MY COMMITMENT

“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Ghost power. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Christ! I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

“My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His Presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

“My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I can not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed, I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

“I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem and recognizing me- my banner will be clear!”

*** THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES FOR THE CHRISTIANS ***

TEXT: I PETER 4:7-11

THEME: The needs of the times for Christians, call for a serious spiritual life.

INTRODUCTION: Obviously, this world has come to its perilous times. We can see the signs in

their peak as prophesied by saint Paul( II Tim. 3:1-5) “Man shall be lovers of

their own selves; covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to

parents, thankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false

accusers, incontinent, fierce despises those that are good, traitors, heady,

high-minded, lover of pleasures more than lover of God. They have the form

of godliness but deny the power of God. We who like to please God in this

present world must be serious in our spiritual life.

I. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR SOBERNESS. (v.7)

A. Soberness means temperate and well balance attitude or state of mind.

B. Soberness is the opposite of rushness or resorting to something without

proper consideration.

II. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR PRAYERFULNESS. (v.7)

A. Let us increase our prayerfulness in these evil days. (Matt. 26; 41; phil. 4:6)

B. Prayers will motivate us to obedience to do the will of God.

III. THE NEEDS OF TIMES CALL FOR CHRISTIANS TO BE HOSPITABLE. (v.9)

A. Use hospitality without grudging, but with liberality. (v.9)

B. Give freely with all the heart without counting the cost.

IV. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR GOOD STEWARDSHIP. (v.10-11)

A. Let us not “bury” or “hoard” the gifts, use them liberally to those that are in

need.

B. Gifts not being used will be lost.

C. If we speak, let us speak as the oracles of God (v.11), never apologize for

telling the truth.

D. Let us trust God for the good results in ministering of our individual gifts.