Why Be Nominal When We Can Be Phenomenal?

Why Be Nominal When We Can Be Phenomenal?

Romans 8:37; John 10:10; 1 Peter 2:9

A little boy goes into a bakery with endless options but settles for the smallest sugar cookie, even after being offered anything in the shop. Point: Many believers approach God the same way—settling for the bare minimum when He offers abundant life.

Transition: God did not save us to be nominal Christians. He calls us to live as more than conquerors and children of the King.

INTRODUCTION

• Nominal = “in name only,” barely engaged, spiritually passive.

• Phenomenal = abundant, victorious, purposeful, guided by God’s power.

• God’s desire: not minimalism, but maturity; not survival, but significance.

I. GOD CALLS US TO MORE THAN MEDIOCRITY (Romans 8:37) “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

A. God doesn't save us to survive—He saves us to overcome

• The Christian life is not meant to be passive.

• “More than conquerors” = overwhelming victory.

B. We are children of the King

• Identity shapes action.

• Royalty doesn’t live like beggars.

C. God’s promises offer abundance, not mediocrity (See John 10:10)

Application:

• Stop praying like a victim; start praying like a child of God.

• Stop walking in fear; walk in your calling and identity.

II. AMERICA'S HISTORY SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE REFUSE TO BE NOMINAL

A. The Pilgrims—faith worth risking everything

They didn’t settle for lukewarm religion in England.

Their pursuit of authentic faith shaped American beginnings.

B. The Founders—

• Believed liberty was worth dying for

• They could have accepted oppression, but they believed in a nation “under God” with inalienable rights.

C. Revival leaders—awakening shaped culture

• Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Charles Finney

• They preached because they believed God wanted to do something phenomenal in His people and in the nation.

Application: America’s greatest chapters were written by people who believed God had more for them than average, safe, nominal living.

III. WHY BELIEVERS TODAY SETTLE FOR LESS (John 10:10) “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”

A. Comfort - Content with routines; fear of challenge.

B. Distraction - Entertainment, busyness, and trivial pursuits drain spiritual passion.

C. Fear and insecurity - We don't believe God will use us.

D. Forgetting our identity - We act like God’s distant acquaintances rather than His children.

Application: Nominal Christianity produces weak believers and weak churches—just when our nation needs strong, phenomenal faith.

IV. WHAT PHENOMENAL CHRISTIANITY LOOKS LIKE (1 Peter 2:9)“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…”

A. Living with purpose - Knowing you have a God-given mission.

B. Walking in spiritual authority - Praying, serving, witnessing with confidence.

C. Resisting cultural decay - Standing strong when others compromise.

D. Loving boldly - Serving, forgiving, encouraging, representing Christ.

E. Influencing your nation - Phenomenal believers shape families, churches, and communities.

Application: You don’t need a title to be phenomenal—you just need obedience and faith.

V. HOW TO MOVE FROM NOMINAL TO PHENOMENAL

A. Rediscover your identity in Christ - Know who you are before you try to do anything.

B. Deepen spiritual habits - Prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship.

C. Serve with excellence - Embrace God’s work with enthusiasm and joy.

D. Step out in faith - Phenomenal believers take steps ordinary people avoid.

E. Expect God to work - Faith is anticipation, not hesitation (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

CONCLUSION — “Don’t Settle for a Cookie When God Offers the Bakery”

God has:

• called you

• equipped you

• strengthened you

• empowered you

Not to be nominal, but to be phenomenal.

He offers an abundant life.

He offers victory.

He offers purpose.

He offers identity.

The only question is:

Will we settle… or will we rise?