WEEKLY MESSAGE

SUN, 03/05/26 - SAT, 09/05/26

ON THE MESSAGE THIS WEEK: RADICAL COMMITMENT

KEY VERSE: “TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW ME” (LUKE 9:23)

We live in a time of commitment-phobia. We want to get as much as we can while giving back as little as possible. We want to be there for others in good times but not bad ones. And our lack of commitment is reflected in the statistics. The marriage rate is down while the divorce rate is up. Involvement in church and participation in compassionate causes are both down. We’re becoming a society that fears putting itself on the line or being pinned down by responsibility and obligation.

To escape the awkwardness and embarrassment of saying no, we avoid our obligations and responsibilities by simply being elsewhere when we’re needed. And we’re a ‘sound bite’ generation with attention spans geared to fifteen-second commercials. We prefer our sermons simple, entertaining, and above all, short! Radical commitment is rare; but it’s what God wants from us! The Bible says, ‘It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfil it’ (see Ecclesiastes 5:5).

How about commitment to marriage? God doesn’t see it as a 50/50 arrangement, but one where both sides give 100 per cent. It’s a sacred covenant made before God between a man and woman, ‘for better or worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; until parted by death’. And it works best when both partners have learned to say with Paul, ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.’ (see Galatians 2:20).

Let’s consider: 
1) Commitment at work. In the past, employers valued their workers and workers valued their employers. But today’s workplace has become increasingly adversarial, with workers resenting their bosses and doing the bare minimum, while bosses are often demanding and take their employees for granted. God’s way calls for mutual commitment. ‘Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily... with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God’ (see Ephesians 6:6-7). If you are an employer, take note who you represent... God.

2) Commitment at church. Many folks have a casual, cafeteria-style approach to church: they pick what they like and leave what they don’t. Jesus said, ‘I will build my church’ (see Matthew 16:18). And membership in it calls for a covenant relationship between believers: one in which we agree to encourage, nurture, protect, cherish, pray for each other, and fulfil our mission together (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

3) Commitment to Christ. Jesus made a radical commitment to us through His birth, life, suffering, crucifixion, and death, and He asks us to commit radically to Him. ‘Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.”’ That means you no longer follow your own wishes or will, but follow the Lord, His wishes and His will. That’s radical commitment, and it’s what God expects from you.

Have a blessed week in Jesus' Name, Amen.

_{(Article/ extract from ucb,wordfortoday)}

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Did you know: There are almost 20 different passages in the Bible where it is mentioned that we are God's people.

Ref: Jeremiah 32:38 / Ezekiel 14:11 / Zechariah 8:8 / 2 Corinthians 6:16 / Hebrews 8:10 / Ezekiel 11:20 / Ezekiel 37:23 / Jeremiah 7:23 / Jeremiah 31:33 / Ezekiel 37:27 / Jeremiah 31:1 / Revelation 21:3 / Exodus 6:7 / Leviticus 26:12 / Jeremiah 11:4 / Jeremiah 30:22 / Ezekiel 36:28.