Building a Life of Commitment, part 5 Cross Creek Community Church, Pastor Dave Martin – March 8, 2015

2 Chr. 16:9"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

I. The POWER of COMMITMENT

My commitments... Show my Values Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

My Commitments… Shape my Life Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

My Commitments… Determine my Destiny Mark 8:36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

II. The PRICE of COMMITMENT Luke 14:26 "If you want to be My follower you must love Me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple." nlt

iGrow by Giving Christ...  The First Thoughts of each Day. Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

iGrow by Giving Christ...  The First Day of each Week. Acts 20:7a "On the first day of the week we came together...”

iGrow by Giving Christ...  The First Ten Percent of every paycheck. Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (increase);

iGrow by Giving Christ...  The First Ten Percent of every paycheck. 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

iGrow by Giving Christ...  The First Consideration in every Decision. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways [everything you do] acknowledge him [put Him first], and he will make your paths straight.

iGrow by Giving Christ...  The First Consideration in every Decision. Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

III. The PITFALLS of COMMITMENT 1.We Get Distracted Mark 4:19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

III. The PITFALLS of COMMITMENT 1.We Get Distracted 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

III. The PITFALLS of COMMITMENT 1.We Get Distracted 2.We Become Complacent Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Joshua conquering the city of Ai, Josh 7:2-5)

IV. The PAYOFF for total COMMITMENT Matt. 6:31-33"Do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat... or drink... or wear?'... your heavenly Father knows that you need these. But seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

IV. The PAYOFF for total COMMITMENT Matt. 25:23 "The Master will say, `Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things -- I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!"

IV. The PAYOFF for total COMMITMENT Matt. 25:23 "The Master will say, `Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things -- I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!" God’s Eternal Benefits 1.) Affirmation 2.) Promotion 3.) Celebration

2 Chr. 16:9"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

Rom. 6:13b “… but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life…”

iGrow, Building a Life of Commitment Google Internet Research Ryrie Study Bible, Moody press Saddleback Church, Rick Warren Holman New Testament Commentary Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord & Zuck MacArthur New Testament Commentary, John MacArthur