Message this week: Excellence

This coming Sunday at Pleasant View I will be teaching on Excellence as a character quality of a Superhero. Excellence can mean a lot of things to different people. What does execellence look like in your life, work, and efforts? How do you know that "excellence" has been achieved? Comments welcome.

Trustworthy

I talked Sunday about how God tests us with this question, "Can I be trusted with my power and influence to do good, to help, to make a difference?"

Many folks may think they have no power or influence, but we all do. We all have some level of influence and power in relationships and organizations. Are you using this "power" God has given you to do good? Will you be trustworthy with little, passing the test to be trusted with more?

What influence do you have and how are you using it for good, God's purposes in this world?

Superhero Training

What makes a superhero? Especially the kind of superheroes of the faith that our world needs today? I started this series on Sunday that will focus on different character qualities of a superhero. The first was initiative/gumption/buying up the opportunity.

The person in the Bible I talked about Sunday was Zacchaeus. Making the most of his opportunity to just see Jesus, a whole new future opened up to him. Had he not taken initiative to climb the tree, Jesus would not have had dinner in his home.

Imagine the good futures that could develope in your life if you take the initiative to buy up opportunities that pass your way. Have your radar tuned in this week to opportunities to aggressively do good for others. Who knows what may develop? Superheroes don't wait around to watch others do good. They boldly act while others watch.

What is so "good" about good Friday?

Ever wonder why Good Friday is called good? This is a day that is remembered as crucifixion day, execution day for one who had done nothing wrong. Not only had Jesus sought to do good, he had even sought good for those who were his enemies.

He said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Jesus taught that the ethic of the Kingdom of God involves turning the other cheek and going the extra mile (double any reasonable obligation). On this day, "good" Friday, Jesus demonstrated what the Kingdom of God looks like. Evil being overcome by good looks like Jesus on the cross. Walking into the teeth of evil, he faced the cross unafraid. Goodness towards even one's enemies is how the ultimate battle against evil would be won.

As he said, "It is finished," evil was struck with a mortal blow, not with a sword but love.

How do you and I respond to evil that we encounter? What can make good come from evil? Acts of loving sacrifice. What actions will we be required to face evil unafraid, not with a weapons of this world but a cross of love. May your acts of "good"ness today be cross shaped.

Be a Bridge and Not a Wall

Walls communicate, “You stay on your side, and I will stay on mine.”

Bridges say, “You’re welcome to come over. We are connected.”

God wants the walls that divide people to crumble so that no one is excluded from His love. God also wants us to appreciate our diversity as mankind. When Jesus announced that the Kingdom of God was at hand, he declared that a new race of people was being re-born, a new genesis. A new beginning in which all people could have something in common: a relationship with God Almighty. Walls bring divisions. The Spirit of God builds bridges that connect people, not walls that divide.

Is there a segment of the population that have walled off from getting to know and appreciate? Is there a group of people that you have written off as beyond God’s love and forgiveness?

Will you be a wall or a bridge builder?

Standing up for the have nots

When we serve them, we serve Him. How do we begin to feed the billions who are hungry around the world. Mother Theresa said it best, “One at a time.” Although helping the poor can get very complicated, personal responsibility can be that simple. We need followers of Christ who are standing for social justice and feeding hungry children to be raised to prominent leadership in companies and government where macro-economic changes can occur, but it starts with the personal responsibility of being a help to those we see around us. Those who are faithful with little will be put in charge of much. Where can you start? When will you start?

Fasting

A great question was asked Wednesday night in our prayer service: why have Baptist not talked much about fasting? The spiritual disciplines have been much more emphasised in other denominations. But why have Baptist not talked much about some of the inward disciplines such as: solitude, simplicity, fasting, contemplative prayer, and meditation? Why do you think? Discussion welcome.