OVERCOMING MEDIOCRITY
INTRODUCTION: For many, what we give to God is little more than our leftovers. We have allowed society to entice us with its many “things” and rationalize that God wants us to be happy. While I cannot deny that God desires the best for His creation, we must realize that he also requires our best. There are 168 hours in a week or 8736 hours in a year. If you are the average Christian in America, you spend 2184 of those hours sleeping, 1092 hours eating, 1820 hours watching television, 2496 hours working, 91 hours reading your Bible, 30 hours praying and 104 hours attending Church. The other 919 hours are spent working around the home, bathing and so on. If these figures are true, is God really getting our best?
I)Overcoming Mediocrity Means Living Differently
2 Cor. 10:3
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.
i.We live in a hostile, negative World
ii.We are engulfed in mediocrity and Cynicism.
1. Close enough for government work.
a.Vision: Seeing beyond the Majority
i.Moses & the Children of Israel
ii.Joshua & Caleb
Numbers 13:25-30
When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, 26they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. 27Thus they told him, and said, "We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28"Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29"Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan."
30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it."
b.Priorities: Determining What Comes First
1.Attitude
2.Belief
3.Determination
i.Jesus: I came to seek and save that which was lost
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 4:42-43
And when day came, He departed and went to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from going away from them. 43But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might d better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things
I got nothing I asked for –
But everything I hoped for…
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.
Unknown Confederate Soldier
c.Accountability: Answering the Hard Questions
Four qualities associated with accountability
i.Vulnerability
ii.Teachability
iii.Availability
iv.Honesty
1.Accountability to God is inescapable.
Matthew 12:35-36
"The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil. 36"And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment.
2.Accountability to Spiritual Leaders is commanded
1 Cor. 16:13-16
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done in love.
15Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
3.Accountability to one another is helpful and healthy
Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Romans 15:14
And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another.
Galatians 5:25-6:2
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. 6:1Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
4.David to Nathan (II Sam. 12
5.Jesus to God (Luke 22:42)
II)Combating Mediocrity Requires Fighting Fiercely
i.Slaying the Dragon of Traditionalism
Pot Roast
1.Jesus and the Religious Leaders of His day
a.He associated with Tax collectors
b.He associated with prostitutes
c.He associated with Samaritans
ii.Removing the Blahs from Today
The long, dull, monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged adversity are excellent campaigning weather.
C.S.Lewis
III)Resisting Mediocrity Includes Standing Courageously
i.Standing Alone When Outnumbered
1.Shadrack
2.Job
3.Jesus
ii.Standing Tall When Tested
1.Job
2.Jesus
a.Standing tall starts with the way we think
b.Standing tall calls for strong discipline
c.Standing tall limits your choice of personal friends
Shopping in Tijuana two girls found what they thought was a Chihuahua struggling for its life. They smuggled across the border determined to nurse it back to health. When the small animal only got worse they rushed it to an emergency animal clinic in town. The vet immediately asked where they had gotten the animal. Fearing that they were in trouble the claimed to be watching it for a friend. The vet responded, “I am not letting you leave until you tell me where you got this animal” The responded where were shopping in Tijuana when we found the sick Chihuahua. The interrupted, “this is no Chihuahua, this is a rabid Mexican rat!
What they thought was harmless was in fact very dangerous.
The same is true for us. Relationships that we think are harmless can be very dangerous to your faith. Peer pressure can be down right deadly.
iii.Standing Firm When Discouraged
1.Job
Romans 15:5
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;
2.Gideon: Focus on the Lord not the odds against you.
3.Do not accept the glory after God has used you life.
Conclusion: Is God really getting your best? Be all that you can be in God’s Army.
