Committed

Life as a Christian is not just about us accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour, but it is also about the Great Commission from Lord our God.

Matthew 28:16-20 said it all. Things to note:

- (v17b) but some doubted

- (v19a) go and make

- (v19b) baptizing them

- (v20a) teaching them

Question:

The people that know you are a Christian, are they:

a) the people around you outside the church, OR

b) the people in your church?

We are looking at how these can be put into practice in our everyday lives.

1. WORD

- Nehemiah 8:8 “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.”

- 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

- These verses interpret themselves for us: the Word of God is the BIBLE (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth).

- If we truly believe that the Word of God brings life, what are the things that are stopping us from reading/learning from God?

- We do not want to be only NICE people, but we want to aim to become GOOD people, good in God’s eye, servants of God that has a heart that is chasing after God.

- Often, through reading the bible scriptures, the Holy Spirit will come and speak to TEACH, REBUKE, CORRECT and TRAIN us.

- Only with a full denial to our old self and submission to the way of the Lord, then we can experience transformation in our lives.

- 2 Timothy 3:17 “so that the man of God can be thoroughly equipped for every good work”.

- Therefore, it is important that we commit and dedicate our time for the Word of God.

Tips:

- Find opportunities to share with someone about what you have learned daily (or weekly) from the bible.

- Try to remember at least one verse each week (the preacher in Sunday Service always gives more than one).

2. WORK

- Apostle Paul wrote this in Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling".

- Notice the Word of God says "work out" and NOT "work for".

- I believe in order to touch & impact people's lives, it all starts from deep within us.

- We don't need "churchy" actions or appearance to show the world about Jesus Christ, but as Pastor Denis said, "We need to have an intimate relationship with our God".

Nevertheless, it's quite dangerous to think that we are working for the salvation of people. This is because we are saved by grace not by work. Instead, we should work out our own salvation so that the world may know the Lord and receive their salvation.

Working out our salvation:

- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray continually”.

- Mark 12:30-31a “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbour as yourself”.

- John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”.

Our God the Father is a creative genius. Somehow in His brilliant plans, if we choose to fully deny ourselves and take up the cross (working out our salvation), then the people around us will see the difference through our Holy Spirit-filled character.

"I would rather open a rescue shop before the gates of hell than to live in the comforting sound of a chapel bell." - Brother Isaac Biju (2011)

It is by our commitment to the Lord that determines how much God can use us for His plans “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11.

Memory verses:

a) Nehemiah 8:8

b) 2 Timothy 3:16-17

c) Philippians 2:12

d) Mark 12:30-31