On this Sunday when we are asked to declare our prayers, presence, gifts, and service to the work of God through this great congregation, I want to chat with you about the power of a personal commitment. Paul put it this way: “I appeal to you brothers and sisters by the mercies of God that you present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may discern the will of God—what is good, acceptable and perfect.”

I. Will you make a personal commitment to pray?

No person can reach their full spiritual potential without the power of prayer. Great leaders of the Bible were people of prayer. Abraham prayed for Sodom. Moses prayed for the children of Israel. Joshua prayed for guidance. Hannah prayed for a child. Solomon prayed for wisdom. Joseph prayed for understanding. Peter prayed for vision. We cannot do what we are called to do unless we are people of prayer.

We need to pray for one another because in the dark night of the soul it’s really hard to pray for oneself. So let our prayers for each other abound through intercessions and e-mails and every means available to us. We must first and foremost be a people who pray for one another. That’s my prayer today.

Let us pray for this church. If church were a business, we could do more planning. If church were a club, we could have more parties. But the church is of God and will only be preserved to the end of time by the prayers of people lifted on her behalf.

Since our beginning in 1883, First Christian Church has been a church of prayer.  After praying the church was started.  Two fires burned down the church building but after praying they pulled together and rebuilt in 1980 First Christian to step out in faith to relocate to Mandarin.

Today, we are facing challenges from the pandemic.  Nothing would please the devil more than to have us stumble now. Let us never desert to our foes. Instead, let us humble ourselves in the eyes of the Lord; seek his wisdom; follow his will. First and foremost, let us be a people of prayer.

2. Will you make a personal commitment to be present?

One of my most respected members I served was Dr. William Scott.  He suffered from late stage ALS.  His wife and home nurse would bring him to church every Sunday.  He sat in his wheel chair outside the front pew.  He could not speak but his eyes did as his smile was his gift of praise.

Somebody asked his wife one day— “Why do you bother to come to church? It must take hours to prepare and then the breathing apparatus and all. Why do you bother to come?  We can provide recordings and home communion….”

With a twinkle in her eye, she replied, “On Sundays, we want our neighbors to know we are faithful Christians.”

Their witness was a blessing to the church.  Their Faithfulness spread throughout the membership! And their neighbors eventually joined the church… What a witness!

A commitment of presence creates an island in certainty, in the swirling waters of change. We need to know that people who promise to be with us are really going to be with us. Families, churches, countries depend on such accords. We are not butterflies fluttering here and there in search of the latest nectar. We are human beings capable of making promises and keeping them. That is hard; it is tough. Never has your time been more pressured than it is now.

I ask you today, will you make a commitment of your presence? Will you be in church every Sunday unless you are ill or out-of-town? Will you become a missionary with us so that we can reach a whole new world of people? For the sake of Christ, God needs you today.

III. Will you make a commitment to give?

The leadership is asking you to make an estimate of giving.  You may ask,

Write it down. Why? “This is between God and me. “

Not necessarily. All covenants need to be ratified and call for witnesses. Writing it down helps me. I am not making a pledge or entering a prison or establishing a mortgage. I am forecasting an estimate, making a projection, setting a direction, God being my helper, and the future is sound.

Writing it down will not only help you, but it helps the church. The last thing I ever want to do in the church is hound people for money. By matching your estimates with the projected needs and ministries, we can practice good stewardship in the church.

 If some of you want to talk, the leadership and I will be more than happy to do that. It is not raising budgets; it is being faithful to God. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling. Will we rise up and follow?