Thursday, February 1, 2007

Christians have a Choice about Commitment
Matt. 6:19-24

A man may do some service to two masters, but he can devote himself to the service of no more than one. God requires the whole heart, and will not share it with the world. When two masters oppose each other, no man can serve both. He who holds to the world and loves it, must despise God; he who loves God, must give up the friendship of the world.

Several years ago Elton Trueblood wrote a book titled "The company of the Committed." This Quaker author & philosopher explained how Christians should commit to Jesus Christ every phase of their lives.

Commitment represents one of the key experiences of every Christian. It is not a one-time happening. Commitment should come every day.

Probably no area of existence demands daily choice for the Christian more than the area of materialism. Worldly ambition represents a strong fascination. Jesus helped His followers by talking to them about the choice of the Master & the choice of materialism.

THE CHOICES PRESENTED.

Jesus began His discussion with the presentation of two alternatives:

On one hand, Jesus warned about treasures on earth. However, He din not prevent His followers from saving money. Jesus spoke about storing treasures "for ourselves." He warned about being possessed by Possessions.

On the other hand, Jesus spoke about treasure in heaven. Treasures in heaven are people won to Christ, kindnesses shown to others, and other works for the Lord. To be a committed Christian, one must choose to invest in treasures in heaven.

{1} THE SECURITY EXAMINED.

Anytime a person faces a choice about a matter, the, element of security should be considered. The treasures on earth are so insecure. In Jesus' day materialism was represented primarily in three areas: 1. Clothing, 2. Food, 3 Gold or Silver. Jesus depicted how insecure the treasures on earth were. 1. Moths can ruin clothing. 2. Food can be destroyed by rot & animals. 3. Gold & Sliver can be stolen by intruders.

After considering the insecurity of the treasures on earth, listen to Jesus' statements about the security of treasures in heaven.

THE VALUES FOCUSED.

Jesus elaborated on the idea of how a person puts possessions where his or her heart is. Actually, how a Christian spends money shows the spiritual condition of that person.

Jesus moves from the demonstration of a person's values by possessions to the illustration of a single eye and the single service. The single eye means a healthy eye; the evil eye represents a diseased eye. The good eye brings proper vision; the bad eye affects the whole personality. Jesus insisted we keep the spiritual eye, or values, clear and undistorted so that we might be able to see and do God's will.

THE IMPOSSIBILITY STATED.

Jesus gave a picture of a slave and a slave owner. "No one can serve two masters." He said. Anyone who divided allegiance between God and mammon has already given commitment to mammon. God can only be served with an entire and exclusive devotion.

Every person is confronted by commitment. People choose whether to be committed to Christ or the materialism. Oddly enough, some people choose mammon. Others choose to commit to Christ, and enjoy thrill and relevancy of being a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Don't you think we need to help others understand what commitment is?

You can start today by saying "Lord Jesus come into my heart today and help me become committed to you!!"

I pray that you would enjoy the day the Lord has made and come to the Lord’s house next time the doors are open!!

In Christ Love: Pastor Jim