Text: 2 Tim 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.
Many words have been translated ‘commit’, ‘give’, ‘yield’, etc., but the word best suited for our thoughts now is the one that means; ‘to give freely’, ‘unforced’ and ’of one’s own accord into the hands, power, or possession of another’
I. Commitment in General
A. God speaks of some who have so abandoned themselves to sin that He gave them up;
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
B. Commitment to God is a giving in to the Word and a giving or yielding up of good works.
Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
II Commitment in particular
A. Commitment of spirit in salvation;
Psa 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
B. A commitment of our ‘way’ (course of life)
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. A learning to say, " Thy will be done --
through -
C. A commitment of the soul (Mind, will, emotion, etc.)
1 Pet 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Which brings about-
D. Commitment of our works.
Prov 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
III Some ‘particular’ particulars
A. Men are needed who are willing to have the Word committed unto them.
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
B. Commitment is needed that will enable God’s people to say a wholehearted "yes!" to any job; a willingness to lay aside anything that stands in the way.
1. Church cannot think of a bus ministry until someone is willing to say "I’ll drive"and "I’ll ride along to keep order"
2. Church cannot ‘teach to observe all things’ until men as well as women are willing to say "I’ll prepare myself to teach" and "I’ll be faithful in my commitment to study and serve."
3. Commitment of members willing to work with their hands at any job.
4. Parents are needed who are willing to show children their commitment to God.
IV Commitment pictured
Acts 27 Scene of the storm...commitment to the will of God will sometimes result in the destruction of things once valued.
A. Cargo overboard
Acts 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. (Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.)
B. Anchors drawn in
Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
No longer trusting our own will, intelligence, sense of values, etc. Not thrown overboard but committed with the ship.
C. Lifeboats gone
Acts 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
Christ will not be an additional saviour. He must be the only one! Service to Him must be with the thought of no turning back.
Lu 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
D. Rudders untied
Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. .)
No fighting of the Holy Spirit in the committed life regardless of the storms!
E. There was rejoicing on board when the decision was made. Acts 27:36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
They were all saved! Would any of them have traded back their life for the goods they might have lost? Martyrs died but they gained greater rewards... It matters not what tomorrow holds-- Just let God hold your tomorrows.
A PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
Through tomorrow’s misty veil,
I can but faintly see -
I know not what its hours hold,
So I’ll trust it, Lord, to thee.
The course that I might try to choose
Might lead to pain and sorrow,
But since eternity’s in your hand,
I’ll trust you for tomorrow.
Help me make your word a lamp
To light my path each day,
And I know that since you see the end,
You can guide me all the way.
I’m not asking to see the future,
For it’s safely in your power,
I only ask for grace and faith
To submit to you each hour.
Because you know tomorrow,
And because you’ve set me free,
Help me say, "Here’s me and mine,
I commit it all to thee".
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