Cross Creek Community Church, Pastor Dave Martin – March 8, 2015

iGrow, Building a Life of Commitment

Building a Great Life part 5

2 Chronicles 16:9

  • History shows long term commitments pay off. Stock market, marriages, careers, etc.
  • The sad thing is that in our society today people are more and more reluctant to make long term Com.
  • Technology is speeding up the pace of people more more… Like quick drop down menu options…
  • We shy away from making long term commitments… marriages... investments... church... anything.
  • The prevalent attitude today is: I want to keep my options open. I don’t want to be tied down…
  • Life is like a buffet and you don’t want to fill your plate of life up with the wrong stuff.
  • Tragic... you can’t live without making commitments... buying a house or car, marriage, raise a family...
  • Nothing great ever happens w/o making a commitment, w/o commitments we drift thru life no focus
  • It’s been said commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you! Pilots sometimes reach a point of commitment on takeoffs… Must fly!
  • This series is about iGrow, building a great life... today we are looking at building a life of commitment.
  • Let’s look at the power, the price, thepitfalls thepayoffs of commitment

2 Chr. 16:9"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

  • Nothing affects your life more than the commitments that you choose to make!
  • My commitments have three profound affects on my life...

I. THE POWER OF COMMITMENT

My commitments...

1. Show my VALUES

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

  • They show what I really think is important. What I value, what I really love. No such thing as love w/o C
  • If someone says to you, I love you but are not willing to commit to you, they really don’t love you.
  • The way I commit my time and my money shows what is really important to me.
  • Are you committing more time to your family or to your job? Taking care of your body, health wise...
  • An uncommitted life really means nothing is important to me. The only thing important to me is me!
  • If I’m not committed to anything but myself then it’s pure selfishness and self-centeredness.
  • You also cannot be committed to everything... too many choices... brings scattered focus and thoughts.

2. Shape my LIFE

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

  • I become whatever I’m committed to. My life is the sum total of my commitments.
  • If I believe making money is the most important thing in my life, my life is going to be shaped by that.
  • If it’s being well liked and popular my live will be shaped that way.
  • If you think that having a good time is the most important thing than that will show your commitments
  • Looking at your commitments today will project where you will end up if you live to a ripe old age.
  • Your commitments in life, determines your character... so choose your commitments wisely.
  • Each one here should think through the depth of your commitments, because your life is being shaped.
  • Commitments show my values and they shape my life in my future direction… Very important

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”―Peter F. Drucker

3. Determine my DESTINY

  • The destiny of nations are determined by the commitments that her people make… (Leadership)
  • The fact that we enjoy freedom today is because a soldier spilled their blood... freedom isn’t free.
  • Personally – the commitments you and I make not only determine here and now but also eternity.
  • If you develop a relationship with Jesus Christ you’re going to spend eternity with Him forever.
  • Your rewards and responsibilities are going to be based on how you used your life on earth.

Mark 8:36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

  • That’s an important question because every day of your life you’re exchanging your life for something.
  • We’re all given a certain number of minutes to live – average human will live 25,550 days (70yrs).
  • Everyday you exchange your life for something... TV, novels, shopping, Facebook, time is precious
  • Wise people use there time, talents, & treasures in view of eternity. Learn to make wise commitments.
  • EVERY CHOICE has a consequence... in the grand scheme of things it may not seem significant.
  • But each choice adds up all involve time all influence eternity... important to make wise Comm.
  • The most important commitment you’re going to make is your commitment to Jesus Christ...
  • Not just a fan… Following Christ has a price tag. Every Commitment you make has a price to it.
  • You must weigh out the benefits and the pay off compared to the price tag on it. What’s the cost?

II. THE PRICE OF COMMITMENT

  • Jesus is up front about the cost in following Him. He’s not vague or beats around the bush.

Luke 14:26 "If you want to be My follower you must love Me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple." nlt

  • Jesus says, I expect to be first place in your life... love me supremely if you want to be my follower.
  • That’s a pretty high cost... no human being could ever say that to you... Jesus places demands on us.
  • Only Jesus has the right to do so because He created you, He loves you and He planned your life.
  • He died on the cross for you... you are bought with a high price... Must love Him first and foremost.
  • Some people imagine their life as a pie and Jesus is a slice of that pie… You have a career slice, a relationship slice, a sex-life slice, a goals slice, a dreams slice, a family slice, and my Jesus slice…
  • Jesus says to you... I don’t want to be a slice of your life, just a part of your life – I want to be your life
  • If Jesus Christ is not Lord of all in your life, He’s not Lord at all in your life! Price of Commitment…
  • He’s more important than your job, family, career, goals... He’s either all or nothing… Fan or disciple?
  • Give Him every area of your life... You’re either pregnant or not. Jesus is either Lord of your life or not.

How do I put God first in my life? How do you seek Him first? Four practical ways...

iGrow by Giving Christ...

  1. The First THOUGHTS of each Day.

Psalm 5:3In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

  • I’m not saying to open your Bible and have a quiet time when you wakeup... though that would be good… But when you wake, give God your first thoughts… Thinking through spiritual matters, prayer
  • When you roll out of bed, do you say, “Good morning, Lord” OR “Good Lord, it’s morning!”
  • Talking to God before you talk to anybody else is a mood enhancer... keeps things in correct focus.
  • Alarm clock goes off and you wake up ALARMED. TV news comes on... world’s problems – a downer.
  • Often the last thoughts at night are the first thoughts you wake up with. Check your thinking process!
  • Anxious about nothing, stress free life is seen in Philip. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. iGrow by giving God the first thoughts of everyday!

iGrow by Giving Christ...

  1. The First DAY of each Week.

Acts 20:7a "On the first day of the week we came together...”

  • On the Resurrection day of Jesus the disciples worshipped. Give God your 1st thoughts & your 1st day
  • Early the first day of the week, Jesus arose from the dead! What power, what victory, what hope!
  • Christians gather together the first day of the week to worship their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
  • You are setting the example for your family, to your neighbors and friends... Worship the Lord!

iGrow by Giving Christ...

  1. The First TEN PERCENT of every paycheck.

Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (increase);

  • God tells us to honor Him with your tithe. This is another way we show God is first place in our lives.
  • The tithe is 10% right off the top. It is not after you pay all your bills. Why do I do it?
  • In gratitude for the past, to keep my priorities in the present and in faith for the future!
  • If you really want to know what’s important to you, what you really love, what you are really committed to... look at your checkbook. (O.T. 10%... N.T. as a man decides in his heart, 2Co 9:7, Grace)
  • It really doesn’t matter what you say you are committed to, but how you spend your time & money.
  • If God is first in your life, He’s going to be first in your time and also first in your checkbook.
  • There are more promises about tithing than anything else in the Bible... let me read one to you:

Deut. 14:23b Bring this tithe to the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored, and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the Lord your God. nlt

  • Our tithe is a reminder... it’s always a reminder to put God first... Purpose of tithing, teach to fear God.

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up [for this offering], so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

  • Why the first day? That’s the day we go to church and tithing is an act of worship. Giving back to Christ
  • Tithing is not giving to charity – it’s an act of worship given at the house of worship on the 1st day week
  • Giving beyond the tithe is called an offering… An offering is above & beyond your normal tithe
  • Lord Here’s my offering toward Building fund... a spiritual act of worship... Putting God first financially

iGrow by Giving Christ...

  1. The First CONSIDERATION in every Decision.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways [in everything you do]acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

  • Circle the word “in all your ways”. Do you want to be successful? Memorize this verse & do it.
  • Put God first in every area, in all your ways and He will crown your efforts with blessings!
  • Do you want your finances to be successful? Put Him first in them.
  • Do you want your business to be successful? Put Him first in it.
  • Do you want your family to be successful? Put Him first in your family. Trust in Him fully!
  • There are some things that cause us to stumble, getting entrapped, that can ambush & trip us up.
  • They’re hazards... there are two that can especially weaken or dissolve our commitment to Christ.
  • Truth is, in five years there are people here that aren’t going to be here… Some of you are going to be washed up spiritually five years from today. You will have flamed out… Maybe stepped into eternity…
  • I’ve seen people come people go... because many never intended to be committed in the first place

Proverbs 16:3Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

  • Your commitment level was not too deep... it was superficial, shallow... God desires deep roots!
  • When tough times come along your casual convenient Christianity goes out the door and you with it…
  • Are you going to make it? I need to warn you of two most common things that will trip us up...

III. THE PITFALLS OF COMMITMENT

1. We Get DISTRACTED

Mark 4:19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. .. Seed that fell among the thorns… ("The attractions of this world, the delights of wealth, the search for success and lure of nice things come in and crowd out God."LB)

  • There’s nothing wrong with wealth, nothing wrong with desire for nice things... What’s wrong?
  • God is saying, they’re not the most important things in life... You’re not put here for the world but God.

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (World can be a seductive influence… So we continually resist it, to Lordship of Christ)

  • When worries, wealth, success, or nice things takes center stage – God gets crowded out… distracted.
  • We must guard against subtle things that will distract your focus and commitment to your Lord.

2. We Become COMPLACENT

Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord

  • God says don’t become complacent, don’tbecome spiritually lazy... Use your energy to serve the Lord!
  • What happens when we become complacent? We begin to live off our past spiritual highs, our past commitments, without making any new ones… We fail to iGrow… In 1963 I made a commitment to...
  • Have you made any since then? Have you ever updated the one you made? Not saved & coast
  • Have you become complacent in your level of commitment? A 10 year old commitment is not enough.
  • You need to be continually growing in your commitment, striving, and deepening... (not past victories)
  • Joshua experienced a great victory at Jericho... then went on and defeated at the next town – Ai.

Joshua 7:2-5 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there." 4 So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

  • They said, "We were part of the big miracle last week at Jericho so we'll just sit this one out. We'll just send a few troops up there." The People were complacent… (There was also sin in the camp, Achan)
  • I think the warning for those of us in our Building for Life campaign is obvious… Those of us that were here when we bought this building – 19 members maybe 60 people, some 10 years ago… Some of you were the pioneers who blazed the way... remember the roof project... continual parking lot building, new windows, remodeled kitchen, new electrical panel, then 6years ago this new sanctuary where we gather for worship… Seeing incredible miracles of God… Seen as time, talent & treasure was given…
  • God blessed us richly, over our 14 year history,many lives touched, eternally changed for God’s glory.
  • You have served God’s purpose in your generation, with great anticipation & excitement in the air
  • Easy to get complacent now and think, we’ll just sit this one out... We made our commitment then.
  • But we don't need to be stretched now. We don't need to give now, we don’t need to pray now. Wrong… Now more than ever, as we see the day approaching! Doing all we can till Jesus comes!
  • iGrow means making new commitments to soar like eagles, making an eternal difference in lives
  • We need to be aware that Satan wants us to become complacent so we’ll miss God's blessing.
  • March 22, a special day in the history of Cross Creek... worship, singing, giving, anticipating…
  • Expect spiritual battles, played out in the minds of every person here… Enemy will say don’t commit…
  • But deep inside, God will be gently nudging you… Use what God placed in your hands, Lord it’s yours

Romans 14:11-12 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

  • We can't live on yesterday's level of commitment. We have to keep developing spiritual muscle...

IV. THE PAYOFF FOR TOTAL COMMITMENT

  • God promises both a short term payoff and a long term payoff. Short term payoff...

Matt. 6:31-33"Do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat... or drink... or wear?' ... your heavenly Father knows that you need these. But seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."