SF511 - MOTIVATION FOR COMMITMENT (Daniel 1 1-7)
SF511
MOTIVATION FOR COMMITMENT
Daniel 1:1-7
INTRODUCTION
What Keeps You Going?
Why Do You Continue To Serve?
False Motives...
Please others
Prove your spirituality
Bring attention to yourself
Guilt
Tradition
No one else will do it
Win God’s favor
Daniel’s Background
Captivity
Compromise
Commitment
His Motives....
BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
It is based on His love for you...
(1 John 4:19) We love because he first loved us.
The cross forever settled the question of God’s love for us
(Galatians 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
It is your response to Him
(Matthew 22:37‑38) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' {38} This is the first and greatest commandment.
(John 14:15) "If you love me, you will obey what I command.
“If you have a obedience (commitment) problem you have a love problem” HB
(1 John 4:7‑8) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. {8} Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
(John 12:26) Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
BECAUSE OF YOUR DESIRE TO FULFILL GOD’S PURPOSE
Daniel wanted to be used of God
Every Christian does.
God will always take the initiative to show you where He is working...
(Amos 3:7) Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
(John 5:17; 19-20) Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."... Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. {20} For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does...
When God reveals what He is doing, that is His timing...
It may take a long time to bring it to completion
(Philippians 1:6) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
“How can God us me now to impact eternity?”
God’s primary goal is to develop your character to match the assignment...
Key here is faith - trusting God to do what is right.
BECAUSE OF YOUR DESIRE TO IMPACT YOUR WORLD FOR CHRIST - Daniel 6
God intends to work through you to change your world... (1-5)
God give you an assignment that matches your faithfulness... (10-11)
(Matthew 25:21) "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
God will always do what you cannot in order to bring glory to His Name... (6:21=23; 26-27)
APPLICATION
Have you prayed...
“Lord I will obey you - no matter what!”
What will it take for you to be obedient to God?
“God, put the pressure on me to keep me in the pathway and following you without reservation and hesitation.” CS
Totally committed Christians have a sense of urgency about obeying God! - Do You?