Keeping a Commitment

Keeping a Commitment

Sermon series: Dependable – Part 2 of 7

Pastor John Fanous

March 30, 2008

“I, the Messiah, am going to be betrayed and killed and three days later

I will return to life again.” Mk 9:31 (The Living Bible)

Why Promises are Important

1. Broken promises ____________________ others.

“Then the chief officer who served wine to the king said to him, ‘Now I remember something I promised to do, but I forgot about it.'” Ge 41:9 (NCV)

2. Broken promise mean people won’t ______________ you in the future.

“‘This man began to build but can’t finish the job!’ they will say.” Lk 14:28-30 (GNT)

What Do We Know About God’s Promises?

“The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! “

1 Th 5:24 (The Message)

“If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful. Christ cannot deny who he is.”

2 Ti 2:13 (CEV)

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.” Pr 30:5 (NLT)

How Important to God are Your Promises? ______________

“God delights in those who keep their promises and abhors those who don’t.” Pr 12:22 (The Living Bible)

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” Matthew 12:36 (NIV)

5 Keys to Building People’s Trust in Your Commitments

1. P______________________ slowly.

“It’s better not to make a promise at all than to make one and not keep it.”

Ec 5:5 (CEV)

“If one of you is planning to build a tower, you sit down first and work out what it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job.” Lk 14:28 (GNT)

2. R______________________ responsibly.

“Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Dt 6:8-9 (NLT)

3. F______________________ generously.

“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it…” Col 3:23a (NRSV)

4. N______________________ early.

“You may have trapped yourself by your agreement. Quick! Get out of it if you possibly can! Swallow your pride; don’t let embarrassment stand in the way. Go and beg to have your name erased. Don’t put it off. Do it now. Don’t rest until you do.” Pr 6:2-4 (The Living Bible)

5. B______________________ simply.

“Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot.” Lk 16:10a

“Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough.” Mt 5:37

“Ruth bowed down to the ground and said, ‘You know I come from another country. Why are you so good to me?’ Boaz answered, ‘I’ve heard how you’ve helped your mother-in-law ever since your husband died. You even left your own father and mother to come and live in a foreign land among people you don’t know.'” Ru 2:10-11 (CEV)

This week, I want to practice follow-through in this area of my life: