The Father's House Chapel of Milton Keynes

Level 1 Lesson 7

COMMITMENT

WHAT IS COMMITMENT
A great business leader once said:
"...the basic philosophy, spirit, and drive of an organization have far more to do with its relative achievements than do technological or economic resources, organizational structure, innovation, and timing. All these things weigh heavily in success. But they are, I think, transcended by how strongly the people in the organization believe in its basic precepts and how faithfully they carry them out." (From Thomas J. Watson, Jr., A Business and its Beliefs - The ideas that helped build IBM).
As true as this is for the success of a corporation, it is even more so for the individual. The most important single factor in individual success is COMMITMENT. Commitment ignites action. To commit is to pledge yourself to a certain purpose or line of conduct. It also means practicing your beliefs consistently. There are, therefore, two fundamental conditions for commitment. The first is having a sound set of beliefs. There is an old saying that goes, "Stand for something or you'll fall for anything." The second is faithful adherence to those beliefs with your behaviour. Possibly the best description of commitment is "persistence with a purpose". And so our lesson for today starts.
Luke 14:25-26 - And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
"And there went great multitudes with Jesus, and He turned, and said unto them…" (Luke 14:25). At this time in Jesus' ministry, there were multitudes of people who followed Jesus. The English language doesn't bring this out, but in the Greek language, this is an imperfect tense. This means that at this time, the great multitudes began to repeatedly and continuously follow Jesus. Perhaps it was because of His miracles or because He fed them, we don't know the exact reason, but great multitudes were following Him. It was at this time that Jesus turned and deliberately said something which appears to have caused many people to turn and follow Him no more.
"If any man come to Me [that means wants go with me, wants to accompany me, wants to follow me, this is the requirement], and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26, brackets mine). As I looked at that scripture, I thought, Lord, you can't mean that. What does that word "hate" mean? It probably means to love less or something like that. As I began to study, however, I discovered that the word literally means "hate."
Jesus used the strongest possible word to emphasize a point. He said unless you hate your father, your mother, your sister, your brother, even your own life, you can't be His disciple. I want to ask you something: What is the closest relationship you will ever have on this earth? It's your mother and father or your spouse and children. What happens if your wife turns against you and divorces you, or your mother and father die? Who will stick with you then? It will be your brothers and your sisters. Jesus said, unless you hate them, you can't be His disciple. What is He saying???
Jesus is talking about the closest relationships we will ever have. He is asking for a commitment from you, a commitment in which He is pre-eminent. He wants to be number one in your life. He is going to compare His relationship with you to the closest relationships you have on earth. "Hate" is a metaphor, a word of comparison, and Jesus is saying, "My relationship with you is so important that I want it to be above all earthly things." There is one person you love more than your wife, your children, your mother, your father, or your sisters and brothers. Do you know who that is? It's not God . . . it's you. You love yourself more than you love your closest relationships.
Why do marriages break up? Why do people divorce? Because they love themselves more than they love their spouse. "You're not doing it like I want you to, so I'm getting rid of you."
Jesus said there is one relationship I want to be number one above-it's your own selfish life. This is true discipleship. He is not talking about a no-cost discipleship. He's asking us to follow Him. He's asking to be number one in our lives.
Discipleship Questions
1. Read Luke 9:57-62. What does this passage teach about the level of commitment toward following Christ? ___________________________________________________
2. Read Luke 8:13-14. Why do some people seem to fall away, or turn away, from the Christian faith? ___________________________________________________________
3. Read Ezekiel 16:8. God uses the illustration of marriage to describe a relationship with His people. Whose possession does one become in this relationship? ____________
4. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19. Who do you belong to? _____________________________
5. Read 1 Corinthians 6:20. Who does your body and your spirit belong to? ________________________________________________________________________
6. Read James 4:4. Can you commit spiritual adultery against God? _________________
7. What would constitute spiritual adultery in God's eyes? See Romans 1:25. ________________________________________________________________________

8. Read John 2:23-25. What can we learn about commitment and faith from these verses? _________________________________________________________________

9. Read Luke 14:28-30. Have you counted the cost to follow Jesus? Do you want to follow Him? _____________________________________________________________

Scriptures to Use with Questions

Luke 9:57-62 - "[57] And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. [61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. [62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 8:13-14 - "[13] They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. [14] And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."
Ezekiel 16:8 - "Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine."

1 Corinthians 6:19 - "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
1 Corinthians 6:20 - "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
James 4:4 - "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
Romans 1:25 - "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."
John 2:23-25 - "[23] Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. [24] But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, [25] And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."
Luke 14:28-30 - "[28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? [29] Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, [30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish."
Answer Key
1. Read Luke 9:57-62. What does this passage teach about the level of commitment toward following Christ? Absolute surrender.
2. Read Luke 8:13-14. Why do some people seem to fall away, or turn away, from the Christian faith? They have never put down a root system in the Word of God. The cares, riches, and pleasures of this life take them away.
3. Read Ezekiel 16:8. God uses the illustration of marriage to describe a relationship with His people. Whose possession does one become in this relationship? God's.
4. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19. Who do you belong to? God.
5. Read 1 Corinthians 6:20. Who does your body and your spirit belong to? God.
6. Read James 4:4. Can you commit spiritual adultery against God? Yes.
7. What would constitute spiritual adultery in God's eyes? A heart that is turned away from Him to idols (things that you have made more important that God). See Romans 1:25.
8. Read John 2:23-25. What can we learn about commitment and faith from these verses? That Jesus wants all of our hearts (a total commitment).
9. Read Luke 14:28-30. Have you counted the cost to follow Jesus? Do you want to follow Him? Yes.
HOW TO PRACTICE COMMITMENT
Effectively demonstrating commitment to others, to the organization's basic principles, and to oneself is never easy. The truth is, demonstrating commitment is hard work. Wavering commitment is usually seen as no commitment at all. The only way to achieve a reputation for commitment is through determination and persistence. Genuine commitment stands the test of time.
Committed to Christ
Day to day, commitment is demonstrated by a combination of two actions. The first action is called supporting. Genuine support develops a commitment in the minds and hearts of others. This is accomplished by focusing on what is important and leading by example. It is not uncommon for people to be either confused as to what is important, or lose sight of it over time. Supporting means concentrating on what adds value, spotlighting what's working, and rewarding others who are focusing on what is important and leading by example. A crucial aspect of true support is standing up to those who would undermine commitment, those whose words or actions show disrespect.
The second action underlying commitment is called improving. Improving stretches our commitment to an even higher level. Commitment means a willingness to look for a better way and learn from the process. It focuses on eliminating complacency, confronting what is not working, and providing incentives for improvement. The spirit of improving is rooted in challenging current expectation and ultimately taking the risk to make changes. These changes are based more on optimism in the future than dissatisfaction in the past.
Balance is required in your Daily Walk with God
It is the combination of both supporting and improving behaviours that makes up the practice of commitment. Separately neither action is capable of sustaining commitment. Promoting alone can come across as shallow. Continuous improvement can be seen as "good is never good enough". Together they provide a needed balance. Both are essential to commitment.
WHEN IT IS MOST IMPORTANT
Commitment is most difficult and most readily proven during tough times. How someone weathers the storms most clearly demonstrates their basic beliefs. In antiquity, Epicurus stated: "...a captain earns his reputation during the storms." When your marriage, business, health goes against you, when the money dries up, or when the glamour of success wears off, this is when it is easiest to compromise your commitments. The real test comes when you can hold the line against the easy route of compromise.
Fortunately, paying the price that commitment commands has payoffs worth the cost - a reputation for integrity and, even more important, the commitment of others in return. Commitment is a two-way street. You only get it if you are willing to give it. Are you willing to commit your life to Christ today put him before yourself and others? If so you have made the greatest decision of your life, it's not a once off action it's a life long commitment to Him that made it all possible through the finished works on the cross. Jesus has demonstrated His love and commitment to you, and as you commit or support Him in establishing His Kingdom on this earth you will truly receive the blessing of eternal life, success and favour of God as you walk daily with Him, your marriages will be established, your business will grow you will personally undergo change through process of God's Word.
" Please reread and apply in your daily lives.
" It's important to listen and commit our entire lives to God!!!
" God is Love and He wants us to walk in love.
" God wants you to be committed to one another in marriage
" Make prayer your lifestyle commit it to the Lord today.
" Support and improve the church your in today.
" Support the Pastor in your church and submit to his leading.

Final Thought
Jesus is asking us today to submit to Him, putting Him first in your lives today. You can do this through the studying His Word (Bible) meditate and apply in your daily walk with Him. Humble yourselves and put Jesus first in all things you can achieve this by putting everything to Him in prayer daily. Then you must have a servant's attitude putting others ahead of yourself that's what it is to walk in love?

Final Prayer
Heavenly father in the mighty name of Jesus we approach your throne room of grace and mercy, help us father to walk in love, come Holy Spirit and brood over this congregation. Help us to grow and to put you first in our lives, help the leaders to become all that you have purposed for our lives. Let husbands and wives to submit to one another and walk in obedience to the leaders and Pastors of their church. Help us touch people's heart for you and bring them back into a relationship with you. Help us to become teachers of your Word. We thank and praise Your Holy Name, for we know that you are the hearer of prayer that is in alignment with your purpose and will for our lives, we ask you this in Jesus name amen.