TEXT:  2 Tim. 1:12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL USES WORD "COMMITTED" IN THIS VERSE.

B.      HE IS TALKING ABOUT PUTTING JESUS FIRST( Matt. 6:33 ).

          1.       Not just saying he's first.

          2.       No just getting real emotional.

C.      WE ARE MISSING COMMITMENT TODAY.

I.      COMMITMENT ILLUSTRATED:

A.      LEVI & OTHER APOSTLES( Luke 5:27-28;  Mat. 19:27 ).

B.      THE RICH YOUNG RULER( Mat. 19:16-22 ).

C.      Matt. 13:44-46.  "ALL THAT HE HAD."

D.      PAUL( 2 Cor. 4:7-12;  12:15;  Gal. 2:20 ).

II.     THIS KIND OF COMMITMENT COMMANDED.

A.      GOING TO HEAVEN INVOLVES STRUGGLE( Luke 13:24 ).

B.      WE MUST PUT JESUS AHEAD OF ALL ELSE( Luke 14:26-27 ).

C.      Matt. 16:26.

D.      DO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES?

III.    HOW DO WE SECURE THIS COMMITMENT?  SEVERAL

        POPULAR METHODS USED TODAY ARE WRONG.

A.      SOCIAL PROGRAMS & SERVICES.  Hospitals, counseling, welfare.

          1.       Not the purpose of the church( Rom. 14:17 ).

          2.       Not the work God gave the church( 2 John 9 ).

B.      RECREATION, SOCIALIZING, SOCIAL CONTACT.  Softball, camps, youth

          groups, church sponsored social events( 2 John 9 ).

C.      MIRACLES, DONE AWAY WITH ANYWAY.

          1.       Faith stands apart from these( 1 Cor. 1:22-24;  2:2 ).

          2.       Seeks fleshly gratification( Rom. 14:17 ).

D.      PRESTIGE,  reflected in wealth, building, size, preacher.

          1.       Condemnation of Jesus( Mat. 23:5;  Rev. 3:1 ).

          2.       Contrary to the spirit of Jesus( Luke 19:10;  James 2:1-9 ).

E.      THE PREACHER HIMSELF.

          1.       Preacheritus:  Glenn Barnhardt in Ashfork.

          2.       Personality, funny, delivery( 1 Cor. 2:1-5;  Rom 16:17-18 ).

          3.       Tell them what they want to hear( 2 Tim. 4:3-4;  2 Pet. 2:17-19 ).

F.      FLESHLY INDUCEMENTS - WHAT HOLDS THEM?( John 6:66 ).

G.      FLATTERY (1 Thess. 2:5-6).

G.      COERCION:  Heavy handedness, Crossroads/discipling tactics,  regimentation that

          robs on of choice( Rev. 22:17 ), Binding heavy burdens.

VI.   ONLY ONE CORRECT METHOD OF SECURING TRUE

        COMMITMENT.

A.      2 Tim. 1:12.  THRU CONVICTION.

          1.       Such conviction derives from teaching( Rom. 10:17 ).

          2.       The gospel is God's power( Rom. 1:16-17 ).

          3.       Reflected in the attitude & tactics of the teacher

                   ( 2 Tim. 2:24-26;  2 Cor. 10:3-6 ).

B.      SO WHAT CAN WE DO?( 2 Tim. 4:2;  Acts 20:26-31;  1 Tim. 4:6, 12, 16 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO SECURE YOUR COMMITMENT FOR THE

          LORD?

B.      TO SAY MORE THAN THE BIBLE OR USE SOME OTHER METHOD

          WOULD BE SIN.

C.      John 8:31-32,