I know you have heard the various clichés that deal with a person not being mentally stable.
There are a hundred of such sayings, but tonight I want to use this as a springboard to ask you a question concerning your degree of dedication to the Lord. Does your elevator go all the way to the top? The higher the elevator goes the less number of people will be on it when it gets to the top floor. Everyone won't go to the top floor. This principle is certainly true in the spiritual realm. A lot of people get on at the ground floor. But by the time the car gets to the top only a few are left. Most will get off somewhere along the way.
I have noticed this, not everyone wants to be totally committed to the Lord, to ministry, and to His church. Too many church members want to remain on the fringe, rather than moving forward with God in their commitment and service. Often they get on board with us, but they aren't willing to go to the top. In other words they aren't willing to make the commitment necessary to finish what is started.
Read: John 6:60-66
The farther we go into the will, the work, and the Word of God the more there are that turn back. Many Christians want to reserve the option to overrule God, the Bible, and especially the pastor in any matter or course of action. By doing that they can choose only what pleases them, or whatever is less of a requirement. There are three areas of commitment that I want to talk to you about this morning, and in any one of these three areas is where many believers will 'get off the elevator'. Their lack of commitment will keep them from finishing the race faithfully.
I. The Right Attitude Toward The Family
(Luke 14:26) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
A. This verse is not instructing us to hate father and mother, nor any other family member.
B. It is a comparative Scripture.
1. It is saying by comparison our love for the Lord is to be so strong that it makes our love for our family look like hate.
2. Too many allow family to keep them from being faithful to the church and ministry.
3. It never ceases to amaze me how that on Monday morning people are resurrected from their death bed in time to go to work or school.
4. Don't allow family to prevent us from becoming a faithful disciple.
C. But pastor, God will understand!
1. That is true.
2. God will understand the motive of our hearts.
3. He will understand why we were unfaithful to Him.
(Mat 10:37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
4. Nothing stands in the way of His commitment to us, and…
5. Nothing should stand in the way of a Christian becoming a totally committed servant to God.
II. The Right Attitude Toward Personal Surrender
(Luke 14:27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
A. A crucified man is not coming back after the crucifixion.
1. He knows he will die at the cross.
2. It is total commitment.
3. The chicken and the pig got together to do something about feeding the hungry.
4. The chicken suggested they have a ham and egg breakfast for them.
5. The pig said, "Sure, for you that means a contribution, but for me it means total commitment!"
6. There is no going back for one who is crucified.
B. A crucified man holds on to nothing.
1. What is there for him to hold on to?
2. Everything is turned loose.
3. Nothing in this present life occupies him.
C. Crucifixion changes everything!
1. Each of the apostles were men who were totally committed to Christ.
2. Each gave their lives for Him.
3. Peter was crucified upside down.
4. Paul was beheaded in Rome.
5. John was boiled in oil and then exiled to the Isle of Patmos.
6. All are examples of those who were crucified with Christ.
(Mat 16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Note: If any man..... Not just the twelve, but any man! It is not a popular choice - it is not an easy choice. But it is the choice we are called to make! It is a choice of total surrender.
(Luke 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.
III. The Right Attitude Toward Possessions
(Luke 14:33) So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Note: Often this is where most folks get off the elevator. They struggle with letting go of the material things of this world.
(Mark 10:21-22) Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. {22} And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
A. This reference has to do with a man who is said to be rich in this world's goods.
B. Jesus, knowing his heart, tells him to sell everything and give to the poor.
1. We might not have a problem with selling our possessions…
2. But when it comes to the second part many would hesitate just as this man did.
3. Does God want us to sell everything we have? NO!
C. We are to possess things; the problem comes when they possess us!
1. Everything we have comes from God.
2. That is easy for us to say, but we don't want to give it back to Him do we?
3. Unfortunately we want to grip tightly to the things that He gives us.
4. We will never go all the way with the Lord until we have the right attitude toward our possessions.
5. Note Job's attitude:
(Job 1:21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
6. Paul's attitude is seen also:
(1 Tim 6:7-8) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Let me ask you this morning, "Does your elevator go all the way to the top?" Are you totally committed to the Lord? Be watchful of these three areas, because they will sidetrack us and cause us to get off before we reach the top.
Someone has said that our attitude will determine our altitude. Let's check our attitudes today on our family, our personal surrender, and our possessions. Are we totally committed to Him?
Perhaps you have never gotten on the elevator. You have never trusted Christ for your salvation. Why not come this morning and let us show you from the Scripture how you can be saved and be assured of an eternity with Christ.