Overcoming The Fear Of Commitment

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Most problems come because we take ourselves
too seriously and we dont take God seriously
enough.
Pastor Rick Warren Saddleback Church
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I want to keep my options open. Dont Fence me
in. I dont want to be held back by
commitments.
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PEOPLE DONT LIKE TO MAKE LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS
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PEOPLE DONT LIKE TO MAKE LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS
It causes you to miss Gods best in life.
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Scripture teaches that
Nothings as important as the commitments you
make.
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Nothings as important as the commitments you
make.
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New Bible Dictionary Its essentially the whole
man with all his attributesphysical,
intellectual, psychologicalthe heart is the
governing center for all of these.
Nothings as important as the commitments you
make.
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Reveal your values.
Your Commitments
(Matt. 619-21)
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Reveal your values. Control your receptivity.
Your Commitments
(Matt. 622-24)
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Control your receptivity.
Your Commitments
The uncommitted life is a life of selfishness.
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Control your receptivity.
Your Commitments
Matthew 2237 Love the Lord your God with all
your heart.
The uncommitted life is a life of selfishness.
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If your heart isnt open to truth, itll
harden (Matt. 1312-15)
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Hebrews 37-8a So, as the Holy Spirit says
Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your
hearts.
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Proverbs 2814 He who hardens his heart falls
into trouble.
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Reveal your values. Control your
receptivity. Shape your character.
Your Commitments
(Matt. 1518-19)
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Shape your character.
Your Commitments

• Where bad, unkind words originate (1518)

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Shape your character.
Your Commitments

• Where bad, unkind words originate (1518)

• Root of bad thoughts and wrong behavior (1519)

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Shape your character.
Your Commitments

• Where bad, unkind words originate (1518)

• Root of bad thoughts and wrong behavior (1519)

Proverbs 423 (GN) Your life is shaped by
your thoughts.
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Reveal your values. Control your
receptivity. Shape your character. Determine your
destiny.
Your Commitments
(Matt. 1626-27)
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• Wise people make their commitments carefully
  (1627)

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• Wise people make their commitments carefully
  (1627)

• Everyday youre exchanging your life for
  something (1626)

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Perfectionism
(v.12a)
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Ecclesiastes 114 (GN) If you wait for
perfect conditions youll never get anything
done.
Perfectionism
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One of these days Im going to make those
commitments I know are important in life.
Perfectionism
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One of these days Im going to make those
commitments I know are important in life.
Ill commit, when things settle down a little in
my life.
Perfectionism
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• Perfectionism
• Past Hurts

(v.13)
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• Perfectionism
• Past Hurts
• Self Doubt

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James 18 A double-minded man is unstable in
all his ways.
Self Doubt
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The grass is greener where you water it.
Self Doubt
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Shift your focus to Christ and what He can do.
Self Doubt
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• Perfectionism
• Past Hurts
• Self Doubt

(v.12b, 13b)
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• Perfectionism
• Past Hurts
• Self Doubt
• Independence (v.15)

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It leads to loneliness.
Independence (v.15)
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Until a month ago, I was what some women call a
Peter Pan, one of those men who contemplate but
never decide, who float around instead of
committing. I've always thought of women as
mysterious, desirable more than a little scary.
I never could do without women but why bring one
home forever?
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I had friends who married, others who divorced
remarried. But I was in limbo, Peter Pan in
perpetuity, the problem was I didn't know why.
I lived with one woman I loved for seven years,
but she finally left because I wouldnt get
married. The 2nd woman I had a 10 year
relationship with finally said--forget it, if
youre not going to be committed, Im leaving--
she did
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It absolutely crushed me I've spent the last
month in hell. All my life Ive been trying to
avoid the messy relationship mistakes, only to
become one myself. I've risked little with women
given them even less got my wish.
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As I type this I realize that my biosphere--the
bubbling self-contained unit I thought would
nurture me--is in fact an airless exhibit. I sit
suspended in the amber of afternoon, seeing how
years of demanding living for independence
self, have stunted my life. I've been forced to
realize with the searing force of a
revelation--that commitment is the point of
life.
George
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God designed you to be interdependent.
Independence
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Psalm 86 WORSHIP CENTER BIBLE hardback p.
585 paperback p. 414
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ASK GOD FOR WISDOM.
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James 15 If any of you lacks wisdom, he
should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to
him.
ASK GOD FOR WISDOM.
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Ask God for WISDOM. COMPARE the Benefits with the
Cost.
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• What its Costing him
• (v.1-4, 14)

COMPARE THE BENEFITS WITH THE COST.
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• What its Costing him
• (v.1-4, 14)

• The Benefits of knowing God
• (v.3-5, 8-10, 15)

COMPARE THE BENEFITS WITH THE COST.
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• What its Costing him
• (v.1-4, 14)

• The Benefits of knowing God
• (v.3-5, 8-10, 15)
• The Benefits hes known personally
• (v.13, 17)

COMPARE THE BENEFITS WITH THE COST.
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Proverbs 2025 It is a trap for a man to
dedicate something rashly and only later to
consider his vows.
COMPARE THE BENEFITS WITH THE COST.
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Proverbs 2025 It is a trap for a man to
dedicate something rashly and only later to
consider his vows.
Luke 1427 (LB) Dont begin until you count the
cost.
COMPARE THE BENEFITS WITH THE COST.
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ASK God for wisdom. COMPARE the Benefits with the
Cost. Make Spiritual GROWTH a commitment.
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David did it (v.11)
MAKE SPIRITUAL GROWTH A COMMITMENT.
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David did it (v.11)
Jesus commanded it
Matthew 633 Seek 1st the Kingdom of God His
righteousness, and all these things will be given
to you as well.
MAKE SPIRITUAL GROWTH A COMMITMENT.
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David did it (v.11)
Jesus commanded it
Matthew 2237-38 Love the Lord your God with all
your heartThis is the 1st and greatest
commandment.
MAKE SPIRITUAL GROWTH A COMMITMENT.
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ASK God for wisdom. COMPARE the Benefits with the
Cost. Make Spiritual GROWTH a commitment. TRUST
God to Help You to Keep Them.
(v.2, 12)
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Psalm 375 Commit everything you do to the
Lord. Trust Him to help you do it, and He will.
TRUST GOD TO HELP YOU TO KEEP THEM.
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Philippians 213 It is God who is at work
within you, giving you both the will and the
power to accomplish His purpose.
TRUST GOD TO HELP YOU TO KEEP THEM.
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Philippians 213 It is God who is at work
within you, giving you both the will and the
power to accomplish His purpose.
2 Timothy 112 God is able to keep that which
Ive committed unto Him.
TRUST GOD TO HELP YOU TO KEEP THEM.
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Is it Possible to Truly Impact Our Communities?
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Its Possible to Truly Impact Our Communities!
It doesnt take great people, it takes committed
people.
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Its Possible to Truly Impact Our Communities!
If Christianity is untrue, then its
unimportant. However, if Christianity is true,
then it is of utmost importance. The only thing
Christianity cannot be is moderately
important. C.S. Lewis
It doesnt take great people, it takes committed
people.
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HOW MUCH CAN GOD USE YOU?
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HOW MUCH CAN GOD USE YOU?
It depends on your heart.
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HOW MUCH CAN GOD USE YOU?
It depends on your heart.
2 Chronicles 169 The eyes of the Lord range
throughout the earth to strengthen those whose
hearts are fully committed to Him.
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5 Essential Life Commitments!

• Commitment to Christ

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5 Essential Life Commitments!

• Commitment to Christ
• Commitment to Worship

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5 Essential Life Commitments!

• Commitment to Christ
• Commitment to Worship
• Commitment to Relationships

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5 Essential Life Commitments!

• Commitment to Christ
• Commitment to Worship
• Commitment to Relationships
• Commitment to Service

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5 Essential Life Commitments!

• Commitment to Christ
• Commitment to Worship
• Commitment to Relationships
• Commitment to Service
• Commitment to Growth

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