To download a copy of today’s lesson go to TheGoodTeacher To download a copy of today’s lesson go to TheGoodTeacher.com and click on “Bible Classes”

Involved or Committed? Presented by Chris Reeves * Benton church of Christ Gospel Meeting * Oct. 1, 2017

Commitment Needed “Total commitment” or “personal commitment” used to be very popular among the denominations due to a loss in numbers “Total commitment” was made popular among Christians by the Crossroads Church of Christ leading to unscriptural practices in the 1970-80’s

Commitment Needed Commitment is needed when we see… Falling away Church fighting Lack of edification Lack of evangelism Lack of benevolence Attendance problems Worldliness in the church

Commitment Defined “Commitment” is simply an agreement or pledge to do something (be something) in the future

Commitment Defined The house of Stephanas displayed commitment (1 Cor. 16:15-16) “addicted themselves” (KJV) “set themselves” (ASV), “devoted themselves” (NASV) “spending their lives” (NLT), “put themselves out” (MSG), “made up their minds” (WE)

A True Christian… Is single-minded (1 K. 18:21; Mt. 6:24; Lk. 9:23, 57-62; Ac. 2:46; 2 Cor. 11:2-3; Jas. 1:8) Puts the kingdom first (Mt. 6:33) Is all in (Mt. 13:44-46) Loves God with his all (Mk. 12:30)

A True Christian… Is a completely new creature (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:8-10) Is not his own, denies self (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21; 1 Cor. 6:19; 9:27; 2 Cor. 8:5) Is willing to die (Rev. 2:10)

Christianity Demands Total Commitment Commit to the Lord first before other “commitments” A true Christian should not need exhortation to be “totally committed” Coal does not need exhortation to be “black” (coal is carbon and carbon by nature is black)

Christianity Demands Total Commitment Snow does not need exhortation to be “white” (snow reflects light and that by nature is white) A true Christian by nature is “totally committed”

Occasions Calling For Commitment When We Are Tempted To… Seek man’s approval (Jn. 5:44; 12:42-43) Be fearful of truth (Jn. 9:22; 2 Tim. 1:7) Lose our love (Rev. 2:4-5) Go after materialism (Rev. 3:14-20)

Justifying Non-Commitment Some Christians seek to justify their lack of commitment (Lk. 10:27-29)… “I am often weak and sinful…” “Where does the Bible say you have to…” “I am doing enough…” “The church just isn’t what it should be…”

Justifying Non-Commitment True, committed Christians… Acknowledge their imperfections Pray for knowledge and wisdom Remain committed to the Lord’s service

Commitment Encouraged Lessons from Joshua God’s people can be encouraged to commit (Josh. 23-24) God’s people can commit (Josh. 24:21- 24) God’s people can commit for a time (Josh. 24:31; Judg. 2:6-7)

Commitment Encouraged Lessons from Joshua God’s people can lose their commitment as a result of (Judg. 2:8-12)… Following a man only (preachers? elders? parents only?) Lack of teaching (sermons? Bible classes? gospel meetings?)

Commitment Encouraged Lessons from Joshua God’s people can lose their commitment as a result of (Judg. 2:8-12)… Influence of society (t.v.? music? internet? friends?)

Total Commitment to the Lord True Christians bear “the old rugged cross,” not “the old padded cross” True Christians do not attempt to leap the chasm of life in two jumps Half-hearted Christians are not accepted by a whole-hearted Christ