We we grow in Christ we take on the characteristics of Jesus and become who God destined us to be there is no way we can be average. We recently completed a series in 1 Peter taking about how God is making us “like Him”, and yesterday we took another step forward with our new series “Escape Being Average” learning from 2 Peter.
Average is what this new series is about, sort of. Average is the norm, the expected, the OK place. That is not where God has called us to. We are not to be like the world, and we are to share His grace to others.
Don’t live in the mediocre. That is not where God intends us to stay or to be. Choose to live in abundance and in the strength God provides like John 10:10 promises.
Just a few verses from yesterday’s message may help us get on the right track. Our theme verse for the series is this:
2 Peter 1:8 NLT
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The more we grow, the more productive we are as we understand who God made us to be and to live. Yet in that truth there are so many promises to claim and to hold on to.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Tough times are coming. We will struggle, but God reminds us that He will be our strength and demonstrates that strength in our struggle, in our weakness.
Another reason to not go with the flow or live in average is because we we choose our focus things change in our lives. Focus your eyes and thoughts on greater things. Choose to be the encourager and not discouraged. Make a difference in every day.
Philippians 4:8 NLT
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Focus is important. The average person, the one we don’t want to be and that God is calling us out of is going to stay in the mundane and let their situation dictate their feelings and actions. Not so with the person who has chosen to follow God.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.
May we see in our lives the work of God as we flourish and escape being average.
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