Commitment to Christ: A Year of Devotion

Devotional

Day 1: Unwavering Devotion in Our Relationship with Christ

Our relationship with Christ is akin to the dedication seen in strong personal relationships. It requires a deep, unwavering commitment that is not a one-time decision but an ongoing journey of faith and action. Just as a marriage thrives on years of commitment and understanding, our walk with Jesus demands a similar devotion. This commitment involves daily choices to prioritize our relationship with Him, seeking His guidance and aligning our lives with His teachings. In a world where commitments can often be superficial, we are called to a profound dedication that transforms our lives and reflects our faith in every action. [28:26]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to deepen your commitment to Christ, similar to how you nurture important personal relationships in your life?

Day 2: The Depth of True Following

In today's digital age, following someone can be as simple as clicking a button. However, Jesus calls us to a deeper form of following that involves laying down our lives and taking up our crosses daily. This is not a superficial relationship but a profound, two-way interaction that requires us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. True following means actively engaging with Jesus' teachings and allowing them to transform our lives. It involves a daily commitment to live out our faith, even when it requires sacrifice and challenges us to grow. [30:11]

"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 does taking up your cross daily look like in your current life circumstances, and how can you begin to practice this today?

Day 3: Repentance as a Call to Action

Repentance is not just about turning away from sin but also turning towards a life of righteousness in God's kingdom. It is a call to action, urging us to live out our faith in tangible ways. Our faith must be evident through our works, as faith without works is dead. This means actively seeking opportunities to serve others, demonstrate love, and embody the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives. Repentance is a transformative process that aligns our hearts with God's will and empowers us to be agents of change in the world. [43:52]

"Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham." (Luke 3:8, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you can actively demonstrate repentance through action. How can you begin to make a change today?

Day 4: Embracing the Great Commission

The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe Jesus' commands. This involves transforming entire communities and living out our faith in every area of our lives. It is not just about individual salvation but about impacting the world around us with the message of Christ. We are called to be active participants in God's kingdom, sharing His love and truth with others. This requires intentionality and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones to reach those who have not yet experienced the transformative power of the Gospel. [46:24]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally reach out to and share the love of Christ with this week?

Day 5: Living a Fully Devoted Life

Our faith requires a response, and we are called to live fully devoted lives as disciples of Christ. This involves being completely reliant on the Father's leading and guiding, forsaking everything else. A devoted life is marked by intentionality and purpose, seeking to align every aspect of our lives with God's will. It means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else and allowing His presence to shape our decisions, actions, and interactions with others. In this new year, let us commit to being fully devoted disciples, bearing fruit that reflects our repentance and commitment to God's kingdom. [52:04]

"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: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Sermon Summary

As we embark on a new year, we are reminded of the fresh sense of hope and anticipation that comes with it. Despite the challenges of past years, we are called to remain steadfast in our commitment to being disciples of Christ. This commitment is not just a one-time decision but an ongoing journey of faith and action. Our relationship with Jesus requires a deep, unwavering commitment, much like the dedication we see in strong personal relationships. Just as my relationship with my wife is built on years of commitment and understanding, our relationship with Christ demands a similar devotion.

In today's world, the concept of following has been diluted to a mere click of a button. However, Jesus calls us to a deeper form of following—one that involves laying down our lives and taking up our crosses daily. This is not a superficial relationship but a profound, two-way interaction that requires us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Repentance is not just about turning away from sin but also turning towards a life of righteousness in God's kingdom.

John the Baptist's message of repentance and the coming of the kingdom of heaven serves as a powerful reminder of our call to action. We are not just to be passive believers but active participants in God's kingdom, making disciples of all nations. This involves teaching others to observe Jesus' commands and living out our faith in tangible ways. Our faith must be evident through our works, as faith without works is dead.

As we reflect on the Great Commission, we are reminded of the importance of making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is not just about individual salvation but about transforming entire communities and nations. We are called to live out our faith in every area of our lives, fully devoted to Jesus and His teachings.

In this new year, let us commit to being fully devoted disciples of Christ, living out our faith with intentionality and purpose. Let us bear fruit that reflects our repentance and commitment to God's kingdom, knowing that His presence is with us always.

Key Takeaways

1. time decision but an ongoing journey of faith and action. [28:26]
2. True Following: In today's digital age, following has become a superficial act. However, Jesus calls us to a deeper form of following that involves laying down our lives and taking up our crosses daily. This is a profound, two-way interaction that requires us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

3. Repentance and Action: Repentance is not just about turning away from sin but also turning towards a life of righteousness in God's kingdom. Our faith must be evident through our works, as faith without works is dead.

4. The Great Commission: We are called to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe Jesus' commands. This involves transforming entire communities and living out our faith in every area of our lives.

5. Living a Devoted Life: Our faith requires a response, and we are called to live fully devoted lives as disciples of Christ. This involves being completely reliant on the Father's leading and guiding, forsaking everything else.

** [28:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:13] - Opening Remarks and Announcements
[25:14] - Holiday Updates and Office Closure
[26:34] - Prayer and Introduction
[28:26] - Commitment in Relationships
[30:11] - True Following in Today's World
[40:06] - John the Baptist's Message
[41:34] - Knowing Our Role in God's Kingdom
[42:57] - Bearing Fruit in Repentance
[43:52] - Faith and Works
[46:24] - The Great Commission
[47:52] - Everlasting Presence of Jesus
[48:57] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[49:51] - James on Faith and Works
[52:04] - Living a Devoted Life
[55:59] - Personal Reflections on Commitment
[59:49] - Invitation to Respond
[63:28] - Prayer and Reflection
[66:12] - Communion
[71:01] - Closing Prayer and Offering
[77:17] - Final Remarks and Invitation to Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does John the Baptist's message in Matthew 3 emphasize about repentance and the kingdom of heaven? How does this relate to the call to action in the sermon? [40:06]
In Matthew 28, what are the three key actions Jesus commands His disciples to undertake? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on transforming communities? [46:24]
According to James 2, what is the relationship between faith and works? How was this concept illustrated in the sermon? [49:51]
How does the sermon describe the difference between superficial following and true discipleship? [30:11]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon compare the commitment required in personal relationships to our relationship with Christ? What does this imply about the nature of our faith journey? [28:26]
What does it mean to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance," and how does this concept challenge the way we live out our faith daily? [42:57]
How does the Great Commission expand the idea of discipleship beyond individual salvation to community transformation? What might this look like in practical terms? [46:24]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith should be evident through works, and how does this align with the teachings in James 2? [49:51]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current level of commitment in your relationship with Christ. How does it compare to the commitment you have in your closest personal relationships? What steps can you take to deepen your devotion? [28:26]
Identify an area in your life where you can "take up your cross daily" and follow Jesus more closely. What practical changes can you make this week to live out this commitment? [30:11]
Consider a recent decision or action. How did it reflect (or not reflect) a life of repentance and righteousness? What changes can you make to ensure your actions align with your faith? [43:52]
Think of a community or group you are part of. How can you contribute to making disciples and teaching others about Jesus' commands in that context? [46:24]
Reflect on a time when your faith was challenged. How did you respond, and what did it reveal about the relationship between your faith and works? How can you strengthen this relationship moving forward? [49:51]
Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week, and what resources or support might you need to do so effectively? [46:24]
Consider a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction and prioritize your relationship with Him? [52:04]

Sermon Clips

We are still called, no matter what the year is, no matter where we are on the calendar, we are still called to be disciples, making disciples. This is our core business. Everything else should come out of that. We are called to glorify the Lord. And make him known as we are disciples, making disciples. And so for today, we're going to look at the commitment, what it is to make a commitment and be a dedicated follower of Jesus. [00:27:58]

Every good, healthy, strong relationship requires commitment. If it's not a strong relationship, it doesn't need a strong commitment. I am strongly committed to the Australian cricket team. I often say, I would be. I would be the worst commentator, I would be completely, mind you, some of the other nationality commentators on the cricket are completely biased. [00:28:26]

Jesus doesn't just say believe in me he says follow me he doesn't just say believe in me he says follow me belief requires a response requires an action not just once and for all but an ongoing action of living a committed life as a follower if I follow somebody online I can unfollow them in a second and not have their input in my life any longer and if I'm following somebody online it's not a two -way relationship they generally don't care whether I'm following them or not except for the money that they earn from however I might interact with them yet Jesus when he calls us to not only believe in him but to follow him to the point that we lay down our lives take up our crosses and follow him daily is a two -way interaction and we can only do that because of what he has already done for us. [00:35:28]

Repentance requires that I bear fruit that shows that I've repented. I'll say it again. Repentance requires that I bear fruit that shows I have repented, that I have turned away from the way of sin and I've turned towards living in the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of light and life. [00:43:22]

Here's Jesus giving what we call the great commission or the great charge at the end of his earthly life. Matthew chapter 28. Verse 18. If you've been in church for any period of time, you would have heard this, especially when there's any focus on mission. Verse 18. Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. [00:44:48]

The disciples then and us as disciples now do not call for a superficial response but for a total commitment to this community, to your faith, to a life governed by everything that Jesus commanded. In this one simple instruction that Jesus gives at the end of his earthly life. He sums up the entirety of his life and his teaching and his actions and his ministry and all the signs and wonders and healings and miracles and everything that he said and everything that he did and he says go and do likewise. [00:48:20]

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but he does not have works? If you believe, but it is not evident, what good is it? Can that faith save him? If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to him, go in peace, be warmed and filled without giving them the things needed for the body, what? What good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is what? Dead. [00:50:29]

Faith in Jesus looks like something because our faith in Jesus should make us look like him. Imagine if Jesus talked to talk but he didn't walk the walk we'd have theory on godly life but we would have no practical example to follow. But Jesus believed the Father and what he was called to do and obeyed the Father in every area of life and ministry, even to death on the cross. Are we willing to be so devoted, so committed in being disciples of Jesus that we'd actually lay down our lives no matter the cost? [00:55:34]

Annabel and Benjamin are taking their marriage, and together as one, as they become one, focusing it all on Jesus. Being completely dependent on Him. And not being half -hearted in that. This is our call as disciples of Jesus Christ. That when we actually get baptised, we make a vow, when the old is gone and the new has come, that we will live completely devoted, to Jesus. Our faith requires our response. And this is part of the reason that we end our services every week. And we will be more intentional in doing so. [00:59:30]

We exercise our faith in God by living in His Kingdom, in every area of life. Commitment in our relationships, in our finances, in serving one another, in serving the Church, in our hearts and in our mindsets. We will be completely devoted in every area of life. My commitment as a follower of Jesus looks like I lay down my life in complete submission to the Father. [01:00:51]

I love and lead and serve my family wholeheartedly and provide for them to the best of my ability and teach them the ways of the Lord. Sometimes making tough choices in obedience to Him. I serve my Church as the beacon of hope and light in the darkness of the world today. And I serve the body because I submit to the head of the Church, that is Jesus. [01:01:20]

And maybe you've never made the personal decision to accept Jesus, Christ as your Lord and Saviour and receive the free gift of life that He has to give to you today. And none of this can happen without the Holy Spirit. It's actually His empowering that gives us the grace that we need to actually receive the gift of life that He has to give us. Because without Him, it's all impossible. We need His leading, His guiding and His Holy Spirit in this moment. [01:02:50]

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