Commitment

In Matthew 10:34-39 Jesus say’s; don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household! If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home or neglect of the church. Rather, he was showing that his presence demands a decision. Because some will follow Christ and some won’t, conflict will certainly arise. As we take up our cross and follow him, our different values, morals, and goals will set us apart from others. Don’t neglect your family or the church, but remember that your commitment to God is even more important than your family is. God should be your first priority in all aspects of your life.

Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” “Let us draw near to God.”

We all need a greater commitment to Christ in our worship and this includes Bible reading and study. Not a day should go by that we don’t read a portion of God’s

Word, at least a small portion.
The Word of God is powerful! It can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves! It can shape our lives and fill our hearts like nothing else can do! It is the living, eternal Word of God!

Heb. 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The young man poured out his heart’s devotion on paper as he wrote to the girl of his dreams: “Darling: I would climb the highest mountain, swim the widest stream, cross the burning desert, and die at the stake for you. P.S. I will see you on Saturday—if it doesn’t rain.”

That sounds like some people when it comes to going to church. If it rains or if there is any kind of bad weather let’s just stay home. Or if there is something else we’d rather do, let’s go do the other thing. “I love you, Lord, but not that much.”

Commitment to worship should also include public worship with the church - the Lord’s Day worship at His table.

President Garfield said that he had something to do at that time. The cabinet member insisted that the President break his previous engagement. Garfield refused. The cabinet member said, "I would be interested to know with whom you could have an engagement so important that it cannot be broken."

Garfield replied, “I will be as frank as you are. My engagement is with the Lord to meet Him at His House and at His Table at 10:30 tomorrow and I will be there.” Garfield was there and the crisis passed and the nation survived.

That’s the kind of commitment that we all should have when it comes to worship of the Lord!
PJ

Bible Study - Philippians 2:1-11

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul pointed to Christ as a perfect model of unselfishness.

Paul’s challenge to believers is to imitate Christ’s steadfast obedience to God in becoming a lowly servant to us all. Jesus was willing to give up the glory of heaven to become a man, who endured all the vicissitudes of life and then suffered the agony of the cross for all of humanity’s sins. That kind of sacrifice, that kind of service, is what Jesus expects Christians to imitate.

Questions:
1. Do you believe people are basically good or people are basically evil?
2. What does Paul warn believers not to do? (2:3)
3. How are believers supposed to relate to other people? (2:3-4)
4. What rights did Christ forfeit by becoming a human being? (2:6-8)
5. What reward did Christ gain through his unselfish actions? (2:9-11)
6. What is your definition of selfishness?
7. What is most difficult about putting others’ needs before your own?
8. What opportunities would a servant-hearted believer seek throughout the day?
9. How does Christ’s example inspire you in your pursuit of becoming a servant in your home? In your workplace? In your church?

10. In what specific way will you attempt to be a servant to a family member, friend, or coworker today?

PJ