The power of sacrifice and the extra mile

Good day all,

Mat 16:24 AKJV – Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

We learn from the example of Christ that greatness and elevation requires denial of self, and a sacrifice! Of course, no one can give the ultimate sacrifice like Jesus Christ, but we can learn from his example!

Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul who confirms this!

Phi 2:8-12 AKJV ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

⁹ Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Why, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

My friends, no one can do great things in life without  some kind of sacrifice and going the extra mile.

Mike Tyson said in an interview, he would work out as hard as possible in training, and do the extra because he knew his competitor would not do it!  Therefore giving him the advantage.

Jesus said if someone compels you to go one mile, go two miles. Matt 5:41. Herein lies the secret to doing great things in life! Going the extra mile! Those that study hard, work hard, and train hard, will exceed mediocrity through sacrifice and going the extra mile.

Doing the least in anything that pertains to goals, dreams and aspirations will not produce great achievements in life. In fact, it could possibly doom you to
mediocrity.

Those that follow the example of Christ, and follow those that follow Christ, have the potential to do great things, and succeed in their endeavors.

The Apostle Paul in
2 Tim 2:3-7 said the following: You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Did you hear that? Endure hardness. Be tough, press, push, and don’t give up.

4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive (competes) for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The farmer that labors must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give you understanding in all things.

Notice, Paul mentions a soldier, athlete, and farmer. Three individuals who understand the value of hard work, and sacrifice to accomplish a goal or task.

In my life and journeys, I have seen even the most talented of individuals, succumb to mediocrity, and accomplish nothing, because they simply did not understand sacrifice, and going the extra mile.

In life, there are three types of people. Those that do average things, those that do above average things, and those that do great things! 

You will never do great things with an average mindset. Again, those that work hard, study hard, and train hard, will accomplish great things because the output is always determined by the input.

The scripture says in 2 Tim 2:15 AKJV Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Notice the words: study to show yourself approved by God, and workman! Which means study and work must be put in!

Today, purpose in your heart to go above and beyond the average by denying yourself, and going the extra mile to do great things in life, and in Christ!

God bless, Pastor Quinn