Obedience Taking a Second Look

Obedience versus good works Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Obedience versus good works

Obedience a sign of relationship Matthew 12:50 1 Peter 1:15-16 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Obedience a sign of relationship

Obedience is an “excelling” behavior 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. Obedience is an “excelling” behavior

Obedience modeled and necessary Hebrews 5.8-9 8 although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, Obedience modeled and necessary

Preaching Obedience is a Necessity… If you’re going to teach the Bible, you’re going to teach obedience The current denominational climate is “faith only” without any emphasis on obedience

While we are correct in stressing obedience, What about the way it has been taught? When we say “obey God” what are we really saying? Are we speaking of completing His list of commands, exactly? Do we teach “have to obey” versus “want to obey”?

Matthew 28:18 John 14:15 If you love me you will keep my commandments. But we also obey because we love Him! And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Do we obey because Jesus has all authority? YES!

We do not do works of obedience to be saved. Titus 3:5 - Jesus saved us when we were washed in the blood. We do works of obedience because of a relationship created at baptism. And to bring glory to God.

Consider… For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 Jesus came to serve, to give , and to pay Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  Hebrews 5:8 Jesus came, he obeyed, and the Father was with Him

When we obey the Father is with us also, all the way So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 He strengthens us with understanding Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 He empowers us to over-achieve

Deity Doesn’t Need Us nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:25  Obedience, power, and strength come from relationship, not the other way around !!

Is our “service” to God a “checklist”? Attendance at both services and mid week Bible study Regular contribution Partaking of the Lord’s Supper Attendance at Bible classes, gospel meetings, etc. Adherence to “correct” beliefs, doctrinal compliance on accepted standards

Practicing religion is not “perfect”, or complete. Malachi 1:8-10 Practicing religion is not “perfect”, or complete. 8 when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts. 9 “But now will you not entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts. 10 “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you.

Obedience to God is not limited to our hands. Ephesians 4:22-24 …put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Obedience to God is not limited to our hands. God wants out heart, love, communion, desire He wants our commitment and devotion to become like Him

Obedience is a whole person response to God. Do you obey because you have to? Are you checking items on a checklist? Or just doing things to earn your way? Learn to live to love