Commitment

Introduction

We have spent some time looking at what the Bible says about EVANGELISM — MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION. Here in a moment, we will send out our HS students and MS stay in BIG ROOM. Before this, lets read a passage in Acts 8 together. This gives a chance to recap the principles from our past weeks but also send out our HS students for Study Groups.

Acts 8:1–8 ESV

1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

Acts 8:26–40 ESV

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

From these past weeks, I hope you have seen the importance and the call for BEING READY WITH THE GOSPEL. There are intentional missions through the church but there are many more Gospel sharing moments in your conversations. God has called you to SHARE: your testimony, your church, your quiet time, your faith in Christ.

Acts 8 records where Philips commitment is — mission with God. Notice what directed Philip’s commitment! There are three obvious moments of COMMITMENT in Philips life…

PHILIP’S DIRECTION

Acts 8:26 ESV

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

PHILIP’S DECISION

Acts 8:29–30 ESV

29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

PHILIP’S DISCIPLING

Acts 8:36–40 ESV

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

HIGH SCHOOLERS: there was a sentence we focused on last week.

GO SUES CONVERSATIONS TO MEET PEOPLE WEHRE THEY ARE AND INVITE THEM TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

As you enter Study Groups, I believe you will see that with Philip and the Ethiopian.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BIG ROOM

COMMITMENT

**Relaxed teaching time | Lock In | Ask Questions | Commit to learning

Who was our Main Character in Acts 8? PHILIP

I introduced that Philip was committed, but committed to what?

What does commitment even mean? Lets build a definitions together.

COMMITMENT: a promise to be loyal to someone or something

What are the someones or somethings that you are committed to ?

Sports/activities

School clubs

Friendships

Hobbies

Video Games

Stunt/World record

**read Bible everyday

**read through the entire Bible by time you graduate HS

**being discipled

When it comes to committing to your sport/activity or club ——— are you just allowed to commit to the game/competitions OR does your coach/teach/leader tell you to commit to practice/preparing? If your coach/teacher/leader really cares, they will tell you to commit to practice and preparing so that you are equipped for the game.

Let’s think back to our Ethiopian man. He was showing up for worship but wasn’t saved. Showing up for worship has got to count for something, RIGHT?

Does showing up for worship count as commitment? ______________

Does showing up to the game and skipping practice count as commitment?

The game is way more fun and has great benefits.

One day commit to a job/business with benefits

Work at Snopocalypse; time off; free ice cream/snocones; dope nickname

There is a difference in being committed to the BENEFITS rather than being committed to the BUSINESS!

In our quick capture of Philip, we see that he has a deep commitment to the BUSINESS. We are going to study Ephesians 5:15-17 to capture what it means to be committed and decide how we make commitments.

Ephesians 5:15–17 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Lets pray together

I need three people to help me out

one to hold the prize

one to be the guide

one to be blind

**The blind will keep this blindfold on and trust the guide and commit to their instructions

**The prize find a random place in the room away from the stage

**The guide will have 30 seconds to get you to the prize

That is the TRUST & COMMITMENT we have in our Christian walk.

Learn how to walk

Learn the timing of how to walk to avoid danger

Learn how to decide

We are to fully TRUST THE GUIDE!

In the awesome years of Middle School where opportunities become abundant! You need to learn...

-how to walk

-how to schedule

-how to decide

LEARN HOW TO WALK

Ephesians 5:15 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

When I think about the accomplishment we all had as kids at the moment we started walking — how proud parents and grandparents were! Thinking about it now, whats the big deal? There are so many other things I have accomplished now. Learning how to walk is a huge moment that opens so many opportunities!

The author recognizes that everyone learns how to walk. BE CAREFUL IN HOW YOU WALK! BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE. The foundational parts of your life - BE CAREFUL/LOOK CAREFULLY. Analyze your walking/Analyze your life!

How you Walk/Where you walk - determine your commitments! What you are putting energy and effort to reveal your commitments. Look carefully at your life and what you apart of!

It may be a really good thing that you are apart of, but if it taking all of your commitment then its time to LOOK CAREFULLY.

“A good thing becomes a bad thing when it becomes a god thing.”\

Walk WISE not unwise

James 1:5 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

How are you walking? How does your walking reflect your commitment? Does your commitment reflect a desire for the benefits or the business?

BENEFITS: heaven one day; free snacks; games

BUSINESS: relationship with God, serve/be apart of the church, live/speak the Gospel

LEARN HOW TO SCHEDULE

Ephesians 5:16 ESV

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

This is the NEVER ENDING LESSON OF LIFE! The older you get the busier you get. The things you are busy with demand more of your time. You have likely seen that with school - the further you the more it requires. Sports - to further improve the more time it takes to practice. Clubs/music/extras - to further improve the more time it takes it practice. Future job - further advance position more time.

MAKING THE MOST USE OF THE TIME (making the most of every opportunity-NIV)

22% of teens would agree that they are committed to Christ

8% of teens would claim they are Bible engaged

A major principle I remember learning in MS was discovering how much time things took. From chores, to school work, practice, etc — I tried to see how quick I can get it done so that I can play games or hang out with friends.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

How long will HW last?

How long will the chores take?

How long will practice take?

How is my schedule for practice?

How is my schedule for Life Group/Wednesday

Do you remember all of verse 16 “make the most of every opportunity” WHY? because the days are evil!

God wants you to spend time with your homework and school work

God wants you to complete your chores and obey your parents

There are some sports/clubs/extracurriulars that God allows you ton join

God wants you to make the most of your time because the days are evil. God wants you to read His Word, prayer, gather with other believers, SO THAT you are equipped to make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil, God wants to send you out as missionaries”

WHAT HAS YOUR SCHEDULE — HAS YOUR COMMITMENT

LEARN HOW TO DECIDE

Ephesians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Getting older is a lot about getting to make your own decisions!

There was a day when you parents decided your outfit each day without you opinion. Now your able to pick out clothes and sometimes ask mom/dad thoughts.

Don’t get to decide when you want to go where because you don’t have a tiny piece of plastic that certifies your age and pass a driving test.

Getting older is a lot about getting to make your own decisions.

Middle School is a lot about learning how to make decisions. It is important to start learning HOW YOU ARE GOIND TO DECIDE YOUR COMMITMENTS!

“DON’T BE FOOLISH” (dumb with a capital stupid) — BE TEACHABLE

When you are teachable you are way more capable to UNDERSTAND. Wait we are to be understanding the will of God. When we understand the will of God we can MAKE DECISIONS ON OUR COMMITMENTS.

CLOSING

Ephesians 5:15–17 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Be careful in what commitments you walk towards.

Be careful in what commitments you put on your schedule

Be careful in what commitments you decide on

Where you walk is where your commitments are

What is on your schedule reveals where your commitments are

What you decide on is where your commitments are

As a Christian: your commitment is to be to Christ - Church - Character

Commitment to Christ at Salvation

Savior of your life from sin

Lord of your life to lead your life

Commitment to Christ’s Church at Baptism

Express the commitment you made

Commit to being accountable to fellow believers

Commitment to Christian Character

Fruit of the Spirit

Armor of God