Are you a committed Christian? Great! But, is that all God wants from you? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how we can move past commitment into intimacy with God.
What is a Christian?
A Christian is a person whose belief in Jesus causes them to follow Him, cultivate a relationship with Him, and apply His teaching to their life until they begin to look like Jesus.
Review:
Casual Christians: the goal for a Casual Christian is spiritual moderation, while the goal for a Captivated Christian is spiritual dedication. Casual Christians are Christians by culture, Captivated Christians are Christians by choice.
Carnal Christians: A carnal Christian is a believer who is still dominated by their old sinful, fleshly nature instead of their new spiritual, holy nature. Carnal Christians are immature Christians who live according to their carnal, natural mind instead of their new spiritual mind.
What is a Committed Christian?
A committed Christian is a believer who has decided to follow Jesus, and is loyal to God, their church, and the Christian lifestyle.
The problem is, God doesn’t only want a commitment from you; He wants a relationship with you.God doesn’t just want your help—He wants your heart. He doesn’t just want your service, He wants you soul. He doesn’t just want your activity; He wants your affection. He doesn’t just want your production; He wants you passion. He doesn’t just want you to be committed, He wants you to be captivated.
All throughout the Bible the #1 example of how God interacts with His people is marriage.
A good marriage starts with commitment, but it’s sustained by connection—and it’s the same with our relationship with Jesus.
How do we go beyond commitment?
- Replace doing with being.
Philippians 3:5-9
Our relationship with God will cause us to do things, but these things are done in the intimacy of faith, not the insecurity of religion.
Matthew 15:8
In a relationship, activity without intimacy is weird. - Stop living for Jesus.
Live IN Christ.
2 Cor 5:17
Colossians 2:13
Live THROUGH Christ
Philippians 4:13
Christianity isn’t something you do, its Someone you know. Stop working for Jesus and start walking with Jesus. - Remember your first love.
Revelation 2:1-5
Verse 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! [you have lost your first love] 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.”
Amos 5:21-23 (MSG)
Are you moving beyond commitment and becoming a captivated Christian?