TITLE: Reviving Commitment – What is Required?
TEXT: Mark 8:34-38
PROPOSITION: God requires commitment.
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Requirements
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

1. INTRODUCTION: Many claim to be Christians.
2. BUT: They do not obey the teachings of these verses.
3. Theme: Revive Us Again – My topic: Reviving Commitment
4. Major difficulty = Many were never committed to begin with.
5. I can’t revive (bring back to life) what has never lived!
6. "I can’t have mo’ lasses. I ain’t had lasses, yet!"

1. Deny Self

1. Fast – "Miss-A-Meal" – $100K of $ sent BUT no one missed a meal
2. Diet – problems with weight – Can’t say "No" to self
3. Time – Don’t have time for God – Can’t deny self or others.
4. Things – You don’t own them anyway. They are God’s.
5. Rich Ruler (Mark 10:21) "Sell what you have" EVERYTHING!
6. Many think to become a Christian I have to "give up" much.
7. NO! You can’t give it up. It is not yours!

1. Take up Cross

1. What is this "cross"? Mother-in-law, work, finances, health
2. Some: Burden, Problem, Difficulty, Disease, Obligation
3. CROSS = Death. Not jewelry on neck, not decorate church building

1. Follow Me

1. Obey his commands.
2. "Walk this way."
3. "At thy word" Luke 5:5 – Not understand, still follow.
4. Abraham – went out – Where? When coming back? Gone how long?

1. Lose your Life

1. Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ
2. Colossians 3:3 – You are dead
3. Don’t just fix old car – Crush it and get a new one.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:17 We are a new creation in Christ

1. Not Ashamed

1. Matthew 10:32-33 Confess or Deny
2. Romans 1:16 Not ashamed of the gospel

Conclusion:

1.  
   1. Are you a disciple of Jesus?
   2. Have you denied self, taken up cross, followed Jesus?
   3. Have you died? ONLY WAY TO BE REVIVED!

MY COMMITMENT AS A CHRISTIAN

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, and my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me – and when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me – my banner will be clear.

(Written by a young African preacher in Zimbabwe.)