I know of the theory of relativity, but I couldn’t really explain it to you because I don’t really know what it means. In order for us to better understand how we can know the Word, I think it’s important to define the word “know.” I mean, I can “know of” someone…I know of the President, but I don’t actually know him. Today, I want to discuss how we can know the Word of Christ. To “connect with God,” we should BE a worshiper of Christ, KNOW the Word of Christ, and DO the will of Christ. Guess I should take my own teaching to heart.As hopefully you know by now, we are in the midst of our “Be, Know, Do” series. I was talking with my students this week about Christians being thermostats instead of thermometers: thermometers tell you the temperature around you but thermostats set the temperture. I need to stop living a passive life, reacting to what happens to me and around me. Greatness in God's eyes, just like greatness on the soccer field, isn't going to happen by me standing on the sidelines, no matter how loudly I cheer for others. I must work and strive and take it seriously. How does a Christian become great in God's eyes? How do I? How does one become great in business? One makes wise choices and works diligently. How do atheletes become great? They practice. That kind of purpose is not served well by mediocrity or even by settling for simply being good.' (p 9) When he created humanity, he proclaimed us not just good, but 'very good' (Gen. 'We are designed to be great in God's eyes. 'Yet what is the alternative? Should be aspire to be mediocre Christians? Is it really prideful to want to honor God with lives of great faith and excellent work?' (p 8) Ingram goes on to point out that when the disciples argued about who was the greatest, Jesus did not admonish or chastise or reprimand them what He did was correct their view of greatness.

But when talking about the things of God? It is arrogant. How dare we be so pompous as to desire greatness when talking of spiritual things! Of course, when talking about secular things, it's OK to want to be great.

But ask a Christian if he/she wants to be a great Christian, and we hem and haw, ducking our heads, as if embarrassed to admit that yes, we do. Do you want to be good at your job? Or great?Ĭhip Ingram, in the Introduction of this book, points out that when Christians are asked that question, we have no qualms about saying we want to be great.

Chip ingram transformed