Commitment

Text: Matthew 8:18-22

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (06/17/01)

Introduction:   

As graduates you are here because of a commitment you and/or your parents have made.

To succeed and truly serve God you must continue along that path of commitment.

Our text gives examples of two who were unwilling to make the required commitment to Jesus Christ.

Grads, allow me to challenge you tonight to….

I. Make Some Lifelong Commitments

A. To Christ

Philippians 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 3:13–14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

B. To Obeying His Word

Matthew 7:24-27 (The Wise man & The Foolish man)

C. To Others

Mark 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

D. To Your Life’s Partner

Matthew 19:6  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Let me ask you…

II. What Characterizes Commitment?

A. It is Complete

Matthew 8:22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

The first man in our text needed to “count the cost”.

This other man in effect said to Jesus “Not yet”, “Not First”

Nothing should come before complete and total commitment to the Lord.

You will be tempted and you will have opportunities (the Devil will gladly supply them) to be less than committed or to go back on your commitment.

“The act of consecration is cancelled by one reservation.”

Don’t sell out!!   It’s not worth it!!!

B. It is Consistent

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Many are in “Quiet rebellion” against the Lord.  Claiming to know Him while serving the things (“gods”) of this world.

Joshua was willing to set the example of living for God.

The way we live shows the strength of our commitment.

C. It is Confident

Psalms 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Willing to trust God with our life, our family, our job, our possessions, our future.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Allowing Him the right to guide and control our lives.

Perhaps you are asking…

III. Why Be Committed?

Because Christ Committed Himself to us first!!

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.

Conclusion:     (Review)