The Christian Life is a Committed Life

Introduction:
We live in a day when the trend is toward “continual change” rather than “constant loyalty.” We like keeping our options open rather than making binding commitments. This is seen in several areas of life—especially in religion. While we know of “religious” people—we often see little commitment above the minimums. The gospel requires commitment of the highest order—Lk. 9:57-62; 14:25-33. We must come to Christ knowing that some sacrifices will have to be made! When we obey the gospel—seeking the remission of our sins—each step we take needs to be backed up with genuine commitment!

I. There is a connection between _____________________ and _________________________.
    A. Obedience w/o commitment is not really obedience! Is our goal to be like _______? Lk. 6:40; Gal. 2:20
        1. Our obedience must be from the _________! Rom. 6:17; Eph. 6:6
    B. Too many of us waffle or __________ in our obedience! Become part-time Christians.
        1. Galatians battled it—Gal. 1:6
        2. Many of the Hebrews did not take their Christianity ______________! Heb. 2:1, 3:5-6; 12-14
    C. In the bible, commitment & obedience ALWAYS go together! See Mt. 6:24; 12:30

II. Commitment is necessary in our ____________.
    A. Js. 2:19-20—involves a commitment to what we _____________.
    B. Some violate their previous pledge to live consistently with what they believe.
        1. 1 Tim. 5:12—note description of widows who disregarded Christ…
        2. They were untrue to their _______ __________.
    C. Our faith involves a ______________; a ___________________.
        1. 2 Pet. 2:20-22—to go back on our commitment is a serious thing!

III. Commitment is necessary in our ________________________.
    A. Acts 26:20—note how this verse is constructed.
        1. Repent = a __________________ to change. (make the decision.)
        2. Turn to God = ______________ the change. (carry out the decision.)
        3. Works appropriate to repentance = ________________ the commitment.
    B. Repentance is more than a ________; more than an emotional feeling of guilt; sorrow; or remorse for sin….
        1. It is a ___________ of will which leads to a ___________ of conduct!
        2. See Rev. 2:4-5; Ezek. 18:23
    C. Apologies are useless—unless they are backed up w/a commitment to change!

IV. Commitment is involved in _______________________.
    A. ___________ ______________ involves a commitment to be true to Christ.
        1. 1 Tim. 6:12-14.
        2. Col. 2:6—we must make a commitment to accept His _______________.
    B. This confession & commitment is made ______________!
        1. It is a public promise of faithfulness! Compare to the marriage vow!
        2. Rev. 2:13—see the example of _____________.
    C. The NT speaks of ______________ to our confession—2 Cor. 9:13.
    D. We must ______ _______ our confession—Heb. 4:14; 10:23

V. Commitment is involved in our _____________________.
    A. Rom. 6:2-4—baptism involves a commitment to walk in ___________ of _______.
        1. Meaning of baptism is DEATH to the old life & resurrection to the NEW!
    B. While we do well teaching about remission of sin in baptism—perhaps we do not stress enough the
        ___________________ that is required in baptism!

Conclusion:
    A. To be ________________ means to turn to God with commitment! Must break decisively! Acts 3:19
    B. God asks us to commit ourselves to Him entirely! 2 Tim. 1:12
    C. Mt. 7:24-27—it is foolish to hear the truth from God and not make any commitment to it!
    D. How committed is your obedience to God?



The Christian Life is a Committed Life Introduction: We live in a day when the trend is toward “continual change” rather than “constant loyalty.” We like keeping our options open rather than making binding commitments. This is seen in several areas of life—especially in religion. While we know of “religious” people—we often see little commitment above the minimums. The gospel requires commitment of the highest order—Lk. 9:57-62; 14:25-33. We must come to Christ knowing that some sacrifices will have to be made! When we obey the gospel—seeking the remission of our sins—each step we take needs to be backed up with genuine commitment! I. There is a connection between _____________________ and _________________________. A. Obedience w/o commitment is not really obedience! Is our goal to be like _______? Lk. 6:40; Gal. 2:20 1. Our obedience must be from the _________! Rom. 6:17; Eph. 6:6 B. Too many of us waffle or __________ in our obedience! Become part-time Christians. 1. Galatians battled it—Gal. 1:6 2. Many of the Hebrews did not take their Christianity ______________! Heb. 2:1, 3:5-6; 12-14 C. In the bible, commitment & obedience ALWAYS go together! See Mt. 6:24; 12:30 II. Commitment is necessary in our ____________. A. Js. 2:19-20—involves a commitment to what we _____________. B. Some violate their previous pledge to live consistently with what they believe. 1. 1 Tim. 5:12—note description of widows who disregarded Christ… 2. They were untrue to their _______ __________. C. Our faith involves a ______________; a ___________________. 1. 2 Pet. 2:20-22—to go back on our commitment is a serious thing! III. Commitment is necessary in our ________________________. A. Acts 26:20—note how this verse is constructed. 1. Repent = a __________________ to change. (make the decision.) 2. Turn to God = ______________ the change. (carry out the decision.) 3. Works appropriate to repentance = ________________ the commitment. B. Repentance is more than a ________; more than an emotional feeling of guilt; sorrow; or remorse for sin…. 1. It is a ___________ of will which leads to a ___________ of conduct! 2. See Rev. 2:4-5; Ezek. 18:23 C. Apologies are useless—unless they are backed up w/a commitment to change! IV. Commitment is involved in _______________________. A. ___________ ______________ involves a commitment to be true to Christ. 1. 1 Tim. 6:12-14. 2. Col. 2:6—we must make a commitment to accept His _______________. B. This confession & commitment is made ______________! 1. It is a public promise of faithfulness! Compare to the marriage vow! 2. Rev. 2:13—see the example of _____________. C. The NT speaks of ______________ to our confession—2 Cor. 9:13. D. We must ______ _______ our confession—Heb. 4:14; 10:23 V. Commitment is involved in our _____________________. A. Rom. 6:2-4—baptism involves a commitment to walk in ___________ of _______. 1. Meaning of baptism is DEATH to the old life & resurrection to the NEW! B. While we do well teaching about remission of sin in baptism—perhaps we do not stress enough the ___________________ that is required in baptism! Conclusion: A. To be ________________ means to turn to God with commitment! Must break decisively! Acts 3:19 B. God asks us to commit ourselves to Him entirely! 2 Tim. 1:12 C. Mt. 7:24-27—it is foolish to hear the truth from God and not make any commitment to it! D. How committed is your obedience to God?