Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

 Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Personal Reflections:

Do I Know What It Means To Commit?	Do I Have A Habit Of Starting And Not Finishing?
Have I Been Robbed Of My Commitment?	Am I Easily Compromised?
Am I Afraid Of Commitment?	Is My Commitment Scattered?
Do I Change My Commitment Often?	Am I Just Doing The Bare Minimum?

Am I An Example Of What Commitment Ought To Look Like?

Is My Commitment Selfless & Authentic Or Is Just For Personal Gain?

Would God Be Satisfied With My Level & Quality Of Commitment?

Have I Hurt, Discouraged, Disappointed, Or Let Down Anyone Because Of A Deficiency Of Commitment?

Intro: Commitment in today’s society is similar to a working phone booth on the street that is being used to make a call because one has been paged to dial in, for many, it’s a rare sight. Especially since the cell phone in today’s time has literally replaced the need for that communication mechanism. Commitment is a lost trait within various churches, establishments, institutions, businesses, and even relationships by which many of them fail and don’t ever get the opportunity to sustain themselves. Most of us who commit, commit with little to no real dedication, For instance, we commit to losing weight but after a month or so we forsake the Gym, We decide to get married and then we become lousy in the relationship because we are not committed, We are excited on the first day of work but after the first day we complain and become uncommitted after a few months or so; Definition:

Commitment:

1)      the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. - Webster

2)      a promise to give yourself, your money, your time, etc., to support or buy something:-

Cambridge

Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

3)      Commitment is a dedication to a particular organization, cause, or belief, and a willingness to get involved.

Note: People who are committed to an organization or effort truly believe that it is important, and they show up, follow-through, and stick with it.

                Where Does Commitment Start?    Matthew 16:24

I.                  With A_______________________ (Decision) Your Decision Has To Be To:

1.   Deny Yourself

2.   Take Up Your Cross

3.   Follow Jesus Completely Let’s Just Do A Brief Introduction:

Note: You can not be a true believer and not be committed. Being committed always calls for us to dedicate ourselves holistically.

God requires commitment and not just contribution

What are we called to commit to?

1.      Carry Out The Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20

●     Go Out To Them

●     Make Them Disciples

●     Mark Them Disciples By Baptizing Them

●     Teach & Train Them For This Work

2.      Commit To A Life Of Prayer  - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

3.      Commit To The Study Of God’s Word - 2 Timothy 2:15

4.      Commit To The Worship - Hebrews 10:25, Psalm 150:1,

Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

5.      Commit To The Work - Matthew 28:19-20, Nehemiah 4:6

6.      Commit To The Witness -Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:8-9

I.               The Condition Of Commitment (You’ve Gotta Change) 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Romans 12:2

Note: Commitment requires us to embrace change!

Change Our: Mindset, Heart, Perspective, Attitudes. Position, Circle, Environments

Note: Anytime there is a change there will always be conflict within yourself

II.            The Cost Of Commitment

Note: God requires commitment and not just contribution. Commitment is about sacrifice!

Story: Chicken Lays Eggs but Pig Gives It’s Life

Question: Am I Giving Just As Much As I’m Getting?

Best Givers, Don’t Give, Best singers, Don’t Sing, Best organizer, don’t organize!

Note: No one is ever remembered by how much they take, but rather on how much they give!

Note: When you are committed not only do you change but  your language changes ( Proverbs 18:21) Ex. I Just Work Here, I’m Just Here For A Check! Commitment Allows you to intentionally craft success

What Have You Fully Put Yourself Into? Job, School, Work. Relationship

Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Partial commitment is not a commitment at all because nothing worth being apart of becomes out of a halfway commitment organization.

Note: When you are fully committed you give more than what you receive. You will have to sacrifice something

A life totally committed to God has nothing to fear, nothing to lose, nothing to regret.

Commitment Will Cost Me:

1.      My Will  (I will be constrained to my task)

2.      My Mind (Let This Mind Be In You…..The People Had A Mind To Work)

3.      My Time

4.      My Resources

5.      My Uncommitted Friends & Family

           III.      The Conflict Of Commitment

Note: A life totally committed to God has nothing to fear, nothing to lose, nothing to regret.

Note: You often times will be misunderstood and called upon to compromise your commitment.

Jesus was called upon to forsake his focus and commitment by Satan when he was weak! Satan will challenge your commitment when you are the weakest! (Whenever You Are Committed, The Devil Is Coming For A Fact)

Question: How do we strengthen our commitment when we become weak or weary? The conflict will come as a result of you not compromising!

We strengthen our commitment by:

Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

1.      Not being weary in well-doing | Galatians 6:9-10

2.      Be Strong In The Lord and In The Power of His Might | Ephesians 6:10-23

3.      Remembering your why or purpose | Remember Those Who Are Directly / Indirectly Affected

4.      Recognizing The Source Of Your trial/conflict

5.      Continue To Pray For Focus, endurance, & Protection from being distracted

6.      Strengthen yourself and focus in the word & allowing God to be your guide

7.      Call On Other Commitment Persons to Encourage your efforts

8.      Learn the Power of No! As it is a complete sentence.

Commitment will not always first lead us to a place of beauty but sometimes it first leads us to a place of conflict & persecution. .

People In The Bible Who Have Faced Conflict Because Of Their Commitment: 1.           Jesus (He Goes To A Cross) John 19 How Did Jesus Commit?

❖       He was Committed To the Work of His Father  | John 17:4, John 19:28-30

❖       He Was Committed To The World | Luke 19:10

❖       He Was Committed To The Church |Ephesians 5:25

                  2.   Disciples (Storm, Horrible Deaths)

Peter and Paul Both martyred in Rome about 66 AD, during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified, upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

Andrew went to the "land of the man-eaters," in what is now the Soviet Union. Christians there claim him as the first to bring the gospel to their land. He also preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece, where he is said to have been crucified.

Thomas

Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

was probably most active in the area east of Syria. Tradition has him preaching as far east as India, where the ancient Marthoma Christians revere him as their founder. They claim that he died there when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers.

Philip possibly had a powerful ministry in Carthage in North Africa and then in Asia Minor, where he converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. In retaliation the proconsul had Philip arrested and cruelly put to death.

Matthew the tax collector and writer of a Gospel, ministered in Persia and Ethiopia. Some of the oldest reports say he was not martyred, while others say he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia.

Bartholomew had widespread missionary travels attributed to him by tradition: to India with Thomas, back to Armenia, and also to Ethiopia and Southern Arabia. There are various accounts of how he met his death as a martyr for the Gospel

James the son of Alpheus, is one of at least three James referred to in the New Testament. There is some confusion as to which is which, but this James is reckoned to have ministered in Syria. The Jewish historian Josephus reported that he was stoned and then clubbed to death.

Simon the Zealot so the story goes, ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.

Matthaia was the apostle chosen to replace Judas. Tradition sends him to Syria with Andrew and to death by burning.

John is the only one of the company generally thought to have died a natural death from old age. He was the leader of the church in the Ephesus area and is said to have taken care of Mary the mother of Jesus in his home. During Domitian's persecution in the middle 90's, he was exiled to Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

the island of Patmos. There he is credited with writing the last book of the New Testament--the Revelation. An early Latin tradition has him escaping unhurt after being cast into boiling oil at Rome.

Matthew 14

➔    Vs. 22 Constrained to a boat = Committed To Take Him At His Word

➔    Vs. 24 Stuck In The Midst Of A Storm

➔    Vs. 25 Jesus Shows Up With A Word

➔    Vs. 29 Peter & Jesus are Seen On The Sea

➔    Vs. 34 They Make It To The Other Side Called “Genersarret”

3.      Hebrew Boys (Fiery Furnace) Daniel 3

4.      Daniel ( Lion Den) Daniel 6

5.      John (Beheaded)Mark 6:14-29

Question: Where Will Commit Lead You? Note: Commitment is not what you mouth, but It’s what you model

How do we spot a committed person?

●     It’s In Their Conversation Constantly

●     It’s In Their Regular  Schedule

●     They inspire others to be committed

●     They are focused on the mission despite intentional/ unintentional distractions ( We wrestle not against flesh and blood)

●     They are oftentimes around other committed people

●     Their Work ethic Is the always-on display

III. The Consequence Of Commitment

Bible Study Series: Fully Committed

Pastor | Teacher: Cameron D. Jenkins

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Note: God Always Honor Our Commitment

Example: Abraham &Issac

Note: Commitment is undergirded by consistency

This Weel's Sunday School Lesson, "Defending The Gospel Has A Cost" Acts 22:17-29, 8/29/2021

  

DEFENDING THE GOSPEL HAS A COST

 

Acts 22:17-29

 

The Apostle Paul had been warned by a prophet in Caesarea named Agabus before he got to Jerusalem that he would

Be bounded hand and feet and handed over to the Gentiles.

 Paul’s disciples in that city pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem.  (Acts 21:10-11)

Paul responded that you break my heart. I am ready to die for Jesus Christ and the will of the Father will be done. From that city, Paul set sail for Jerusalem.

 

God has a reason why He put on our hearts to do what seems dangerous to others.  We cannot

Change the will of the Father for our lives. We must remember that we were put on this earth for

Short period to give God glory. When our time is over, it is over.

 

IF YOU DIE TODAY, WHAT WILL YOU LEAVE UNDONE?

 

Jesus told us that anyone who tries to save his life will lose it. Anyone who loses his life for Jesus sake

Will save his life. Paul was determined to get to Jerusalem, for he said I must see Rome.

 

Acts 23:11

 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

 

Acts 22:17-29

DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL

V:17 "When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking. 'Quick!' he said to me. 'Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'

19 "'Lord,' I replied, 'these men know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you.   20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'

21 "Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'

A.    Against the counsel of his disciples, Paul returned to Jerusalem and found himself in the midst of an angry mob who would have beat him to death if God had not stepped in.

1.     Paul reasoned that he was a Jew like them and they would believe the testimony of his

Conversion to faith in Jesus.

2.     Paul may have believed that the testimony of his conversion would be proof enough for

His fellow Jews in Jerusalem to turn to Christ.

 

B.     Satan is always busy and will arouse the evil intentions of those who reject Christ.

1.     Satan knowing our devotion to God, maybe one step ahead of our thinking.

2.      

Acts 21:27-28

 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place.

 

3.     It is in troubled times that seeds of the Gospel can be planted in fertile ground.

4.     Paul was in Jerusalem for the celebration of the Pentecost.

5.     This was an opportune time for Paul to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his fellows Jews who

Traveled to Jerusalem from all parts of the nation for the festival.

C.     God used the mob mentality to give Paul a large audience.

1.     Many people were persuaded to join in a mob environment.

2.     Otherwise, peaceful people can get caught up in the emotions of a moment.

3.     Since the Word of God cannot return void, seeds of the Gospel was planted by Paul

In the middle of the mob.

 

WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO EXCITE

V:22. The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, "Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live!"

23 As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.

A.    We have to be careful what we say to a crowd that is emotionally charged.

1.     One word can set a crowd into a rage.

2.     While Paul was making the case for conversion to Christianity, he mentions his commission to the Gentiles.

3.     That name was proof to the crowd to condemn him.

B.     There are several lessons we can learn from Paul’s experience in Jerusalem.

1.     We must learn to heed the warnings of those who give us council.

a.     God puts people in our lives to give us advice that will avoid trouble.

b.     If you know the warnings, don’t put yourself in harm’s way.

2.     If you decide to ignore wise counsel, be prepared to suffer the consequences.

3.     If you don’t want to do the time, don’t do the crime.

C.     Know when to shut your mouth and keep quiet.

1.     The Roman soldiers had rescued Paul from the violent mob.

2.     But he asked the soldier to let him speak to the mob again to convince them

Of their need for Jesus.

3.     When he mentioned the name Gentiles, that was one word too many.

4.     Paul fueled the fire that was already burning in the mob and had to be quickly taken to

The Roman Barracks to protect his life.

5.     When you encounter a mob, the best thing to do is go the other way.

6.     Paul could have got to Rome without going through Jerusalem. (Acts 23:11)

 

LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE

V:25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?"

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "This man is a Roman citizen."

A.    One thing we must know is our rights.

1.     We can get ourselves into trouble, but knowledge of who we are can get us out of trouble.

2.     People make assumptions about you based on the situation you are in.

3.     The right information at the right time can save us.

B.     Paul knew it was illegal to beat a Roman citizen who had not been tried.

1.     That information in the hands of the Roman soldier saved a beating.

2.     A child of God must claim his citizenship in heaven.

3.     God may not save you from the trouble, but He can protect you in the trouble.

4.     The three Hebrew boys facing the fiery furnace told King Nebuchadnezzar

They would not worship his golden statue and their God would save them

From him.

a.     They claimed their citizenship in heaven.

b.     It was the proclamation of their faith that saved them.

C.     When you claim Jesus as your savior, He will tell you what to say to cause the

Enemy to change his mind.

1.     God’s purposes for your trouble include your testimony.

2.     Some people are ignorant of who you serve until you tell them.

 

BOLDY CLAIM YOUR HERITAGE

V:27 The commander went to Paul and asked, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?"

"Yes, I am," he answered.

28 Then the commander said, "I had to pay a big price for my citizenship."

"But I was born a citizen," Paul replied.

A.    The information about Paul’s Roman citizenship caused the commander to

Question his decision.

1.     New information sometimes requires a new evaluation.

2.     New information will cause those in charge of you to do a new investigation.

B.     The Roman commander probably thought Paul didn’t have the means to buy his Roman citizenship.

1.     Lack of information causes people to make the wrong conclusions.

2.     Paul didn’t talk like a Roman citizen. He didn’t act like a Roman citizen.

3.     If you are a child of God you must talk like, walk like and act like a citizen of heaven.

C.     Paul was born a Roman citizen.

1.     From the outside, we may not look like Christian.

2.     But by closer investigation, people will know we are children of God.

3.     We were born in sin but reborn citizens of heaven.

4.     Faith in action gets God’s attention

 

GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THE EVENTS OF YOUR LIFE

V:29 Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

A.    It is by the grace of God, that He gives us people who consider the facts.

1.     It is by the grace of God that He gives us people who know their wrongs and change

Their position into our favor.

2.     Some people are afraid of the consequences of doing wrong.

B.     Once the Roman commander realized his error, he corrected it.

1.     We should not be in the habit of judging someone without the facts of their

Situation.

2.     We should never make a judgment without doing the job of investigation.

3.     . God gives us a good sense if we would only use it.

 

GOD CONTROLS THE GOOD AND THE BAD IN YOUR LIFE

 

Rev. M. Mitchell