Commitment: Embracing Abundant Life Through Intentional Change
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the theme of commitment, particularly as it relates to our personal growth and spiritual journey in 2025. We began by acknowledging the common practice of setting New Year's resolutions and the challenges that come with maintaining them. Many of us set goals to improve our health, relationships, or spiritual lives, yet statistics show that a significant number of these resolutions are abandoned by mid-February. This highlights the difficulty of change and the energy required to break free from old habits.
We reflected on John 10:10, where Jesus contrasts the thief's intent to steal, kill, and destroy with His purpose of offering abundant life. This verse serves as a reminder that our old habits can rob us of the fullness of life that Jesus offers. To truly embrace this abundant life, we must commit to change and be intentional about our goals.
The Apollo 11 mission served as a powerful metaphor for the energy and planning required to break free from the gravitational pull of our old ways. Just as the mission required meticulous planning and immense energy to reach the moon, our journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life requires us to count the cost and plan our steps carefully.
We delved into the biblical perspective of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of honoring God with our physical selves. This involves making intentional choices that reflect our commitment to God and His purposes for our lives. We are called to glorify God in all aspects of our lives, even in the mundane activities like eating and drinking.
To achieve our goals, we must first clearly define them, plan how to accomplish them, and identify what we need to quit to make room for new habits. This process of counting the cost is crucial for success. We are encouraged to persevere, even when the journey becomes challenging, trusting that in due season, we will reap the rewards of our commitment.
Key Takeaways:
- The Thief vs. Abundant Life: Old habits can steal the joy and abundance that Jesus offers. We must be vigilant in identifying and overcoming these habits to fully embrace the life God intends for us. [33:10]
- Commitment Requires Energy: Like the Apollo 11 mission, breaking free from old patterns requires significant energy and planning. We must be intentional and prepared to invest in our personal growth. [38:22]
- Our Bodies as Temples: Recognizing our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit calls us to honor God through our physical choices. This perspective challenges the cultural narrative of autonomy over our bodies. [42:08]
- Counting the Cost: Success in our goals requires us to count the cost, plan our steps, and be willing to make sacrifices. This intentional approach helps us stay committed and achieve our resolutions. [49:02]
- Perseverance in Commitment: Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good. Perseverance is key to reaping the benefits of our commitments, even when the journey is tough. [57:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Announcements
- [02:45] - Blood Drive Success
- [04:10] - Women's Alliance Launch
- [05:30] - Upcoming Bible Studies
- [07:00] - Series Introduction: Commit
- [09:15] - The Thief vs. Abundant Life
- [12:00] - The Challenge of Change
- [15:30] - Apollo 11: A Metaphor for Commitment
- [20:00] - Our Bodies as Temples
- [25:00] - Counting the Cost
- [30:00] - Perseverance in Commitment
- [35:00] - Prayer and Response
- [40:00] - Closing Worship and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 10:10
- 1 Corinthians 3:16
- Galatians 6:9
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 10:10, what are the contrasting purposes of the thief and Jesus? How does this relate to the habits we hold onto? [33:10]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 3:16, what does it mean for our bodies to be temples of the Holy Spirit? How does this perspective challenge our daily choices? [42:08]
3. What does the Apollo 11 mission metaphor illustrate about the energy and planning required for personal change? [38:22]
4. What does Galatians 6:9 encourage us to do when we feel weary in our commitments? [57:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might old habits be likened to the thief in John 10:10, and what steps can individuals take to prevent these habits from stealing their joy and abundance? [33:10]
2. In what ways does viewing our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit influence our decisions about health and lifestyle? How does this align with cultural narratives about body autonomy? [42:08]
3. The sermon uses the Apollo 11 mission as a metaphor for breaking free from old patterns. What are some practical ways individuals can apply this metaphor to their personal growth journey? [38:22]
4. How does the concept of "counting the cost" in Luke 14:28-30 apply to setting and achieving personal goals? What might be some costs individuals need to consider? [49:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a habit in your life that might be stealing joy or abundance. What specific steps can you take this week to address it? [33:10]
2. Considering your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, what is one change you can make in your lifestyle to honor this perspective? [42:08]
3. Think about a goal you have set for 2025. What is one practical step you can take this week to move closer to achieving it, considering the energy and planning required? [38:22]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to "count the cost" before proceeding. What sacrifices might be necessary to achieve your desired outcome? [49:02]
5. When you feel weary in your commitments, what strategies can you implement to persevere and not give up? How can Galatians 6:9 inspire you in these moments? [57:04]
6. What is one "good" thing in your life that you might need to let go of to make room for something "great"? How will you approach this decision? [54:38]
7. How can you incorporate the idea of glorifying God in all aspects of your life, even in mundane activities like eating and drinking? What changes might this require? [45:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Identifying the Thief in Our Lives
Old habits can often act as thieves, robbing us of the joy and abundance that Jesus offers. These habits, whether they are negative thought patterns, unhealthy lifestyle choices, or spiritual complacency, can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. Recognizing these habits is the first step towards overcoming them. By being vigilant and intentional, we can identify the areas in our lives where we are being robbed of joy and take steps to reclaim the abundant life Jesus promises. [33:10]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one habit or pattern in your life that you recognize as a thief of your joy and spiritual growth? How can you begin to address it today?
Day 2: The Energy of Commitment
Breaking free from old patterns requires significant energy and planning, much like the Apollo 11 mission. This metaphor illustrates the need for intentionality and preparation in our personal growth journeys. Just as the mission to the moon required meticulous planning and immense energy, our journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life demands that we count the cost and plan our steps carefully. By investing time and energy into our personal growth, we can break free from the gravitational pull of our old ways and reach new heights. [38:22]
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to invest more energy and planning to break free from old patterns? What steps can you take this week to start this process?
Day 3: Honoring God with Our Bodies
Recognizing our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit calls us to honor God through our physical choices. This perspective challenges the cultural narrative of autonomy over our bodies and invites us to see our physical selves as integral to our spiritual journey. By making intentional choices that reflect our commitment to God, we can glorify Him in all aspects of our lives, even in the mundane activities like eating and drinking. This holistic approach to spirituality encourages us to see our bodies as sacred and worthy of care and respect. [42:08]
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you honor God with your body this week? Consider your daily habits and choices—how can they better reflect your commitment to God?
Day 4: Counting the Cost of Change
Success in our goals requires us to count the cost, plan our steps, and be willing to make sacrifices. This intentional approach helps us stay committed and achieve our resolutions. By clearly defining our goals and identifying what we need to quit to make room for new habits, we can create a roadmap for success. This process of counting the cost is crucial for staying on track and persevering through challenges. By being intentional and prepared, we can overcome obstacles and achieve the growth we desire. [49:02]
"For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28, ESV)
Reflection: What is one goal you have set for yourself that requires you to count the cost? What sacrifices are you willing to make to achieve this goal?
Day 5: Perseverance in Commitment
Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good. Perseverance is key to reaping the benefits of our commitments, even when the journey is tough. By trusting in God's timing and remaining steadfast in our efforts, we can overcome challenges and experience the rewards of our dedication. This perseverance is not just about enduring hardships but also about maintaining a hopeful and positive outlook, knowing that in due season, we will reap the rewards of our commitment. [57:04]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel weary in your commitment? How can you find encouragement and strength to persevere in this area today?
Quotes
"I think, and I want to just propose, the reason we do goals and resolutions, why we want to declare this year is my year, is we want to grab a hold of this life that God has for us. That we know that we can be doing better. And that's why we make these goals. This is why we do resolutions because we know we can do better. That there's more to life than what we're doing right now. That we're not grabbing a hold. We're not living this life and living it abundantly." [00:34:04] (29 seconds)
"Change takes energy. Change takes intentionality for us. We have to be constantly moving in this direction of accomplishing our goals and committing to it each and every day. And when we fall short, we can't just say, well, I guess I'm done. No, we have to get back up and commit to that goal once again. It doesn't just happen on its own. And we are constantly being pulled back to the old ways, being pulled back. And that's why it's so hard. It takes so much energy." [00:36:25] (32 seconds)
"That's what we're up against. If we can look at this illustration of just how much power and how much energy it took for that rocket to actually launch to get out of earth's gravitational pull that was constantly wanting to yank that rocket back down, that's what we're fighting against in our own life. When we set these goals, when we set these resolutions, when we commit to something different in our life, because we know there's more to life, there are all these things pulling back at us, saying, no, no, no, no, no, no. Come back. Come back. This is familiar, right?" [00:38:49] (33 seconds)
"To sacrifice, to say no, to commit to a healthier you. You, it's all about bringing glory to God. But how do we do it, right? Going up here and talking to you about how to, you know, just like, yes, you need to commit, you need to commit. But how do you commit to a healthier you in 2025? How do we get there? Because it is easier said than done. I love this illustration that Jesus gives in the gospel of Luke as he is talking really about the cost of discipleship." [00:47:24] (35 seconds)
"Because the number one thing you hear and what I tell myself, I'd love to do that, but I just don't have the time, right? We don't have the time. And that's because we've filled our life up with so many really good things. It's not even bad things. It's good stuff. But sometimes for us to reach for the great things in life, we have to say goodbye to some of the good things that we have going on for a season." [00:54:36] (32 seconds)
"We are going to feel like not making that food. We're going to feel like not waking up in the morning for the gym. We are going to feel like not going out and walking in 25 degree weather. We are not going to feel like it is going to grow weary on us. I don't feel like doing this right now. Don't give up. Don't grow weary, friends. Commit to it. Power through. And know that it takes time. It just takes time." [00:57:50] (30 seconds)
"God wants you to commit to a healthier you in 2025. This is your year. This is your year. Don't fall short. Commit to this. But sit down and really look at it. What is that goal? How are you accomplishing that goal? And what needs to go away for you to accomplish that goal? Count the cost. As Jesus shared this illustration with us, count the cost. Sit down and think through it." [00:56:38] (25 seconds)
"Help us to never think that we have to do this all by ourselves. Help us to have that faith that knowing that you got us, that Oh, we cannot do this without you. And if we're honest, we don't want to do this without you. We want you walking alongside us, Lord. And so just guide us. Move us, Lord. Help us to commit. Help us to count the cost, Lord. Guide us in our time." [01:00:53] (60 seconds)
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