God wants us to live a life of EXCELLENCE.

I didn’t say PERFECTION………but EXCELLENCE.

This means that in everything we do, we should do it “top notch” because we represent the Lord.  I Corinthians 6:19 says “do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you whom you have received from God?”

We need to treat our body and everything we do with excellence.

The book of Titus is a letter written by Paul to Titus and the church in Crete.  In Titus 2:7, Paul tells Titus to tell the church that “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Titus 3 is full of more instructions on how to be excellent.  Titus 3:8 says “And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

Paul was having Titus tell the people in Crete to do everything in EXCELLENCE because they represent Christ.

We are instructed to do the same thing today.  This means excellence in the way we present ourselves, in the way we act, and in the way we treat others.  This isn’t only the way we should act while others are watching but Paul also tells us in Colossians 3:24 to work with all your heart as working for the Lord and not man.  God will bless excellence (remember – not perfection but excellence).  When you have the spirit of excellence, you do your best whether anyone is watching or not.

I have a saying:  “It’s all in the presentation”.

It’s true.  When you have a pitch-in dinner, would you rather eat a brownie that someone brought in the pan the brownies were baked in or off of a pretty plate where someone took the time to cut the brownies and place them on a plate?  It’s cost no more money.  Just a little time.  It’s all in the presentation.

If you are looking to buy a used car and one car has mud stuck to the bumper and McDonald’s bags on the floor and one car is washed and the carpet is swept and has an air freshener hanging from the window, which one are you going to be drawn to?    It’s all in the presentation.

By this I mean, the EXCELLENCE of presentation.  People are watching you.  It honors God to look good and not sloppy.  Go above and beyond what is expected of you.  This is EXCELLENCE.  Get to meetings 10 minutes early.  Be over-prepared.

God has blessed us with many things.  We need to take excellent care of what God has given us.  If you have a lot or a little, take pride in your blessings.

If God has blessed you with a car, keep it clean and trash-free.  If God has blessed you with a house to live in, keep it organized and clean.  If God has given you a yard to enjoy, keep it mowed.  If God has blessed you with a family, fold their laundry and wash those dishes with excellence.  If God has blessed you with a job, work hard and dress neatly.  Keep your office or work area tidy.  You don’t have to have the best or the most expensive of anything.  Just take pride in what you have.

Do more than is expected.  Always look for ways to improve.  Never get sloppy. Never stay in a rut.  Find ways to take what you have and excel.   Be proud of who you are and how you present yourself because you are a child of the King.  Not just any king………….but THE KING.  Represent Him well!  Represent Him with Excellence!