KEY PASSAGE
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your TRUE and proper worship.
– ROMANS 12:1
YOUR BEST WILL BE YOUR FIRST
1 Now the man Adam knew Eve as his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have obtained a man (baby boy, son) with the help of the Lord.” 2 And [later] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept the flocks [of sheep and goats], but Cain cultivated the ground. 3 And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 4 But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile. 6 And the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed? 7 If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it.” 8 Cain talked with Abel his brother [about what God had said]. And when they were [alone, working] in the field, Cain attacked Abel his brother and killed him.
– GENESIS 4:1
7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
– ROMANS 5:7
YOUR BEST WILL TAKE FAITH
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
– HEBREWS 11:4
23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. 25 For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life].
– COLOSSIANS 3:23
25 …and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life]
– COLOSSIANS 3:25
3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him;
– DANIEL 6:3
EXCELLENT SPIRIT = BRING THE BEST OF WHAT GOD HAS GIFTED YOU WITH
EXCELLENCE = QUALITY OF BEING OUTSTANDING
GROUP ACTIVATION:
THE PRINCIPAL OF BRINGING YOUR BEST
READ: ROMANS 12
- YOUR BEST WILL BE YOUR FIRST
READ: GENESIS 4:1-8; ROMANS 5:7-8
ASK: How am I bringing my first and best to God?
- YOUR BEST WILL TAKE FAITH
READ: HEBREWS 11:4; COLOSSIANS 3:23-25; DANIEL 6:3
ASK: Is my significance found in my faith of bringing God my best or in self-preservation?
PRAY:
God, thank you for bringing your best to me by bringing Jesus to be my savior. The most significant offering I can bring to you in my life is bringing my best. Today, I commit to bringing you my best by bringing my first with faith.
Amen!