INTRODUCTION:

A.      ARMY SLOGAN:    "BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE."

          RAIDERS:    "COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE."

B.      THE WORK ETHIC:   We need a better attitude in what we do.

          1.       Either hard conscientious work or the opposite.

          2.       Our faith reflects this.

C.      OURS IS A RELIGION OF MAXIMUMS, NOT MINIMUMS( Luke 13:24 ).

          1.       2 Cor. 8:1-3.        "beyond their power" more than mediocre expectations.

          2.       Mat. 5:43-48.      A higher standard.

          3.       1 Pet. 4:1-2.         Living for him - committed.

D.      WHY?   WHY ME?

I.      BECAUSE OF THE GOD WE SERVE.

A.      WE ARE HIS CREATION(  Gen.  1: 1;   Acts 17: 24-28  ).

B.      HE HAS PROVIDED FOR US( James 1:17-18;  1 John 4:9-10 ).

C.      HE GAVE HIS SON,  WHAT HE ASKS  IS FAIR( Rom. 2:4; 12:1 ).

II.     FOR MY SALVATION AND BECAUSE OF IT.

A.      Eph. 2:8-9.   IF IT WERE NOT FOR HIS GRACE I COULD NOT GO TO

          HEAVEN( Luke 17:10 ).

B.      Luke 17:11-19. GRATITUDE( Rom. 1:14; 2 Cor. 5:14-15 ).

III.    THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE MY BEST.

A.      SALT AND LIGHT( Mat. 5:13-16 ).

B.      LIGHTS IN DARKNESS( Phil. 2:14-16 ).

C.      1 Pet.  2:9-10.   WHAT DOES THE WORLD SEE IN US?

IV.   BECAUSE OF THE TRUE HAPPINESS AND JOY( Phil.4:4-5 ).

CONCLUSION:   ARE YOU ALL THAT YOU CAN BE?