Why We Do Commitment Sunday

This Sunday, December 19, is Commitment Sunday at Portico Church. This is the one day a year that we ask Porticoans, by faith, to commit their financial resources in the form of tithing and special offerings. This year we have moved the day, normally held in the fall, to Christmas Sunday. I think the spirit of giving, illustrated in God's gift to the world in Jesus, makes this Sunday a fitting choice.

Before I tell you why I think Commitment Sunday is biblical, and good, and good for you - let me give you some facts about the financial process surrounding the event.

• We no longer use Commitment Sunday to set our budget. In the early days, we would gather financial commitments, treat them like pledges, and then design our budget around the incoming dollar amounts. In the initial days of church planting, this made the most fiscal sense for a variety of reasons. But in recent years, the gap between what was committed and what was actually given has created unnecessary stress around the budgeting process.
• Because we don't use commitments to set a budget you can be assured of at least one thing: The staff have nothing to gain or lose in the process. When commitment totals were used to craft a budget, it was tempting to campaign for weeks on end. After all, salaries and ministry spending depended on those totals! Now, we create a budget based on current giving levels combined with what we call a "by faith growth estimate." This growth estimate is our way of applying Hebrews 11:6 ("without faith it is impossible to please God") to the financial arena.
  

So, then, why even bother with Commitment Sunday if it carries with it no budgetary affect? I'm glad you asked.

1. Planned future giving (or promissory giving), by faith and not by sight, is an essential form of biblical stewardship. I have often heard that promissory giving has no biblical precedent. This is most often coupled with the notion that planned giving hinders the Spirit's spontaneous work. But which shows more faith, waiting until you know what you have and giving a numerical percentage, or planning to give out of what is unknown? I would argue that, with Hebrews 11:6 in mind, giving by faith and not by sight implies planned, promissory giving. Doesn't Paul's advice to the Corinthian church sound like planned, promissory giving? He writes, "arrange in advance for the gift you have promised," (2 Corinthians 9:5). Later in the same passage Paul writes, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart," (2 Corinthians 9:7). Paul is advancing an essential stewardship principle: planned giving, by faith. Sadly, and to the shame of many, we plan our own spending budgets but when it comes to Godly charity, we leave it up to spontaneity. This often leads to God getting the leftovers, after we've spent the majority on ourselves. If God leads you to give spontaneously, please be faithful. But also be faithful to give by faithful planning. Commitment Sunday is an opportunity to do just that.
   
2. Commitment is a necessary part of discipleship. Nobody wants to commit anymore. Recent U.S. Census data shows a dramatic increase in unmarried couple households. People want the benefits of marriage, without the commitment. Even the dating scene has changed. "Hooking up" has replaced official dating. Ambiguity and flakiness has replaced commitment and dependability, in all things except cell phone and satellite TV contracts! Commitment, however, is an essential attribute of the disciple. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me," (Luke 9:23). Following Jesus requires (yes, requires!) a radically committed cross-bearing lifestyle. Financial commitments are not the only way we do this, but they are also not the only exception. Look at Commitment Sunday as an opportunity, between you and God, to walk by faith financially next year. Look at it as a way to develop the characteristic of commitment, a diminishing value in our culture but one necessary for Christian discipleship. This is why Commitment Sunday is good and also good for you. If you let God, He might just use this yearly event to shape your character. He gets the glory, but you get something good in return.
   

I hope you'll take the opportunity this Sunday to make a 2011 financial commitment. I know that I'm looking forward to making a commitment with my family. I am looking to Sunday with anticipation. We get to give God another chance to be our Provider, develop our character, and multiply our faith into mission. I hope you'll pray about joining us on the journey.

Revelation Exegesis: Thyatira

The Church at Thyatira

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Thyatira, unlike many of the other Asian churches, was not important politically or religiously. She owed her notoriety to trade (Ladd). The necessity of trade and commerce in the lifestyles of Christians in Thyatira led, in very similar fashion, to the problem of compromise and accommodation in Pergamum. The "tolerating of Jezebel" is another metaphor for condoning of false teaching. The Thyatiran Christians were "in bed" with heresy. They were "sleeping around" with poor doctrine. Because of this, they faced the discipline of Jesus.

v. 18 ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

The title "Son of God" is only used here in Revelation. Unlike Son of Man, which is a more human and humble title, this designation enforces the diety and authority of Christ (MacArthur, Ladd). His appearance, particularly his eyes and feet, reinforces his wrath and impending "trampling of His enemies." This is not someone to be taken lightly. It reminds me of One whom we should not take "in vain."

19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

There was much to commend about Thyatira. The virtues of love, faith, service, and patience are no small things. But, again, they are not the ONLY things. Truth matters. The beauty of the true gospel of grace by faith to the needy sinner is paramount! Doctrines of righteousness by faith alone are essential! Whoever this Jezebel teacher was, her teachings of gaining righteousness by "shacking up" with the world was an abomination to Jesus!

God's call is for repentance. But the false teacher "refuses to repent" (v. 21). Because of this, she will be struck with sickness. George Ladd notices that the punishment is more severe on her followers than on the false teacher herself. She is thrown on a sickbed, but her children are struck with death. Ladd writes, "Apparently John intends us to distinguish between those who are still struggling... and those who have unreservedly committed themselves to the teaching of the false prophetess."

The application for us is clear. Believer, resist any form of righteousness that is not gained by the life, death, resurrection and victorious return of Christ. One certainly cannot accommodate the world, blend it's philosophies and practices, and claim to have attained the measure of the stature of Christ! Let's take the advice of God, repent and receive the "morning star." MacArthur believes this is Christ Himself. Beale sees this as a reference to the messianic reign. Either way sounds good to me. Endure, resisting a non-gospel form of "righteousness," and gain Christ and his rule.

Revelation Exegesis: Pergamum

The Church at Pergamum

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Mentioning a "sharp two-edged sword" is another reminder that judgement is impending upon those who will not repent. There are two camps of believers at Pergamum who should consider this warning. The first group are those who teach and embrace what we might call compromise or accommodation, referenced by the Old Testament story of Balaam. And second, those who tolerate the first group.

It should not go unnoticed, there was a commendation. Pergamum is described as the location of "Satan's throne." This was either the throne of Zeus located in the city or the temple of Asklepios, who is depicted as a snake, something Christians would easily associate with Satan (MacArthur). With such idolatry all around, most of Pergamum's church remained faithful to Christ.

In addition to idolatry, there was also persecution as illustrated by the reference to Antipas. This is about all we know about Antipas. According to tradition, he was roasted to death inside a brass bull by Emperor Domitian (MacArthur). God commends the faithfulness of many at Pergamum, even in the face of martyrdom.

There is, however, a problem. It is the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Whatever it entailed, it certainly included a mixture of idolatry and sexual immorality. It seems that the Nicolaitans taught that Christians could "participate in pagan orgies," (MacArthur). This heavy syncretism (mixing of beliefs) is a form of worldliness that Jesus is about to strike with a sword. This syncretism is not speaking to merely liking something. Christians are encouraged to enjoy good things because they are evidences of grace (Philippians 4:8). This worldliness involved accommodation in the arena of worship. Balaam's deception of Numbers 25 was a compromise of lifestyle that led to a compromise of spiritual affection. The Nicolaitans were doing the same. Beware of participating in things that lure you from your adoration of Christ. Enjoy things, instead, that lead to the character of Christ (Philippians 4:8).

The structure and pronouns of verse 16 make it clear in the Greek that although only a few are guilty of the sin of the Nicolaitans, Christ is coming against all of them with the sword (Mounce). Unlike the Ephesians, who rooted out false teachers, the majority of the church at Pergamum were accommodating them. This is a tough word against tolerance in the Church of Jesus Christ today. In an age where pluralism is the preferred path, we are to take the narrow road. The Church must exercise discipline on false teachers within the fold. This is not contrary to the axiom, "in essentials unity, in non-essentials charity." Christ is, rather, enforcing a strong stance for holiness in the Gospel. The Church of Jesus must stand firm in the face of emerging heresies and exercise discipline against members who teach them.

Again, there is much more to gain in Christ than we lose in worldly accommodation. We gain "manna," or metaphorically, the presence of Jesus who is the Bread of Heaven (Beale). A white stone was often used for admission to special events (MacArthur, Beale). A hidden name refers to our new adopted name in Christ. If we stand firm in persecution and heresy, speaking out against false gospels and worldly accommodation, we confirm our adoption ceremony as children of God!

Revelaton Exegesis: Smyrna

To the Church in Smyrna:

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’"

All that is known about the church at Smyrna is contained right here (MacArthur). Emperor worship under Domitian increased persecution for Christians in this Roman ruled city. In addition, v. 9 shows that Jews were joining the persecution by slandering the young Christian church. Jesus leaves nothing to doubt about where such false accusations come from - Satan himself!

The One "who died and came to life" is a huge encouragement to a church facing death almost daily. Again we see a major them of Revelation come to life. The encouragement (and vindication!) of the suffering saints of God. Are you suffering? This is no small hope or empty sentiment. Look to the future, where Christ will come on the clouds! Always live in view of eternity! Press on! Don't give up! Be faithful. Those, who in the name of Jesus, seem to face defeat in death actually attain victory in eternal life!

The Church at Smyrna is one of two churches that receive only commendation and no critique. There is a strong biblical connection between faithful suffering for Christ and spiritual strength (James 1:2-4). As John MacArthur writes, "the purest Christian graces are those forged in the furnace of adversity."