Sunday Morning, December 30, 2012
scriptures: Luke 3
keywords: commitment
audio file: click to open in a new window or right-click to download
NOTES
A new year is coming. It is always a good time to evaluate. Look at this year. It is gone now. What does it mean to you? Have you been changed in this year?
When we make commitments to God, keep them.
Luke 3:4-14
John was talking to the people who were coming to church. Not everyone who comes to church is right. We have to come to God correctly, the right mindset, appreciation, and need for God.
God wants us to come showing that we want to change. Fruits worthy of repentance.
If a tree is truly dead, then it will show no life. But God is talking about our lives. Do we have any evidence of life in Him?
Some would say give it another year, give it time. There came a point where God said, I’ve already given him time.
When you are living for God, when you are useful, He gives you things to help you carry out His purpose.
When you are not living for God, what are you doing?
If God were to come to your tree right now, what would He see? Are you any different? Or are you still in
need of making the same changes?
For a tree that is not bearing fruit, He will ax and chop it into the fire.
If you don’t do anything different, then there will be no difference. If you are still doing the same things that lead you to being unsuccessful, then you will continue to be unsuccessful.
In your life, if you refuse to change, put aside that which is bad, and put on that which is good, then there will be no change.
If you want to change, you have to rearrange.
You have the same problems because you have the same trip-ups and do the same things.
vs 11 You have to do something to help others in Christ. You have to be giving.
It is more blessed to give than to receive, it helps you because you are actively giving.
You have talents. Do you use them?
How do you expect to get any closer (to a person, to your goals, to God!) if you don’t move?
The question is not “Does God love you?”, it is “Do you love God?”
He’s provided love, a way for repentance
Your Challenge is to make commitments to God that you will keep.
vs 13 – Be honest, be true, do that which is right.
Be concerned if you have a lack of contentment. Don’t get too caught up in it.
Choose contentment this year.
At the end of 2012, am I more content? Am I doing what is right in God?
Take opportunities – to be a good church member, son or daughter.
Where am I spiritually?
Sharing your commitments helps you fellowship. Allowing others to encourage and strengthen you and to do the same for them.
Your commitments have to be independent of expectating appreciation. People will not always reciprocate your giving. Your living has to be because you have devoted it to Christ.
Think about
Some things that you can do – might be something you do, but need to commit to doing.
Look around the room. Think about what I have done for them in the last 12 months. What can you do? Don’t be preoccupied, selfish, and vain. Open yourself up. We need to communicate.
Commit. If you fail to commit, you commit to fail.
God has an ax. He is not joking. Do you like who you are? Does God like who you are?
Make commitments. Take time now. GOD IS FIRST!
Think about things you can
1) Start doing.
2) Stop doing (includes ways you need to stop being).
3) Ways that you can be more content. Things you can be thankful for. People you are thankful for. Abilities that God has given you that you can be thankful for.
If there are things that you have that are sin or ways that you haven’t been what you need to be, if you need to repent to God, do that now. Repent and ask God for restoration.