Introduction
Over the last few weeks, we have been observing Psalm 37. Let’s get a refresher on the first 7 verses. (Read Psalm 37:1-7) Today marks the third week of our four week study into the first section of this Psalm. We have previously considered what it means to trust in the Lord as well as to delight yourself in the Lord. Today, we consider the third thing that the Psalmist writes to do in or to the Lord: Commit your ways to the Lord.
I love the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” It is a very graphic movie, but a very accurate representation of what our fighting men went through during WWII. A group of soldiers is dropped onto the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day. Just after D-Day, a group of soldiers is given the task to track down a Private Ryan to send him home since all his brothers were killed in action and he was the last surviving son in his family. The soldiers went through awful things. A few of the soldiers, even the commander of the group, lost their lives trying to find and rescue this man. They went through horrific things, but they were totally committed to their task to bring this man home alive.
How committed are we to the Lord? Are we committed to the Lord like the soldiers in “Saving Private Ryan,” or do we just show up to church to make ourselves feel better? I want to talk about three ways that we can be truly committed to the Lord in our lives. If we commit ourselves to these three things, we can be truly committed to the Lord.
I. Commit Yourself to the Church
How much importance do we as Christians place on going to church?
A Lot?
- What example did the early Church set?
o Acts 2:40-47 says “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
- Do you go to church every Sunday?
o How many of us are tied up in other things on the Lords Day? What do we allow to take up the time in our lives. Do we allow football to be the number one thing on Sunday? (I know many people who make the Indianapolis Colts or the Chicago Bears their Lord instead of God…) Do we allow sleeping in to take the first place in our lives on Sundays? (Mind over mattress).
- Do you serve in the church?
o When we serve in the Church, we are serving God.
- How can you serve in the Church?
o Are you qualified, men, to be an Elder or a Deacon?
o Are you willing to lead a Bible Study?
o Women, are you supporting the ministries of the Church?
? What about a woman’s Bible Study led by women?
A Little?
- Paul warns not to forsake the Church
o Hebrew 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
- When we forsake God’s church, we are forsaking God, Himself.
- What happens when we don’t fully commit ourselves to tohe Church?
o Ananias and Saphira. Read Acts 5:1-11.
o Notice that Ananias and Saphira weren’t committed to the Lord, they were committed to themselves. When we are only committed to ourselves or to worldly things, we cannot expect it to end well. They were punished and so shall we be.
II. Commit Yourself to God’s Word.
What does it look like to be committed to God’s Word?
- Psalm 119:9-16
o This is what it looks like to be totally committed to God’s Word. Let’s take a look at what this devotion looks like.
o V.11 Denotes that hiding God’s Word in one’s heart guards from sin.
? It identifies what sin is.
? It shows how much God hates sin.
? It shows the punishment for sin.
? It shows that when we sin, we are disappointing God and going against His will.
o V.12 God’s word tells what God’s laws are.
? The New Covenant in Jesus Christ
o V.13 God’s word shows His judgements on right/wrong.
? People are quick to tell Christians not to judge, but when we use scripture, we aren’t judging by our own measures, but rather, we are simply repeating the judgement that God has ALREADY MADE.
- 2 Timothy 3:16
o “All Scripture” is referring to the Old and New Testaments.
o What is scripture good for?
? Doctrine (Theology)
? Reproof (Of our thoughts)
? Correction (Of our actions)
? Instruction in righteousness (Teaching)
- Matthew 24:35
o God’s word will outlast us all. It is eternal. Everything will pass away, but the Word of God will not. His ordinances are eternal until God, Himself, lifts them.
- Hebrews 4:12
o God’s Word is completely accurate and completely true.
o It is “sharper than any two edged sword” and able to teach completely the difference between right and wrong.
o The scriptures are “active” in that they are able to “discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
III. Commit Yourself to the Great Commission
- Matthew 28:19-20
- The scripture lists three things that we are supposed to do:
o Make Disciples
? These aren’t just “believers” but “disciples.” There is a big difference between a believer and a disciple.
? A believer simply believes that the Bible is correct and that Jesus is the Son of God. Examples of those who are just believers are Satan and the demons.
? A disciple is one who molds his life based on the scriptures. He changes, turns away from the world, and FOLLOWS Jesus.
o Baptize them
? Acts 2:38 says this is paired with repentance for the “remission of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit.”
o Teach them to observe Jesus’ teachings
? After one believes, is willing to make the change in their lives and is baptized, it’s time to help them mature spiritually and grow in their walk with Christ. This step NEVER ENDS. If it does, something is very wrong.
- When are we supposed to follow the Great Commission?
o The world tells us that we should only do this within the confines of our church building.
o We aren’t supposed to spread the Word of Jesus in school, malls, grocery stores, or anywhere where some snowflake might be “offended.”
o We are to follow the Great Commission even in the face of great adversity. Acts 5:40-42.
? Notice what the Apostles reaction was to being beaten for the sake of Jesus Christ. They were filled with Joy that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Lord!
? They didn’t just stop when times got hard, they kept preaching and teaching and would not stop!
? Are we willing to suffer for the Lord like the Apostles? Are we willing to go to the grave for the name of Jesus like the Apostles did?
Conclusion
I want to close by offering you an invitation. I simply want you to take time this week examine your commitment to God this week. How committed to the Lord are you? Are you committed to the Church? Are you committed to God’s Word? Are you committed to the Great Commission? I think we can all, myself included, work on something. That’s just the way life goes. If you aren’t improving, you’re going downhill. So with that said, I invite you this week, with a greater resolve to be even more committed to the Lord!
