Commitment

What are the major problems confronting the Church? Some may say Materialism Others may answer Worldliness Liberalism? All these may be an outgrowth of one deeper problem…a lack of commitment

Lack of Commitment Commitment is a strong word…a scriptural idea that needs to be talked about This applies to all of us to some degree, some more than others There appears to be increasing lack of commitment in various areas of our lives, and in things that pertain to our spiritual lives

Difference Between “Involved” and “Committed” Story of the chicken and the pig – discussion over what’s for breakfast

Commitment Needed in Every Worthwhile Endeavor No worthwhile endeavor can be achieved without it – doctors, business, athletics, music The Lord requires it of us – Luke – V. 33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 9.62 "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.“

Requires Focus Philippians – 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, – 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. It is a “High Calling” or “Upward Call” – the highest of all endeavors

Requires Focus When we are pressed on every side by the things of this world…cares, entertainment, achievements We need to remember that our main focus is the kingdom of God – Matthew 6:32-33: 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. – 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (It’s the “first” in this verse that causes us the problem)

Requires Focus Mark ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.‘ – He didn’t stop at “you shall love the LORD…” ALL your heart ALL your soul ALL your mind ALL your strength

Requires Sacrifice We will have to give up something else for that which is of greater importance… – Fun, entertainment – We don’t like thinking about sacrifice for the Cause of Christ – We must be committed to values the world rejects As we live this life, we will quickly find that the world does not agree Romans 12.1 “…a living sacrifice…” Romans 12.2 “be not conformed…but…transformed…”

Requires Committing to God Our All 2 Tim “…for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” – What have you committed?

Requires Committing to God Our All Sometimes requires suffering for this Cause… – 1 Peter 3.17: For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. May require all we have… – Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ… Phil. 3.8

Commitment to God Affect Our Personal Commitments Marriage and family – Ephesians 5.25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” Some will say “I just don’t love her anymore.” Need to repent of it! – Ephesians 5.22: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Titus 2.4 “love their husbands…”) Requires commitment!!!

Commitment to God Affect Our Personal Commitments Marriage and family – Sometimes requires sacrificing our own desires for the good of the family

Commitment to God Affect Our Personal Commitments Our relationship to the Church – Eph. 4.16: from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. The church is not “they” The church is us The church is you!

Ultimately Our Commitment is to God and to Go to Heaven A lot of people are interested in going there Someone mentioned an old song with the line “Everybody talking about heaven ain’t a-goin there.” The rich young ruler was interested, but not willing to do what it takes – – Mark : Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." – 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Ultimately Our Commitment is to God and to Go to Heaven (Heb 10:36 NKJV) For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

Ultimately Our Commitment is to God and to Go to Heaven What does it take to get there? – Enough faith to believe everything God has to say on a subject He who believes and is baptized shall be saved… – Enough courage to do the right thing under all circumstances – Enough humility to obey His will whatever He has said to us

Are You Committed to the Lord? How often do you pray? How often do you study the word of God? How often do you attend the worship of the Lord? Are you committed to do ALL the will of the Lord? Are you growing?

Are You Committed to the Lord? Have you committed yourself to the Lord in obedience to the Gospel? Do you have enough faith to do so? Do you have enough courage to do so? Do you have enough commitment to continue in the Lord?