Living A 3D Life

A Life of Devotion – Living A 3-D Life

In the year 2020, a trying year by anyone’s definition, I have seen…

I Have Seen Devoted Wives this Year, (Patti, Susan, Vickie, my own wife)

I have seen Dedicated Church Members, (Sam &Tamera, Beth, Jeri, Penny, Janice, Our SS teachers, Andrew and his wife to the youth, faithful member that are here when the doors are open)

I’ve even seen Determined, if not devoted Politicians in 2020.

But, have I seen Devoted, Dedicated, and Determined Lives living for the cause of Christ?

The cause of Christ cannot succeed unless HIS disciples, (HIS followers), are Devoted, Dedicated, and Determined in serving Him.

IN YOUR PLACE IN LIVING (#38. FAITHFULNESS AND THE CHRISTIAN)

Please do not tie yourself to these 3 descriptions and or limit these verses to them. It’s just an example and a means of helping you to remember to live a devoted, dedicated, and determined life.

The Word of God says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34.

So, this is where the 3-D life begins, with seeking first the Kingdom of God first. But how do we live a 3-D life?

A. Living a Devoted life—

a. The only way to live a devoted life is to put Christ first. First above family, plans, friends, and work.

i. Not exactly the American way now is it?

b. Jesus had this to say about a devout person – READ Luke 14:25-33

i. At some point along life’s journey, you will be called upon to make a choice, if the choice is not Christ here and now then you will surely deny Him along the way. In the Marine Corps, you are taught to follow orders without hesitation. Hesitation can cost lives. In the army of Christ, hesitation on our part impedes the work of Holy Spirit and could cost souls. (I cannot say with all certainty). Nonetheless, there must be a total surrender of our will for His will, and our love of self or family or even life cannot get in the way.

ii. 2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

c. Are you that Devoted?

d. Do you put Christ before everyone and everything in your life?

e. Can you?

B. Living a Dedicated life—Rom. 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

a. Living a life of sacrifice. Allowing Him to control you daily.

b. Are you willing to suffer through persecution for the cause of Christ?

c. Are you willing to lay down your life for the cause of Christ?

d. People do it everyday and we never give thought to it.

i. Voice of the Martyred documents many stories

ii. Insanity of Obedience documents many stories.

iii. Sheep Among Wolves, a Documentary on Christianity in Iran tells of many living such a dedicated life right now.

iv. None more so than Foxes Book of Martyrs.

e. Are you Dedicated?

f. Have you presented yourself as a living sacrifice to God?

C. Living a Determined life— READ Acts 20:17-24

a. 24“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

b. All sufferings and persecution could not make Paul give up Christ.[1]

i. We give Him up simply to fulfill our own fleshly desires.

c. Are you that Determined to finish your course?

d. Are you that Determined to see lost souls come to Christ?

So, In 2021: What are you willing to do for the cause of Christ in 2021?

· Will you be devoted?

· Will you be dedicated?

· Will you be determined?

· OR, will you be like the Church of Laodicea, lukewarm?

Revelation 3:14-16 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Make the decision today to live for the ONE who died for you. The choice really is yours, just keep in mind that HE chose you before the foundation of the world… (Eph. 1). HE chose you to be a soldier in the army of Christ. (2 Tim. 2).

What is the cause of Christ?

· Redemption, Reconciliation, Restoration, Re-birth of man to God.

· To deliver sinful man from the wrath and judgment of God; to pay a sin debt that we could never pay.

· To offer salvation to the world.

· Primarily, to glorify GOD.

What is Our cause for Christ?

· To share the message of Redemption, Reconciliation, Restoration, Re-birth of man to God.

· To offer sinful man a way to escape the wrath and judgment of God;

· To offer salvation to the world.

o “To testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

· Primarily, to glorify GOD.

End on, Colossians 1:27-28 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

As you leave here today, strive to be Devoted to Christ, Dedicated to HIS cause, and Determined to finish the course.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21.

[1] Pentz, C. M. (1975). Christian Life Outlines (p. 55). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.