Being committed

Being Committed

Bible Readings:Romans 5:1-11(page 798)John 6:35-69 (page 755)

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Saturday, 21 March 2015

Canon Doctor Andrew White, Vicar of Baghdad.

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http://www.aleteia.org/en/world/article/video-vicar-of-baghdad-speaks-about-children-killed-

by-isis-for-refusing-to-deny-jesus-5783385687457792


• Jesus warned His followers of what it might cost to follow Him.

• Jesus said, “If you love your father or mother more than you love Me, you are not worthy of being Mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine.” (Matthew 10:37–38, NLT)

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• “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to Me, they would listen to you.” (John 15:18–20, NLT)

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• “Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love Me will not obey Me. And remember, My words are not My own. What I am telling you is from the Father Who sent Me.” (John 14:23–24, NLT)

• One of the signs of commitment is doing what Jesus commands.

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• “Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37–39, NLT)

• Loving God means putting Him first in your life above everything else.

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• How do I show love to them?

• A lot of the New Testament deals with these two questions especially in the context of Christian fellowships – the church.

• If the Christians didn't get it right amongst themselves their witness to the community outside the church would be worthless.

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Who is my neighbour?


• “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24–25, NLT)

• Encouraging each other to care and support and help each other not just in words but in practical activities.

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Signs of Commitment in Christian Communities


• “encouraging each other to meet together.”

• helping each other to get to a church meeting on Sundays.

• helping each other to participate in a house group of some sort.

• one friend inviting a couple of others to have a cup of coffee or tea together to share the joys and troubles.

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• “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

• “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathise with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender-hearted, and keep a humble attitude.” (1 Peter 3:8, NLT)

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• “No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.” (John 15:13–15, HCSB)

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The Commitment of Jesus to Us


• Paul wrote, “. . . And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the Love of Christ, and to know this Love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17–19, NIV84)

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The Commitment of Jesus to Us


• “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One Who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV)

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The Everlasting Commitment of God to Us


Spiritual

Being committed