Values Series 2019: Excellence Is Our Pursuit

Story: The reason we end this value with “pursuit” is because none of us have arrived. We are all living in progress…

Nobody here would say “I’ve been working out for 3 months now and look at this bod!” or “I’ve finally finished college and now I know all there is to know on the subject of molecular biology.” What!? Are you insane?! Sorry that was mean.

Excellence is our pursuit is not about attaining perfection, but about pursuing growth in every area of our lives. It’s about giving proper attention to the details. It’s about not ever settling for the status quo. It’s about doing our best as if unto God.

Excellence definition is “the quality of being outstanding or extremely good”.

What comes to mind when you think of excellence?

I would say this is a noble thing to pursue in light of our reputation and representation of our God. Antonyms for excellence include averageness, badness, crumminess, mediocrity, worthlessness, etc. Can we all agree that none of us want that for our lives, our families, or God’s church.

The question isn’t as much whether or not we should pursue excellence in our lives, but what does that practically look like in our everyday lives.

Passage: Daniel 6:1-5 NKJV

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

Pray:

Background:

Babylon had first besieged Jerusalem and the king was on a mission to identify the best of the best of the Jewish young men that were exiled to help build his administration.

Title: *Should speak to the Big Idea of the text

Main Points: Daniel 6:3 says an excellent spirit was in Daniel. Here are five qualities I see across his life:

1. Conviction (Ch. 1)
   1. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” - Daniel 1:8 NKJV
   2. Pursuing excellence means guarding your convictions.

   3. Eating of the king’s food and drinking their wine would have defiled them and made them ceremonially unclean before God. The text doesn’t give the reason, but many think the food had first been offered to idols, and no faithful Jew would eat such food.

      1. Question: What have you purposed in your heart? What convictions have you established in your life that you will not budge on?
      2. It would have been easy for Daniel to fudge this one just a little, but he remained steadfast in his convictions.
      3. Illust: Maybe it’s certain positions you put yourself in that would cause you to lust, even though you know you’ve committed your eyes and thoughts to God. Or maybe…
         4. Every day we get the opportunity to choose either to commit to our convictions or compromise our convictions. People that are serious about pursuing excellence in their lives, live by a standard of convictions that they will not only not budge on, but that they would die for!
         5. Daniel challenged his superior to watch them for ten days and see if their appearance changed. After ten days they were stronger than all the others. And when they were presented before the king they were 10 times greater than all the others.
         6. Compromise never leads to excellence. Convictions held over an extended period of time will ultimately lead to growth and maturity in your life.
      4. Courage (Ch. 2)
         1. “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. 6 However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.” - Daniel 2:5-6 NKJV
         2. Daniel heard about the king's decree and he approached one of the administrators. He then went to the king and asked for more time. Daniel did what great leaders do, he brought his core around him and then they went before the Lord in prayer. God gave them the dream and its interpretation.
         3. Pursuing excellence demonstrates that you believe what you have received. It is about taking big risks in faith and believing that God will take care of the outcome.
         4. There could have been great fear for Daniel, which could have naturally caused him to shrink back or even run, but Daniel had courage and faced the king with great resolve.
         5. Illust: When we are faced with situations in our lives where we might be ridiculed, mocked, or worse, what is our response?
         6. A pursuit of excellence is bold and courageous. They knew that the king was anxious about this dream, and Daniel could have given him an interpretation that was life giving and puffed up the king. Instead, Daniel was faithful to the interpretation from God and presented the dream as the Lord had given him wisdom and understanding of it.
         7. Application: When God gives you a word of truth and wisdom, step out in boldness to speak it, regardless of the outcome. Stand firm in your faith and trust God with the outcome.
      5. Compassion (Ch. 4)
         1. “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!” - Daniel 4:19 NKJV
         2. This was the king that had brought so much devastation and destruction to Daniel’s people, yet he still showed concern and compassion for him.
         3. Here’s how I’d apply that: a pursuit of excellence is not without an extraordinary pursuit of forgiveness.
         4. In Daniel’s compassion for the king he begins to urge him; “Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.” - Daniel 4:27
         5. Even towards the end of the book we see Daniel praying to God asking for forgiveness of his sins and the sins of his people. Daniel seemed to maintain a deep compassion for those he loved and even his enemies.
      6. Character (Ch. 6)
         1. “So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” Daniel 6:4 NKJV
         2. You cannot separate excellence from integrity. They are one and the same. Who you are in the night will ultimately be revealed in the light.
         3. Daniel had a reputation for being faithful, without fault, and committed to God.
         4. Question: What reputation do you have?
         5. To the degree that you can be trusted in secret is to the degree that you can be trusted in public.
      7. Consistency (Ch. 6)
         1. “...But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” - Daniel 6:16 NKJV
         2. Daniel remained faithful in every season. Every circumstance. From the time of his youth all the way till the end of his life.
         3. Pursuing excellence takes more than discipline, it takes perseverance.

Closing: Pursuing excellence is less about what you’re doing, and more about who you’re becoming. *Faithfulness of Billy Graham

We see Daniel stood at a crossroad many times in his life… would he choose

Conviction or compromise

Courage or cowardice

Compassion or calloused

Character or corruption

Consistency or conflict

Who you are becoming will ultimately dictate what you do. Who are you becoming? How are you pursuing excellence in your life? Are these qualities that you desire and want to grow in?