OUTLINE:

This Week’s Lessons
While your pastor was commissioned to express his distaste for his congregation’s lack of commitment, the lessons were not about him; the lessons were 100% about YOU!

You are the cause for these lessons, not my broken heart.

Warning
We are under unprecedented attack in our church. If you don't see it, you're either passively ignoring it or actively part of the problem. Wake up.

Beware
ANY person who's trying to take you away from the love of God is an ENEMY of God!

“Be of sober spirit”
Do not live carelessly. Your enemies are looking for you to let your guard down. A perfect example is with physical intoxication (aka “dissipation” - Eph 5:18), but that’s hardly the extent of it!

God Is Impartial
If God is impartial, then we ought to be, if we indeed fear Him. This means no partiality towards family, friends, loved ones. This means NOT becoming intoxicated with/because of such people.

Warning
We are under unprecedented attack in our church. If you don't see it, you're either passively ignoring it or actively part of the problem. Wake up.

2Co 10:5 [Amplified]
We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.

What the Apostles Lacked
- Understanding (e.g., Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
- Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
- Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
- Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
- Power (e.g., Mt 17:16-17; Jn 20; Ac 1:8)

Lk 5:11
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

We, Too, Lack Commitment
Just like the apostles, we lack commitment, inversely proportionate to our faith and maturity, throughout our lives.

“fit”
from euthetos - means suitable, fit, useful; fit because well-adapted; hence, ready for use; in context (Lk 9:62), does not refer to salvation but to service. A believer’s fitness is a function of their faith - the more faith, the more fit.

Spiritual Fitness
Like any form of fitness, spiritual fitness requires consistent exercise, resistance training, and a commitment to the program. Fitness is a way of life, a mindset, in every sense, both physically and spiritually. We peak in Heaven.

What the Apostles Lacked
- Understanding (e.g.,Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
- Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
- Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
- Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
- Power (e.g. Mt 17: 16-17; Jn 20:22-23; Ac 1:8)

“that your faith may not fail”
The emphasis should not be placed on the potentiality of failure, but rather the effectiveness of the Lord’s prayer, “but I have prayed for you” (v32). Peter’s imperfect faith did fail at times, but it was never fully eclipsed - he always “turned again”.

What the Apostles Lacked
- Understanding (e.g.,Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
- Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
- Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
- Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
- Power (e.g. Mt 17: 16-17; Jn 20:22-23; Ac 1:8)

Faith Is Power
The reason the apostles didn’t have the power to cure the man’s son was they lacked faith. Jesus had already given them the ability to cast out demons (Mt 10:8) a year prior.