Strengthening the Bond of Commitment

Hebrews 3:12-14 “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”

Retreat – (v) move away, move back, flee, recoil (wind up as in a toy)

                      (n) haven, hideaway, sanctuary, refuge, shelter, safe place, place of protection or afety

                                Warcraft game or Dota? Spawn, re-charge, mana, potion

Strengthening the Commitment and the Bond

Strengthen –intensify, increase, raise, escalate,  make stronger, fortify, build up

Commitment – promise, pledge, vow, obligation, dedication, loyalty, devotion, steadfastness, allegiance, faithfulness

Bond – (n) tie, link, connection, union, attachment, relationship, friendship

                (v) adhere, stick, glue, join,  bind

What is your commitment?         “Serve Jesus until the end”

Hindrances to commitment (what makes our commitment lose strength or weak?:)

Hindrance – obstruction, obstacle, difficulty, interference, interruption, burden, deterrent, limitation, prevention, stoppage

Lessons from Peter’s life as he walk on the water towards Jesus:

1.       Fears

2.       Worries

3.       No Focus

Love of the world: “the seed and the sower”

Lust of the flesh – seeds that fell along the road

Lust of the eyes – seeds that fell on the rocks

Pride of life – seeds among the thorns

During the temptation of Jesus (***)( Satan is always finding ways to keep us away from our purpose and goal)

a.       Turn these stones to bread

b.      Jump from a high place

c.       Worship Satan

Peter denied Jesus three times:

a.       Fear

b.      Distance from Jesus

Renewal of Commitment:           Jesus asked Peter three times “Do you love me?”

HEROES OF FAITH:  (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses)  Hebrews 11 

verse 13 “All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not received the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.  And they admitted that they were ALIENS and STRANGERS here on earth. “

verse 16 “Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”