Brush Strokes of the Master

Growing a strong church one member at a time

Being a Christian entails practicing a great deal of humility. We should be careful, however, to not let our humility to cause us to neglect our commitment to ourselves. You are important! God has a plan and reward for you! Jesus is in heaven now preparing a place for you! Christians have a vital role in the Lord's church that, unfulfilled, will result in ruin. Don't allow Satan to tell you that you are insignificant and cannot have an impact.

"Because" statement for being committed to ourselves

1. Because we were made in the image of God and should thus live.

2. Because we can best assist the people around us if we are in a position of strength to do so.

3. Because you are the only one who can control your destiny.

4. Because you are needed by the church to reach its goal.

Because statements, deeper dive

1. We were made in the image of God and should thus live.

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."During creation God gave man blessing of being made in a Godly image. This blessing comes with the responsibility of turning our commitment back to God's service.

2. We can best assist the people around us if we are in a position of strength to do so. This starts with being committed to ourselves to get strong.

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Have you ever been on an airplane and heard the speech about what to do if the oxygen masks drop down? The strong (adults) must out on their masks first, and then help the weak

(children/those with disabilities).

3. Because you are the only one who can control your destiny.

a. Moses asked who would stand for the Lord and the Levi tribe came forward. What would we do in the same situation?

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him.

b. There is a chose you have to make. Not making a chose is a chose.

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we

will serve the Lord."

c. You can't have it both ways. Luke warmness is unacceptable.

Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Rev 3:15-16

15'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

4. Because you are needed by the church to reach its goal.

a. The church is a body. If any one part is missing the whole rest of the body suffers.

1 Cor 12:20-21

20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

b. The church needs champions who are willing to give their all to the cause of Christ.

Ezekiel 22:29-30

The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice. 30 I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.

Obstacles to overcome

1. Not being honest with yourself.

2. Being afraid of trying, for fear of failing.

3. Mistaking involvement for commitment.

4. The desire to give up.

Practical Commitment

1. Pray for yourself.

2. Schedule time for yourself.

3. Be honest with yourself.

4. Believe in yourself. (Phil 4:13)

5. Push yourself.

6. Discipline yourself. (1 Cor. 9:27)

Understanding how valuable you are and making a commitment to yourself will prepare you for a long and successful life in God's service. Only when we reach our fullest potential can we be the most productive for His work. Make a commitment to yourself now, so God can be glorified

through you.