Be Committed in the House

The word Commitment is not a popular word now this day, some people do not like this
word because they don't want to make any commitment.
Young people even though they have been dating for a long time, they rather live together
than make a commitment in the Altar as a married couple. When we asked them, some of
them said that they were not ready yet to make the commitment, they were afraid that the
commitment will not work after they got married.
It is no big deal for the devil if we come to the church twice a week and join the church
activities occasionally, so we look like a good Christian or good person. But he will be
paranoid if we start to make a real commitment to follow Jesus and grow together with our
brothers and sisters in the House of the Lord. When we begin to grow in our faith and
knowledge of His word.
The research says that for more than 10 years the church in America is not growing at all.
Instead of growing the churches are declining because Christians are afraid to make a
commitment in their local church. We called it “transplant Christian”, meaning if they have /
face a problem they will move to another church. Instead of solving / facing the problem
and repenting, they will move from one church to another church. They tried to find the
perfect church but actually “those churches” were almost perfect until we came to join
them, then they became not perfect. Because many times the problem is not the church,
but the problem is us.
The local church has a very important role on this end time, because God uses the local
Church to prepare and make us ready for the second coming of the Lord Jesus as His
Bride.
Luke 4:16 “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day
he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read”
Jesus gives us the example, as a human, Jesus faithfully went into the synagogue on the
sabbath day. This is one of the preparations before He does His Father's will to do the
ministry in His time. Jesus knew that the local church / synagogue has a very important
role for our life as a believer.
There are 9 attitudes that every believer must have in the relationship with the local
church.

1. Be Committed – commitment in attendance, giving our time, talent, even money and
participation with the vision of the local church.
Hebrew 10:24-25 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good
works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The bible says “let us consider one another (not to gossip) but to stir up love and good
work. Not forsaking the assembling of us together, to encourage one another, strengthen
one another.
When we start making a commitment, then our faith will start to grow.

2. To be Faithful/ loyal
Faithfulness is a sign of maturity. Faithfulness defeats the tactic of the enemy that always
tries to divide the unity in the family, church and even nation.
Faithful in the small things then God will entrust us with the bigger things.
Luke 16:10-12
10
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is
least is also unjust in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous
mammon, who will commit your trust to the true riches? 12 And if you have not been
faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is yours own?

3. Be involved
Involvement is one of the requirements of the faithfulness. As a member of the body of
Christ we have a place that we can function. Sometimes we heard people say “There are no
more ministries that are available, it seems everything is already covered, or I can't do
anything.
Serving the Lord is not just on the podium as a worship leader, singers, musician or
preaching. We can serve Him in every area such as praying, ushering, making bulletins,
providing transportation, cooking, hospitality by sending cards, providing accommodation,
setting up the chairs and throwing away the garbage etc.
Ps Mark Estes from Manna House Church Portland- it started from became a janitor, then
in charge in sound system and end up become the senior pastor for kind of mega church
in Portland, Oregon. This church give the covering for our IFGF movement as well. Ps Mark
did the ministry that God entrusted him faithfully, even as a janitor before.
There is no ministry too big or too small in the eyes of God.
Romans 12:11 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord

4. Be Accountable
Be accountable in our actions, words even our thoughts. Sometimes as a believer we can
become the stumble block for others through our behavior, actions and words.
We did not keep our promises (ex : canceling our appointment to pick up someone to the
church/care group; cannot keep the secret when someone talks privately to us)
Do not take responsibility for the things that are already entrusted to us,
Ex: do not want to do extra miles- comparing the ministry with somebody else.
In the ministry, sometimes agree and disagree happens, but we can not put down or stab
one another. We believe that our leaders will not talk bad about us and vise versa. We can
count on their integrity, and they can count us on our integrity as well.
Galatians 5:14-15 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you will
be consumed by one another!

5. Be Prayerful
Bonding and unity are from prayers. If we never join the prayer meeting with the church,
we might not feel at home. I thank God that I heard from PS Walter that this church has a
prayer meeting every morning and people come and join it. The least that we can do for
our church is to pray for the need in our church, Pray the God's protection for your pastor
and the leadership, because they are the main target of the enemy, as the bible says “I will
strike the Shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” (Matt 26:31b)
Pray for the need of others – it is better to pray for someone (sick, in need) than someone
praying for us. It is better to give than to receive. Pray for our community, Nation,
protection and wisdom for the people who have authority above us.
It is good to teach our children to pray for others, to have a compassionate heart toward
other people who need help.
James 5:16-17 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that
you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah
was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it
didn't rain on the land for three years and six months.

6. Be planted
Psalm 92:13-15
13
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
15
To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
We must be planted first before able to produce fruits. If the tree roots not strong, the tree
will dead and will not bear fruits. When we plant a tree, we have to dig deeper the soil so
that the roots can grow strong.
Likewise with God’s children, if We like migrants or move from one church to another
church and do not want to plant in the local church , we will not will be productive.
In Indonesia, many Christians are looking for preacher if they come to church , they search
a funny preacher, the one that likes telling stories with short messages ( one hour church )
2 Timothy 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but
according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside
to fables.
I was 15 years old when I give myself only in one church, the same church, In that church
God teach and mold my character through the preaching of the Word and ministry that I
did. I was involved in the youth ministry and in there I learn how to love the unlove, how to
be patience, how to serve & pray for those, how to give those that in need and how to
tithe from my allowance.
The House of God consists of the stones that fitted together neatly. Which each part has
their own function. But sometimes there is stone/brick who want to stand out alone that
can cause a lump on the head if someone bump on it. When that happened, the molding
process start it, the one who likes to stand out will be neatly arranged by the Builder so it
will fit and look neat. through Word of God and our bro and sis in Christ, in ministry that
will make us the person that God want us to be.
“PUT YOUR ROOT DOWN AND BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED”
So until old age we still bear fruits, still fresh and flourishing.

7. Be Submitted
Hebrews 13:17 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for
your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for
that would be unprofitable for you.
Become a leader means become a servant of everything .
Mark 10:43-45 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great
among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of
all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life
a ransom for many.”
Ephesians 5:22 – 23 Marriage – Christ and the church.
Verse 22- Wife submits to your husbands as to the Lord.
Verse 25- Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself
for her.
If the husband does not love the wife completely, no wonder The wife has problem to
submit.
Likewise in leadership, if we, as the leader/ minister do not provide a good example, we
cannot expect the people will hear us. Let's lead by example and learn to humble one
another.
Apostle Paul said “Follow me as I follow the example of Christ”

8. Be Thankful
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18
in everything give
thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Be grateful & thankful to God for all the blessings and opportunities that God gives us to
serve.
Be grateful for good, healthy church, for our family, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Always carry the spirit and attitude of thankfulness at all the times. Even when
discouragement comes in the life us in any form of shape and situation, we know that the
foundation and builder of the church is Jesus Christ Himself.
In the House of God, God molds our character and taught us to love the unlove, have a
compassion to the lost and embrace the people that might be different with us, to give to
those in need and serve one another.
Someone said a very profound sentence to me “how we as follower of Christ can be the
light if we always among the light” Let’s our light shine in the dark.

9. Be Useful
Hebrews 13:16 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God
is well pleased.
Do not be shy or afraid asking your pastor … what can I do?, anything that I can help?,
Make ourselves available to be involved in the vision and ministry of the church. Be a part
of the solution not the problem and Take a part in the ministry and grow together in Faith.
9 Attitudes that every believer must have:
1. Be Committed
2. Be Faithful
3. Be Involved
4. Be Accountable
5. Be Prayerful
6. Be Planted
7. Be Submissive
8. Be Thankful
9. Be Useful

1 Thessalonian5:24 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.