Commitment Sunday“As for

Me and My

House”

Commitment Sunday“Sign of Our Times”

Our culture, to a large degree, teaches us to be in a constant state of dissatisfaction. We live with one foot out the door at all times. We have become completely committed to NOT being committed.

Commitment Sunday

Vince Young

Commitment Sunday

Lebron James

Commitment Sunday“Sign of Our Times”

Marriage: “Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of ‘serial’ marriage, in which a person gets married multiple times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life.“(From the Barna Research Group)

Commitment Sunday“Sign of Our Times”

Ironically, rather than finding greater joy and freedom from our lack of commitment, we end up experiencing less fulfillment in life, with more regrets, disillusionment and insecurities.

Commitment Sunday“Sign of Our Times”

Unfortunately, this cultural lack of commitment has bled into our faith and church involvement.

Statistic:Those who consider themselves regular church participants still choose to skip worship services an average of 3 months a year.

Try doing that with your employer!

Commitment Sunday“Sign of Our Times”

Unfortunately, this cultural lack of commitment has bled into our faith and church involvement.

Statistic:All major Christian denominations in the US have seen a decrease in membership and involvement over the past 30 years.

Commitment Sunday“Sign of Our Times”

Unfortunately, this cultural lack of commitment has bled into our faith and church involvement.

Statistic:Churches are reporting greater frequency of “church hopping” even among those who call themselves committed Christians.

Commitment Sunday“Sign of Our Times”

Unfortunately, this cultural lack of commitment has bled into our faith and church involvement.

Statistic:Only 9% of people who describe themselves as “born again” Christians commit 10% or more of their resources to Christian ministry.(The Barna Research Group)

Commitment Sunday“Bucking the Trend”

God calls us to be cultural thermostats rather than cultural thermometers!

Commitment Sunday“Bucking the Trend”

Joshua 24:14-15 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods

your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if

serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will

serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the

Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Commitment Sunday“Bucking the Trend”

Joshua was surrounded by cultural idols and people who followed them (even among those who were supposed to be followers of God).

He stood firm in his own personal beliefs and faith practices and called others to do the same.

How did the Israelites respond to this call of God?

Commitment Sunday“Bucking the Trend”

Joshua 24:16-18 “Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our

eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And the LORD drove out before us all the nations,

including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.”

Commitment Sunday“Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”

How to position yourself to be more financially committed to the Lord (click below)

Commitment Sunday“Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”

Today’s Stewardship Challenge:

Determine through prayer and discussion with your spouse how much you will commit

to God in your 2011 budget.