Text: Matt 22:37, 28:19-20, 1 Cor 9:16.
Commitment is an attitude of diligent service and sacrifice; it means to be fully dedicated to a cause, and to demonstrate absolute loyalty to it. It is likened to a pledge and is like vowing to be the best and do the best. Is putting on the best and forging ahead.
There are so many areas or things one can be committed to. It is possible to be committed to ungodly things which are likely to be destructive and unprofitable. It thus means that one can be negatively committed. On the other hand one can be committed to godly things and such will be constructive and beneficial. That is being positively committed.
This sermon will concentrate on commitments that are worthy, that will lead to spiritual growth and godly living. First and foremost is to be committed to God. Commitment to God must supersede all other commitments. A few others are commitments to i) The Word, ii) Prayer, iii) Doing good, and to iv ) The Great commission.
A Christian will be recognised by how he or she lives and how committed he or she is to God, his commandments and to his work. Your attitude towards studying the word, prayer, service to God, how you worship him and how happy you are to be in His presence and fellowship with him determines who you are and how committed you are.
Who ever professes Christ must have total commitment to him. Matt 22:37-38, "Jesus said unto him, "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." Commitment to God must be total and must supersede all other things.
Commitment to The Lord.
The Lord has shown us by example of what commitment is. God, Himself is so committed to his promises, and that is why Isa 55:10-11 say, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." He is so concerned about our safety and committed to protecting us from dangers when he said "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."Isa 43:2.
Brethren, no commitment can be greater than this. Therefore your own commitment must be total. When Jesus said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." The Jews murmured and many deserted him. Peter showed high level of commitment when Jesus asked his twelve disciples whether they too would also like to go away as others went away but, "Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."Jn 6: 68. Peter again said unto Jesus, "Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Matt 19:27. Peter knew there is no alternative. No other one to follow except Jesus. Of course we have eternal life through him. He is the gate-way to heaven.
Paul demonstrated his love, dependability and commitment to God when he said, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That is, no matter what happens, nothing will move him away from God. The three Hebrew men held on to God even in the face of death when King Nebuchadnezzar asked them to worship the golden image he set up and that who ever did not worship the golden image would be thrown into the burning furnace. They answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you on this point. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!" These men were so committed to their God and held on to their belief and trust in him. Daniel 3:16-18.
Commitment to The Word.
God demonstrated to us the authority and power in His Word. He created the world with the word. Gen 1:1-26. The whole world was framed by the word of God. Jesus Christ healed the Centurion's servant neither by touching him nor visiting him but by sending his word. Matt 8:13.
"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Ps 119:89. "For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Ps 138:2b. That is, God honours his word above all things. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the diving asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerned of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb 4:12. The Lord says that his word is going to accomplish all that he purposes.'Isa 55:11. Whatever God said became a reality. The word of God has stood the test of time and believers put their trust and confidence in the Word. Because of the trust in the word and because the word gives us understanding of who God is and He speaks through the word. Therefore you are to be committed to it. The word of God has authority and is always backed up with power and you can speak His word to any situation. The word can move mountains when you speak it with faith. God has given us power to speak and to create by his word. The Bereans were said to be more noble than those in Thessalonica because they were committed to studying the word. They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily and believed. Acts 17:11-12. You are admonished to be committed to the word. You can use the word to pull down any stronghold, to move mountains and also through it you are empowered. His word never goes void.
Commitment to Prayer.
Prayer is communication with God through Jesus Christ. The Bible admonishes us to pray without ceasing. When you spend quality time with God you don't leave his presence the same way, for you will be transformed. Live a life of prayer and be committed to it. Do not wait until you have problems before you start to pray. Prayer changes things and situations as it can shape the outcomes of things that are out of control when you call upon God to intervene on your behalf. King David recognised this when he said, "The moment I pray the tide of battle turns; my enemies flee." Ps. 56: 9. The Angel of the Lord also told Daniel that immediately he prayed the Lord sent a word. Daniel 9:23.
Prayer is a relationship and a two way communication. God speaks when you pray, so learn to pray about everything. In his presence there is fullness of joy and prayer can give you joy. Hannah was committed to prayer that through it she got more than what she requested for. The Bible says she continued praying before the LORD, asking for a child, and God gave her Samuel and later added five more children.1Sam1:27. Hezekiah turned to God in prayer when he was sick unto death,God heard his prayer and sent Isaiah to him to confirm that his prayer has been answered. God healed him and added fifteen years unto his days. Isa38:5. Jabez whose mother named him son of sorrow went to God in prayer and presented his case. God heard his request,granted him that which he requested and even made him more honourable than his brethren.1Chron4:9.
Brethren, prayer is a powerful tool the Lord has given unto you. The three people mentioned above did not leave God the same way after their prayer. Be committed to prayer and learn to take everything to God in prayer.
Commitment to Doing Good.
The Bible says "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal 6:9. "But ye, brethren, be not be weary in well doing." 2 Thess 3:13.
As soon as Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power, he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Jesus empowered his disciples to go about healing the sick, casting out demons and preaching the kingdom of God. You are admonished to go about doing good and that you should not give up because in due season you shall reap the reward of doing good. Find joy in serving others and in doing good. Dorcas was full of good works and alms-deeds, making coats and garments for the widows. When she died, the widows gathered and wept, and they washed her and laid her in an upper chamber. They sent for Peter to come and see Dorcas where she was laid; Peter raised her from death and brought her back to life perhaps to do more of good works. Acts 9:36-41.
The parable of the Good Samaritan as narrated by Jesus Christ indicated that out of the Priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan who saw the man that was wounded and stripped naked and left half dead, it was only the Samaritan who had compassion on him. He took care of the wounded man, took him to an inn to be looked after and paid for his care. No wonder he earned the name ‘The Good Samaritan’ for he had mercy and compassion on the wounded man. Lk 10:30-37. Brethren, be committed to doing good. In actual fact, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them; Eph 2: 10." Be a beacon in the community; be involved in the acts of charity, kindness and goodwill. Rev 22:12 says, "Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
Commitment to The Great Commission .
The Great Commission is to make disciples of all nations. It is to preach the gospel and spread the good news in all the world. Jesus commissioned his disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And to teach them to obey everything he had commanded them. And he promised to be with them till the end of the world. The commission is a mandate for all Christians. Whoever claims to be in Christ must be committed to this Commission. Matt 28:19-:20. The more committed you are to the Commission the more committed you will be to Jesus Christ and it is also an act of obedience to him.
Apostle Paul was very committed to this Commission. He made many missionary journeys through Rome and Asia Minor making disciples and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was in chains and bonds and he endured hardship for the sake of Christ and he also had to discipline his body for the sake of the gospel so that many could be discipled. He was so committed that he said in 1Cor 9:16, "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am compelled. Woe to me if I do not preach the good news of salvation." Paul, a preacher and an apostle was very committed to the Great Commission. No wonder he said towards the end of his life, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" 2 Tim 4:7. He had completed the course set before him; and ready to go home and meet Christ in heaven. He was very joyous for completing the mission of spreading the good news and ready to receive the crown of righteousness laid up for him. His name is indelible as he authored many books in the Bible writing letters to encourage believers even when in chains. Brethren, you are admonished to be committed to the Great Commission. It is a command from our Lord Jesus Christ. Also, as we are awaiting his second coming, let us be committed, and a crown of righteousness awaits you.
In conclusion, to live a successful Christian life, you are admonished to be committed to the listed above.
Prayer.
Father in heaven, I want to live a successful Christian life and finish well. I want to qualify for the crown of righteousness promised those who await the second coming of Christ and other crowns. Grant me the grace to be committed totally to you, to your word, to prayer, to doing good works and to the Great Commission. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
