Singing Night

I. This morning we looked at the three times that Peter denied Jesus. Tonight we want to spend our time singing and with devotional thoughts being reminded of what it means to be committed to Jesus. There is a distinct difference between involvement and commitment. We can be involved in a number of things and not be committed to every one of them. For instance, take almost any school age child. A child is involved at school. He will go five days a week. He will attend classes. But his heart just isn’t in it and when the opportunity to avoid school arises, he jumps at the chance. This is involvement but not commitment. Christianity demands more than involvement. Christianity seeks commitment from every person who claims Jesus as Lord and master. Let’s begin with singing.

Singing

What is the difference between commitment and involvement

The first difference is love. For those who are committed to Jesus as Lord there is a personal relationship. This may be difficult for us to comprehend. But it really makes sense. As we have personal relationships with friends, children, and spouse so, too, we have a personal relationship with Jesus. We talk with him. We share with him. We like to be with him. We realize that Jesus stepped in when we were under the sentence of death and he took our place. That thought is burned into our consciousness. It dominates our whole perspective on life and it makes the things of Christ all the more important to us. Jesus becomes our trusted friend. And we think about the day when we can see him face to face and can throw our arms around his neck and hug him. We are dedicated to him because of what he has done for us. That dedication reveals itself in ways that at times cannot be explained. ILL. “Love—King Edward.” Jesus gave himself for you. We, in turn, give ourselves for him. That is commitment.

Singing

The difference between commitment and involvement is sacrifice

If you are really committed to Jesus, you will look for ways to give of yourself for him. Involvement means that it is easy to put yourself and your selfish desires first. Looking at the life of Jesus we can see his commitment. He was committed to his disciples as he spent three years teaching them. He was committed to the Father as he prayed regularly and often in order to be in tune with the Father. He was committed to the Father’s plan as he died on a cross. Such sacrifice doesn’t always come easily but it always comes with a price. ILL. “Love: Sacrifice.” When your spouse puts up with your quirks and bad attitudes then you know they are committed. When your parents continue to love you even when you disappoint them they are committed to you. When a child takes a small allowance and buys a special gift, then we know there is commitment. And when we see the cross then we know there is commitment.

Singing

ILL. “Love: as an amateur.” In the same way there is no greater compliment than to be committed to Jesus as one who passionately loves him and sacrifices for him. One day when we see him face to face we can throw our arms around his neck and be with him forever and ever. Deeply committed to him, let’s not allow the things of this life to distract us or to cause us to temporarily set aside our commitment. More than involvement we seek commitment to the one who gave his life for us. Invitation.

Invitation Song & Closing Song

Follow Jesus

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