Commitment to Christ

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

PRAYER

2 Corinthians 11:1–6 ESV

1 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

The connection to Christ is the root of our commitment (1-2)

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Feel - dedicated, earnest

Divine jealousy - godly zeal

Murray J. Harris comments “Human jealousy is a vice, but to share divine jealousy is a virtue.” Jealousy is recorded in the Ten Commandments “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God" Paul has a jealousy from God and the context of this jealousy is the marriage covenant.

Betrothed - joined; put together

Present - put at someone's disposal

Pure virgin - holy; sanctified - chaste

Using the imagery of betrothal and marriage, he sees himself as the agent of God through whom his converts were betrothed to Christ, and he feels under obligation to ensure that they are presented as a pure virgin to him, i.e. to ensure that they remain truly devoted to Christ until he comes again.

To Christ - the anointed One; the Messiah

Who is this One that Paul was so concerned to receive his bride?

Ephesians 5:25–28 ESV

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

This Christ is the lover of his people This Christ is the one that gave himself for his people This Christ is the one that sanctifies his people. This is the one that cleanses his people This is the one that presents his people to himself

Are you in Christ?

Why was Paul zealous for the Corinthians?

The enemy lurks to hinder our commitment (3)

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Afraid - frightened; be alarmed

Serpent - The tempter; deceiver; Satan; Father of lies; the lion seeking to devour

Deceived - tricked cheat, seduce

Cunning - trickery, craftiness

2 Corinthians 11:12–15 ESV

12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Your thoughts - mind, understanding

Will be led astray - corrupt by misleading tactics

Sincere - simple, genuine and true

Pure devotion - undefiled, blameless,

To Christ - It is not enough to be sincere in devotion to just any thing or anyone. It must be to Christ Jesus as he is in truth.

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 ESV

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

What is battling to a pure and sincere devotion to Christ?

The influence of error saps our commitment (4)

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

Let's face it. There are many different voices preaching or announcing their view of Jesus. There are many people proclaiming their version of a Savior (another Jesus or savior). Jesus is out buddy to call on only when we need help. Jesus that makes us financially rich. There is the Jesus that demands very little. There are many offering aspects of the spirit of God (a different spirit) that do not honor God or Christ. There are others promoting their source of power in life or the force that moves them to do what they do. The super apostles promoted authority and displays of strength, whereas Paul pursued humility, service and suffering as the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ. There are many teaching their gospel (a different gospel). Their good news. Good news, God loves you too much to send you too hell. Some preach a gospel that is only to make you successful and healthy. Others have good news that accumulation or stuff makes you happy. All are a different gospel.

It seems that the Corinthians were lured to some of the concepts that were being taught by the false teachers. You put up with it readily enough - you endure it

The purity of truth fuels our commitment (5-6)

Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

Inferior - fall short, fail

Unskilled - amateur, idiotes

Speaking - word

Paul is saying here that his proclamation of the gospel was not eloquent in speech like those attacking him. It was not fancy speech that mattered. Well Paul, what mattered?

I am not in knowledge - understanding

This is an important reminder for us. It is not good speech or coolness of the preacher, but the content of what is being delivered. The purity of the gospel of Jesus Christ without anything taken away or added.

Made this plain to you in all things - revealed, demonstrated publicly; There is a simplicity to it and Paul made it clear to them. It was about Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:17–18 ESV

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

What are proper responses?

Repent of apathetic commitment

Renew your mind

Reject “commitment sappers"

Reform your rhythms

Reengage with the body of Christ

Rest in Christ

John 15:1–11 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.