We won’t be held accountable for how much we have done, but for how we have done what God asked us to do.
Sermon Title: THE PATH TO EXCELLENCE
Sermon Text: LUKE 2:49 (ESV)
Sermon Series: SNAPSHOT SCRIPTURES: TIMELESS TRUTHS IN A FEW WORDS
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
LUKE 2:41-52 ESV
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
What does it mean for a Christian to do well?
MARK 7:37 ESV
37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
GIVING GOD OUR BEST COMES FROM A PLACE OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
Doing well is borne out of an understanding of who we are and whose we are.
JOHN 1:12 ESV
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 ESV
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
GIVING GOD OUR BEST COMES FROM A PLACE OF PRIORITY
Anytime we have priorities, it means that there are things we say “yes” to and there are things we say “no” to.
PHILIPPIANS 1:9-10 ESV
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Excellence is always a choice.
GIVING GOD OUR BEST COMES FROM AN UNDERSTANDING OF PURPOSE
JOHN 6:38 ESV
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
What we do means less than who we are doing it for.
Our worship has less to do with what we do when we see it as what the Lord wants.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 ESV
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
“Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission.”
Zig Ziglar
We won’t be held accountable for how much we have done, but for how we have done what God asked us to do.