Last Sabbath I communicated a challenge to our church
– Let’s move from GOOD to GREAT! When we
esteem ourselves as “good enough” the question comes – by whose standards,
compared to what? Initially I wanted to
title my sermon “When being good is sin.”
But such a statement would need an explanation – remaining in a status
quo when God expects us to be great, is a disobedience.
The
Biblical paradigm is about greatness – there is Great Commandments (Matthew
22:36-39), Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), greatest virtue (1st
Corinthians 13:13). God makes promises
for a Great nation, Great people. It is
our human nature to compare and settle in comfort zones. Yet, by faith the Bible heroes moved always
out of their comfort zones, looking for something better, better country,
better living. Even the new covenant is
a “better” covenant. For any church to
assume that it has arrived and there is no move toward better is a spiritual
suicide.
It
was by faith that people of old moved from good to great, from glory to glory,
progressing, advancing, gaining better...How’s our faith? Have we got better, have we gained territory
in the city where God expects us to do his Great Commission? It’s time to go forward by faith, to become
a Great Church God expects us to be.
A
few ingredients are needed for this leap to greatness: first – Great Leaders. People
who are called by God, and have no insecurities about their place in God’s
dispensation of the gospel! Leaders who
contribute in action. Leaders who are
outwardly focused, who are comfortable to move beyond the comfort of church
walls, leaders for whom Evangelism is the top priority! Passionate leaders, who are enthused by the
Spirit presence in their lives, and model motivation that others follow. Passion comes with patience! Leaders, who do
not give up, no matter how long it takes! Bold leaders who are ready to take
whatever steps are necessary to keep the Church on God’s track. Leaders who are not “politically correct” or
political at all, but who do God’s will without compromise! Leaders equipping others to create a lasting
legacy. Pray for our leaders to be Great
Leaders.
Second
ingredient is a Great Vision – that is given, knowing who we are, Adventists,
people of the Three Angels Message. I am
planning to take 3 weeks in February and communicate this vision.
Third
Ingredient – Great People. And here is
the question each one has to ask of self – am I a great follower of Christ, do
I believe that I am great because I am God’s child, Royalty, Priesthood,
especially chosen to participate in God’s Great Work? A church member made a comment after the
sermon last week “we are crummy followers....Hmm! There is room to grow, from good to great. My March preaching series will communicate
more about becoming Great People.
When
these three components come together, when Great Leaders and Great People are
united about the Great Faith and mission, the momentum from Good to Great
becomes unstoppable. This momentum will
create an environment where great is expected, where great becomes a word in
top 10 of our vocabulary, where every ministry would work with anticipation of
becoming great – great children programming, great Choir, great Pathfinders,
great Worship....
I invite you to make this commitment with me – from
Good to Great!
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