Here is tonight's teaching outline for SUNDAY NITE LIVE. Join us at 6 PM EST.
A.W. Tozier, the noted theologian wrote:
“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.”
First, move from average to excellence by changing the way you think.
Romans 12:2 AMP
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”
Philippians 2:5 CEV
“And think the same way that Christ Jesus thought.”
Second, your assignment is anything but average.
Pastor Joel Osteen said:
“You were not created to just get by with an average, unrewarding, or unfulfilling life. God created you to leave your mark on this generation.”
1 Peter 2:9 MSG
“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”
Jeremiah 1:5 AMP
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
John 15:16 AMP
“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you.”
Third, God wants us to take the path He planned.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Titus 3:14 NLT
“Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 MSG
“. . .Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God.”
Ephesians 2:10 AMP
“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Fourth, we must make a clean break from the mediocrity of the past.
2 Corinthians 7:1 MSG
“With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.”
Hebrews 12:1 TLB
“Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!”
Fifth, learners move beyond being average.
Colossians 3:10 TLB
“You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you.”
Sixth, leave average behind as you see and seize new opportunities.
Colossians 4:5 AMP
“Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.”
Dr. Robert Schuller said:
“The hardest struggle of all is to be something different from what the average man is.”
Ephesians 5:14 MSG
“Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!”
Seventh, when you average God wants nothing to do with you.
Revelation 3:16 NLT
“But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”
Luke 12:15-16 KJV
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
C.S. Lewis, the noted theologian and amazing author once said:
“If you are continually stirred and fail to act, the time will come when you will be unable to act.”
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS