I Love My Church

I Am Committed to My Church

2 Chronicles 29:1-5

I want to introduce you to a mythical church member that I am going to call Kenny. When we first meet Kenny he is attending services at First Church but he left because the services were too formal, every one on the platform wore a tie. He and his family then wandered over to Grace Church because they had a great choir. But before long, we hear they are “happy” at the Christian Worship Center. But before long they move their membership to the Community Church because of the great bible teaching. After that the youth program at New Hope catches their eye. Now at least for the moment, they are at the church uptown, at least until something else catching their roving eye. What ever happened to commitment?

If Christians really believe in a real heaven and a real Hell, how can we be so silent? . . .

God’s people have made a decision about Jesus….but have never made a commitment to Him.”

There is of course a difference between a decision and a commitment. According to statistics at least 50% of all marriages will end in divorce. Why do you suppose that is happening?

It is because these couples made a decision but did not make a commitment. Every person who married made a decision! They stood before a preacher and made promises and recited vows. They made a decision, they kissed each other and walked out together to live but not necessarily “happily ever after” and not necessarily together. So why did they divorce? The answer is that they made a decision, but they did not truly commit their lives to each other

The same is true in the church that many have made a decision about Christ, but have not made a commitment to Christ.

When the pilot of a giant airline is speeding down the runway, there is a certain point where it staying on the ground is no longer an option. When he crosses that line, he is committed to the air, he will take off or a disastrous crash is imminent. As the pilot can no longer change his mind he is committed.

I want to challenge you this morning to “get off the ground.” In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul issues a clear call for commitment when he says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJV)

1. What the church desperately needs is more Christians

Who simply love their church! the way God loves the

church!

2. You see, God loves the church sacrificially! He gave His Son for it!

3. God loves the church unconditionally ... When He’s pleased with it & when He’s not pleased

..

4. God loves His church eternally! He will never, ever stop loving the church!

* I want to share with you my 3 beatitudes for a church member who truly loves his church the way Jesus wants him to love it!

1. Commitment to the Local Body

The author Jerry Bridges comments in an article on commitment, “As I have watched the parade of people through our church, and other churches. I wonder why so few commit themselves to a local body of believers in a significant way.

1. Many sit and soak and do little else, and they flee at the first sign of trouble or pressure.

2. They fail to become involved or to give; the priority for corporate worship falls far down on the list.

3. They criticize all that is wrong with a specific local congregation. . .

4. We need to accept the challenge to commit ourselves to responsible membership.”

A. The local church is the first level of commitment outside of our personal relationship with the Lord.

1.The local church with all its imperfections is still the Lord’s major avenue through which he accomplishes his work.

2. The church gathers for worship, teaching and fellowship to gain power to carry out the ministry as each member is scattered to their various places of responsibility in the world.

3. The member who “forsakes the assembling together” (Heb 10:25) forfeits the power of a corporate identity.

B. But some people just do not see church attendance as a necessity.

1. They see recreation as a necessity.

2. They see Yard work as a necessity.

3. They see Entertaining as a necessity.

4. They see Viewing sporting events as a necessity.

5. But church attendance and participation rank with visiting Grandpa’s grave,--You have every intention of doing it …., unless of course something else important comes up.