Motivation for Commitment

Dr. George Bannister. Ph.D., D.Min., Th.M., M.Div.

Woodville Baptist Church

Confronting Casual Christianity • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

Daniel 1:1–21

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Daniel 1:1-21

Daniel 1:1–21 (NLT)

1 During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives.

4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”

5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.

6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah.

7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.

8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.

10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”

11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

12 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said.

13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.”

14 The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.

16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.

17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar.

19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service.

20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.

Introduction:

Why do some people achieve so much and others so little? Is it because the achievers are more talented than the non achievers? Not necessarily.

Why are some people so excited and enthusiastic, and seem to be energized in all that they do? At the same time others with the same responsibilities seem to have a blase, don't care attitude.

Why is it that two people can work side by side at the same occupation, and one is productive and the other not nearly as productive? One is charged-up and the other is not.

How in the world can we account for the difference? Two people can sit on the same Pew and listen to the same message. One can be thrilled about the Lord, desirous of pleasing him, and applying spiritual truths. The other could care less about it and never seems to apply the truths revealed, never makes a note, never carries a bible. This person is just there, and quite frankly, sometimes it is hard to figure out why.

The answer is simple - motivation. The achievers are motivated, the others are not!

What is motivation? Simply put, motivation is “the drive within us.” What motivates the people of God? Or, more personally, what motivates you to serve god?

T.S.: The life of Daniel can give us some answers.

I-THE COMMITMENTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE SHOULD MOTIVATE YOU. (Daniel 1:8)

Daniel 1:8 (NLT)

8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

A- The commitment of salvation.

1. When you were saved you chose to be devoted to Jesus.

a. Loving devotion is the key.

1) The rich young ruler failed in his quest because he did not possess the loving devotion to Jesus that should have been there. He was devoted rather to the things that possessed him. (Matthew 19:16-22)

Matthew 19:16–22 (NLT)

16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “ ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.

19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”

21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

a) If there is anything in your life that you are not willing to give up for the sake of Christ, it possesses you!

2. You committed to love and serve him only when you were saved!

a. He expects your total devotion. (Exodus 34: 14)

Exodus 34:14 (NLT)

14 You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.

b. how deep is your love for God?

B- The commitment of sanctification.

1. Have you ever dedicated your life to Jesus?

a. Have you ever told him “Lord, I'll follow you no matter the cost!”

b. Illustration: man on his marriage vows:

Pastor: “Didn't you vow to take your wife for better or worse?”

Man: “yes, but I didn't know how bad the worst would be!”

c. When you committed to follow Christ- even through the worst of times.

1) Now the call is to follow him because of that commitment.

II- THE CLEAR DIRECTION OF GOD SHOULD MOTIVATE YOU. (Daniel 1: 9-13)

Daniel 1:9–13 (NLT)

9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.

11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

12 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said.

13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.”

A. Seek the mind of God for direction.

1. If you seek him for clear direction, he will provide it. (Proverbs 3: 6 )

Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)

6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

a. Many of us act impulsively, instead of seeking his direction first period

b. what Daniel and his friends could have done might have resulted in death, but they sought God's mind and plan.

2. Make time to commune with God, feasting on his word, and hearing his “still small voice.”

a. The times are seldom when God speaks through the spectacular. Most of the time he uses the “still small voice.”

1) Unless you make time alone with him... quiet time... You may not be able to hear his directions given.

a) Elijah was alone with God when he heard his still small voice. (1 Kings 19:10-13)

1 Kings 19:10–13 (NLT)

10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

B. Act upon his direction.

1. Act, even when the actions do not make worldly sense.

a. Daniel and his friends acted upon God's plans and took a tremendous risk, and God blessed them.

b. There have been times in my life when God's direction made no worldly sense, but he always blessed me when I was obedient.

III- THE DISCOVERY OF WHAT GOD WILL DO IN YOUR LIFE WILL MOTIVATE YOU. (Daniel 1: 14-21)

Daniel 1:14–21 (NLT)