Commitment

   “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. 24 Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people. You are serving the Lord Christ.”     Colossians 3:23,24  NCV

         What does commitment mean?  We can be committed to our favorite sports team, television show, clothing store, circle of friends, etc.  I read a statistic that said only 50% of a church’s membership attend each Sunday.  Paul calls us to a total commitment to Jesus Christ and His work.  He says that it’s our reasonable service.

Read:  Romans 12:1,2

I.  Importance Of Commitment

*  in his book, “Confronting Casual Christianity”, Charles Stanley

      writes that even though there are 100 million church members in

      America, only half regularly attend and participate weekly.

*  there is a difference between a decision and  a commitment

*  we just need to look at the failure rate in marriages

*  in churches, sometimes a decision is made, but not a commitment

*  our simple motivation should be, “the mercies of God”

*  when we reflect upon God’s mercy towards us how can we not commit?

*  to commit ourselves to God means that we yield ourselves to

    Him, surrender to Him, entrust ourselves to Him for His service

II.  Areas Of Commitment   

* Personal Growth

            Philippians 3:12-15  be perfected by pressing onward

            Hebrews 5:12-14  we must be growing spiritually daily

*  Commitment To The Local Church Family

*  next to our commitment to Jesus Christ, a church family is next

*  it’s where we gather for worship, teaching and fellowship

*  it’s where the Lord can use us and hone our gifts of ministry

            1 Corinthians 12:4-8  use the spiritual gifts God gives to you

*  we must commit ourselves to the ministry of the local church

*  begin today-  ask, where can I be helpful; where can I make a difference?