THE COMMITTED LIFE Part 1
“Continuing Steadfastly”
Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42, And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
INTRODUCTION
The early believers had tarried for ten days and experienced a miraculous outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Peter preached his first public message and 3,000 people were saved. Most everyone is familiar with those glorious events and long to see them increase in our day; however, we don’t speak much about what happened next. The Bible said “they continued steadfastly” in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers.
Continued Steadfastly = To be constant toward, persevere, be constantly diligent, give self…continually.
Commitment was at the forefront of New Testament Christianity. It still is. In spite of created doctrines that omit commitment…it is at the heart of relationship with God. God honors and blesses faithfulness!
I. PERCEIVING BIBLICAL COMMITMENT
A. The Reality of Biblical Commitment.
1. In The Old Testament.
a. Committed. Moses, Abraham, David, Job, Ruth 1:16-18,
Daniel 1:8
2. In The New Testament.
a. Committed. Mark 8:34-37, Galatians 2:19-21, I Corinthians
15:31, Ephesians 4:1
B. The Refusal of Biblical Commitment.
1. The Ghost of Ephraim. Psalm 78 is a psalm of history, a maskil psalm
designed to instruct. (Psalm 78:1, A maskil of Asaph. O my people, hear my teaching; listento the words of my mouth.) The composer, Asaph, deals with the unhappy days of rebellion and disobedience. He gives a contrast of God’s patience and faithfulness…with His people’s failure and unbelief.
a. Ephraim. Psalm 78:8…He begins to name names…vv.9-11.
b. Ephraim Described.
1) No Commitment. Hosea 7:8…Ephraim is a cake not
turned. [half-done, no commitment…not real]
2) Idolatry. Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols…Wrong
priorities … mixed loyalties.
3) No Backbone, Hosea 7:11 Ephraim also is like a silly
Dove without heart…no guts…no strength.
II. PRACTICING BIBLICAL COMMITMENT
A. The Art of Prioritizing.
1. One Thing. Philippians 3:7-10; 13
a. Choosing to lose some things…Choosing to list some things.
B. The Art of Preference. (Choosing/Deciding)
1. Choosing. Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15
2. Choosing Correctly.
a. Right Choice. Isaiah 56:4, Psalm 119:30, Psalm 119:173
b. Wrong Choice. Isaiah 65:12, Judges 5:8, Proverbs 1:28-33
C. The Art of Persevering.
1. Endure. Hebrews 12:1-3
a. Let Go and Throw!
1) Lay Aside. [cast off…throw aside]
2) Weight. [mass, hindrance, burden]
3) Sin. [missing the mark, offense, sinful] James 4:17
4) Beset. [surrounding, thwarting in every direction]
5) Lock-in and Go!
a. Run With Patience. [Consistency, endurance]
b. Race. [a contest, conflict, fight, race]
c. Set. [to lie before the view]
b. Look at Jesus and Know! (Follow the Leader)
1) Looking. [to consider attentively]
2) Author. [the chief leader, author, captain]
3) Finisher. [perfecting, completing, refiner]
4. Consider. [contemplate, estimate]
5) Endured. [to stay under, remain, persevere]
D. The Art of Practicing.
1. Your Direction. Psalm 37:5, Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also
in him; and he shall bring it to pass. [commit = to roll away, trust…way
= course of life]
2. Your Doing. Proverbs 16:3, Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy
thoughts shall be established. [commit = to roll away, trust…works =
action, activity, business, possessions] NIV - Commit to the LORD
whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
CONCLUSION
Epaphras and Tychicus are probably not men you can readily identify in Scripture. However, they carry this distinction…they were called “faithful ministers!” How about you?
Proverbs 20:6, Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?
Proverbs 28:20, A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.