"Radical Commitment"

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place
Pulpit Series Volume 17 Issue 7 03/04/2007

Radical Commitment: Radical means: One who carries his theories or convictions to their furthest application.

God makes an incredible observation regarding man in Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

We know that it was at that time that God confused their languages, causing the people to scatter and relocate in other parts of the then known world. However, let’s look at this verse 6 one more time... the people is one, and they have all one language; now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. I believe it is now the appropriate time for us to be ONE; speaking the same language (that of grace and mercy and love) speaking the same thing!

Consider that when you hear these words from John 17:21 That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent me And the glory which You gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and You in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, as You have loved me.

Consider also Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; According to the Apostle Paul, God’s plan for human living is the exact opposite of an isolated self-sufficiency. The church according to Paul is one spiritual body of interdependent members.

I Corinthians 12:21 the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: nor the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Paul insists every member of the body needs every other member.

John Wesley says the New Testament knows nothing of the solitary Christian. I believe he’s right! The New Testament is personal, but NOT INDIVIDUALISTIC!

The New Testament Church is a fellowship of caring and sharing - a community of believers - disciples of the the Lord Jesus Christ interacting with one another in one cause and purpose.

Christianity in it’s true form teaches that we need one another, as much as the hand needs the eye and the heads needs the feet. All of us need our brothers and sisters if we are going to develop into the productive disciples.

Psalms 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in your house:
Psalms 84:10 I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Throughout the Word we see that God’s redeemed people joined together regularly with their brothers and sisters. This was a regular habit - as routine as eating and sleeping.

Participation in worship and fellowship was not something like a second cup of coffee after diner. It is not something to take or leave! Look even at our Lord’s life pattern - Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath

Worship was our Saviour's custom, His habit. He shared regularly in the fellowship of God’s house with God’s people.

Look also at the early church: Acts 2:42, 46 they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and prayers. They, continued daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

A daily fellowship that produced gladness and generosity a fellowship that stimulated spiritual growth.

Just in case you think I’m making this up - I’ll read the immediate verses following the two I just read you - I read Acts 2:42 now listen to 43: And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. I read you 46 now listen to 47: And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So what should our regular practice be? We have an unmistakable directive in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as you see the day approaching.

We dare not be careless about our fellowshipping with one another. We must actively and consistently participate in the body life! Fellowship is God’s way - His appointed means of stimulating growth in grace and ONENESS in the body of Christ!

There is something significant and interesting about Paul’s list of qualities in Galatians 5:22-23 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: Did you see it as I read it? Let me read it again.

These personality traits can be developed only through relationship and interaction with one another. They cannot be developed by hermits or self sufficient individuals.

What is love? Very simply stated love is caring for somebody else as much as I care for myself. How then can I expect to produce this characteristic if I isolate my life from others?

What is joy? Joy is love rejoicing, but love cannot truly rejoice without other people. Selfishness can no doubt rejoice alone: love, however cannot truly rejoice unless the rejoicing is shared.

Peace? Peace is love manifesting quiet tranquillity, cultivating that same spirit among people.
Patience? Patience is love tolerating frustration / refusing to become frustrated with others.
Kindness? Kindness is love exercising compassion and forgiveness toward others.
Goodness? Goodness is love being Christlike in showing grace and mercy towards others.
Faithfulness? Faithfulness is love keeping its promises and commitments made to others.
Gentleness? Gentleness is love refusing to be harsh and demanding toward others.
Self-control? Self control is love voluntarily putting the brakes on its own feelings and actions.

All of these Christ like characteristics are dependent upon the soil of relationship.

If we want to be fruitful we must make it our practice to join with our brothers and sisters in fellowship in worship and study. BOTTOM LINE - WE NEED EACH OTHER!

Again and again the New Testament INSTRUCTS us how to INTERACT with ONE ANOTHER: We are told…
that we ought to be kind to one another!
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another
that we ought to honour one another!
Romans 12:10 in honour preferring one another;
that we ought to teach and admonish one another!
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. that we ought to serve one another!
Galatians 5:13 by love serve one another. that we ought to bear one another’s burdens!
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens that we ought to tolerate one another!
Ephesians 4:2 forbearing one another in love;
that we ought to be tender hearted / forgiving one another!
Ephesians 4:32 be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God has forgiven you.
that we ought to comfort one another!
I Thessalonians 4:18 comfort one another with these words.

Those statements add up to RADICAL COMMITMENT.
By faithfully pursuing this type of RADICAL COMMITMENT to one another we grow into oneness with Christ. And when we are one in Christ nothing will be impossible for God to do through us!

Call to ministry - Mutual ministry!
Being kind to one another!
Giving honour to one another!
Teaching and admonishing one another!
Serving one another!
Bearing one another’s burdens!
Tolerating one another!
Showing tenderness and forgiveness to one another!
Comforting one another!