“Devotion – the Duty of the Disciple”
February 23, 2014
1 Chronicles 22:17-19
“Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. He said to them, “Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? For he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hands, and the land is subject to the LORD and to his people. Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God.”
What is the mark of a Christian? What is the sign of a true Believer? What is the fruit of the faithful?
In 1990 83% of the population claimed to be Christian. In 2012 about 73% of Americans described themselves as Christians. Of the nearly three quarters of the population who labeled themselves as Christian, only 62% were members of a church. Gallup Research Organization has reported for years that only 40% of Americans actually go to Church on a given Sunday. But Americans tend to exaggerate so they recounted and the numbers revealed that only 20.4% of the population actually attended Church each weekend.
Imagine if everyone who labeled themselves as a Christian and talked the talk would walk the walk. Imagine if they lived like Christ. Imagine if they believed the Bible and voted the standards of it. We would live in a far different world, wouldn’t we?
The fact of the matter is that the true disciple is a rare and precious creature. His fruit is very different from the worlds. It is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). Spiritual Fruit is a part of the disciples nature that is developed as he matures in Christ. The Holy Spirit reveals his need in these areas and then helps him to produce this fruit.
There is one characteristic that is a part of the Christian’s attributes or spiritual traits that produces that fruit. This attitude provides the environment that invites the Holy Spirit to reside in the heart. That attribute is devotion. This morning I want to talk about the ‘duty of the disciple’ – which is devotion.
In our Scripture that we began with King David is encouraging the leaders of Israel to “devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God.”
That is good instruction for us today. We need to devote our heart and with all our soul, seek the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our God.
But how do we do that? How do we devote ourselves to seeking the Lord? What do we do? This morning I want to share with you a few things the Bible tells us to devote ourselves to in this process of being devoted to God.
First of all, we need to devote ourselves to prayer. That almost goes without saying, doesn’t it? We need God’s help; we need God’s grace in this unnatural endeavor of being devoted to God. Naturally we are devoted to ourselves and our interests. It is not a natural human response to be devoted to Someone else. So we need to pray. The Scripture says,
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
What does that look like? What is the difference between being devoted and undevoted? Well, an undevoted person prays – occasionally. A person who is not devoted is not regular, disciplined, or habitual in his prayer.
A person who is devoted in prayer MAKES it happen. He has a plan to pray. He has a purpose. He probably has a place of prayer. Let’s take a look at Jesus’ prayer life.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” “Mark 1:35
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed” Luke 22:39-41
Some things we learn about Jesus’ prayer life are that, 1. It was done often very early in the morning while it was still dark; 2. It was a private place; a solitary place; 3. It was a regular thing. He often withdrew to lonely places to pray. He ‘went as usual to the Mount of Olives to pray; and 4. He knelt when He prayed.
Those are some things we ought to incorporate into our prayer life. Prayer is simply talking to God. If you don’t know how to pray, you may want to begin with what we call “The Lord’s Prayer”. And then begin to talk to God as you would your best friend. I have a little acrostic that I often use – A.C.T.S. It stands for Adoration; Confession; Thanksgiving; and Supplication. Supplication means to bring your requests to God. One of my favorite Scriptures on prayer says,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
That word “petition” in this translation is often translated as “supplication” in other versions. When you petition someone or make supplication you ask something of someone. In this case you would present your desires to God AFTER, adoration or worshipping Him; AFTER confessing your sins, failures and faults to him; AFTER thanking Him for all His many blessings to you. Don’t be like an ungrateful little kid who only thinks of his needs, desires and wants. And don’t forget to be devoted in prayer.
Secondly, we are to devote ourselves to Bible reading. The Scripture says,
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture...”
1 Timothy 4:13
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
If you are devoted to studying the Scriptures what would that look like? I think it would be regular. For a lot of us it would be early in the day. My brain just works better early. Some people do okay in the evening – but study needs to be done when you are fresh and can think and remember things. However you choose to do it – get into the Word. They hold the words of eternal life. They inspire hope – and hope is the foundation of faith – and you can’t please God without faith.
Be devoted to studying the Scripture. That means not only having a regular daily study time, but also attending a church to hear the Word. Have a small group Study that you go to regularly. You might want to take a college class on Scripture. If you can’t go to a campus you can get lots of online classes. The Bible says,
“...from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
We need to correctly hand the Word. We can only do that is we are devoted to the study of it.
The Third thing the Bible says we are to be devoted to is to fellowship. The Scripture says this of the New Testament Christians,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching – or studying the Word; they devoted themselves to prayer and worship – and they were devoted to fellowship. Think of that! What does that mean? The Bible says,
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
Do you see that the purpose of fellowship was not to just meet their own personal needs? We need to fellowship – for the other fellow, too. We are to think about how to help others love more and do good deeds. We are to encourage one another. The Bible says,
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10
I think the enemy of our souls loves it when we isolate ourselves. We are vulnerable then. We are susceptible to suggestions and temptation and our gifts and talents and our encouragement is missing. Not only are WE missing out when we neglect fellowship – but others are, too. We are to be devoted to one another. Every person ought to come to church - not only to get spiritually fed and to worship God collectively – but every person ought to come to be a blessing to someone else in church. Be an encourager. Build others up. Spur them on in their work. Devote yourself to fellowship. It is so needed. Are you devoted to fellowship? It is a rare individual who is.
The fourth thing we are to devote ourselves to is serving others. It kind of goes along with fellowship. It is closely related. But the idea is that we are to serve others and not ourselves. That is so contrary to our natural inclinations. It is a learned habit. It is an acquired skill. The Bible says,
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” Titus 3:14
“You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people...”
1 Corinthians 16:15
“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
Romans 15:2
The Bible says that we are given talents and abilities which are to be used for the good of the Church. We can’t use them if we aren’t there or if we are not devoted to serving others.
Well, we have come full circle. We started with this Scripture,
“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God.”
1 Chronicles 22:19
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
The Bottom line is that we need to be devoted to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. You can only really be devoted to one thing. Everything else will be secondary to that thing. And that thing that takes top priority in our lives is our god or God. To some it is money. To some it is fame. For some it is family or their job. Some of those 78% who do not go to church on Sunday make sports or family or entertainment or personal pleasure their god. Some make Church their god. You can tell because they are real busy in Church but are not devoted to a personal relationship with Christ. You can even make preaching your god.
It’s pretty complicated, isn’t it? The test to see what you are devoted to is the thing that is your top priority. The thing you spend your time and money and energy on HABITALLY is your god. Jesus said,
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
Let me tell you a secret. If you devote yourself to seeking God – He will give you all those other cravings of your heart as well. He asks for first place, tho. He wants to be first in your life. That is why you were created. God wants you to love Him and He loves to love you in return. He loves to bless His Children.
This week, can I encourage you to devote yourself to spiritual things.
1. Devote yourself to Prayer
2. Devote yourself to studying the Bible
3. Devote yourself to Fellowship
4. Devote yourself to serving others
But above all -
5.Devote yourself to our Lord and Savior, our God and Creator – Jesus Christ.
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