A Commitment to Faithfulness

1996060

Topic # 1117 (Commitment)

Introduction

A. In 1 Sam. 13:14, David is mentioned as a man after God’s own heart.

1. We see readily the good works of David & how he was blessed. During His reign, Israel was widely recognized by many in the world as a prominent world power - a nation in which was to be reckoned with.

2. We are told of David’s never ending commitment to God, his dedication to obeying His will & His desire for others to do as God wanted them to do.

3. Why was David so blessed?

a) Because of his faith - 1 Sam. 17

b) Because of his respect & fear of the Lord…

c) ...and because of his deep & steadfast commitment to faithfulness to the Lord.

B. Today we want to examine the commitment that was behind everything he did.

1. Psalm 101 is one that goes in depth on this.

C. This was not a shallow decision, but a whole-hearted statement of devotion to God.

1. Many make statements like these every day.

2. Then after a period of time many “lose heart” and forget about that promise, that commitment they made unto the Lord.

D. Ask yourself as we go through the lesson, “Am I Committed to Faithfulness?”

I. Psa. 101:2 - I will give heed to THE blameless way.

A. Literally – he is saying he will “Behave” prudently” in (the) “way of integrity.”

B. From the very beginning of the passage, David states his aim that he is going to follow the Lord.

1. David sought God. He meditated upon His precepts. He walked wisely. His aim was set on doing that which was good.

2. Albert Barnes: This expresses a "desire" to act wisely, and a "purpose" to do it. (David) "Aimed" to be perfect; and had before him a perfect standard.

a) 1 Sam. 18:5, 14-15 – Because he sought God – God was with him & he prospered in whatever he did.

C. Are we committed to do as much as possible for the Lord?

a) Am we committed to be God’s kind of Christian?

b) Is Christianity first in our life? Is it evident

1) In my family? On the job? In the church?

D. We should seek God FIRST - Mt. 6:33; seek & you will find - Mt. 7:7-8

E. Focus/AIM your life upon God! Mold your life around him!

II. Psa. 101:2b - I will walk within my House in the integrity of my heart.

A. This was going to be a way of life with David. Not just some show. He could have very well done this.

1. A large portion of David’s job as king was ”ceremonial”

a) Lived in the “city of the Lord” - everyone’s eyes were set upon him.

2. His aim was to be a good example in all points of his life all of the time!

B. We must guard against nurturing an “image.”

1. We cannot base our Christianity on appearances!

2. Luke 6:43-45 - we are known by our fruits.

3. Heb. 4:11-13 - God knows your heart!

III. Psa. 101:3a - I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.

A. Steered clear of sin.

1. Where David had a choice – he would choose to go God’s way.

2. While he would not always be successful – it was a clear path in his life!

B. We too must make this commitment w/the resolve to follow through!

1. Satan is always ready – and WILL attack at our weakest link. 1 Pet. 5:8

2. David placed himself in temptation’s way….. 2 Sam. 11:1-5.

a) Note 11:1 – should have been out to battle – but stays in Jerusalem. Abandons his purpose by staying home.

b) Focuses on his desires & when temptation came he looked into it instead of turning away.

c) 11:4 – sins deliberately!

D. We must develop the strength/fortitude to turn away! Phil. 4:8

1. How?

a) Go to God in prayer at moment of temptation – 1 Cor. 10:13

b) Memorize scriptures that combat your weaknesses

c) Find someone to confide in & let them help/encourage you.

IV. Psa. 101:3b - I Will Hate the Work of Those Who Fall Away.

A. He would hate all their doings, motives, plans.

1. "Fall away" means to turn out of the way; out of the right path:

2. He was against those who left the path of truth and honesty.

B. Note end of 101:3 - it shall not fasten its grip on me.

1. Not only would he hate all their doings; He would have nothing to do w/wicked works. No spirit of compromise! No tolerance!

2. Note how it is portrayed: wicked plans or purposes can attach themselves to men. Presented as something that can “stick” to us.

V. Psa. 101:4b – I will know no evil.

A. From here the emphasis is shifted from personal life to that of the kingdom of Israel.

1. When it came to his administration…wickedness would not be tolerated.

a) 101:5 - destroyed those who slandered neighbors

b) 101:5 – would not tolerate a proud heart in those who worked with him.

2. In the nation of Israel there would be a clear line drawn between right/wrong!

B. Then, as now – there is a CLEAR line between what is right & wrong!

1. Society is making its best effort to take away the lines of confusion.

2. We must work to identify sin, rebuke it, & turn away from it!

VI. Psa. 101:6 – My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land.

A. 101:6

1. David recognized those who were doing good.

a) He praised them; He rewarded them.

b) We should be doing the same!

2. What is it about our tendency to quickly point out bad; shortcomings…some of us spent way too much time dwelling on negative or looking for faults in others…

B. Need to be looking for ways to encourage others for the good job they do.

1. Thanks to bible class teachers

2. Thanks to those who offer prayers on our behalf?

3. If someone takes initiative to make improvement to building – do we thank them or critique?

Conclusion

A. We have talked today about how David committed his life to following the teachings of the Lord.

B. What about you? Do you have this commitment to the Lord?

1. You can make that commitment today!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



A Commitment to Faithfulness 1996060 Topic # 1117 (Commitment) Introduction A. In 1 Sam. 13:14, David is mentioned as a man after God’s own heart. 1. We see readily the good works of David & how he was blessed. During His reign, Israel was widely recognized by many in the world as a prominent world power - a nation in which was to be reckoned with. 2. We are told of David’s never ending commitment to God, his dedication to obeying His will & His desire for others to do as God wanted them to do. 3. Why was David so blessed? a) Because of his faith - 1 Sam. 17 b) Because of his respect & fear of the Lord… c) ...and because of his deep & steadfast commitment to faithfulness to the Lord. B. Today we want to examine the commitment that was behind everything he did. 1. Psalm 101 is one that goes in depth on this. C. This was not a shallow decision, but a whole-hearted statement of devotion to God. 1. Many make statements like these every day. 2. Then after a period of time many “lose heart” and forget about that promise, that commitment they made unto the Lord. D. Ask yourself as we go through the lesson, “Am I Committed to Faithfulness?” I. Psa. 101:2 - I will give heed to THE blameless way. A. Literally – he is saying he will “Behave” prudently” in (the) “way of integrity.” B. From the very beginning of the passage, David states his aim that he is going to follow the Lord. 1. David sought God. He meditated upon His precepts. He walked wisely. His aim was set on doing that which was good. 2. Albert Barnes: This expresses a "desire" to act wisely, and a "purpose" to do it. (David) "Aimed" to be perfect; and had before him a perfect standard. a) 1 Sam. 18:5, 14-15 – Because he sought God – God was with him & he prospered in whatever he did. C. Are we committed to do as much as possible for the Lord? a) Am we committed to be God’s kind of Christian? b) Is Christianity first in our life? Is it evident 1) In my family? On the job? In the church? D. We should seek God FIRST - Mt. 6:33; seek & you will find - Mt. 7:7-8 E. Focus/AIM your life upon God! Mold your life around him! II. Psa. 101:2b - I will walk within my House in the integrity of my heart. A. This was going to be a way of life with David. Not just some show. He could have very well done this. 1. A large portion of David’s job as king was ”ceremonial” a) Lived in the “city of the Lord” - everyone’s eyes were set upon him. 2. His aim was to be a good example in all points of his life all of the time! B. We must guard against nurturing an “image.” 1. We cannot base our Christianity on appearances! 2. Luke 6:43-45 - we are known by our fruits. 3. Heb. 4:11-13 - God knows your heart! III. Psa. 101:3a - I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. A. Steered clear of sin. 1. Where David had a choice – he would choose to go God’s way. 2. While he would not always be successful – it was a clear path in his life! B. We too must make this commitment w/the resolve to follow through! 1. Satan is always ready – and WILL attack at our weakest link. 1 Pet. 5:8 2. David placed himself in temptation’s way….. 2 Sam. 11:1-5. a) Note 11:1 – should have been out to battle – but stays in Jerusalem. Abandons his purpose by staying home. b) Focuses on his desires & when temptation came he looked into it instead of turning away. c) 11:4 – sins deliberately! D. We must develop the strength/fortitude to turn away! Phil. 4:8 1. How? a) Go to God in prayer at moment of temptation – 1 Cor. 10:13 b) Memorize scriptures that combat your weaknesses c) Find someone to confide in & let them help/encourage you. IV. Psa. 101:3b - I Will Hate the Work of Those Who Fall Away. A. He would hate all their doings, motives, plans. 1. "Fall away" means to turn out of the way; out of the right path: 2. He was against those who left the path of truth and honesty. B. Note end of 101:3 - it shall not fasten its grip on me. 1. Not only would he hate all their doings; He would have nothing to do w/wicked works. No spirit of compromise! No tolerance! 2. Note how it is portrayed: wicked plans or purposes can attach themselves to men. Presented as something that can “stick” to us. V. Psa. 101:4b – I will know no evil. A. From here the emphasis is shifted from personal life to that of the kingdom of Israel. 1. When it came to his administration…wickedness would not be tolerated. a) 101:5 - destroyed those who slandered neighbors b) 101:5 – would not tolerate a proud heart in those who worked with him. 2. In the nation of Israel there would be a clear line drawn between right/wrong! B. Then, as now – there is a CLEAR line between what is right & wrong! 1. Society is making its best effort to take away the lines of confusion. 2. We must work to identify sin, rebuke it, & turn away from it! VI. Psa. 101:6 – My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land. A. 101:6 1. David recognized those who were doing good. a) He praised them; He rewarded them. b) We should be doing the same! 2. What is it about our tendency to quickly point out bad; shortcomings…some of us spent way too much time dwelling on negative or looking for faults in others… B. Need to be looking for ways to encourage others for the good job they do. 1. Thanks to bible class teachers 2. Thanks to those who offer prayers on our behalf? 3. If someone takes initiative to make improvement to building – do we thank them or critique? Conclusion A. We have talked today about how David committed his life to following the teachings of the Lord. B. What about you? Do you have this commitment to the Lord? 1. You can make that commitment today! C. I N V I T A T I O N