"Deeply Superficial"

Introduction:
It seems that society frowns upon making serious commitments. Modern people are wary of getting into anything they can’t easily get out of. We like to keep our options open. We often suffer from a surplus of activity and a shortage of commitment. This might lead us to be like the person who described himself as “deeply superficial.” Perhaps this is why we get so little out of what we do. There’s an old truth we need to realize—”You get out of things what you put into them.” In all of life’s endeavors—commitment & joy are partners! When we stand back from the work and relationships that ought to be near to us we forfeit the fulfillment that is available to us! So then, we must be willing to “dig in” and get truly involved!

I. When it comes to ____________________ - you get out what you put in!
    A. Too many have sour marriages today! Can become evident to everyone w/terrible ramifications!
    B. We must spend time _______________ our marriages. Involves work & good dose of humility!
        1. Happiness in marriage will ONLY result when each partner _______ _______ _________ and
            quits waiting on/griping about the shortcomings of his spouse!
    C. Marriage partners are to love one another with a _______________ ______!
        1. Husbands: 1 Pet. 3:7—love her in an _______________ way!
        2. Eph. 5:25; 28-29; 33—work at being the ___________ in your home! YOU set the overall direction in your
             home!
        3. Wives: love your husband & expect ____________ in return!
        4. 1 Pet. 3:1-6—do your best to be an ____________ to him!
    D. In short, you must live for Jesus & live ______ _______ ____________!
        1. It is not an “open” or disposable relationship!

II. When working with the _________ _______________ - you get out what you put in!
    A. Only attending when convenient; halfhearted work; critical of everything…
        1. If this church does not fill my expectations; ________; & preferences then I must move to another place that
           meets my emotional needs.
    B. When are we most fulfilled?
        1. When we meet the needs of God’s church on earth! Mt. 20:26-28
        2. Rom. 12:1- “reasonable service” is NOT being ___________; but ________________!
        3. We need be part of a congregation—not for what it can do for us—but but what we can do for it!

III. With our relationship with _____________ - you get out what you put in!
    A. Pray irregularly? Study haphazardly? Religion nothing more than intellectual
         debate? Worship routine, boring, a mere formality?
    B. Mt. 22:37—we are to love God from the ____________!
    C. We must have the courage to pursue God w/a “risk it all” commitment!
        1. Jer. 29:13; Neh. 8:10
    D. It is ________________ to care deeply about important matters! We might be:
        1. Inconvenienced; ______________________; frustrated; hurt; etc.
        2. If we take the easy way out; and avoid serious commitments in life we doom ourselves to an
            impoverished existence! (Gary Henry) 2 Cor. 9:6-7 does not only apply to the collection!
    E. We must care & care deeply about God!
        1. Commit yourself _________________ to the worship of God!
        2. Involve yourself _________________ in the work of God!
        3. 2 Tim. 1:12- risk it all for the glory of God!

Conclusion:
   A. ______________ accomplish very little. Don’t be “deeply superficial!”
    B. The stronger your commitment—the greater your joy & satisfaction!
    C. Do you need to make a commitment to God? Do it today!



"Deeply Superficial" Introduction: It seems that society frowns upon making serious commitments. Modern people are wary of getting into anything they can’t easily get out of. We like to keep our options open. We often suffer from a surplus of activity and a shortage of commitment. This might lead us to be like the person who described himself as “deeply superficial.” Perhaps this is why we get so little out of what we do. There’s an old truth we need to realize—”You get out of things what you put into them.” In all of life’s endeavors—commitment & joy are partners! When we stand back from the work and relationships that ought to be near to us we forfeit the fulfillment that is available to us! So then, we must be willing to “dig in” and get truly involved! I. When it comes to ____________________ - you get out what you put in! A. Too many have sour marriages today! Can become evident to everyone w/terrible ramifications! B. We must spend time _______________ our marriages. Involves work & good dose of humility! 1. Happiness in marriage will ONLY result when each partner _______ _______ _________ and quits waiting on/griping about the shortcomings of his spouse! C. Marriage partners are to love one another with a _______________ ______! 1. Husbands: 1 Pet. 3:7—love her in an _______________ way! 2. Eph. 5:25; 28-29; 33—work at being the ___________ in your home! YOU set the overall direction in your home! 3. Wives: love your husband & expect ____________ in return! 4. 1 Pet. 3:1-6—do your best to be an ____________ to him! D. In short, you must live for Jesus & live ______ _______ ____________! 1. It is not an “open” or disposable relationship! II. When working with the _________ _______________ - you get out what you put in! A. Only attending when convenient; halfhearted work; critical of everything… 1. If this church does not fill my expectations; ________; & preferences then I must move to another place that meets my emotional needs. B. When are we most fulfilled? 1. When we meet the needs of God’s church on earth! Mt. 20:26-28 2. Rom. 12:1- “reasonable service” is NOT being ___________; but ________________! 3. We need be part of a congregation—not for what it can do for us—but but what we can do for it! III. With our relationship with _____________ - you get out what you put in! A. Pray irregularly? Study haphazardly? Religion nothing more than intellectual debate? Worship routine, boring, a mere formality? B. Mt. 22:37—we are to love God from the ____________! C. We must have the courage to pursue God w/a “risk it all” commitment! 1. Jer. 29:13; Neh. 8:10 D. It is ________________ to care deeply about important matters! We might be: 1. Inconvenienced; ______________________; frustrated; hurt; etc. 2. If we take the easy way out; and avoid serious commitments in life we doom ourselves to an impoverished existence! (Gary Henry) 2 Cor. 9:6-7 does not only apply to the collection! E. We must care & care deeply about God! 1. Commit yourself _________________ to the worship of God! 2. Involve yourself _________________ in the work of God! 3. 2 Tim. 1:12- risk it all for the glory of God! Conclusion: A. ______________ accomplish very little. Don’t be “deeply superficial!” B. The stronger your commitment—the greater your joy & satisfaction! C. Do you need to make a commitment to God? Do it today!