TRANSFORMING COMMITMENTS: Rededication

This week we start a new sermon series entitled Transforming Commitments. Our lives are filled with commitments but at times these commitments wear us down, frustrate us, or we simply ignore them.  It does not matter our stage of life, we will have to manage our commitments.  Over the last 30 years, many people have been shy to make commitments.  Perhaps it is because we recognize that commitments are at times difficult and inconvenient.  If we take them seriously, then it may require more of us than we could ever imagine.  Yet, without the best commitments, we may just drift through our lives without meaning, purpose, or impact.  Most of us want to have a life that gives us a deeper sense of significance and hope.  Our first sermon in this series is Rededication.  Once we commit to a project, a marriage, an academic program, a job, or a faith we will come to a moment where we will have to decide to rededicate ourselves or no longer be a part of the commitment.  Yet, if we decide to recommit then we find a new energy, new growth, and new possibilities.  This is especially true in our relationship with God.  We turn to Joshua 24:15-25.  Joshua confronts his people with their need to either “fish or cut bait.”  In their effort to please the “gods” they were losing the God that loved and cared for them through the darkest night and through the deepest wilderness.  We often find ourselves seeking to please all the gods of our current world only to lose our vision of the living God who loved us in Jesus Christ!  The words of Joshua are timeless and transformative for us.  These words cut through the confusion and uncertainty to show us the path to rededicate our lives to what truly will make a difference in everything that we desire to accomplish!  It is our prayer that the Spirit of God will minister to your heart and empower your choices toward growing in grace and knowledge as you read Joshua 24:15-25: 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” 16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! 17 It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.” 19 Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” 21 But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.” 22 Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied. 23 “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.” 25 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. (NIV)