Introduction

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather together on this beautiful morning, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a new day, a new opportunity to immerse ourselves in the boundless wisdom of God's Word. We are here to engage in a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage of sorts, through the sacred pages of the Bible. We are here to seek, to understand, and to grow.

Our sermon today is titled "Old Landmarks." This title is not just a collection of words, but a beacon, a guiding light that will illuminate our path as we navigate through the vast ocean of God's wisdom. The main idea that we will be focusing on today is the concept of commitment and sacrifice. We will be looking at the lives of men who have demonstrated great faith and accomplished extraordinary things. We will be drawing inspiration from their stories, learning from their experiences, and seeking to emulate their unwavering commitment to God.

Now, let's turn our attention to the book of Proverbs, a treasure trove of wisdom, a wellspring of knowledge. Specifically, we will be focusing on Proverbs 20:28. This verse serves as the cornerstone of our sermon today. It is the foundation upon which we will build our understanding of commitment and sacrifice.

Proverbs 20:28, as rendered in the New International Version, reads, "Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure." This verse, dear brothers and sisters, is a testament to the power of love and faithfulness. It speaks to us about the importance of these virtues not just for kings, but for each one of us. It reminds us that love and faithfulness are the bedrock of security and blessings in our lives.

As we journey through the stories of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, let us keep this verse close to our hearts. Let it serve as a compass, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of commitment and sacrifice. Let it remind us of the importance of love and faithfulness in our lives.

Before we embark on this journey, let us bow our heads in prayer. Let us invite the Holy Spirit to guide us, to enlighten us, and to open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of God's Word.

[Prayer]

Now, imagine if you will, a lighthouse standing tall and proud on a rocky coastline. It stands firm and unwavering, even in the face of the most violent storms. Its light cuts through the darkness, guiding ships safely to shore. This lighthouse, dear brothers and sisters, is a symbol of commitment and sacrifice. It stands firm, committed to its duty, sacrificing its own safety for the safety of others. It is a beacon of hope, a symbol of unwavering commitment and selfless sacrifice.

As we journey through the stories of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, let us strive to be like this lighthouse. Let us strive to be unwavering in our commitment, selfless in our sacrifice, and steadfast in our faith. Let us strive to be a beacon of hope, guiding others towards the love and faithfulness of God.

May the Holy Spirit guide us on this journey, opening our hearts and minds to the wisdom of God's Word. May He help us to appreciate the men who have demonstrated great faith and accomplished extraordinary things. May He inspire us to emulate their commitment and sacrifice in our own lives. And may He bless us with the love and faithfulness that keep a king safe and make his throne secure. Amen.

Commitment: A Lesson from Proverbs 20:28

Friends, today we're going to talk about commitment. We're going to look at it through the lens of Proverbs 20:28, which says, "Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure."

Now, let's break this down.

Firstly, let's talk about love. Love is not just a feeling. It's an action. It's a choice. It's a decision we make every day. And it's not just about loving those who are easy to love. It's about loving those who are hard to love too. It's about loving the unlovable. It's about loving the way Jesus loved.

Secondly, let's talk about faithfulness. Faithfulness is about sticking with it. It's about not giving up. It's about staying the course, even when the going gets tough. It's about being reliable. It's about being dependable. It's about being someone others can count on.

Now, let's look at the word "faithfulness" in the original Hebrew. The word is "emunah," which means firmness, steadfastness, fidelity. It's about being firm in your commitment. It's about being steadfast in your loyalty. It's about being faithful in your promises.

As the great theologian Augustine once said, "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."

Now, let's bring this back to our main point.

We need to appreciate those who show great faith. Those who do extraordinary things. Those who are committed. Those who are faithful. Those who are steadfast. Those who are reliable. Those who are dependable.

We need to appreciate them because they are the ones who keep us safe. They are the ones who make our throne secure. They are the ones who show us what love and faithfulness look like in action.

So, let's be like them. Let's be committed. Let's be faithful. Let's be steadfast. Let's be reliable. Let's be dependable.

Let's show love and faithfulness in action.

And let's remember, it's not just about being committed. It's about being committed to the right things. It's about being committed to love. It's about being committed to faithfulness. It's about being committed to God.

So, let's commit ourselves to love. Let's commit ourselves to faithfulness. Let's commit ourselves to God. And let's appreciate those who do the same.

Because love and faithfulness keep a king safe. And through love, his throne is made secure.

The Faithfulness of Moses

Let's turn our attention to the faithfulness of Moses, a man handpicked by God to lead the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt. In Exodus 3:7-10, we see Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. Moses was hesitant at first, but he eventually accepted his calling. He willingly gave up his comfortable life in Pharaoh's palace to fulfill God's purpose. Throughout his leadership, Moses faced numerous trials and hardships, yet he remained committed to God's mission. His unwavering sacrifice paved the way for the liberation of God's people. Moses' example teaches us that true commitment often requires sacrificing our own desires and comfort for the greater purpose of God's kingdom.

Moses was initially reluctant to accept God's calling. He was comfortable in Pharaoh's palace, living a life of luxury. But God had a different plan for him. Moses had to leave his comfort zone and step into the unknown. This is a lesson for us all. God often calls us to step out of our comfort zones and into His purpose for our lives.

Despite his initial reluctance, Moses accepted his calling. He chose to obey God, even though it meant giving up his comfortable life. This shows us the importance of obedience in our walk with God. When God calls us, we must be willing to obey, even if it means giving up our comfort.

Moses made a great sacrifice to fulfill God's purpose. He faced numerous trials and hardships, yet he remained committed to God's mission. His unwavering sacrifice led to the liberation of God's people. This teaches us that true commitment often requires sacrifice. We must be willing to give up our own desires and comfort for the greater purpose of God's kingdom.

Now, let's look at a New Testament scripture that echoes the theme of Proverbs 20:28. In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul encourages Timothy to "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." This verse reminds us to remain steadfast in our faith, just like Moses.

Paul's words to Timothy remind us to fight the good fight of faith. Like Moses, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, even in the face of trials and hardships. This is not always easy, but it is what we are called to do as followers of Christ.

Finally, Paul encourages Timothy to take hold of the eternal life to which he was called. This is a reminder for us all. We are called to eternal life through Christ. This is the ultimate reward for our commitment and sacrifice. So let's take hold of this promise and live our lives in a way that honors God.

In conclusion, the faithfulness of Moses teaches us valuable lessons about commitment. We are called to step out of our comfort zones, obey God's calling, and make sacrifices for the greater purpose of His kingdom. Let's strive to follow Moses' example and remain steadfast in our faith, fighting the good fight and taking hold of the eternal life to which we are called.

The Commitment and Sacrifice of Jesus

There is a remarkable truth that we can glean from the life of Jesus Christ. It's a truth that is as simple as it is profound, and it's this: commitment and sacrifice are at the heart of any great endeavor. This is a truth that Jesus embodied in His life and ministry. In the Gospel of John, we read that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This is the ultimate demonstration of commitment and sacrifice. Jesus willingly left the splendor of heaven, took on human form, and ultimately gave His life on the cross for our salvation. His unwavering dedication to fulfilling God's plan and His sacrificial love for humanity are a testament to His faithfulness.

Now, let's consider the implications of Jesus' commitment and sacrifice for our own lives. First, Jesus' example challenges us to examine our own dedication to God. Are we willing to put God first in our lives, even when it's difficult? Are we willing to make sacrifices for the sake of His kingdom? These are challenging questions, but they are essential for us to consider if we are to follow in Jesus' footsteps.

Second, Jesus' example also challenges us to sacrificially love and serve others. This is not always easy. It requires us to put the needs of others before our own, and it often involves making sacrifices. But this is what Jesus did for us, and it's what He calls us to do for others.

A.W. Tozer, a well-respected theologian, once said, "As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once." This quote captures the essence of what it means to commit to God and to sacrificially serve others. When we put God first in our lives, we find that many of our problems and challenges become much less daunting. We find that we have the strength and courage to face whatever comes our way.

Finally, let's consider the impact that our commitment and sacrifice can have on the world around us. When we live out our faith with dedication and selflessness, we can make a significant difference in the lives of others. We can bring hope to those who are hurting, comfort to those who are grieving, and love to those who feel unloved. This is the power of commitment and sacrifice. This is the legacy that Jesus left for us, and it's the legacy that we can leave for others.

So, as we reflect on the commitment and sacrifice of Jesus, let's be challenged to live out these same qualities in our own lives. Let's be inspired by His example to commit to God, to sacrificially serve others, and to make a difference in the world around us. And let's remember that, as we do these things, we are following in the footsteps of the greatest example of commitment and sacrifice the world has ever known.

Conclusion

As we draw to a close on this sermon about commitment, we are reminded of the extraordinary faith and actions of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. These men, who lived their lives with unwavering commitment to God, serve as shining examples for us all. They were not just men of words, but men of action. They didn't just talk about faith, they lived it. They didn't just preach about commitment, they embodied it.

In Proverbs 20:28, we are reminded that love and faithfulness are the cornerstones of a blessed life. This is not a fleeting, momentary love, but a steadfast, enduring love. A love that is committed, just like the love that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus had for God and His people.

This week, let's strive to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to love more, to be more faithful, to be more committed. Let's strive to live our lives in a way that reflects the love and commitment that Jesus had for us.

Let's not just talk about commitment, let's live it. Let's not just read about faith, let's embody it. Let's not just admire the extraordinary actions of others, let's strive to do extraordinary things ourselves.

As we go about our week, let's remember the examples of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Let's remember their unwavering faith, their steadfast love, and their extraordinary actions. Let's strive to be more like them, to live our lives with the same level of commitment and faithfulness.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the examples of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. We thank You for their unwavering faith, their steadfast love, and their extraordinary actions. We pray that You would help us to be more like them, to live our lives with the same level of commitment and faithfulness.

We pray that You would help us to love more, to be more faithful, to be more committed. We pray that You would help us to not just talk about faith, but to live it. We pray that You would help us to not just read about commitment, but to embody it.

We pray that You would help us to not just admire the extraordinary actions of others, but to strive to do extraordinary things ourselves. We pray all these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He turn His face toward you and give you peace. As you go about your week, remember the examples of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Strive to be more like them, to live your life with the same level of commitment and faithfulness. Amen.

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