COMMITTED
INTRO: DO GOD’S PEOPLE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COMMITMENT AND A CONTRACT?
1: WHAT IS A CONTRACT?
A) A BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO OR MORE PERSONS OR PARTIES,
B) A BUSINESS ARRANGEMNET FOR THE SUPPLY OF GOODS OR SERVICES AT A FIXED PRICE
C) SOME CHRISTIAN PEOPLE TREAT THEIR SERVICE OR FAITH TO GOD AS IF IT IS A CONTRACT.
POINT: SOME FEEL AS IF THE ONLY WAY TO GET SOMETHING FROM GOD IS TO MAKE A DEAL WITH HIM. GOD DOESN’T WANT A BINDING AGREEMENT OR ARRANGEMENT WITH HIS PEOPLE. HE DOESN’T CHARGE ANYTHING FOR HIS SERVICES. HIS LOVE, BLESSINGS, MERCY, BETTER YET SALVATION.
2: WHAT IS IT TO COMMIT ?
A) TO PUT IN CHARGE OR TRUST
B) ENTRUSTED
C) TO OBLIGATE OR PLEDGE ONESELF
POINT: COMMITMENT IS SOMETHING MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE DON’T HAVE ANYMORE. IT IS EVIDENT IN OUR SOCIETY AND OUR DAILY LIVES. HOW MANY CHRISTIANS READ THEIR BIBLE DAILY? HOW MANY PRAY DAILY? HOW MANY KNOW HOW TO FACE LIFE’S EVER CHANGING SURROUNDINGS WITH THE LOVE AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES? NOT MANY!!!!!
BODY: 1 PETER 2: 9, 21-25, 3: 8-16
1: THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE CALLED
A) CALLED TO WHAT
B) A CHOSEN GENERATION
C) A ROYAL PREISTHOOD IN CHRIST
D) WE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS STEPS
POINT: THE SCRIPTURE GIVES US THREE EXAMPLES ONE OF WHO WE ARE, ONE OF WHAT CHRIST DID AND HOW HE DID IT, THEN WHAT WE SHOULD BE.
2: HE COMMITTED HIMSELF
A) JESUS THROUGH ALL OF HIS PAIN AND SUFFERING COMMITTED HIMSELF TO THE HEAVENLY FATHER
B) HE IS OUR EXAMPLE AS TO WHAT TO DO WHEN WE SUFFER OR BEAR REPROACH FROM THE WORLD.
C) HIS STRIPES HEAL US FROM WHAT WE SUFFER WHEN WE COMMIT TO HIM.
POINT: A CHRISTIAN LIFE WITHOUT COMMITMENT TO CHRIST IS A LIFE NOT BEING FULLY LIVED. ONE DAY WE ALL STAND BEFORE HIM AND ANSWER FOR WHAT WE DID AND WHAT WE DID NOT DO.
3: JESUS SHOWS US HOW TO DEAL WITH OUR FLESH
A) IN THE GARDEN HE COMMITTED HIMSELF TO FATHER
B) AT THE WHIPPING POST HE COMMITTED HIMSELF
C) AT THE CROSS HE WAS RIDICULED AND MOCKED
D) HE COMMITTED HIMSELF TO THE FATHER AND WAS ABLE TO SEEK THE SALVATION EVEN OF THOSE WHO NAILED HIM TO THE CROSS.
POINT: WHEN THE BIBLE TELLS US TO FOLLOW HIS STEPS IT IS NOT A SUGGESTION IT’S NOT A PIECE OF ADVICE IT IS THE CALLING OF EVERY CHRISTIANS LIFE.
CLOSING: 1 PETER 3:8-16
1: BE ONE MIND
A) COMMIT TO CHRIST
B) STOP FILP FLOPPING
C) ONCE AGAIN V 9 YE ARE CALLED
2: REFRAIN FROM EVIL
A) WATCH YOUR MOUTH
B) YOUR TONGUE CAN DESTROY YOU FASTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE
C) SEEK PEACE
3: GOD WILL HEAR YOUR PRAYERS
A) HIS EYES ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS
B) HIS EARS ARE OPENED TO THEM
C) BUTHIS FACE IS AGAINST THEM THAT DO EVIL
CONCLUSION: HAVE A GOOD CONSCIENCE, COMMITMENT TO CHRIST IN EVERYTHING WILL BRING PEACE IN YOUR LIFE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS YOUR FINANCES EVEN IN THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS YOU FACE.
