A Call to Commitment

Romans 12: 1-2

Discuss how poor commitment is today.

Give examples of lack of commitment

Give Paul’s challenge from Romans 12

Commitment to Personal Growth

We are called to commit ourselves as disciples.

We are continual learners.

Commitment to the Local Body

This is our 1st level of commitment outside our personal relationship with God.

If we can not even be faithful in our local church, how can we be faithful as Christ’s Universal Church?

Commitment to Ministry

We are set aside to spread God’s word throughout the world.

We are each given gifts in order to accomplish this task.

Conclusion

Will you make a true commitment to Christ today?

This morning I would like to introduce you to a mythical church member named Bob. You all may have met Bob, he used to come into our doors each week. However, I am sorry to say that Bob left because he believed our services were too formal (what with the people complaining over how we dress or what the service format is). Well, Bob left here and went a church up the road. However, it was not long after that I heard that Bob was once again ‘unhappy.’ He moved his membership again to this new contemporary church with a great children’s program (since he has a young child). But alas, shortly after I wrote this, he and his family moved once more.¹ (Pause)

What ever happened to commitment? This story by John Hamby reminds us of a problem which many Christians have today … A lack of commitment.

What did happen to commitment? Why do you suppose that there are close to 100 million church members in America, yet they are not making more of a moral and spiritual impact across this land? Why is it on any given Sunday morning thousands of churches open their doors and you find more empty pews than filled ones? Why is the national average attendance for Sunday School less than 66 and the average for worship is less than 84? And why is it that in almost every church in America, why do we as churches only expect 50% of our church membership to show up for a service? To quote Charles Stanley, “If Christians really believe in a real Heaven and a real Hell, how can we be so silent? … The answer to all of these questions is tragically simple! God’s people have made a decision about Jesus … but have never made a commitment to Him.”²

Those are strong words by Rev. Stanley, but true words. Many people today miss this point … Decision and Commitment are not the same thing! There is a difference between the two. This can probably best be seen in the failure rate of marriages today. According to the national statistics, 50% of all marriages will end in divorce. It is a sad, but true fact. (Pause) Why do you think this is happening? In the book Confronting Casual Christianity³, Rev. Stanley argues that this is true because these couples made a decision together (to get married), but not a commitment. Everyone who has ever stood at the alter, looked at the minister, and their spouse-to-be and said “I DO” have made a decision ( a decision to share their life with someone). Sadly, some stop at that point. They forget that they are also made a commitment … for better for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.⁴ When a couple makes that commitment (going beyond just a decision or agreement), then they persevere thru the good years and the not so good ones.

The same is true of the church. The reason that the church is not making more of an impact in our society is that many church members made a decision about Christ (chose to join the club), but have not made a commitment to Christ. (Pause) When the pilot of a giant airline is speeding down the runway, there is a certain point where staying on the ground is no longer an option. At this point he becomes committed to the air or to a flaming crash. At this point, the pilot is committed to getting airborne. (Pause) The sad truth is that churches today are filled with members who have never gotten off the ground. (Pause)

This morning I wish to issue a challenge to each of you. That challenge is that you will “get off the ground.” In our scripture passage this morning Paul writes: “12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The word present is a technical Greek word used for offering a sacrifice. This is a voluntary act, it does not say “I command you,” rather, “I beseech you or beg you.” It is completely up to you. However Paul says that our motivation should be the mercy we have received from God. If you close your eyes this morning and think of all that God has done in your life, how can we be anything other than committed to Him? (Pause)

Today I would like you to examine with me three clear calls to commitment that every believer must face.

First, we have a commitment to Personal Growth. Over the years, I have grown tired of people telling me that they have “put in their hours, or done their job.” Age is not a factor in determining service to the Lord. Rather, we are called to commit ourselves as disciples. Disciples are learners. We should never fool ourselves into believing that at some point in our lives, we no longer need to learn. We learn from prayer, from meditation, from service. A friend once told me about his wife’s grandfather. Mr. Covell, even at 93 years of age, still read and prayed daily. He even still helped at church and assisted with VBS each year helping by bringing supplies to the classes and helping serve cookies and punch. My friend said that Mr. Covell lived by this belief: “We never reach a point in life at which we have arrived. Each day is a learning experience in which we can serve God.”⁶ Even Paul stated to the Philippians: “3:12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” (Pause)

Truthfully, most believers have never reached past the point that Paul says they have to be fed with milk when they should be ready for meat (Heb. 5:2; 1 Corinthians 3:2). This morning I urge each of you to make a commitment to continue to grow spiritually. Take positive steps to do so … begin reading the Bible each day again/for the 1st time, pray each day regularly, read a good clean Christian novel, watch something Christian on TV for a change … what ever way it is … Just keep learning!

The second commitment we have it to the local body. Jerry Bridges, wrote these comments on commitment in the church: “As I have watched the parade of people through our church, and other churches, I wonder why so few commit themselves to a local body of believers in a significant way. Many sit and soak and do little else, and they flee at the first sign of trouble or pressure. They fail to become involved or to give; the priority for corporate worship falls far down on the list. They criticize all that is wrong with a specific local congregation … What can we do besides comment or complain? We need to accept the challenge to commit ourselves to responsible membership.” ⁷

The local church is the first level of commitment outside of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The local church, even with its imperfections, is the Lord’s major avenue through which he accomplishes his work … not the state … not other people, places, organizations … but the church (both the Church as a whole and our little country church). Yet some see the same church and its responsibilities in another light. They do not see church attendance as a necessity. In far too many lives, church attendance is relegated to last place. Commitment to church is deeper than just attendance to worship services, but it does begin there. If we can not even show the discipline to show up … how can we serve?

Finally, we have a commitment to ministry. Commitment to a local church means deciding on a church home and moving in for permanent stay. Commitment to the local church also means actively using talents and gifts to serve in the various ministries of the church. Ministry is not just sending money to some group or organization to help others. The heart of ministry is taking your gifts which God gave you and putting them to work. As individuals and the church, we need to be part of the ministry, not just spectators and sponsors. We must commit ourselves to the ministry of the local church and beyond, using the spiritual gifts that God has given us.

This morning, I leave you with these thoughts: If you have not accepted Christ, I urge you to let Him in your heart. But to the rest of us who have accepted Christ, then my question for you is “Will you make a commitment today? Will you commit yourself to this local church? Will you be here to support the church? Will you make a commitment that you are going to look for opportunities to put your talents and abilities to work? If we each would make a true commitment to God this morning, the church, the community, the nation, and the world we be a different place. The church would be what the Lord intended it to be … not a country club, not a click, but a place of service, praise, and worship.