I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ... OUR COMMITMENT
April 23, 2000 AM
Sermon Outline
Heb 10:32-39
INTRO: The church in Laodicea, from all we can learn of it, was a successful church. But Jesus knew better. He identified this church as lukewarm and good for nothing but to be spewed from His mouth (Rev 3:16). That is not a pretty picture. But it describes a church of people whose commitment to the Lord was gone. Churches and Christians can look good and be good for nothing! Concerns about commitment to the Lord rose early in the history of the church. My concerns, however, are for our commitment.
I. WHAT DOES COMMITMENT MEAN?
A. It means a decision has been made
1. decisions involve choices ... the Lord, or not?
2. Acts 2:41 decision based on the gospel - and informed decision
3. emotionally made decisions so often result in regrets, turning back
B. It means there are intentions of follow through
1. without intentions decisions are meaningless
2. Acts 2:42 and they continued ... - their intentions were to have Jesus be their Lord
3. Mt 13:5,6,20,21 intentions can give way in their heat
C. It means the goal is kept in mind and view
1. the goal kept in mind reinvigorates commitment
2. Phil 3:14 - 2 Tim 4:8 the goal was always in mind
3. lose sight of goal and distractions affect
D. It means resolve
1. no matter what comes I continue
2. Rev 6:9 which they held - they held to their commitment even to death
3. yet, some of us may be easily swayed by any inconvenience ... no resolve?
II. WHERE IS IT NEEDED?
A. With regard to the testimony of God
1. 1 Cor 2:1,2
2. our commitment to belief in Jesus, crucified and crowned, must not want
B. With regard to the word of God
1. Rev 1:9 and 6:9 there are attractive options
2. but not a single one of those options can guarantee what the word of God can
C. With regard to the Lords church
1. 1 cor 11:2 keep - 1 Tim 3:15 heres how ... keep it; practice it
2. yes, it does make a difference ... if we are to be the Lords church; if we are in the Lords church (1 Tim 4:16)
D. With regard to morality
1. 1 Thes 4:7
2. commitment to holy living ... it would seem to be a given ... yet, because of the lies of Satan it is never taken for granted
III. SO, WE DAY BY DAY MAKE CHOICES OF COMMITMENT
A. Choices which concern our speech
1. keeping profanity, vulgarity, gossip, murmuring out of our speech (our speech can tell so much about commitment)
2. Col 4:6
B. Choices which concern moral behavior
1. sexual purity, honesty, abstinence from any substances which dull our vigilance, companions
2. 1 Pet 5:8 ... Eph 5:3, etc.
C. Choices which concern the Lords church
1. from insisting on sound doctrine and practice, to attitude toward the body, to attending worship
2. Acts 20:28 with 1 Pet 2:17b
CLOSE: A great admonition is 1 Cor 15:58. The reason for the admonition to commitment is the great resurrection. Note 1 Cor 15:22,23 and the expression ... they that are Christs ...
Cecil A. Hutson
23 April 2000