Commitment
Praise God, Church!
Intro...
Tonight I want to talk about something
that I feel is very important.
In fact I know that it is essential for every
believers Christian walk.
Psa 37:4 says...Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
How many came expecting something tonight?
How many have been seeking the desires of your heart?
How many people in here tonight has ever received a blessing from God?
So we know that God is able, Amen?
He is faithful to do what he has committed to.
How many know that God has called us to commit ourselves to Him?
The Church today sometimes reminds me of the man who received the phone call
from God. As soon as he picked up the phone
he started telling God all his needs and desires.
And when he was done talking he hung up the phone never even questioning why God
had called him in the first place.
Let me tell you something Church when God’s calling it’s time to listen, Amen?
He is faithful to hear our call we should hear his, Amen!
If He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we can ask or think why can’t we just do what he asks?
God has called each and every one of us for a specific purpose, Amen?
Some may differ from others, Amen?
But He’s called us all to heed His call. Without compromise, Amen.
God saying something tonight. He’s saying the church has been in a compromised state
for too long. It’s time to get back to our Father’s business. Amen?
He called the church to Holiness - and we chose religion.
He called us to the front line - we chose the back pew.
It’s time to stop relying on religion,
and start relying on the Gospel. Amen?
It’s time to overcome our spiritual complacency.
But how do we do that?
It says...
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psa 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psa 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:
In this day and age there is a word in the English language
that seems to have lost it’s definition and meaning to most people.
We know the word, we read the word,
we understand the meaning of the word,
but we often fail to live this word.
We place our hopes, desires, and expectations on this word.
We teach others to believe in this word and they place their
hopes, desires, and expectations on us because we use this word.
But we often damage, hurt loved ones and destroy lives
because we fail to fulfill the definition of this word.
What is this word? It is a word that means: an agreement
or pledge to do something in the future
or to continue something until completion.
This word indicates something pledged.
It is a word that alludes to the state of being obligated to a cause, task or purpose.
This word is the English word Commitment.
We prefer to think of commitment as something
that doesn’t require any sacrifice.
How many in here tonight know that no sacrifice
really means no commitment!!
In a world where there’s always something bigger,
and better around the next corner,
most people find it a burden to commit.
To make matters worse we often perceive
some things to be better for us than they
actually are
which leaves us confused about what to commit to.
It’s a big deal to make an honest commitment
because we become obligated.
I’m talking about real commitment tonight church.
Not some half hearted promise that’s made to be broken.
Real commitment is at the very heart of
what it is to be a real man or a real woman.
It’s simple- It separates the real from the fake.
Commitment means to agree or pledge to do something in the future
or to continue something until completion,
see something through, regardless of the cost -
not halfway -but all the way through.
No matter what the sacrifices may be.
I believe this Church has committed itself to seeking more of God.
And I believe we have received and are continuing to receive what we set out for. Amen?
Let’s commit tonight, Church,
to keep that fire burning in our hearts.
Let’s commit to support...
Our church.
Our Leadership!
Life is full of necessary and required commitments.
It is virtually impossible to live life and not commit to something.
Throughout this life we live, we commit to:
Jobs, Banks, Creditors, Relationships, Marriages, Dreams, Our Pastor, Our Church, and Jesus Christ.
But all too often we fail to live up to our commitments.
We’ve all done it!
Sometimes we feel bad about it, and sometimes we don’t.
We’ve all made wrong turns and bad decisions in making commitments.
Making the wrong commitments,
Or not following through with our commitments.
There’s an old saying that says we are only as good as our word.
Well, I ask you tonight Church how good is your word.
Let’s whole heartedly commit to keeping this fire burning tonight.
And if you feel like your fires burnt out let’s commit to rekindling it. Amen.
Let’s not let the devil break our commitment.
Let’s not have second thoughts.
But let’s stand behind our word 110 percent. Amen?
Let’s not look for reasons to justify breaking this pact.
Let’s honor our commitments. Amen?
Jesus Christ is the best example of true commitment.
- a real man who gave up everything for love till the end.
A man who committed his life from the beginning
so that we would not be bound to
eternal damnation.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
What if Jesus would have reneged on his commitment to mankind?
Throughout this life you will find that there are
different levels or types of
Commitments that you will make and encounter from others.
As I studied this word commitment in the Word of God
I encountered a few examples of
Commitments made by the Saints of Old.
1. Carnal Commitment: to commit to the work of God without enough spiritual
understanding to know to wait on God to make it happen.
In other words, trying to accomplish in the flesh what can only be done in
the Spirit.
In Lk.22: 33-37 Peter displayed Carnal Commitment
Peter was committed to Jesus in the establishment of an earthly kingdom.
That was what he wanted, and he was willing to follow Jesus to the end-even to the
point of dying in combat against the Romans to have this earthly kingdom,
But when he saw Jesus arrested and tried and seemed to be powerless,
Peter’s personal ambition was crushed.
So he gave in to the flesh.
His choice to strike out and cut off the ear of a solider was a natural worldly reaction.
The way the world would do things to achieve what they wanted.
Peter resulted to his might and his ability to bring forth the kingdom
Rather than wait on God to move. Amen?!?
Rather than wait for the call, Amen?
Peter’s commitment was true, but carnal because he was trying to do things his way
instead of God’s way.
How many in here tonight Know that God’s way is the only right way.
Everbody say God’s plan is the master plan.
In the same way if God has given your Pastor a vision for this Church,
And you commit to help out you need to make that vision your vision.
If you don’t see the vision or even if you have your own vision all you’re going to do
is be a hindrance
because you’re not in line with the vision that God already gave
concerning the church, Amen?
That’s carnal commitment because you’re not involving yourself with the spiritual
aspect of the plan.
Only the flesh.
And how many know that their are flaws in the flesh.
We sometimes commit to things because we think that our involvement will bring about
the things we want to see. Amen?
We need to make sure what we want reflects what God wants. Amen?
It’s usually when we take matters into our own hands that things start going
wrong. Amen?
Zach. 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit. saith the LORD of hosts.
Let’s not force this fire to stay lit.
Let’s not try to keep it lit on our own.
But lets let God keep it burning.
Let’s pray for His will to be done. Amen?
A carnal commitment wants to have earthly and material things.
A spiritual commitment desires to have spiritual and heavenly things.
Looking back at Psalm 37:5 It says...Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him;
and he shall bring it to pass.
Instead of us making a commitment to do all the work,
Let’s just agree that we will let God work through us,
and then it will come to pass. Amen?
We will do what He asks and in return all that we can ask or think will come to pass.
2. Half-hearted Commitment.
Turn to Lk.9: 57-62
In this section we see three applicants who want to become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And Jesus gives them a test of what is required to become a committed follower, a
disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first applicant is a young man.
Luk 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
Luk 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Jesus’ answer to the young man revealed that when you are committed to following
Jesus you will at times encounter hardships.
You will not always have the riches and comforts of the world.
At times you will even be opposed for no reason, by those whom you least expect.
At times you will feel like an outcast from the world without a place to lay your head.
Amen?
When we read on we see that in
Luk 9:59 He said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
This young man had made a decision to follow Jesus, but he wanted to first bury his father.
I believe what the boy was saying is that he would have to take care of his father until he died.
After his father was gone, he would be free to follow Jesus.
The boy sounds like some of today’s Committed Christians.
You know:
Lord I’ll follow you; I’ll come to Church but only on Sunday morning,
don’t ask me to come on Wednesday night.
I’ll follow you as soon as I’m finished sewing all my wild oats.
Lord I’ll follow you, I’ll come to Church every time the doors open, but don’t expect me
to teach a class or sing in the choir,
don’t expect me to pray aloud or sit next to Sister so and so, and
don’t expect me to sit through that long sermon without taking me a smoke break.
Lord I’ll follow you, as long as it doesn’t cost me anything and I don’t have to give
anything up.
I’ll give my dollar but don’t count on my tithe for the light bill.
I’ll follow you Lord until the day I die as long as ther’s no real sacrifice.
Amen?
What did we say earlier?
If there’s no sacrifice there’s really no commitment. Amen?
Let’s read on...
Luk 9:61 says that...another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
This third man wanted to take a leave of absence to tell loved ones good-bye.
He wanted to be a disciple,
he wanted to commit to being a follower of Jesus Christ,
but he did not want to make any sacrifice.
No sacrifice really’ means no commitment.
The apostle Paul wrote,
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
There are many halfhearted followers of Jesus Christ in the Church today.
They don’t participate in any of the church activities; they don’t support the church
functions.
They don’t give freely of their time or finances to assist the church in any way.
I know that some of us don’t have alot to give.
But many of us who do have only give the bear minimum.
We have those who are all for growing and building the Church and the
Kingdom of God, but only when it benefits them directly.
That’s half hearted!
That’s not being fully 110 percent committed. Amen?
We need to pray for the half way committed Christians church.
Because the bible says in Matt. 7:21-23 that
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
3. Faithfully Committed.
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
How many in here tonight want to be counted faithful.
Paul gives and shows an example of one being Faithfully committed no matter the cost.
Paul traveled the known world at his time, preaching and teaching the Gospel.
Paul was talked about, stoned, chased out of town, beaten again and again, and placed
in prison, Yet he preached the Gospel.
Paul fought the raging battle within himself, between
the spirit man and the natural man and pressed on toward victory.
Paul said in Romans 7:21-24
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
This man that was so torn from the battle between good and evil was still fully
committed to preaching God’s word.
Never forsaking his call to duty.
Paul who had a physical ailment that was so unbearable continued to preach the Gospel
even after the Lord did not grant his request for a healing. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
Why did Paul still preach?
Because Paul was faithfully committed to God, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit and The Church.
Regardless of your past or present sins, God does forgive.
There is no sin greater than another.
There is no sin in which Christ cannot or will not forgive.
We all were at one time Chief sinners
or at least we felt that we were at one time or another in our lives.
It is a true saying, in which all may put their faith,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to give salvation to sinners.
What I’m trying to say is that one can not be Carnally,
Halfheartedly
and Faithfully Committed to Christ,
at one time,
you may have been only Carnally Committed,
serving Christ for personal gain and not understanding the spiritual aspect of being
Committed to Christ at one time in your life
or maybe even at present you may have been only
Half-heartedly Committed to serving Christ based on your conditions.
But now is the time to become Faithfully Committed
Faithfully committed to God,
Jesus Christ,
The Holy Spirit and
and the vision that God has given The Church.
Now is the time to become Faithfully Committed to building the kingdom of God
and doing the work of the Lord.
Even though our lives may have been riddled with failures and shortcomings,
Paul assures the Christian in Romans 3:23-25 that
Rom 3:23...all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 "But we can be..." justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 "By faith in His shed blood..."
Our walk with Jesus may have been inconsistent at times.
But tonight Church, He’s called us to be faithfully committed
He’s called us to keep the fires burning. Amen?
I leave you with the words of Joshua as he spoke unto the people of God.
When He said go in fear of the Lord, and be his servants with true hearts:
He said be Faithfully Committed!
If you ask me why am I Faithfully Committed?
I’ll tell you...
It’s because of his Grace
His Mercy
Because he came down through 42 generation and arrived as a baby in a manger
wrapped in swaddling cloths to save my soul.
Because he grew up and waxed old for 33 years,
only to be beaten to receive the stripes through which I am healed.
Why am I Faithfully Committed ?
Because they placed a crown of thorns upon his head
It’s because they lead him from court to court
beating him.
They nailed him to a cross with outstretched arms.
Because He was mocked and spit upon.
Why am I Faithfully Committed?
Because as he hung on the cross he lifted his eyes unto heaven
and said “it is finished”
and his head fell upon his shoulder
and my soul was saved from a burning Hell.
That’s why I’m Faithfully Committed!!!
I’m committed because He was committed.
As for me and my house we will the serve the Lord.
By being and staying Faithfully Committed!
Faithfully Committed by:
Rev. John Butler Jr. (Copyright © 2007)
