Amelia Church of Christ - Christian Church in Amelia, OH near Cincinnati in Clermont County

Welcome to week #2 in our series called We Are. We are spending a month talking about who we are here at ACC. We are talking about what God’s vision and plans are for our church.

Every local church has to embrace who they are. Far too many churches try to become a carbon copy of another church’s ministry. We should learn all we can from successful churches, but we should never simply copy them. That would rob us of the individuality that God has planted in us.

When we become who God has uniquely designed us to be, we start seeing God-sized results. And it’s happening here at ACC.

Last week, we talked about our vision. We are a church with an intense vision. It is big. It is audacious. It is so much bigger than what we can see right now. But God is blessing us because we’re staying true to the vision.

Today in week #2 of our series, we’re talking about our commitment. We are a church that requires 100% commitment.

This series comes from the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah had a vision to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem.

Last week we saw the burden that gave birth to that vision in Nehemiah. Today, we’re going to see how people bought into Nehemiah’s vision. It was 100% commitment. And God’s expectation for His people hasn’t changed. Today He’s calling us to go all in with His church. 100% commitment.

Today is obviously Mother’s Day. We set aside this day each year to honor our moms for everything they are and everything they have done for us.

We all know that a good mom is completely committed. Has anybody ever met a good mom that wasn’t 100% committed? Of course not.

Think about what moms go through. Moms get peed on and puked on. Moms stay up all night with a crying baby. Moms never quit. They keep going even when they’re sick. A case of the sniffles might put dad in bed for days on end, but mom can get measles, mumps, and malaria and she’ll keep going.

Moms have to be experts in algebra. They make late night runs to Wal-Mart to get supplies for the school project that their kid “forgot” about. They sit through band concerts that are long and sporting events that are painful. They know how to bandage a knee and mend a broken heart.

A mom is all in. Being a mom requires 100% commitment. If a mom asks questions like, “What’s in it for me?” she’s not going to make it. A mom lives a completely sacrificial life. She knows that being a mom requires 100% commitment.

Why do we think that our commitment to God’s church would be any less?

There are a lot of different opinions about the church today. One that I’m running into more and more is this idea that I can love Jesus and, at the same time, have nothing to do with the church. Church just isn’t that important.

Now, usually the person who says stuff like this has been burned by the church in the past. And I want to be sensitive to that.

I know that a lot of people in this room today are still skeptical of the church because somewhere in your past, you’ve been burned. You were very hurt by the church.

I’m thrilled that you’re here. And I understand your skepticism. My family was wounded by the church years ago, and it took several generations for that hurt to heal. I get it. I know where you’re coming from.

But just because the church is imperfect…just because you might have been hurt by the church in the past…it doesn’t negate what the Bible says. Before you buy into this whole notion that the church isn’t important, think about this.

In Matthew 16, Jesus said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18b, KJV)

Jesus said that He would build His church. Would Jesus spend time building something that wasn’t important?

In Colossians 1, the Bible says, “[Jesus] is the head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1:18a, NIV)

Would the Son of God be the head of something that is trivial or insignificant?

In Ephesians 5, the Bible says that, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25b, NIV)

And in Acts 20, the Bible calls the church, “the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28b, NIV)

Jesus died for the church. Would the Son of God have suffered and died for a meaningless organization?

Jesus loves the church. He is committed to the church. So committed to the church that He died for the church. He was and is that committed.

I understand why some people are sour on the church. But I also understand that Jesus’ love and commitment to the church is unwavering. And if our God is that committed to the church, then our non-commitment to the church simply isn’t an option.

For those of you who have been burned in the past, I pray that today can be a day of healing for you. I love the church. I’m fully committed to the church. And I hope I can be an example to you of someone who has been burned badly by the church, but didn’t give up. And because I didn’t give up, I’ve seen God do amazing things in my life through His church. But those amazing things didn’t happen until I decided to go all in.

That’s why we can say that ACC is a church that requires 100% commitment. That level of commitment honors God. And it also allows God to work powerfully and effectively in your life. That’s why we don’t mince words here at ACC. We require 100% commitment.

Last week, we saw how Nehemiah was burdened by the state of his people and his city. The walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed. A city without walls in this time period was as good as dead. They would be overrun and conquered by their enemies. Walls were essential to the security and well being of the people.

Nehemiah’s vision was to rebuild. The vision started with him, like we talked about last week. The vision starts with a person. But it is never accomplished by a person.

That’s where we pick up the story. In Nehemiah 2, starting in verse 11, Nehemiah said, “I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work. (Nehemiah 2:11-16, NIV)

Nehemiah’s vision was being solidified in his mind and heart. As he evaluated the situation, he hadn’t yet shared his vision with the people. But he knew that the vision couldn’t be accomplished alone. He knew that he would need others to come alongside him and take on the work. So in the next verse, Nehemiah finally casts the vision.

“Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. (Nehemiah 2:17-18, NIV)

Look at how the people responded. They heard the big, audacious vision from Nehemiah. And they responded by saying, “Let’s start rebuilding.”

They didn’t get upset that it was Nehemiah’s vision and not theirs. Too many people in the church want to argue about who receives the vision. They don’t like that the pastor is the visionary because they have their own vision for the church. That always results in division and a complete lack of progress.

The people didn’t argue about the vision because they knew it came from God. Nehemiah didn’t just say, “Here’s what I think we should do.” He took the time to tell them about the work that God was doing in His life. That’s how you know you can trust a visionary. His vision comes from Scripture. It comes from prayer. It comes from a passionate commitment to pursuing God. That’s how you know you can trust a vision.

And when the people heard the vision and they saw the work that God was doing in Nehemiah, they jumped in heart and soul and said, “Let’s start rebuilding.”

And if you fast-forward to chapter 4, you find that the wall is halfway finished. And here’s what Nehemiah said about the people. “…the people worked with all their heart.” (Nehemiah 4:6b, NIV)

That’s how a vision becomes a reality. People buy in heart and soul. They go all in. 100% commitment.

And that’s why we will make no apologies for calling our people to a sold-out commitment to our church. The walls wouldn’t be rebuilt if the people didn’t work at it with all their heart. If they weren’t all in…100% commitment…the walls would never be built.

And if we are not all in here at ACC, God’s church will never be fully built. We’ll never reach our God-given potential. We’ll never accomplish everything that God has in mind for us to accomplish. If everyone who claims to love this church isn’t also 100% committed to this church, then what God wants to build through us will never be built. That’s the kind of commitment that is required.

We understand this kind of commitment in other areas of our lives. We already talked about the fact that moms have to be all in. So do dads. A great parent is all in.

If you want a great marriage, it takes 100% commitment.

Coaches require their teams to hold nothing back.

Your boss expects you to give your best every day.

When you go out for a nice dinner, you expect that the chef is going to flat out bring it. You expect his best effort.

We understand 100% commitment in a lot of areas in our lives. Where did we get this notion that a half-hearted, wishy-washy, pansy commitment to the church is ok?

It’s not ok with Jesus. He said so Himself. In Revelation 3, He said this to the church in the city of Laodicea. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16, NIV)

Lukewarm is a disgusting thought. When I drink coffee, I want it hot. But I also like iced coffee. So I either want it hot or I want it ice cold. But if it’s lukewarm, you better believe I’m going to spit it out. It’s disgusting. Anyone who enjoys lukewarm coffee needs to repent and come to Jesus. You know what I’m saying?

A lukewarm commitment from the people in His church doesn’t sit well with Jesus. In fact, a lukewarm commitment will cause Him to vomit us out of his mouth. It disgusts Him and He’s not going to put up with it. He’s not going to drink that stuff. You can try to tell Him that it’s ok…that everything is cool…but Jesus doesn’t like lukewarm. He’ll spit it out every time.

That’s why every single person in this room needs to ask this question: how strong is my commitment to the church?

That’s a tough, gut check question, but it’s not a complicated one. It’s actually pretty simple.

If you think you’re 100% committed because you come and sit in this room for an hour every week, you’re not. You’re just taking up grace and taking up space.

If you think you’re 100% committed because you give your money but you never serve, you’re not.

On the flip side, if you think you’re 100% committed but you don’t support this church generously with your giving, you’re not.

If you think you’re 100% committed but you criticize or complain about our church every chance you get, you’re not.

If you think you’re 100% committed but you never invite anyone to church, you’re not.

Am I in your kitchen yet? Am I hitting too close to home? You know I am.

This is epidemic in the American church. We have dumbed down the idea of commitment. Commitment has come to mean consistent attendance. Or it means singing a song. Or it means signing a check.

That is not 100% commitment according to the Bible.

In John 15, Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:12-14, NIV)

Now, add this verse to that. In 1 John, the Bible says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16, NIV)

Jesus laid down His life for us. He died for us. And the Bible then flips it around and calls us to do the same for our brothers and sisters. In other words, the church.

You want to know if you’re committed to the church? Here’s the question. Would you die for the church?

That’s a whole new level, isn’t it? In America, you’re committed to the church if you attend a few Sundays a month, as long as the kids don’t have a game or there’s nothing else going on. Commitment is dropping a $20 bill in the plate. Or taking notes during the sermon. That’s commitment in our minds.

In Jesus’ mind, commitment means that you come and die. It’s a little bit different, isn’t it?

That’s why we will be different. We will not be the norm. We will be different. We will be weird. We will be strange. We will live with an abnormal and absolute commitment to God’s church.

And it also means that every single one of us has some growing to do. If you haven’t been convicted today, then you haven’t been listening. Every single person here today has room to grow. Every single person in this room can take our commitment to the next level. And that absolutely includes me.

This week, I’ve been convicted of areas where I need to grow. Where I need to deepen my commitment. I’ve seen areas where I’m not yet all in. 100% commitment means 100% commitment. I’ve got work to do. And so do you.

Some of you need to grow in serving. You’re here every week, but you really don’t do anything to grow our church’s ministry. You have a great opportunity right in front of you. We need a TON of volunteers for Sports Camp this June.

You can sign up in our connect area before you leave today. We have an opening for an assistant soccer coach. We need people to donate some money for water bottles.

But our biggest opening is for huddle coaches. We need a ton of them. Huddle coaches are the people who really make Sports Camp work. You would have a group of around 10 kids and they would be your kids for the week. You get to interact with them, build relationships with them, and talk about each day’s lesson with them. Basically, if you can love some kids who need to hear about Jesus, you can be a huddle coach.

Sports Camp is our biggest outreach event of the entire year. And our people have to be all in. Sign up today.

And that’s just one area where you can serve. We’ve got to have all hands on deck for Sports Camp, but that’s not the only place you can serve. If you can rock babies, we’ve got a nursery that needs you. If you can drive a nail or turn a wrench, there’s a place for you. If you can mow a lawn, there’s a place for you. If you’ve been gifted to teach, there’s a place for you. I could go on all day. If you’re ready to go all in and serve God by serving the church, there is a place for you at ACC. I guarantee it.

And that’s just one area where you can grow in your commitment to the church. Some of us need to grow in the area of giving. If you know you’re not giving generously to God’s church, it’s time to step it up. That is an area that will grow you like crazy. I promise.

Others of us need to grow in our spirit and attitude about our commitment to the church. I’ve met people who give and serve, and complain the entire time that they’re doing it. Maybe the place you need to grow is more of an inside job. You need to pray for God to deal with your criticism and negativity. Charles Spurgeon said, “Nobody can do as much damage to the church of God as the man who is within its walls, but not within its life.” 100% commitment is ultimately a heart issue. Are you in, heart and soul?

Every single one of us can grow in our commitment to God’s church. If 100% commitment means that we’re willing to die for the church…and that’s exactly what the Bible says…then we all have some growing to do, don’t we?

But 100% commitment is the only legitimate choice that we have, because the work that the church does is the most important work in the world. The church has been around for 2,000 years…and it will be around for the next 2,000 unless Jesus chooses to come back.

What we do is makes an eternal difference. And that means that what you do is eternally important. Here’s something that everyone in the church has to own. There is no insignificant job in the church. There is no insignificant area of service. There is no insignificant ministry.

“I’m just changing diapers in the nursery.” No. You are loving babies who are precious to God. We serve a God who loves kids. And not only that, but you are allowing parents to hearing the gospel because they know that their child is safe.

“I’m just mowing the yard.” No. You are helping create a positive first impression for our church. When someone visits a church, they decide within minutes whether or not they will ever come back. You’re creating a warm and welcoming first impression.

“I’m just filling communion cups.” No. You are creating the most important part of any worship service we have. Remembering what Jesus did for us on the cross. That can’t happen if no one fills these trays.

You don’t have to be up here preaching. You don’t have to have musical talent or a gift for teaching. There is no insignificant role in the church. When you serve, you are helping our church live out our vision and carry out our mission. That is true for any and every role in the church. Nothing is insignificant. Nothing is unimportant.

“From [Jesus] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16, NIV)

This verse is so clear. The church can’t grow and reach its full potential unless every part does it’s work. When everyone in the church goes all in…100% commitment…that’s when we grow. That’s when we achieve. That’s when we become who God has called us to be.

And that’s what we’re going to pray for today. Every week of this series, we are taking time to pray for God to work in HUGE ways in our church. We are begging Him for His power and blessing to show up in new and amazing ways in our church.

Today, each person here is going to get a prayer card. These cards have different areas for you to pray through everyday during this coming week. And everyone can do this. There is not a person here who can’t make this happen.

If you believe in this church, then pray for this church. If you’re checking us out and you’re still unsure about this church, pray for this church. Prayer brings amazing clarity in our lives. Whoever you are, we’re asking you to pray for our church this week.

Take this card home. Put it somewhere where you are guaranteed to see it everyday. And pray like crazy for our church this week.

And let’s kick it all off by praying for our church right now.

We believe in our church. We know that God has much bigger things in store for our church. And that’s why we’re challenging you to step up and go all in with our church. We’re asking for your 100% commitment.

A lot of you are believers in Jesus. You’ve repented of your sin. You’ve been baptized into Christ. But you haven’t made any kind of commitment to our church. We’re challenging you to cross that line and make it official by placing your membership with our church.

Members are the people who have declared, “I’m all in. This is my church. I will serve. I will give. I will pray. I will do everything I can to love and support my church.”

That’s what a member is. And it’s time for you to cross that line today. Step up and declare that you’re in.

But for others of us, there is a much more important decision on the line. It’s an eternal decision. It’s a decision about Jesus. He went all in for you. His commitment to you was 100%, nothing held back. That’s why the cross happened. His love and His commitment to you is total.

Today, you can accept that free gift of grace. You can find hope and forgiveness and life. It only comes from Jesus. It only comes from His death and His resurrection.

We’re all about Jesus here at ACC. In fact, we’re only about Jesus here at ACC. And today, we’re inviting you to declare that your life is always and only about Jesus.

Mike Edmisten

Tags: church, commitment, Nehemiah, service, vision, We Are