Commitment Sunday
Commitment Sunday: “H.O.P.E. On A Rope”
by Pastor Kent Munsey
November 24, 2019
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
- Acts 9:1-9, NIV
About eighteen months ago, City Church realized the vision to expand its role as growing stewards of the city of Chicago. We have grown beyond our current space, and we have a heart to provide even more for this city. We are the youngest median age congregation of any stewardship group we sought out. We are now working with Impact Stewardship on the Beyond Campaign to build our vision to go beyond for God.
In the above scripture, Saul changed his name to Paul in an amazing transformation. He was previously bringing charges against early Jewish believers who put their faith in Jesus. These believers had experienced Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. There is a move of God happening and one-third of Jerusalem considered themselves to be Christians. These Christian’s number one persecutor is Saul. Stephen was even stoned due to the persecution, while other Christians were being charged, imprisoned, and killed for the Gospel.
Fortunately, Saul is changed, and he goes into the city of Damascus blinded by the supernatural power of God. While he went into the city blind, he left the city in a basket. There was such contempt for Saul and confusion that people didn’t know how to receive him. He is not being trusted by the Christians. However, he is also being pursued by those who were the ruling powers of government. So, Saul’s life is in jeopardy, and he must sneak out of Damascus.
As a result of Saul obeying the Lord by going into the city, the Lord led four men to lower Saul in a basket secured by ropes to escape the city. Due to these four men taking the risk because they knew it was the right thing to do, Saul eventually changed his name to Paul and wrote two-thirds of the New Testament.
We are here today as a direct result of faithful believers, like those in this scripture, that came before us. They held onto the ropes, standing in their faith to pave the way for us today. It was risky to stand in faith, but they did it anyway because they believed God for miracles. Our hope is in the Lord. We hold on to the rope by obeying his word.
We have H.O.P.E. on a rope:
Hear God's heart - It is impossible to love someone and not hear them. That is why you have been asked to pray. Our belief is that the Beyond Campaign is really God’s campaign. The building the church is wanting to build is really God’s building. Our hope is that when you pray, you are going to hear God’s heart.
Obey God's voice - The church is also trusting that you are going to obey God’s word. Whatever God says that you should do, that you would do it.
Prioritize God’s purpose - Make what is important to God important to you. The building is a vehicle that God uses for his Gospel and his purpose. We need to stretch. We need to sacrifice. Every person’s part is significant.
Expect God's blessing - There is no telling what blessings are on the other side of our obedience.
By holding onto the hope on a rope, we can have an impact far beyond our wildest imagination. God has done it before, and He will do it again. He is worth the risk and it's the right thing to do.
Discussion/Reflection Questions:
1. Where is the Lord moving in your life? Are you hearing God's heart and obeying His word?
2. What does the H.O.P.E. on a rope analogy look like in your life?
3. In what ways might you deepen your connection with God in this season?
4. Where might God be offering you the opportunity to make a bigger impact?