The Value Of Excellence | Pastor Ray Burgos Jr.
- Jan 4
- 4 min read
The first sermon of the year focuses on the theme of excellence as a core value for the congregation, especially as we embark on the church’s annual "21 Days of Hunger" — a period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual realignment. Pastor Ray begins by explaining the significance of fasting, emphasizing that it is not merely about abstaining from food but about surrendering to God with intention and heart. Various types of fasting are discussed, including fasting from food, social media, and technology, highlighting the importance of tuning into God’s voice and presence.
The sermon then transitions into an in-depth teaching on the biblical value of excellence, framed around Colossians 3:17, which exhorts believers to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The pastor clarifies that excellence is not about perfection or flawless performance, but about living purposefully and well with a heart aligned to Christ. Excellence flows from identity—knowing whom we serve—and reflects in character, consistency, faithfulness, and intentionality. It is a heart issue rather than a skill issue.
Three foundational truths about excellence are presented:
1. Excellence begins with who we serve—Christ, not people. It means living to reflect Christ’s character and values as His representatives.
2. Excellence is revealed in what we offer God—living as a living sacrifice with faithfulness, hunger, and discipline, including in fasting and spiritual devotion.
3. Excellence sustains the mission of the church—consistency over moments, integrity, and love are what truly define excellence and sustain a life that impacts others and fulfills God’s calling.
The pastor stresses the importance of excellence both in public and private life, calling out the hypocrisy of inconsistent behavior between the two. He shares personal reflections about how excellence must start within the family and extend outward. The sermon culminates with a call to submission to the Lord, reminding the congregation that the church sends only those who are transformed and submitted to God. The message closes with a time of communion, symbolizing the costly nature of excellence through Christ’s sacrifice and an invitation to a deeper relationship with God marked by intentionality and love.
Highlights
- Introduction to the 21 Days of Hunger fasting period, encouraging spiritual alignment and refocus.
- Explanation of fasting as a spiritual discipline that fosters surrender and deeper connection with God.
- Excellence defined biblically as purposeful, heart-driven living that reflects Christ’s character rather than perfection.
- Three foundational truths about excellence: who we serve, what we offer God, and consistency sustaining the mission.
- The critical importance of private integrity and character as the foundation for public excellence.
- Personal testimony illustrating the challenge and necessity of living excellence in family life.
- Emphasis on submission to God as the prerequisite for being sent and commissioned by the church.
Key Insights
- **Fasting as a Holistic Spiritual Practice:** Fasting is presented not just as abstaining from food but as a holistic spiritual practice that includes fasting from technology and social media. This broad approach recognizes modern distractions and invites believers to cultivate spiritual hunger and attentiveness to God’s voice in all areas of life, demonstrating fasting’s relevance in contemporary faith practice.
- Excellence as Identity, Not Performance: The sermon challenges the common misconception that excellence is about perfection or flawless performance. Instead, excellence is rooted in identity—knowing that we serve Christ and living aligned with His character. This shift liberates believers from the pressure of perfection and invites them into a lifestyle marked by intentionality and faithfulness.
- Representation of Christ as a Core Motivator: Doing “everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” frames all actions as a reflection of Christ’s character and authority. This places a high responsibility on believers to maintain integrity and love, as their behavior either honors or misrepresents Jesus to the world. The pastor’s example of how poor representation can drive people away from church powerfully underscores this point.
- Character Over Giftedness: The sermon highlights that spiritual gifts or talents alone do not constitute excellence. One can excel in skill but fail in attitude or love, which undermines true excellence. This insight stresses that excellence is primarily about character and integrity, which must govern the use of gifts and talents in service to God and others.
- The Private and Public Consistency Challenge: Excellence is revealed equally in private and public life. The pastor’s candid reflection about his own struggles with consistency in family life exemplifies the challenge many believers face. This insight calls for authentic living where the character displayed publicly is mirrored privately, which fuels sustainable ministry and genuine witness.
- Excellence as Faithfulness and Hunger: Drawing from Romans 12:1, excellence is described as faithfulness, consistency, and hunger, not flash or hype. This perspective encourages believers to view everyday spiritual disciplines and sacrifices—such as fasting, prayer, and managing time—as essential expressions of excellence that honor God.
- Submission as the Foundation for Being Sent: The closing teaching links submission to God with the church’s mission of being sent. Only those who are submitted to the Lord are truly commissioned to serve and impact the world. This theological insight underlines that effectiveness in ministry and mission flows from a posture of humility and surrender, not merely from zeal or ability.
This sermon invites believers into a transformative journey of aligning their lives with God’s purposes through fasting, prayer, and living a life of excellence rooted in love, character, and submission to Christ. The emphasis on consistency, private integrity, and intentional service provides a robust framework for spiritual growth and effective witness in the new year.