(Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:3)
Delivered to ------ Baptist Church, ----, LA
April 17, 2005 u 11:00 am
The C word. It affects every part of your life. Some men have a hard time dealing with this word after dating a lady 4 years. For some, this word doesnt come into play as it once did in the workplace. What is that word you ask? Its commitment.
It has been said, A winner makes commitment. A loser makes promises. If that is true, where do you stand with God? Have you made a commitment to Him?
Listen to these verses: Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:3. Proverbs 3:5-6, 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 16:3, Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.
Pray
1. Be Committed to God with all that you have.
The first part of verse 5 of chapter 3 in Proverbs says to trust in the Lord with all of our heart. Mark. 12:30, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Matt. 6:33, But seek ye first the kingdom of God; and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. We are urged by God Himself to love Him with all that we have and all that we are.
Listen, real commitment does not have an on and off switch. You cant be committed to God one day and not committed to Him the next. Either you are committed to him or you are not. Real commitment is not a Sunday thing, its 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with no vacations or off days. You are the same person Monday through Saturday as you are on Sunday.
It takes dedication and perseverance to be committed to God. It takes personal time to have a relationship. God wants a relationship with you. That is why He made it possible to be with Him forever.
When you make a commitment to God to follow Him and you repent of your sins, He sends his holy Spirit into your heart and there is a covenant struck at that moment between you and a Holy and righteous God. That covenant is one in which you declare that you are making Him Lord of your life. In other words, He is in charge, not you. You are making a commitment to Him. You arent making a promise that you cant keep, you are making a commitment, that with the help of God, you will keep no matter what.
Are you committed to God?
2. Be committed to God in the reading of His word.
In Ps 119:11, we find these words, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. When we read the word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to place it on the pages of our heart then we will do what is pleasing to God. If we are not committed to the reading of Gods word then we cant know what sin is and what it is not.
Let me tell you something as your brother in Christ. Dont wait until you get to church to read the word of God. Dont think that one portion of scripture will get you through the week. Christ told us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. Each day begs for a reading from the word of God. You and I need a word from the Lord for each day that we are living on this earth.
When we commit to read the word of God we are strengthening our faith. Listen to Romans 10:17, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Our faith in Him increases as our reading of His word increases. Have you been there? Have you been reading and suddenly feel the warmth of the Spirit of God? The words, His words seem to resonate with your spirit and contact with God is made.
Just attending morning preaching is not going to give you enough for the rest of the week. Pick up the Bible. Read it daily.
Are you committed to the reading of Gods word?
3. Be committed to God in daily living.
If you are really committed to God, it will show. Others will see it in your life. Listen to what Paul said to Colossian Christians, Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Whatever we do we ought to please God in the doing of it.
Listen to Pauls words to the Galatian Christians, Galatians 5:25, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. If we are of God, then let us live like it. Dont let people wonder if you are a Christian, live like it. Dont have them guessing. Dont lead them astray. Lead them to Jesus. There should be no doubt who we belong to when controversy or difficult situations arise. People ought to be able to look at us and see Christ in us.
Listen to Ephesians 5:8-11, 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. We are instructed to live as children of the living God. Are you doing that? Am I?
Are you committed to God?
Are you committed to the reading of Gods word?
Are you committed to God in daily living?
The C Word Part II
Be committed to your family
(Proverbs 3: 5-6, 16:3)
Delivered to ----- Baptist Church, -----, LA
April 24, 2005 u 11:00 am
When looking at the c word, commitment, we cant overlook the second most important commitment of a persons life. What is it? Its family. What does commitment have to do with Family? Everything.
Read Proverbs 3:5, 16:3.
Pray
1. Parents, be committed to each other.
Do you realize that 1 out of 2 marriages end in divorce? Children see no commitment to family from their parents. They need to see what commitment looks like. They are looking for it in you.
How long since you kissed your spouse and told them that you loved them? Dont remember? When was the last time you brought your spouse a gift for no reason? Might want to think on these things.
The second part of verse 5 of Proverbs chapter 3, tells us to, not lean on our own understanding. Many times we feel that we can do this marriage thing without help. Guess what? We cant. We need to lean on God every step of the way. If you are committed to God, then you have that assurance of His help.
Well, what does the Bible say about the marriage relationship? Listen to Ephesians 5:22, 25, 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, Now this verse has been misquoted and parts of it left out when people quote it and go over it in their heads. Most people forget that verse 25 exists. Husbands are to love their wives, just as Christ loved the church. Are you willing to die for your wife? Christ died for the church. He loved it that much.
If you are committed to something then it will show. You will make time for it. Listen to Colossians. 3:18-19, 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
A husband has no problem loving a submissive wife. But the contrary is true is well, a wife has no problem being submissive to a loving husband.
If you are committed to your spouse, as you said you were and would be when you married, then whatever comes up or goes down, you will stick together no matter what. When both people are committed to the marriage, then they will seek to do whatever they can to make it work.
Are you committed to your spouse?
2. Children, be committed to your parents.
Do children have a role to play in the family? Do they have to be committed to family or do they just get to sit and receive clothes, food and a roof over their heads?
Many children and youth hate to hear this verse because it sounds like nagging at times. Let me, as your pastor, and not your parent, read it to you. Deuteronomy 5:16, Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee. Believe it or not, there are no options here. We cant get out of this duty as children.
Notice, there is no time limit on how long you are to honor your parents. There never comes a time when you can just ignore them and their welfare and go on about your business. If they need help, you are to be there for them, no matter how old they are.
Colossians 3:20, says, Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. If you are committed to the Lord, then be obedient to your parents. I hate to say it, but there is no way around this either. If you love God, one way of showing Him that love is to obey your parents.
Children, be committed to your parents.
3. Parents, be committed to your children.
Listen to Proverbs 16:3, again. If we are to commit our ways to the Lord, then we need to commit the way we raise and treat our children to the Lord.
1. Committed parents provide for their children. Listen to these two verses from Matthew 7:9-10, 9 "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? This passage continues and speaks of the provision of God. But these two verses touch on the parents responsibility to look out for the safety of their own children. It also points out that they are to provide the needs of the child. Parents who are committed to their children wont let them run around dirty for days on end. Committed parents dont hope that in some way their children will find something to eat when they are hungry. Committed parents supply their childrens needs.
2. Committed parents discipline their children in love. What about the d word Brother Craig? Where does discipline fit into the role of a committed parent? Well, Im glad you asked. There is a verse from Proverbs 13:24, that goes like this, He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. Or if you are like me, you learned it from the KJV, He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. This is where we get the phrase, spare the rod and spoil the child. When a parent disciplines their child they are doing so to make them a better person. That should be the intent. The intent in discipline should NEVER be to harm the child. In order to grow up to be a nice person someone must hold children to a high standard. Someone must love you enough to help you know the difference between right and wrong. Parents have been given this role. If you love your child, then you will discipline them. 3. Committed parents share Jesus with their children. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. One of the most important messages you can share with your children is the message of salvation. Jesus says, allow them to come unto me. As parents we are not to hamper the opportunity for children to come unto God. As parents we need to point them to Him in all things. In fact, Moses was instructed to tell the people of Israel to teach their children the things of God all the time, when they got up, as they went through their day and when they went to bed at night. Committed parents will find the time to talk to their children about God. Committed parents will also live the Word of God daily.
Parents, are you committed to each other?
Children, are you committed to your parents?
Parents, are you committed to your children?
The C Word Part III:
Be Committed to His Church
(Proverbs 3: 5-6, 16: 3)
Delivered to -------- Baptist Church, --------, LA
May 1, 2005 u 11:00 am
Before Susanne and I had children, we made a little trip across the ocean to London and France. While over there we toured some beautiful cathedrals. A lot of famous people are buried in Westminster Cathedral by the way. People like Chaucer, Shakespeare, George Frederic Handel, Laurence Olivier, Charles Dickens, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Rudyard Kipling all have been buried there. While touring these churches I thought to my self, How many people actually go to church here?
According to various sources online I found that 27% of people who claim to be Christian go to church once a week in the United Kingdom. This is compared to 44% in the US. Another source said, fewer than 1 in 10 people attend church in the UK. Now that sounds horrible, but are we far behind? We as Americans need to do a self-examination and see where we are when it comes to being commmitted to Gods church.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:3
Pray
Being committed to your church consists of 4 thingsΦ
1. Committed to Church Attendance. (Heb.10: 25)
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. The question, Are we going to church today? should never be a question that is asked in your home.
Some people get what I call Sundayitus. It comes in different forms. For some it is sneezing. They sneeze one time and its back to bed. Oh, but On Monday they grab a hanky and go to work. For others, theyre just too tired on Sunday night. When you get too busy to go to church you are too busy. Many more times Wednesdayitus will strike. The same symptoms as Sundayitus, except it just happens on a different day.
A Nashville newspaper carried a story about Mrs. Lila Craig who hasnt missed attending church in 1,040 Sundays (20 years) although she is in her eighties. The editor commented, "It makes one wonder, whats the matter with Mrs. Craig? Doesnt it ever rain or snow in her town on Sunday? Doesnt she ever have unexpected company? How is it that she never goes anywhere on Saturday night so that shes too tired to attend the worship service the next morning? Doesnt she ever beg off to attend picnics or family reunions, or have headaches, colds, nervous spells, or tired feelings? Doesnt she ever oversleep or need time to read her Sunday newspaper? Hasnt she ever become angry at the minister or had her feelings hurt by someone and felt justified in staying home to hear a good sermon on the radio or TV? WHATS THE MATTER WITH MRS. CRAIG ANYWAY? Well, let me tell you what is the matter with Mrs. Craig. She is committed to God and His church. So she never got mad at another brother or sister in Christ? The article doesnt say. Obviously if she did it did not affect her love for the church, for God or for the person who may have offended her. The difference lies in how you handle things. If you are committed to God then youll truly forgive someone who has offended you.
Are you committed to God in church attendance?
2. Committed to Church Growth.
How many people did you talk to this week? How many did you talk to about Christ? How many friends did you invite this week? Didnt have the time?
Are you truly committed to church growth?
3. Committed to Church needs.
Listen to Mal. 3:8-10, 8 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation {of you!} 10 " Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Uh oh, the preachers talking about tithing. Listen, we need to be committed, to giving to the church. Its more than tithing, its supporting the Church, with our love, our prayers, our time, our availability, and our finances! The ministries or programs dont just happen by themselves. We need to be committed.
Let me tell you a story using four typical Church Members. Theyre names are: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to do and everybody thought that somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but none of them did it, so it didnt get done. Somebody got angry because it was everybodys job. Everybody thought for sure that somebody would do it, but nobody asked anybody. In the end the job wasnt done, and everybody blamed somebody when nobody asked anybody. Where is the commitment?
Are you committed to the needs of the church?
4. Committed to sharing the good news.
Listen to Proverbs 11:30, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls. Jesus gives us the Great Commission in Matt. 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Some may say: I cant talk to people about the LordΦbut they have no problem talking about any thing else. Some may say: I dont know enough about the Bible. Whose fault is that?
Listen to 2 Tim. 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Listen to James 1: 5, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. We have not because we ask not.
It all boils down to one wordCommitment. Where does your commitment lie?
Are you committed to regular attendance?
Are you committed to church growth?
Are you committed to church needs?
Are you committed to sharing the good news?
Are you committed to this church?
