Topic: Christian Living / Jesus
Theme: Totally Committed Christian Living / Following Jesus
Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to totally commit themselves to Jesus.
There’s a sign in the window of an English company that reads: “We have been established for over on hundred years and have been pleasing and displeasing customers ever since. We have made money and lost money, suffered the effects of coal nationalization, coal rationing, government control, and bad payers. We have been cussed and discussed, messed about, lied to, held up, robbed, and swindled. The only reason we stay in business is to see what happens next.”
-- Bits & Pieces, March 4, 1993, p. 24
Humans are very curious. We enjoy checking things out for ourselves. Have you ever noticed that an auto accident on a four-lane highway slows traffic on BOTH sides? People tend to slow down to see what happened.
We all want “to see what happens next.”
Curiosity builds a crowd, and that’s why...
(LUKE 14:25) Large crowds were traveling with Jesus….
“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song, tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. “He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’
“‘Luciano,’ my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.’ “I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book—whatever we choose—we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair.” --Guideposts
Commitment builds a disciple, and that’s why when Jesus saw the crowds traveling with him, he said.
[LUKE 14:26] “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot -- be my disciple.”
Jesus was asking for a commitment to him that put everything and everyone else in a distant second place. If you and I want to follow him now, we must make that kind of commitment too.
When Julius Caesar landed on the shores of Britain with his Roman legions, he took a bold and decisive step to ensure the success of his military venture. Ordering his men to march to the edge of the Cliffs of Dover, he commanded them to look down at the water below. To their amazement, they saw every ship in which they had crossed the channel engulfed in flames. Caesar had deliberately cut off any possibility of retreat. Now that his soldiers were unable to return to the continent, there was nothing left for them to do but to advance and conquer! And that is exactly what they did.-- Source unknown
For Caesar this was a one way trip. Unfortunately for his army they were forced to join him.
Commitment always involves self- denial, and that’s why Jesus said...
[LUKE 14:27] “... anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
It’s a one way trip up Golgotha. My friend, Dave Cox, said, “No one ever picked up a cross expecting to come back.”
Jesus calls his disciples to sing the old song that says: “I have decided to follow Jesus… no turning back, no turning back.”
Tom Landry, former coach of the Dallas Cowboys football team said, “The thrill of knowing Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.... I think God has put me in a very special place, and He expects me to use it to His glory in everything I do. ... whether coaching football or talking to the press, I’m always a Christian. ... Christ is first, family second and football third.”
Self-denial produces rock-solid priorities, and that’s why when Jesus saw the crowds traveling with him, he said...
[LUKE 14: 26] “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. [27] And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
William Carey, one of the first missionaries to India, became deeply concerned about the attitude of his son Felix. The young man, a professing Christian, had promised to become a missionary. But he broke his vow when he was appointed ambassador to Burma. Carey requested prayer for him: “Pray for Felix. He has degenerated into an ambassador of the British government when he should be serving the King of kings.” Our Daily Bread, February 2
And priorities force us to think -- to make choices and that’s why Jesus said...
[LUKE 14:28] “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? [29] For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, [30] saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? [32] If he is not able, he will a send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
“Will you please tell me in a word,” a woman asked her pastor, “what is your idea of total commitment?”
Holding out a blank sheet of paper the pastor replied, “It is to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet, and to let God fill it in as He will.” -- Source unknown
[Luke 114:33] In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Thesis: If you want a full-blown spiritual life, COMMIT YOURSELF to Jesus.
Key Question: So, what should I do? How can I commit myself to Jesus?
Make a covenant with God.
“A what?!” A covenant is a serious agreement between two persons. More than a contract, it becomes the foundation of their relationship and their life together.
Take a look at the insert entitled “My Commitment” in your bulletin. There are two examples but I want us to focus on John Wesley’s "Covenant Prayer"
I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, praised for you or humbled for you; let me be full, let me be empty; let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and cheerfully yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, dear glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant that I have made on earth let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Think about what that means. “I no longer claim to be in charge of my life. God you are in control. Whatever you want for me I will gladly take it.”
Can you say that? Do you want to make that kind of commitment to God today?
Conclusion:
Application: There is no better time and no better place to commit yourself to Jesus. This time of Communion is the best time to make sure your signature is still on the bottom-line. When you receive the bread and the cup, you are making a covenant with God.
Receiving the bread and the cup of the Lord’s Supper says that just as you need food to live, you also need Jesus for a full-blown spiritual life.
Responding to God:
Let’s all stand quietly in God’s presence.
Bow your heads and close your eyes so you can focus your attention on God’s Holy Spirit.
Is the Holy Spirit urging you to make a covenant with God?
Do you want a full-blown spiritual life? Will you commit yourself to Jesus so it will happen? Are you ready to tell God he is in control of your life?
If you, please feel free to come and receive communion after I pray.
