1. The Future Of This Church
Commitment & Dedication
August 22 AM

2. Introduction In previous lessons we looked at:
Having a positive approach
Having dreams and hopes
Today – There must be dedication and commitment
Attitude and goals are good – but they must move to action

3. Problem Today The church has too many who are uncommitted followers
They attend, claim membership – but lack the dedication and commitment needed
Church growth is not a magic formula
Gospel does not promise easy living

4. Hindrances Lack of Faith
Numbers 13: And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

5. Hindrances Negative Thinking
Nehemiah 4: Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! 5Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.
What would happen if this were our prayer?

6. Things that Produce Commitment and Dedication
Give yourself to God
2 Corinthians 8:5 - And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
Sacrifice yourself – Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

7. Conclusion: With opportunity – comes:
Despair – “Throw in the towel”
Joy – Clap our hands and cheer
Dedication – Put our hands to the work, get things done
Each day you have the choice of how you will respond to opportunity.

8. Conclusion: I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
And what I ought to do,
By the grace of God I shall do!
- - Edward Everett Hale