Commitment: The True Measure of Our Faith
Summary
In our journey of faith, much like a coach seeks commitment from their players, God seeks our 'buy-in' to His divine plan. This 'buy-in' is not just a verbal affirmation or a fleeting sentiment; it is a deep, unwavering commitment to who God is, what He has said, and how we choose to live in response to that truth. Just as a player's dedication is evident in their performance on the field, our commitment to Christ should be visible in the decisions we make and the actions we take in our daily lives.
The question of whether we are truly serious about our faith is often reflected in our decision-making processes. Our choices, followed by our actions, serve as evidence of our commitment. Jesus Christ, during His time on earth, consistently called for such commitment. He interacted with people based on their level of dedication, and not everyone experienced the fullness of His presence because not all were fully committed. Some even turned away, unable to embrace the totality of what following Him entailed.
The challenge before us is to evaluate whether we have truly 'bought-in' to following Jesus Christ. Are we full-time disciples, or are we merely part-time saints? Have we surrendered every aspect of our lives to His lordship? If we haven't, we must ask ourselves why. What holds us back from giving our all to the One who is undoubtedly worth it?
Key Takeaways:
1. True commitment to God is akin to a player's dedication to their coach; it requires a complete 'buy-in' to His plan and purpose. This commitment should be evident in our daily decisions and actions, reflecting our faith in tangible ways. [00:19]
2. Our decision-making is a litmus test for our seriousness about our faith. The choices we make and the actions we take are the proof of our commitment to Christ, demonstrating whether we are truly 'bought-in' to His teachings. [01:11]
3. Jesus called for commitment and related to people based on their level of dedication. Not everyone experienced the fullness of His presence because not all were fully committed, highlighting the importance of wholehearted devotion. [01:27]
4. The question of whether we are full-time disciples or part-time saints challenges us to examine our level of commitment. We must consider if we have truly surrendered every aspect of our lives to Christ's lordship. [01:39]
5. If we find ourselves hesitating to fully commit, we must ask ourselves why. Understanding what holds us back is crucial, as Jesus is undoubtedly worth our complete devotion and trust. [01:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - The Concept of 'Buy-In'
[00:37] - Commitment to God
[00:55] - Evidence of Commitment
[01:11] - Decision-Making as Proof
[01:27] - Jesus and Levels of Commitment
[01:39] - Full-Time Discipleship
[01:52] - The Worth of Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 9:23-24 - "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.'"
2. Matthew 16:24-26 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?'"
Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest is the evidence of a person's commitment to Christ? [00:55]
2. How did Jesus interact with people based on their level of commitment, according to the sermon? [01:27]
3. What question does the sermon pose about being a full-time disciple versus a part-time saint? [01:39]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of 'buy-in' relate to the biblical call to take up one's cross and follow Jesus? [00:19]
2. In what ways might decision-making serve as a litmus test for one's seriousness about their faith, as discussed in the sermon? [01:11]
3. Why might some people have turned away from Jesus, according to the sermon, and how does this relate to the biblical passages? [01:27]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current level of commitment to Christ. Are there areas in your life where you are more of a part-time saint than a full-time disciple? What steps can you take to change this? [01:39]
2. Consider a recent decision you made. How did your faith influence that decision, and what does it reveal about your commitment to Christ? [01:11]
3. Identify one aspect of your life that you have not fully surrendered to Christ's lordship. What is holding you back, and how can you begin to address this? [01:52]
4. Think about a time when you felt challenged to 'buy-in' to God's plan. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith journey? [00:19]
5. How can you make your commitment to Christ more visible in your daily actions and decisions? What practical changes can you implement this week? [00:55]
6. Reflect on the relationships in your life. How can you encourage others to deepen their commitment to Christ, and what role can you play in supporting their journey? [01:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Commitment as a Visible Testimony
True commitment to God is not just a private matter of the heart but should be evident in the way we live our lives. Much like a player's dedication to their coach is visible in their performance, our commitment to God should be reflected in our daily decisions and actions. This commitment is a deep, unwavering allegiance to who God is and what He has said. It is not merely a verbal affirmation or a fleeting sentiment but a lifestyle that consistently aligns with His divine plan and purpose. [00:19]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can your daily actions better reflect your commitment to God today?
Day 2: Decision-Making as a Measure of Faith
Our decision-making processes serve as a litmus test for the seriousness of our faith. The choices we make and the actions we take are tangible evidence of our commitment to Christ. They demonstrate whether we are truly 'bought-in' to His teachings and whether we are living out our faith in practical ways. This requires us to evaluate our decisions through the lens of our faith, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Jesus and reflect our dedication to Him. [01:11]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How did your faith influence that decision, and how might you approach it differently in the future?
Day 3: The Depth of Commitment to Christ
Jesus called for a deep level of commitment and related to people based on their dedication. Not everyone experienced the fullness of His presence because not all were fully committed. This highlights the importance of wholehearted devotion to Christ. To truly experience the fullness of His presence, we must be willing to embrace the totality of what following Him entails, surrendering every aspect of our lives to His lordship. [01:27]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to fully commit to Christ? What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him?
Day 4: Full-Time Discipleship
The question of whether we are full-time disciples or part-time saints challenges us to examine our level of commitment. Being a disciple of Christ is not a part-time endeavor but a full-time calling that requires us to surrender every aspect of our lives to His lordship. This means living out our faith consistently and intentionally, allowing it to permeate every area of our lives. [01:39]
"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate practices that reflect full-time discipleship in your everyday life?
Day 5: Overcoming Hesitation in Commitment
If we find ourselves hesitating to fully commit to Christ, we must ask ourselves why. Understanding what holds us back is crucial, as Jesus is undoubtedly worth our complete devotion and trust. By identifying and addressing these barriers, we can move towards a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him, fully embracing the life He calls us to live. [01:52]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What fears or doubts are holding you back from fully committing to Christ? How can you address these obstacles with faith and trust in Him?
Quotes
"A good coach seeks to get his players to do is 'buy in': to come to an understanding of what he's trying to do, how he or she is trying to do it, and the price that has to be paid in order to get it done. They want 'buy-in.' Guess what God wants? He wants 'buy-in.' And that means he wants a commitment to who He is what He said and what you will do in light of that information." [00:09:04]
"He wants to know you 'bought-in' to following Him, that is, not just a cliche, a comment, or popular saying, but you 'bought-in.' And when a player 'buys-in' to what the coach is espousing, it shows up in their performance on the field. If you are 'buying-in' to following Christ, it should show up in decisions in your life." [00:37:92]
"One of the questions people often ask is, 'How do I know I'm serious?' Look at your decision making, because your decisions followed up by your actions will prove whether you are committed. Jesus Christ, when He was on earth, regularly called for commitment, and the Bible says he related to people differently." [01:04:79]
"Even His disciples, all of them didn't get to experience all of Him, because all of them weren't committed at the level— in fact, it says some of them even left Him because they weren't fully committed. So, the question is, 'Have you 'bought-in' to following Jesus Christ? Have you 'bought-in' to being a full-time disciple and not a part-time saint?'" [01:08:64]
"Have you 'bought-in' to him being Lord of all of your life? If not, why not? And if you should, why don't you? He's worth it." [01:09:68]
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