The following was 1 out of 2 sermons I gave in Alabaster a few years ago at Southern Hills Christian Church. Yes, I was doing an ego search online and discovered this treasure. Amazing how I had forgotten all about it. I do miss teaching/preaching and wonder if I can ever get back into it. We’ll see!
Biblically Committed:
Four Habits of Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus Christ
(given by Chris Denbow of New Heights Christian Church)
Introduction
Habit
- “an activity done without thinking”
- “Habit is the intersection of knowledge, skill and desire.” – Stephen Covey
- God
wants us to be a great church. How do we move from being a good
Christian to being a great Christian? By being biblically committed.
Devoted
- “to give or apply one’s time, attention or self entirely to a particular activity, cause or person”
- Acts 2:42 – “… they were continually devoting themselves to …” means to attend to constantly
- nothing can be compared to the thrill of serving God!
Jesus and Devotion – what does He call devotion?
Matthew
16:24 – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after
me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'”
- What does a fully devoted follower look like? He wants your life!
- Biblically committed
- Prayerfully connected – everything, everyone should have a prayer life
- Stewardship minded – offer time, service, money
- Community bonded – Do we seek what God wants? God seeks the lost.
Biblically Committed
- A commitment to the Bible
- The Bible is God’s word. – are we sharing the Good News?
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
2
Peter 1:21 – “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but
men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
- The Bible is a trustworthy book. – We can count on it even if everything else changes.
1
Kings 8:5 – “..and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that
had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep
and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.”
- The Bible is a guide for us in troubled times. – Why do we always turn to God last? God wants us to lean on Him!
Psalms 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
- The Bible is a revelation from God. – Let the word of God speak for itself!
Deuteronomy
4:2 – “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it,
but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.”
Revelation
22:19 – “And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God
will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy
city, which are described in this book.”
- How do we become biblically committed?
- Read it – it will speak to you
1 Timothy 4:13 – “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”
- Know it – be confident enough to witness to others
2
Timothy 3:15 – “…and how from infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith
in Christ Jesus.”
- Do it – practice it
James
1:22-24 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it
says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking
at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
- Share it – with those that need it
1
Peter 3:15-16 – “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against
your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Do you share the scriptures? It could change someone’s life!
Conclusion
“The
Bible is so deep that theologians can’t touch bottom. But at the same
time it is so shallow that babies can’t drown.” – Martin Luther
God is a fantastic God! He will say the right things are the right time if we let Him!
technorati tags:Bible, preaching, Alabaster, Alabama, evangelism
