The Christian life is a committed life.

2002021

Subject: commitment

Introduction:

A. Heb. 10:19-23

1. live in day when trend is toward “continual change” rather than “constant loyalty.”

2. toward “keeping our options open” rather than making “binding commitments.”

3. Readily seen in commitment to religion.

4. many religious people – but little commitment above the minimums.

B. Yet…gospel requires commitment of the highest order.

1. Lk. 9:57-62.

2. count the cost…9:57; priorities in order – 9:59; 61

3. Christian = first in life Involves full & total commitment!

C. Lk. 14:25-33 – we must count the cost!

1. family; job; nothing as important as Christianity!

2. Must come to Christ knowing that some sacrifices will have to be made.

a) problem in society today – to many of us want rewards w/o sacrifice!

b) Instant gratification society. Impatient. Expect things to happen NOW!

3. Not so w/Christianity! Long term!

D. When we obey the gospel – seeking remission of our sins – each step we take needs to be backed up with genuine commitment!

I. There is a connection between obedience & commitment.

A. Obedience w/o commitment is not really obedience.

1. What is our desire upon coming to Christ? To be a better person? To be like Jesus? Lk. 6:40; Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 11:1

2. Our obedience must be from the heart.

a) Rom. 6:17 – Paul’s praise of the Romans. Note…committed used here….we need to be committed to becoming slaves of righteousness.

b) Note also Eph. 6:6 – look at the motive involved here.

c) If I became Christian to please boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/employer/etc …. Wrong.

d) Do will of God from heart!

B. too many of us waffle or waver in our obedience. Become nothing more than PT Christians. Nothing new.

1. Galatians battled it – Gal. 1:6

2. Many of the Hebrews did not take their Christianity seriously.

a) 2:1, 3 – drifting away. Inattentive to their responsibilities. Not working to become stronger.

b) 3:5-6b – heaven is ours IF…6b. hope to the end.

c) Because of this we need to be aware of sin – 3:12-14.

C. In the bible – commitment & obedience always go together.

1. Mt. 6:24; 12:30

II. Commitment is necessary in our faith.

A. Saving faith involves a commitment to what we believe. Js. 2:19-20.

B. When we say that someone has become “unfaithful” to gospel – we do not just mean that he has ceased to “believe” that which he previously had faith in – we mean that he has violated his previous pledge to live consistently w/what he believed.

1. 1 Tim. 5:12 – certain widows had disregarded Christ & are described in v. 12.

2. other xlations – they have been untrue to their first faith (Lamsa) broken their former promise (Conybeare)

C. Clearly our faith involves a promise: a commitment.

D. To break our faith; to go back on one’s commitment to what he believes; to betray his trust is a serious thing.

1. 2 Peter 2:20-22

E. Faith not only involves an acknowledgement of that fact of Jesus’ resurrection but a commitment to stay with it.

III. Commitment is necessary in our repentance.

A. Acts 26:20 – repentance involves turning to God – performing deeds of repentance. Involves commitment to change our ways.

1. repent = commitment to change – it’s the decision…

2. Turn to God = making the change. Following through.

3. do works appropriate to repentance = maintain the commitment in practice. See 1 Sam. 12:20b.

B. Repentance is more than a mood; more than emotional feeling of guilt; sorrow; remorse for sin….(although this is involved)

C. Repentance is a change of will which leads to a change of conduct.

1. Rev. 2:4-5….Ephesians told to turn.

2. Ezek 18:23 – turn from ways & live.

D. To be worth anything … our “turning” to God must be resolute.

1. Josh 1:7 – must be strong & courageous.

2. Apologies are useless – if they are not backed up w/a commitment to change!

a) Mt. 3:7-10 –Follow though – don’t expect mere words to get it done.

IV. Commitment is involved in confession.

A. Honest confession involves a commitment to be true to Christ.

1. 1 Tim. 6:12-14

2. confession to Christ is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord – but a commitment to accept His Lordship.

3. Col. 2:6

B. This confession & commitment is made publicly.

1. We place ourselves on record – before witnesses – that we intend to be true to Christ!

2. Confession is a public promise of faithfulness.

3. Some compare it to the marriage vow.

C. Rev. 2:13 – Antipas….my witness; my faithful one…

1. This man willing to die – rather than renounce his testimony & be unfaithful to what he confessed.

2. we need to develop the same kind of faith!

D. This is why the NT speaks of obedience to our confession. 2 Cor. 9:13

1. We must hold fast our confession. Heb. 4:14; 10:23

V. Commitment is involved in baptism.

A. Rom. 6:2-4 – scriptural baptism involves commitment to walk in newness of life.

1. NT stresses that the meaning of baptism is DEATH to the old life & resurrection to the NEW.

2. Not only must we understand that it is for the remission of sin – but for this purpose as well.

B. Maybe we’ve not been teaching the “whole truth about baptism.”

1. We stress constantly about it’s involvement in remission of sin – and rightly so…..but….

2. don’t stress enough about the commitment required in baptism.

C. Gary Henry:

1. a scriptural baptism looks both backward and forward.

a) backward: the remission of past sins.

b) Forward: a changed life – walking in newness of life.

2. without a true commitment of the heart – baptism is an empty act.

Conclusion:

A. to be “converted” means to turn to God w/commitment.

1. not just to break with the past – but to do so decisively.

2. Acts 3:19

B. God asks us to commit ourselves to Him entirely.

1. 2 Tim. 1:12

2. we must give ourselves to the Lord!

C. Mt. 7:24-27 – it = foolish to hear the truth from God & not make any commitment to it!

D. How commited is your obedience to God?

E. How resolved are you to follow the savior?

F. I N VI T A T I O N



The Christian life is a committed life. 2002021 Subject: commitment Introduction: A. Heb. 10:19-23 1. live in day when trend is toward “continual change” rather than “constant loyalty.” 2. toward “keeping our options open” rather than making “binding commitments.” 3. Readily seen in commitment to religion. 4. many religious people – but little commitment above the minimums. B. Yet…gospel requires commitment of the highest order. 1. Lk. 9:57-62. 2. count the cost…9:57; priorities in order – 9:59; 61 3. Christian = first in life Involves full & total commitment! C. Lk. 14:25-33 – we must count the cost! 1. family; job; nothing as important as Christianity! 2. Must come to Christ knowing that some sacrifices will have to be made. a) problem in society today – to many of us want rewards w/o sacrifice! b) Instant gratification society. Impatient. Expect things to happen NOW! 3. Not so w/Christianity! Long term! D. When we obey the gospel – seeking remission of our sins – each step we take needs to be backed up with genuine commitment! I. There is a connection between obedience & commitment. A. Obedience w/o commitment is not really obedience. 1. What is our desire upon coming to Christ? To be a better person? To be like Jesus? Lk. 6:40; Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 11:1 2. Our obedience must be from the heart. a) Rom. 6:17 – Paul’s praise of the Romans. Note…committed used here….we need to be committed to becoming slaves of righteousness. b) Note also Eph. 6:6 – look at the motive involved here. c) If I became Christian to please boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/employer/etc …. Wrong. d) Do will of God from heart! B. too many of us waffle or waver in our obedience. Become nothing more than PT Christians. Nothing new. 1. Galatians battled it – Gal. 1:6 2. Many of the Hebrews did not take their Christianity seriously. a) 2:1, 3 – drifting away. Inattentive to their responsibilities. Not working to become stronger. b) 3:5-6b – heaven is ours IF…6b. hope to the end. c) Because of this we need to be aware of sin – 3:12-14. C. In the bible – commitment & obedience always go together. 1. Mt. 6:24; 12:30 II. Commitment is necessary in our faith. A. Saving faith involves a commitment to what we believe. Js. 2:19-20. B. When we say that someone has become “unfaithful” to gospel – we do not just mean that he has ceased to “believe” that which he previously had faith in – we mean that he has violated his previous pledge to live consistently w/what he believed. 1. 1 Tim. 5:12 – certain widows had disregarded Christ & are described in v. 12. 2. other xlations – they have been untrue to their first faith (Lamsa) broken their former promise (Conybeare) C. Clearly our faith involves a promise: a commitment. D. To break our faith; to go back on one’s commitment to what he believes; to betray his trust is a serious thing. 1. 2 Peter 2:20-22 E. Faith not only involves an acknowledgement of that fact of Jesus’ resurrection but a commitment to stay with it. III. Commitment is necessary in our repentance. A. Acts 26:20 – repentance involves turning to God – performing deeds of repentance. Involves commitment to change our ways. 1. repent = commitment to change – it’s the decision… 2. Turn to God = making the change. Following through. 3. do works appropriate to repentance = maintain the commitment in practice. See 1 Sam. 12:20b. B. Repentance is more than a mood; more than emotional feeling of guilt; sorrow; remorse for sin….(although this is involved) C. Repentance is a change of will which leads to a change of conduct. 1. Rev. 2:4-5….Ephesians told to turn. 2. Ezek 18:23 – turn from ways & live. D. To be worth anything … our “turning” to God must be resolute. 1. Josh 1:7 – must be strong & courageous. 2. Apologies are useless – if they are not backed up w/a commitment to change! a) Mt. 3:7-10 –Follow though – don’t expect mere words to get it done. IV. Commitment is involved in confession. A. Honest confession involves a commitment to be true to Christ. 1. 1 Tim. 6:12-14 2. confession to Christ is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord – but a commitment to accept His Lordship. 3. Col. 2:6 B. This confession & commitment is made publicly. 1. We place ourselves on record – before witnesses – that we intend to be true to Christ! 2. Confession is a public promise of faithfulness. 3. Some compare it to the marriage vow. C. Rev. 2:13 – Antipas….my witness; my faithful one… 1. This man willing to die – rather than renounce his testimony & be unfaithful to what he confessed. 2. we need to develop the same kind of faith! D. This is why the NT speaks of obedience to our confession. 2 Cor. 9:13 1. We must hold fast our confession. Heb. 4:14; 10:23 V. Commitment is involved in baptism. A. Rom. 6:2-4 – scriptural baptism involves commitment to walk in newness of life. 1. NT stresses that the meaning of baptism is DEATH to the old life & resurrection to the NEW. 2. Not only must we understand that it is for the remission of sin – but for this purpose as well. B. Maybe we’ve not been teaching the “whole truth about baptism.” 1. We stress constantly about it’s involvement in remission of sin – and rightly so…..but…. 2. don’t stress enough about the commitment required in baptism. C. Gary Henry: 1. a scriptural baptism looks both backward and forward. a) backward: the remission of past sins. b) Forward: a changed life – walking in newness of life. 2. without a true commitment of the heart – baptism is an empty act. Conclusion: A. to be “converted” means to turn to God w/commitment. 1. not just to break with the past – but to do so decisively. 2. Acts 3:19 B. God asks us to commit ourselves to Him entirely. 1. 2 Tim. 1:12 2. we must give ourselves to the Lord! C. Mt. 7:24-27 – it = foolish to hear the truth from God & not make any commitment to it! D. How commited is your obedience to God? E. How resolved are you to follow the savior? F. I N VI T A T I O N