The Components of Commitment - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

Watch this message here:

The Components of Commitment

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Intro: I guess because it is our wedding anniversary, I’ve been thinking about this word.

Commitment is a word that many people are afraid of.

Unless of course, it is a 2-year cell phone plan; or a 72-month financing of a car; or a 30-year mortgage.

People are afraid to commit to God.

But God has shown great commitment to us.

Before God ever asked us to commit ourselves to Him, He first committed Himself to us.

God did what He promised He would do when we got saved.

He committed to keep us saved.

What does commitment look like? What is made of?

There are several elements that are clearly seen in Paul’s letter to Timothy.

I. There is the Component of Trust

·       “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able…”

Commitment always begins with confidence in someone's character.

I know WHOM I have believed.

The fascinating thing to me in this study is how much God trusts us!

God revealed a lot of commitment by calling men to preach.

Paul said it like this:

·       1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

(Look at the text: 2 Timothy 1:11)

·       Titus 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

He reminded Timothy of what had been entrusted into his care.

·       1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust,

·       2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

The connection between stewardship and commitment is inseparable.

The first time we find the word “committed,” it is Potiphar committing everything to Joseph.

·       Genesis 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Potiphar committed all that he had to the hand of Joseph.

Therefore, Joseph was committed to honor that stewardship.

There was commitment on both parts.

God has shown great commitment by entrusting us with priceless things.

·       2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Jesus set the example of trust in the area of commitment.

Jesus was committed to finishing the work God gave Him to do.

Jesus trusted God completely; therefore he was willing to let Him handle the people in his life that were wrong.

1 Peter 2

·       21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

·       22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

·       23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

You will never commit yourself to someone you do not trust.

Bottom line: If you’re hesitant to commit to God, it’s because you don’t trust him.

II. There is the Component of Time

·       “…he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

The wedding vows go something like this:

To have and to hold… From this day forward…

For better, for worse… For richer, for poorer…

In sickness and in health… To love, cherish, and obey…

Till Death Do Us Part.”

The whole point of the vows is to make a commitment that lasts until death.

Commitment is measured by duration.

Real commitment survives seasons.

God set the tone for this level of commitment by His promise of eternal security when we trusted Him.

·       John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

·       John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Once we realize just how committed God is to us, it should be easy for us to commit to Him.

Paul wasn't just trusting God for the moment.

He was trusting God for the long haul, all the way to the day of Christ.

That’s why it meant so much for him to be able to testify:

·       2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Commitment that only lasts until things get hard isn't commitment at all.

What it actually turns out to be is convenience dressed up like commitment.

God's commitment to us stretches from eternity past to eternity future, and He expects nothing less from us in return.

·       Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

III. There is the Component of Testimony

·       “…nevertheless I am not ashamed…”

The wedding vows are finalized with an exchanging of rings.

A public statement to the world that says, “I’m married!”

·       Psalm 119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

·       Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Paul was in a Roman prison, chained like a criminal, and he still would not be embarrassed of the gospel or of the Lord who saved him.

That is what real commitment produces.

·       It does not hide in the shadows.

·       It does not cringe when confronted.

·       It does not grow silent with opposing voices outnumber you.

·       It doesn’t back down when the battle gets hot.

A man who is truly committed to God will not be silenced by shame, by suffering, or by what people think of him.

·       2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

A man who trusts God will not be ashamed of God, and a man who is not ashamed of God will remain faithful all the way to that day.

·       Commitment is invisible until someone asks you to compromise.

·       Commitment is unappreciated until it gets difficult to continue.

·       Commitment is underestimated until everyone else walks away.

Notice the progression throughout this verse:

·       “I know…” Knowledge produces faith.

·       “…whom I have believed…” Faith produces persuasion.

·       “…and am persuaded…” Persuasion produces commitment.

·       “…which I have committed unto him…”

Conclusion: After learning about the components of commitment, there is no reason at all why every child of God should not be 100% committed to God.

              A. He perfectly trustworthy

·       Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

              B. He never changes

·       Hebrews 13:5 …for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

·       Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

              C. He’s not ashamed to identify with us

·       Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,