Aim Higher, Dream Bigger, and Get a Closer Walk with the Lord
Summary: Is anyone reading this satisfied that you’ve attained a sufficient level of Christian living, so that you don’t need any further improvement? I‘m not being sarcastic or patronizing. I posed that question to make you think very seriously. If you are satisfied with where you are, then this message will not appeal to you. If you’re not satisfied, then I trust this message is precisely for you and will help you to aim higher, to take dead aim at a closer walk with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
- •• We should be desiring to do what they did in the aftermath of Pentecost — healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, casting out demons.
- • But sadly, in the typical evangelical church today, there is very little manifestation of Holy Spirit power.
- •• Is this power somewhere far away? No! It’s within you, in the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
- • Read in the Bible about this power; pray for it! Aim higher!
- •• “The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32, KJV).
- •• Paul “knew” Christ (2 Timothy 1:12), but He wanted to know him more (Philippians 3:10).
- •• Pursue your relationship with Him. Aim for the highest! Don’t be content just to know about Jesus; aim to know Him personally and closely.
- •• God told Abraham what His standard was for him — a blameless walk. Yet many Christians today offer the sad excuse, “Well, nobody’s perfect.”
- •• Our conduct is under our control. We choose what we say and do.
- •• Give yourself a no-holds-barred self-evaluation. Are there areas where you fall short of blamelessness in thought, word, or deed? Aim higher, with God’s help and grace.
- • “Aim for perfection,” wrote the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 13:11), in a verse we will examine below.
- •• Think outwardly this time; think about those other people whose lives you are part of — your family, your friends...
- •• Is your effect upon them positive? neutral? or negative?
- •• Are their lives being bettered by your godly input?
- •• Do your motives stop simply at living in peace with others?... at having rewarding friendships with them?... at sharing enjoyable activities together?...
- • These things are fine, but they are not enough.
- •• Our motives in all our human relationships should include a desire to present everyone perfect in Christ.
- •• Aim higher in character... aim higher in love... in relationships with God and with other people... in ministry. Aim higher!
- •• Don’t be put off by those who sarcastically accuse us of “Christian perfectionism.” “Aim for perfection” is something the BIBLE says, not something I thought up.
- •• Aim higher! Don’t compromise! Be the best you can be for God!
If God has touched your heart in this message, you might enjoy hearing the uplifting, beloved hymn "Just a Closer Walk with Thee."
Related messages by Pastor Jim Feeney include our sermons: Don't Aim Too Low and Take Aim at the Right Targets.
-------------------------
Shortcuts to Major Topics:
Christian Living
Doctrine & Theology
Evangelism
Faith
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Healing
Hearing from God
Holy Spirit | Pentecostal Topics
Jesus Christ
Ministry
Power of God
Prayer
Salvation
The Church
Various Topics Not Listed Elsewhere
Victory over the Devil
Word of God
Sharing is great!
If you've been blessed by our sermon on
Aim Higher, Dream Bigger & Walk with God
please share it with your friends.
Email them the browser link. Or
you can post the link on your social
media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
Thank you for sharing God's Word!
©1992, 2015, James H. Feeney.
Copyright statement.
Pentecostal Sermons and Bible Studies
by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.