Loyalty vs Devotion

Loyalty vs Devotion

Micah 6:8 = A biblical description of Devotion

Loyalty is faithfulness to. (That’s a good thing)

· 1 Corinthians 4:2 - Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

· Proverbs 18:24 - A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Devotion is The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.

· Ruth 1:16-17 = A picture/illustrations of Devotion

Comparison:

· Loyalty can be bought – Devotion cannot

· The Loyal person will show up when you need them – The devoted person will already be there.

· The Loyal person will show up to fight with you, the devoted person is already there.

· The Loyal person shows up when there is work to be done, the devoted person is already working.

· The Loyal person may flee when it’s time to die, the devoted person stands fast.

· The Loyal person may grow into a person of devotion, the devoted person will never digress to loyalty.

· Jesus was devoted to the Father and was in constant communication with Him.

· Devotion for many is 10 minutes each morning – they give God ten minutes of their time.

Next week, for VBS, many of you have committed to devoting you time to VBS and for many, I’m guessing it’s out of loyalty to the church. That’s not a bad thing, but what of the devotion?

Of the people that showed up last night to pray, some came out of loyalty, others out of devotion. Both are good things. Like I said, the loyal person can grow into a devoted person.

The leadership of a church (and I not just talking about Preachers and Deacons, I’m talking about persons others look to, to be led by). These persons must be more than loyal to the church (little c). They MUST BE devoted to the Father.

John 14:1-9 Read from verse 1

“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.”

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

At this stage of his life, I would say that Philip was loyal to Jesus. Later he would prove to be very much devoted.

You may recall, Peter, as well as the other disciples thought that they were devoted to Jesus – turned out they were simply loyal. It was John who showed the most devotion.

True devotion came after they had received the Holy Ghost, Acts 2

Here in John 14, Jesus made some very pointed statements – “If ye had known me…” “Has thou not know me?”

Jesus spent His life showing the world the Father – now it’s our turn.

In order to manifest the Father, You must first know the Son – to know Him is to be devoted to HIM.

Do you know Him? He is the one who died for you – You see, the Father was and is Devoted to His creation so much so that – John 1:14 & John 3:16

In true devotion:

· You are crucified with Christ – Galatians 2:20

· You deny your self and take up your cross daily – Luke 9:23

Next week we might look at “Being Jesus” to the world, but for now, spend the day and even the rest of the week pondering your loyalty versus you devotion to GOD.