I. INTRO-- Joshua 23:6-13, 24:14-24
A. Joshua was committed to the Lord with his whole heart.
B. But the commitment of the people of Israel was short-lived. Judges 2:7-10
II. LESSON--
A. Commitment is an important doctrine of Christ. Luke 9:57-62, 14:25-35
B. Apostolic teaching confirms this. 2 Timothy 2:1-13
C. Scriptural principles illustrate the consequences of a lack of commitment.
1. A worker without commitment is untrustworthy. Acts 15:36-41
2. Lack of collective commitment can defeat the people of God.
a. God charged Israel to have consistent "devotion." Joshua 6:17-19
b. The failure of one was charged to the many, and they were defeated. Joshua 7:1-12
III. APPLICATION--
A. How committed are we to the purity of the Gospel?
1. Will we compromise the plain terms of Salvation taught in the Scripture?
2. Will we compromise the purity of true worship?
3. Will we compromise the convictions we hold regarding the organization and work of the local church?
B. When there is inconsistent response to these questions, we show a "weak front."
1.But, we are to "contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints." Jude 3
2.Compromise on the terms of salvation, proper worship, and the work of the local church, which cannot be confirmed in the documents that reveal the "faith once delivered to the saints," fails to recognize the rule of 1 Peter 4:11 ".....if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; .....that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
3.Stedfastness brings reward. Hebrews 3:5-6
C. What should be our attitude toward "erring brethren."
1. Love them, since they remain "brethren." Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 1:22
2. Correct them.
a. Without strife, and in meekness. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
b. In a spirit of gentleness. Galatians 6:1
3. Persuade them to follow our example. 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
4.Constant exhortation guards against their defection. Hebrews 3:12-14
IV.CONCLUSION-- With Paul, we rejoice that "Christ is preached," even by those who do it of "faction" (Philippians 1:15-18), but that does not mean we condone the factious spirit which introduces practices that make separations between brethren. We need a consistent front, with every Christian committed to truth. "Choose you this day whom ye shall serve..."