Diane Avenue Church of Christ John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

BIBLE CLASS The Cost and Benefits of Commitment 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 Peter 2:9-10

BIBLE CLASS “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIVRomans 8:38-39NIV

BIBLE CLASS  Introduction: Satan has an array of weapons he uses against the Christian.  A. If he cannot defeat you from becoming a Christian, he will then try to cause  you to compromise your faith! (1 Pt 5:8-9)  1. He realizes that the most effective way to do this is.small., gradual  compromises that leave you weak and ineffective in the end.

BIBLE CLASS  The Cost:  1 Peter 5:8-9(NIV)  8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

BIBLE CLASS  Through the history of God's people, God has called men to stand distinctly from those of the world. (1 Pt 2:9-10)

BIBLE CLASS  The Benefit:  1 Peter 2:9-11(NIV)  9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

BIBLE CLASS  The Commitment:  Matthew 28:  16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

BIBLE CLASS  The Commitment:  Matthew 28:  19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

BIBLE CLASS  The Cost: What should we do  It is here where we must have a clear view of right and wrong. Rom 12: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

BIBLE CLASS  The Cost: What should we do  There must be courage to seek knowledge with the full intention to apply whatever you learn.

BIBLE CLASS  The Cost: What should we do  Here is where we come into conflict with other people and where the challenge  to our faith will be the greatest! If we know the cost and value of our faith, then we will be strong. 1 Peter 4:3-4

BIBLE CLASS . 1 Peter 4: For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

BIBLE CLASS  You see Satan wants to devour us, destroy us in any way possible. He wants us to knock us down to the bottom, so low that we will never get up. He doesn’t want you to know the truth, he is the father of all lies. John 8:44

BIBLE CLASS  John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

BIBLE CLASS  He wants you to conform to the world. Someone said: Strangely, the expounders of many of the great new ideas of history were frequently  considered on the lunatic fringe for some or all of their lives. If one stands up and is  counted, from time to time one may get knocked down. But remember this: a man  flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for  good. -- Thomas J. Watson, Jr., Chairman of Board, IBM

BIBLE CLASS  Before we can understand cost let’s read a few verses of 1 Peter.; 3: Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

BIBLE CLASS  10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  1. The advise of Joseph to his family Gen 46:30-34  30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”  31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  32 The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ 33 When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34 you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  God was with Joseph and no doubt gave the council of God here.  2. Why did he tell the Egyptians in the beginning that they were shepherds?

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  3. They would pay for this by having the Egyptians avoid them! Was this good or  bad? God was in the process of building a nation.  4. By the commitment of Joseph God was able to develop a people different fromthe Egyptians!  5. When you are rejected socially for your faith, you are being blessed.  (Mt 5:11-12)

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)  11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  The example of Jesus -John 6: On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  Why did Jesus let these people go away angry?  2. There is a place where we can take away the.offense of the cross. and in the  process pervert the gospel! (Gal 5:11, 6:12).

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  Galatians 5:11 (NIV)  11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.  Galatians 6:12 (NIV)  12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  How many are in fact ashamed of the gospel?  Romans 1:16 (NIV)  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  The example of Moses before Pharaoh  Exodus 10:24-27 (NIV)  24 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.”  25 But Moses said, “You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  The example of Moses before Pharaoh  Exodus 10:24-27 (NIV)  26 Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the LORD our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the LORD.”  27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  Was Moses being too hard and.stubborn. here?  2. Some would say.take what you can and forget the rest. or.if you stand too  strong you will get nothing and what good will that do?.  3. There are many times where we will be faced with an.opportunity. to negotiate  concerning that which God has said. Here is where we must refuse all  compromise.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  What did God give them in the end? Do we have the faith of Moses?  Heb 11: By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  The example of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-5) - 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  Look at what John's words cost him! He could no longer preach and he would eventually die.2. Was it worth it? He had the praise of God! (Mt 11:7-11)  7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

BIBLE CLASS  Four Bible Examples of a Commitment that Cost  10 This is the one about whom it is written:  “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’  11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

BIBLE CLASS  Commentary, just a question

BIBLE CLASS  Last week the world lost a “Child of God” her name was Whitney Houston. She grew up in the church; she sang in the church, she loved the church. But somewhere along the way like many of us she lost her way. Perhaps the saddest part of Whitney Houston's death isn't that the world lost an amazing talent. It's the fact that her death appears to be another Hollywood statistic, a celebrity who totally lost her way and turned to substances to hide her pain. Yes she was in pain and may have forgotten the God she grew up with.

BIBLE CLASS  My question to you; is do you think she, like so many of us, did not understand the true meaning of the Cost and Benefit of Commitment.  But regardless of how she passed -- she will surely bea child of God.  Remember 1 Peter 5:8-9

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  A. Honesty (Col 3:9-10)  1. We need to have a conscience that will not tell a lie.  2. Why do men tell lies?  When you fear men more than God, you will lose this battle.

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)  9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  Modesty (1 Pt 2:9)  1. Many of our parents are afraid to go against the fashions of the world.  2. Our children need to see at an early age the consistency of how a Christian dresses. Is there a different standard in a boat at a lake and in another public place?

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  Modesty (1 Pt 2:9)  1 Peter 2:9  New International Version (NIV)  9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  The control of our tongues -James 3: Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  One of our greatest problems is when we are angry. (Eph 4:26-27) - 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  We do not have to let anger be our master. Jas 1: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

BIBLE CLASS  II. Areas Where Commitment is Demanded  In our homes (Eph 6:4) - 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.  1. Who comes first in your house? How do we give? Is there Bible devotional in our home?  2. It takes courage to turn off the TV and make time for what is really important

BIBLE CLASS  III. How to build a Strong Commitment  A. Do not let your fear be you guide. (Heb 13:5-6)  1. Far too many people let their emotions over what might happen enslave them to  a life of failure.  2. Fear is creative, it often brings you the very thing you fear. (Ex. A girl fearing  that she will lose her boyfriend and thus compromises.)  3. Win the battle of the mind and replace fear with faith!

BIBLE CLASS  III. How to build a Strong Commitment  Heb. 13:5-6  5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  6 So we say with confidence,  “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

BIBLE CLASS  III. How to build a Strong Commitment  Learn to stand on the.small. things. (Lk 19:17)  1. Remember, what men calls little, God often calls big.  2. Here is where we build character. Conversely, small compromises destroy faith.  Rarely does one fall away all at once.  Luke 19:17 (NIV)  17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

BIBLE CLASS  III. How to build a Strong Commitment  Have heroes of faith. (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 1:29-30)  1. It is encouraging to see faith in action!  2. These examples tell us we can do what is right! Parents, who do you encourage  to be with your children?

BIBLE CLASS  III. How to build a Strong Commitment  Have heroes of faith. (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 1:29-30)  1. It is encouraging to see faith in action!  2. These examples tell us we can do what is right! Parents, who do you encourage  to be with your children?  1 Corinthians 11  1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

BIBLE CLASS  III. How to build a Strong Commitment  Philippians 1:29-30 (NIV)  29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

BIBLE CLASS  Conclusion: At the judgment day, you will not regret any sacrifice you made  because of your faith.  A. God will give you His glory. (Rom 8:18)  B. Can we be like Moses and see this now?

BIBLE CLASS  Romans 8:18 (NIV)  Present Suffering and Future Glory  18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.