to carry.
We expect that, because of Christ, our path should be wide, easy and a matter of following the crowd. Even in spite of His words about the “Narrow Path.
Jesus Himself warned:
Luke 14:27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
We protest and look for alternatives.
We cry out to Him “You ask too much, I’ve already put my faith in you. I’ve done such and such. I think that should be good enough. It’s not fair to ask more. I don’t think I can give more.”
But Jesus tells us:
1 Timothy 4:16 Be conscientious about yourself and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
“But, Lord, doing any more is too hard. Perhaps another day.”
“But, Jesus, it hurts to keep enduring this, it hurts to keep trying. I’m tired and frustrated. I don’t see any end.”
“Oh, Father God, the task before me is so heavy. I’m running out of strength.”
His answer: “Give Me Your Very Best. Don’t stop, don’t quit, give me your very best.”
Worship Video: “Find Us Faithful” - Steve Green (4:51 mins)
2 Timothy 4:1-8 Before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, I solemnly charge you: (2) proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. (3) For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. (4) They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. (5) But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (6) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.
“Oh, Spirit of the Living God, it burns!
It hurts! I can’t do it, I can’t make it. Just give me a break. Perhaps, even, ask someone else to come in and finish for me.”
His answer: “Give Me Your Very Best. Don’t stop, don’t quit, give me your very best.”
Romans 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, (4) endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. (5) This hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
“Almighty God, just let me try something else. Let me serve you another way, another place, another time. Just let me stop now and I’ll give my very best on the next thing/time/place/person.”
His answer: “Give Me Your Very Best. Don’t stop, don’t quit, give me your very best.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.
- “Yes, Lord Jesus, yes! I want to, I really do. But I don’t know how. I don’t know what or where? There are so many things calling, so many opportunities and requests. What is most important to You for me to give my Very Best?”
Mark 12:29-31 "This is the most important," Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, The Lord is One. (30) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (31) "The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these."
Worship Video: “The Mission” - Steve Green (4:48 mins)
walk to center stage, beside the cross and continue
CHALLENGE:
Brothers and sisters. People of God by His blood. Members of the Body of Christ at Perth Bible Church.
I know it’s hard. I know it can be inconvenient. I understand the many challenges and burdens we have individually and together. I know the temptation to do and even be pleased with less, to depend instead on others, to justify other pursuits, or to blame someone else.
But, before God Almighty, can you really say you are giving Him your very best? Your very best attitude? Your very best investment of time? Talent? Treasure?
When it’s hard, it hurts, the burdens are heavy, you burn, you feel like you are running out of strength?
It feels like you keep trying but are getting nowhere fast? You think you or your team is going in the wrong direction? You keep investing in PBC but see the same old problems and obstacles appearing on the path again and again? The crowd of friends chanting for you to just give up, go a different way, or join a different team keeps getting larger and louder?
Don’t quit, don’t stop, keep going, your very best, keep going!
Not because I ask it, but because Jesus deserves it and you truly love Him so!
Don’t quit, don’t stop, keep going, your very best, keep going!
I need you. God has gifted you, every one of you and placed you in this place at this time. PBC needs you. The people of Fulton-Montgomery Counties need you at your very best.
Jesus desires you at your very best.
Can we count on you?
Even when you’re distressed? Can we count on you?
Even when you’re upset? Can we count on you?
Even when you’re confused? Can we count on you?
Even when you’re weak? Can we count on you?
If so, let me ask you to do something tangible to show it. This one time at least, let’s be willing to be a little uncomfortable. Let’s be willing to be public. Let’s be willing to stop being spectators and become participators. Can we count on you? If the answer is truly yes, come and join me at the cross. I’m just going to ask this once. I won’t repeat myself, beg or plead. I won’t even be looking. Between you and the LORD, chose how you will respond.
As Christ emptied Himself for us @ the cross, so let us empty ourselves for Him!
Worship Video: “Empty Me” - Chris Sligh (4:13 mins)
Worship Video: “I Offer My Life” - Don Moen (4:24 mins)
