Committed Christians

COMMITTED CHRISTIANS

(ALL my sermons use illustrations found on sermoncentral.com and I use the NIV Bible unless otherwise noted)

This morning I would like to share with you from God’s inerrant and infallible Word on the subject of Commitment. Commitment is quickly becoming a thing of the past as evidenced in the extremely high divorce rate amongst Americans and even among Christians. People just don’t treat a commitment the way they used to, professional athletes make a commitment to one team and then search for a better deal with another team, Politicians and business leaders forsake their promises to find personal gain and glory. A handshake and a promise are no good today unless there is a signed contract that has been witnessed and notarized. Unfortunately, Christians and churches are falling by the wayside as well, due to a lack of commitment.

I personally struggle with commitment in the area of diet and exercise, I make a commitment to get in shape, I start out with excitement and passion, but when the stomach grumbles and the muscles ache, . . . well you know!

It reminds me of the fella who’s wife gave him a one week membership to the local health club. He called and made reservations with someone named Tanya, who said she was a 26 year old aerobics instructor and athletic clothing model. His wife seemed very pleased with how enthusiastic he was to get started. This is how he described the ordeal.

DAY 1. They suggested I keep this “exercise diary” to chart my progress this week. Started the morning at 6:00 am. Tough to get up, but worth it when I arrived at the health and Tanya was waiting for me. She was something of a goddess, with blond hair and a dazzling white smile. She showed me the machines and took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She seemed a little alarmed that it was so high, but I think just standing next to her added about ten points. Tanya was very encouraging as I did my sit-ups, though my gut was already aching a little from holding it in the whole time I was talking to her. This is going to be GREAT!

Day 2: Took a whole pot of coffee to get me out the door, but I made it. Tanya had me lie on my back and push this heavy iron bar into the air. Then she put weights on it. Legs a little wobbly on the treadmill but I made it the full mile. Her smile made it all worth it. Muscles feel GREAT . .

DAY 3: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. Driving was okay as long as I didn’t try to steer. I parked on top of a Volkswagen. Tanya was a little impatient with me and said my screaming was bothering the other club members.

DAY 4: Tanya was waiting for me with her vampire teeth in a full snarl. I can’t help it if I was a half hour late, it took me that long just to tie my shoes. I hid in the men’s room until she sent Lars in looking for me.

DAY 5: I hate Tanya more than any human being has ever hated another in the history of the world. If there was any part of my body that was not in extreme pain I would hit her with it. She thought it would be a good idea to work on my triceps . . . . well, I have news for you Tanya, I don’t have triceps. And if you don’t want dents in the floor stop handing me those barbells.

DAY 6: I got Tanya’s message on my answering machine, wondering where I am. I lacked the strength to use the TV remote so I watched eleven straight hours of the Weather channel.

DAY 7: Well, that’s the week. I am so grateful it’s over. Maybe next time my wife will give me something a little more fun like a root canal or a kidney stone.

Now as amusing as this story might be I think it speaks volumes about the walk many Christians have with Jesus and the journey of many a church as well. We start with excitement and passion but when the aches and pains of growth come, we simply forget our commitment. All of us here this morning understand that in order to achieve success there must be unwavering devotion, this is not a NEW concept. Great athletes must be committed to practice, successful students must be devoted to study, and vibrant growing Christians and churches must be committed to following the example and direction of God’s infallible Word.