Skip to content The Ultimate Commitment || Pastor Diego Mesa Aug 26 · 39 min ...more
August 26, 2024 · 39 min · Patria Sermons
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Adam Mesa is Lead Pastor of Patria Church and speaks to a congregation of 12,000 about how the gospel of Jesus Christ brings purpose to every life. Patria
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The Call to Commitment 0:00 Father, thank you for the next few moments that I could stand behind this pulpit and share the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray, Lord, that my words would not be remembered, but your words would be0:10 remembered. May there be a sticky element with it, the Lord, that stays with them throughout the day. In Jesus name. Amen. I'd like you to stand for the reading of God's word today.0:22 And, I'm gonna read basically this story, and I will pretty much stay there the rest of my time with you, because I think it's powerful a power. We've already talked about Christ. We've already talked0:34 about, community. We talked last week about character and this week we're gonna talk about commitment. Elijah left there and found Elijah. Very similar0:46 name. Son of Shayfa as he was plowing. He was a farmer literally. 12 teams of oxen were in front of him, which means he was very, very wealthy or his family0:58 was very wealthy. And he was with the 12 team. Elijah, which is the older prophet, walked by him and threw his mantle, almost through like his coat or representing the1:10 calling of God. And Laixa left the auction and ran to follow and lied. And said, please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will1:22 follow you. Basically, he's saying, let me say goodbye. Let me have a party that celebrates that I'm moving on. And Elijah says, go on back. He replied, for what have I done1:34 to you? Not disrespecting him, he's challenging him. So he turned back from following him. Now here's commitment, watch this. Took the team of oxen and slaughtered them.1:46 You talk about the largest barbecue ever held in Israel. He had a barbecue fest. He says here, and and and also with the wooden yoke and the1:58 plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate, and he left, and followed Elijah, and served him. You may be seated. We for2:10 the last 4 weeks have been talking about values of a vision, which basically is introducing to new believers or potentially new members or established members2:25 restaurants and there are many jobs and there are many homes, but every 1 of them has a different value in it. And what we value in this church is Christ. Everything. It's not2:37 theology or beliefs or you and I. It's all about Jesus. Number 2, we are only as strong as our fellowship, our community with 1 another. And from that community, we are to have outstanding2:48 Christian like character in how we treat 1 another. And then we are to have a commitment. The commitment to Christ, the commitment to community, and the commitment to character. And that's what3:00 we're gonna talk about today. In 15 19, Hernan Cortes, the famous Spanish explorer landed on Veracruz, Mexico. And, what he did with the3:12 fleet of 11 ships when they arrived is almost, unheard of. He lit a torch and he burned all 11 ships as a3:24 sign to his crew that we will not return. We are not going back. We are on a mission. Basically saying, I don't know what we're gonna expect. It's gonna get tough and it's gonna get hard. And the moment it3:36 gets tough and hard, we're gonna wanna get on those ships and go back home. But we're on an assignment from the king and we're gonna keep moving forward. Well, that's the story that you got today that Elisha3:48 did. He burned his plow the same way Hernan Cortez burned those ships, which up which speaks to us4:03 says in the Bible that he slaughtered all the animals, and he burned all the equipment. What does that say to you? What needs to be slaughtered4:15 in your life? And what needs to be burned in your life to show a level of commitment that you're following Christ? Because as long as you have that alive, it's a it's a backdoor escape.4:27 And when things don't go right, I'm going back to those plows and those oxen. Notice the fact that he was willing to leave 1 occupation or 1 vocation4:39 or 1 lifestyle to take on a whole another lifestyle. That's what commitment is. I'm coming out of the world and the way that I talk, I live, and I act, and I'm4:51 coming into the Christ, and I'm gonna bear a new life. And so I'm gonna leave that old life here. It would represent the farmer, and I'm gonna take on the calling of God in my life. I'm5:03 gonna change my lifestyle for something better. And notice this, he was unwilling to be talked out of his commitment. Elijah was not trying5:15 to be mean but he was testing him. You say 1 thing like you really wanna follow me. Excuse, let me do this first. He said, if you wanna follow Christ, there are5:27 no firsts. He's first in your life. So you and I you and I will be challenged along that line. And and then the fourth thing5:39 that that I recognize is it said that he followed Elijah and he served him. Now if you know history, he would serve him for 10 years before the old5:51 man prophet Elijah would die. So now, he has some level of fame, some level of notoriety, some level of prosperity. He's the big wig in the city. He he's wealthy, but6:03 now he will go into obscurity for 10 years. It's the way God does. He'll break you. He'll mold you. And he'll shape you. You may be big and all that in the world, and God6:14 says, in the kingdom of God, you ain't nothing. So I'm gonna have to humble you, but then I'm gonna build you back up. And that's why a lot of people don't wanna go into ministry.6:28 They want, what can I do to preach tomorrow? God's called me. Well, if God's called you then go take care of the parking. Oh, no, no, no. I want the stage and you're not called. Go back to your auction then.6:42 And so you and I are challenged by that. I wanna give you a few quotes as we launch into commitment today. Billy Graham said this, in relationship to commitment,6:54 subtlety or gimmicks to gain followers. I love that because that's true. Rather, he honestly laid before them the tough demands of discipleship or being a Christ follower.7:06 Total commitment and total involvement. Here's another quote that I wanna share with you about what commitment looks like to us. Nobody gets good at anything7:18 unless they're willing to make an irrevocable commitment. Silver or bronze around your neck like the Olympics, there was a level of thousands of hours of7:30 commitment that took that. So it's an irrevocable commitment for a lifetime with no hesitation, experiencing tons of disappointments, and making epic7:42 sacrifices to achieve their desired outcome that they want. I am so grateful that Jesus never asked me to commit to him7:54 before he committed to me. That's the kind of God you serve and I challenge your belief system, your theory, or whoever you is to be challenged by that. They ask you to make a commitment to them8:05 first, and then they will prove themselves to you. Jesus makes a commitment to come out of heaven, and to die on a cross, and to suffer and be beaten and marred, and to go down to hell, and be resurrected.8:17 Now, he comes to us as Christ followers and said, based upon my commitment of what I've done to you to prove my love to you. Are you willing to commit your life to me? Yeah. That's good.8:30 Because there's this amazing scripture I wanna read to you in Luke. I wanna read the scripture, Luke 14. I don't know if it's gonna go on the screen, but if if it does you could yell at me and I'll look up. But in Luke8:41 14, it says this, if anyone comes to me and does not hate his own mother and father and wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, watch this,8:54 he cannot, he cannot, I didn't say this. This is Jesus said this. He cannot be my9:05 disciple. Now, he's not talking about literally you hating your mother and father. But he's talking about in commitment levels and priority levels and who's number9:17 1 in your life. If you had to choose between the 2, Jesus or your mama, who are you gonna choose? Jesus or your wife, who you gonna choose? You have to have a higher level of commitment9:29 to me than you would to any other person that you love in your life. And if not, then you can't be my disciple. How how does he have the audacity to say9:41 that? Because he made a commitment to you greater than any other person has made a commitment to you to die for you so that you could go to heaven. How many of you9:52 recognize there's a vast difference between being interested in something and being committed to something. It's the difference between the chicken and what he'll give up for the farmer's breakfast and the10:04 pig in what he'll give up for the farmer's breakfast. You know, next next service is my favorite service because this service is too quiet for me.10:16 The chicken only gives up his egg. I mean, even though the pig's gotta give up his ham and bacon, that means he's got his life. And oftentimes in the kingdom of God, we are interested.10:29 I'm interested in getting married. I'm interested in becoming a Christian. I'm interested in being a parent. I'm interested10:41 in getting my finances in order or coming out of debt. I'm interested in eating healthy. I don't know if I'm committed. That's10:53 what you call a looky loo. How many of you know what a looky loo is? Or if you're my culture, it's you're called a matichi. You're a matichi. Come on. So how many11:05 of you have ever seen an open house in your neighborhood? I'm or or just driving around like maybe a neighborhood you couldn't afford or shouldn't be in. How many of you know they're free to go in open house? They don't11:17 know who you are. You're Bill Gates' nephew. You don't know who You know, money I have. So so how many of you know that when you go in there, you're not really looking to buy the11:29 home? You just want to see what your neighbors live in. You want to see the furniture. You want to see the view. You got nothing else to do. You want to see where the rich and famous live. So you go in there like a big11:38 shot like, oh, I I don't know if I Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. How no? But you're really nosy. You're nosy. You're nosy. And when the realtor comes and says, oh, can I help you? Do you can I answer any of your11:50 Oh, you're not? I'm thinking about it. I'm just looking right now. You liar. You're looky look. You're interested, but you're not committed. And we come in the church and we're looking at the Yeah. The music. We're12:02 at children's church, parking lot, preaching. Not gonna commit. Listen, you've been coming here for 30 years and you're still a lookie look. What do we need to do12:14 or what does he need to do? Die on the cross again to make you commit to whatever it is. Let me just show you this and then we're gonna get into the message. These are these are my these are12:26 my commitments tables. Okay? So how many of you know what this says? You have to say it today. This is this is audience participation now. Okay? Okay? Yes.12:38 No. So let's just see our commitments everyday life. I'm gonna ask you to be honest now, you're in church because if you lie here. Don't don't fake Christianity and say no12:50 when you know you would say yes to that. Okay? So let's just say, somebody Will you commit to a 30 year mortgage paying13:01 3150 dollars for the next 30 years of your life? Would you do something like that? Yes. For the next 60 months car payment of13:13 532 dollars, would you commit to that? Yes. See, some of you are liars. You're not participating. Would you commit to 2 hours and 24 minutes of social13:25 media daily? Yes. You better say yes because that's the average of what people do. Are you willing to commit every Friday after you get paid to go by Bill's13:36 Liquor Store and buy a Powerball and lottery ticket? I didn't hear 1 of you say yes.13:49 God's watch, I ain't your judge. Okay. Are you willing to commit to the next Netflix series, 5 season, 60 episodes to binge watch that? Mixed14:00 reviews there. Are you willing to always have your favorite 6 pack of beer in the refrigerator? No. Dang14:12 lying church. Next. Do you promise to meet your monthly gym membership and work out as much as you can weekly?14:25 Yes. Will you every day on the way to work stop by Starbucks and get your 7 buck vanilla latte? Yes. Oh, this is14:37 huge. You you better not lie on this 1. You better not lie. How many of you will commit this year to watching the Lakers, the LA Dodgers and the Cowboys?14:49 You will buy the paraphernalia, you will at least go to 1 game and you will shout till you lose your voice at the game or on the TV. Yeah.15:01 How many of you commit to how many of you commit to be a bull jiver, a gossiper, a complainer, and a cusser, and a womanizer, a manizer for the rest of your life?15:14 Okay. Let's see if you are equally committed because I'll I'll say this, most of us, most of us,15:27 next 30 years, I'm gonna make that payment because I see some benefit to that. Right. And I gotta go to work and I gotta take care of the kids, so I need a car. I'm willing to make that commitment. Right? And you know15:38 what? I have to have my coffee every morning. So it's just right there in front of my job. So I'm, you know, I'm going to get the Starbucks right there. Okay? And so you could go on and on and on and on, but let's go15:50 over here. Will you Are you guys willing to commit every day to get up and read your bibles? Yes. God's watching right now. Gabriel, take a recording of this right16:02 now, please. Are you willing to start eating better and healthier in your life? Yes. Are you willing to be a better father by spending time with your16:14 children either in the house or outside of the house? See all quiet a gun? Will you get out of debt before16:26 you go into debt again? Will you start some level of therapy to overcome whatever addiction bondage or help that you need? Yes. Will16:38 you be committed? I got this ring that I've had on nearly 41 years. Will you be committed to your marriage? Will you be committed to your marriage? Yes. Will you be committed to neighborhood groups?16:50 Yes. Will you commit to discipling a young Christian and coming alongside of them and helping them? Will you commit to coming to church as much as you can? Will you commit to financially giving? Will you commit to17:02 praying for your church? Will you commit to volunteering and serving in the church? And will you commit to soul winning? Yes.17:14 If you're really spiritual, I'll pray about it. Why don't we equal the commitments from 1 table to the next table?17:26 So let's break it down just really quickly now. I've got 15 minutes and that's more than enough time. From the life of what Elisha did,17:38 I wanna share these commitments of what really, really commitment looks like. Because the reality is this, more than 30 years ago, I sat in our17:50 home with 12 people in my home. And I looked at those 12 people virtually from day 1 service and I said this, I am willing to commit to be the best pastor that I18:02 can and open my home to you to have church services, but you gotta make a commitment to me or this relationship will not work. How bold, What audacity I had. You wouldn't18:14 be here if I didn't do that. You'd be somewhere out. You'd be at another person's church probably, but you wouldn't be here. So how quiet it got because you don't understand what I'm saying. I looked at those18:26 12 people and said, here's your commitment to me. I need you to pray for me and pray for this church as much as you can. Will you make that commitment? They all said yes. I said, will you all financially tithe and give18:37 10 percent of your money to this star, for this fledgling starting church? Yes, I will. Will every 1 of you volunteer and work and do something within this church? Yes, I will. Will every 1 of you18:49 attend church and invite someone to this church? Yes. They did it. And they we grew out of that house. And then I went to the little 30 people that were now in, Shadow Hills19:01 Elementary School. I did the same thing because if I didn't do that, you wouldn't be here today. This building would not be here today. And I looked at them and I said, will you pray every day as much as you can? Would19:11 you attend church? Would you invite people to church? Would you volunteer and would you financially give? And they did. And they were able to allow us to go to the business park called Utica, 575019:23 square feet and rented. It had 200 chairs. I looked at those people and I said, are you willing to pray for this church? Invite people to church, attend to that church, serve and financially give to that church? We went19:35 into 7 services. We bought the complex, and then we came here. All I'm asking you to do is pay it forward now. That's all I'm asking you to do, is pay it19:46 forward. Here's the first commitment I want you to see as we looked at the story today. Here's what commitment looks like. The first 1, please. It's okay. I can read it19:58 off my notes. It's okay. It's okay. I'm gonna do my notes. Your commitment is usually made in a situation of experiencing struggle or failure. That's usually when you're gonna make a20:10 commitment in the atmosphere of struggle, in the atmosphere of failure. Elisha is gonna make a commitment because he's in a place of struggle recognizing I want something more.20:22 I don't know and there's nothing wrong, but he's saying I don't know that the rest of my life I'm supposed to be plowing in this field. I have something in me speaking and it's restless within me. And I want to do20:34 more. Ruth was in a place of struggle. She's going to have to make a choice and decision. But she's gonna have to make a commitment. And it's usually when you're sick and tired of your situation20:46 that you're willing to commit to do something different. So you gotta experience some pain. You gotta experience some discomfort. I'm tired of not being able to walk. I'm tired of not I'm tired of the arguing in my20:57 household. You know, I'm tired of of all my the the world and the flesh in my hip pocket. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of it. And so commitments are usually made. So you've you've got to make a21:09 commitment. It's a choice. It's a decision. That's all you have to do. But it's often times in a place of struggle that that takes place. Your commitments will be tested and your commitments will21:21 be tried. You and I How many of you recognize when you were a Christian? I mean, when you were an unsaved person, it didn't seem like21:32 you were tempted as hard as when you become a Christ follower and you're tempted. I don't know when you ever go on a fast. You know, no 1 ever brings free donuts when I'm not on a fast. But the moment I go on the fast,21:44 everyone's offering me free donuts now. When you make a commitment, your commitment will be tested and your commitment will be tried. Elisha is going to make a21:56 commitment but Elijah is going to test him on that level of commitment. And when you decide to do something, just get ready. It's gonna be tested and it's it's going to be tried like like never before.22:08 That's the story of Nehemiah. Nehemiah wants to make a commitment to rebuild the walls but here comes Sambala, Tobiah, Geshem, opposition that's going to try to stop him. So what do you need to fulfill your commitment?22:20 You need patience and you need endurance or you will fail in your commitment. There's no such thing as quick success. Instant anything. You gotta just hold22:32 fast. You gotta be patient and you gotta be willing to endure. Your commitments will cost you something. It will cost you learning. It will cost you repenting. It will cost you growing or some hardship22:44 or some discomfort or some uncomfortableness in his life. If Abraham is gonna be the leader of a nation called the Hebrew nation, there's a level of just discomfort in his life. He has22:56 to leave Earth the Chaldeans to go to a place he's never been before. He has to separate himself from his family. And to meet meet our level of commitment, it's it's just gonna cost you something.23:09 It'll cost you relationships. It'll cost you friendships. It'll cost you pleasures and leisures and interest. I wanna make a commit greater commitment to my wife. So what does that mean?23:20 I can't go to the bar at Friday night at the last day of work and I gotta go home. You know, I want a greater relationship with my kids. It's gonna cost me. I can't, you know, binge watch something or play games23:32 all day. I've gotta play with my kids. Your commitments are the place where God shows up and God shows off. Not until you make a commitment23:44 will you obligate God and his grace and his strength and his favor to get involved in you. Because he recognizes in your natural, you probably can't make that commitment. Because you're fighting23:56 against the enemy in a spiritual battle. He's gonna try to stop and abort your commitment because he doesn't wanna see the level of victory and peace in your life. And so when you make24:08 that commitment, you follow through with that commitment, God gets involved. And now God fights your battles. Now God comforts you. Now God brings resources. Now God brings strength to you.24:19 It's not until Esther gets before that king and appeals to her people and makes that commitment that God says, now I will fight your battles. Now, I will do for you what you can't do for24:31 yourself. And we're gonna allow our people to protect our themselves. And we're gonna sign a new edict instead of termination of defense. And so commitments.24:43 Commitments is not determined by a level of talent, gifts, or ability. But commitments are determined by determination. If you're gonna make a commitment, it's gonna take a single-minded24:55 focus on a target that you want. The 4 friends that were bringing the paralytic before Jesus had to go through the door but they couldn't. Wanted to go through the window but they couldn't. So25:07 they just broke down the strap, the roof to get to Jesus. So it's not about talent. It's not about ability that gets that helps you to make your commitment. It's it's25:19 just determination that allows that to happen. I'm not gonna be stopped though. The windows shut down, the the doors are shut down. I want my marriage and I'm gonna fight for my marriage and I'm gonna do everything in my25:30 power. Not always in her power or the his power but in my power. My heart breaks when a man comes to me and he says, pastor, my wife wants to25:42 divorce me. And I'm doing everything that I know to do. You know, I have to say, well, number 1, how long have you been doing it? Then25:54 the truth starts coming out, 6 weeks. And it could be reversed. Okay. Tell me the depth of what you do.26:06 Do you do you wanna sleep with her again in the bed? Do you do you want her to all of a sudden cook for you every day? What do you want? Because you're not Based upon the violation, you're not in a position to ask26:15 anything right now. You're already placing demands and that's why you're getting this cold shoulder and this closed door. So so oftentimes those things have to really be26:27 looked at and really be evaluated, to look at the fact of determination is so needed. Your commitment stands your commitments excuse me. Your commitment stands. Your commitment starts with26:39 the little things you do and moves upwards toward the big ones. You don't get committed when you have big projects, you get committed with little projects. And the little projects will help26:51 you to be committed with big projects. That's good. That's good. Well when I'm an entrepreneur and I own my own business, that's when. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. When you're making minimum wage and nobody knows27:03 you and and you you know, you're an employee, that's when that's when your commitments start. So that God could see that he could trust you in a higher position. David had to start27:14 with the with the with the lion. Then he moved to the bear. And then he could kill a giant. He not gonna kill a giant called Goliath out of the gate. He's gotta be able to be figure out,27:26 I gotta gain confidence, I gotta gain skill, I know how to learn how to trust God with the lion. And then I'm gonna move to the bear, and then I'm gonna move to the giant. Commitment starts with the little things.27:39 Yes. Can you take care of a rented apartment before you take care of your own house? Yes. You don't like me. Can you take care of someone who's your girlfriend before27:51 someone becomes your wife? Oh, can you be faithful to a girlfriend? Thinking, oh, I'll be faithful to a wife. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. It's a I'm preaching real good28:03 on this baby dedication Sunday morning. It starts with the little things. Your commitment28:15 will serve you better when you have predetermined commitments. I love this 1. Make up up your mind ahead of time to commit to something. Don't decide when it's in front of28:27 you, now I'll commit. Because you'll be less tempted when it's in front of you. Predetermined commitments. These are my non negotiables. No matter how fine this hoochie mama is, I28:39 cannot cheat on that girl over there. That's a predetermined schedule. I don't care what I know. I almost want to say it but I'm in I almost want to say it. But in28:51 If I was with men only, I would have said it. But I'm with the ladies. I gotta be respectful. But you know what I'm talk that's a predetermined decision. Predetermined decision. When we were making29:02 nothing, 300 dollars a week in ministry, I looked at her because she handled the checkbook, the finances. And I said, I expect us that no matter how difficult it comes,29:14 you always to pay the tithe. That's a predetermined decision that was made. For the last 40 years, we've kept to that commitment of paying 10 percent of our money.29:28 Little money, you are not going to be faithful to the big money. I've heard some people, well, Pastor, when I win the lottery, I'm going to start tithing. You're a liar. You're just a plain liar. Pastor, when I get out29:39 of debt I'll start typing. Nope, it won't happen. Pastor, when I make the big money, nope, it won't happen. Won't happen. So so you and I have to recognize predetermined commitments.29:52 I made a predetermined commitment concerning my health of how I will eat. So I could sit in front of you and you could take me to, to Cheesecake Factory and get the 730:04 layer chocolate cake in front of you and say, pastor, would you like a bite? Just a little. Eat your 7 layer chocolate cake and enjoy it. But I I'm not gonna eat it. I made a30:16 predetermined decision on my that's my decision. There's nothing wrong with you eating the 7 layer chocolate cake. Eat it eat it and die, but I'm just saying. I'm joking with you.30:28 That's why it's not a temptation no matter what you put in front of me. I made a predetermined Okay. Let's move on. Sorry. You're not gonna die, come on. Well 1 day you30:39 will, but not today. Unless you go to the Cheesecake Factory and have the seventh No, I'm just kidding. Your commitments are not determined I'm done, 2 more. Your commitments are not determined by feelings and30:51 moods, but discipline. Yes. Well, I don't feel like going to church. I don't feel like praying. I don't feel like being faithful to this wife. What are you talking about? It's a it's a discipline.31:04 It's a discipline. A lot of things we don't have we're not in the mood for, in the feelings for, in the emotions for. But commitments are not are not kept because of a mood or a feeling or31:16 emotion. They're kept because of a decision, a plain decision. When I think about 1 of the heroes in the Bible and Jesus acknowledges in that way is John the Baptist, his cousin.31:28 He's think about this. You will spend the next 30 years preparing for your calling, for your vocation, for your career. Okay? Next 30 years. Okay? Let me let me share with you31:40 how long it's gonna last. It's gonna last about 3 months to 6 months and then you will die. That's That's the story of John the Baptist. And so he can't be moved by his31:52 feelings or his emotions when he's thrown in prison. He says, I'm to prepare the way of the Lord. I'm a voice of 1 crying in the wilderness. His decision was not made by an32:04 emotion or a feeling. It was made by discipline. And that's what you and I need to have in our lives. And last of all, your commitments are a reflection of your Christian character.32:17 They're a reflection of your Christian character in which you will not violate the Bible. So if I've got a commitment, I've got to say, does what does the Bible say about this commitment? And if the32:29 Bible does not agree with it, if if the Bible does not allow it, then I cannot make that commitment because commitments are reflection of my Christian character.32:41 And my character is founded upon the word of God, not culture, not trends, and not fads, and not societies. So in other words, I wanna make a commitment to this32:53 29 year old beautiful Mexican girl that will make me chorizo every day, and really appreciate brother man. Can I make that commitment33:06 to that 29 year old? Why?33:17 Because I'm I'm married to her and I would violate the bible. I'd be committing adultery. So that's there you go. I can't make the commitment to you33:29 because I don't have the Bible scripture to back me up on that. Can I go out there in retaliation and revenge33:42 on social media and say nasty things about you? Yes or no based upon my Christian character of what the Bible allows me or permits me to do? Can I33:54 harbor unforgiveness, vengefulness, and bitterness toward how you hurt me and really want you to go to hell? Do I have a right to No. I violate the scriptures because the Bible tells me to34:06 forgive you as much as Christ has forgiven me. Yeah. And I could go on and on and on with34:18 examples. My commitments are based upon the word of God being able to back me. I end with this.34:30 How many have ever heard of this term, will you be willing to increase your commitment? Will you be willing to raise your commitment? It's usually done around fundraising things. It's usually done about34:42 volunteer ship. It challenges you that whatever level you're at, are you willing to just take a step up? So I'm a challenge you with. I I don't know where your levels of commitment to34:54 Christ are. I don't know what your level of commitment is to community, and I don't know what your level of commitment is to character, but I'm asking you to increase your commitment to Christ35:06 today and reflect today. Where am I not making a commitment like I should? And I'm just simply interested, and I'm probably more committed to the things on this 1 table than I am to the35:19 other table. Jesus loves you today, and he proved it by dying on the cross. His commitment to you is great. He makes a commitment to you. And he says, when you die, if you're a believer, I promise to come and35:31 get you, and I promise to take you to heaven with me. That's a commitment. Jesus makes a commitment that says no matter what you've done from the nastiest to the most wicked to the35:43 most ungodliness, I promise that if you will ask me with sincerity to forgive you, I promise commitment to you. I don't35:55 care where you are in this world, where you feel abandoned, you feel rejected and alone, or no or what you've done to get there. I make a commitment to you that I will never leave you,36:07 and I will never forsake you. And he goes as far as to say this, I make a commitment to you. Whether you ever love me back, I will love36:19 you forever. And even enough to have to allow you to have given you the right to make your choice to reject me and to change your36:30 destiny. But even the people that are separated from God for eternity, the Bible tells us that Jesus never stops loving them. I don't know of a scripture. Pastor Kenny, do you know I don't36:42 know of a scripture. Christian. I only love you when you if you go to heaven. He never stops loving people that36:54 reject him, don't want him, or even go to hell. He never stops. That blows my mind. Not so much he's willing to commit. Will you be willing to commit back to him today? And37:06 say, you know what? I I never felt it that way. I never seen it that way that Jesus has committed so much to me. Buddha never committed that much to me. Hare Krishna never committed that much to37:18 me. Joseph Smith never committed that much to me. Al Ron Hubbard never committed that much to me. Islam never committed that much.37:30 Hinduism never committed that much to me. And yet, why do I throw Jesus in the same pile as them when Jesus has committed so37:42 much more to me. We say without a shout of a doubt, I'm a Christian, but I'm not following him like I should. I need to recommit my life to him today. When I count to 3, I want you to raise37:54 your hand as high as I'm raising my hand and we're gonna pray for you. I promise you, your hand won't be the only hand. You're not raising it for me. You're raising it for the 1 that raised himself out on a cross and38:04 died marred, beaten, and naked for the for the world to see. For the Bible says, if you're ashamed of me before men, I mark this moment. I will be ashamed of you before my father in heaven. But I mock this moment. If you38:16 acknowledge me before men, I will acknowledge you before my father in heaven. 1, 2. 1, 2, 3. Raise your hand wherever you are, nice and high. God love38:28 you. God bless you. Say this with me. Dear Lord Jesus, you've known me all the days of my life, all my ins and all my outs.38:40 I ask you now to forgive me. Thank you so much for committing so much to me. And now I have the privilege of committing my life to you.39:06 My watch says we've gone 3 miles. This app is like having a personal trainer. Yeah. But those apps collect a lot of your personal data. Aren't you worried? Really? That's creepy. How do I stop that? You should go to39:17 privacy dot c a dot gov to learn about your privacy rights and get on the best path to protect your privacy. You think they could help us get up this next hill? 1 step at a time.39:27 Californians have the strongest privacy protections in the country. Go the extra mile to protect your information. Learn more at privacy dot c a dot gov.39:38 See how they're scoring on us? Shots left and right.39:40 I know. They know our next play before we even make it.Show more In this video 0:00 The Call to Commitment
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