OBEDIENCE HEBREWS 5:8-9 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

I Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, No one should doubt it JESUS SAVES Who does He save? Those who are trusting in faith only Those who be- long to a church Those who trust in a feeling JESUS SAVES THOSE WHO OBEY HIM There is a great need in the religious world today to recognize the importance of obeying God Obedience is: Submission to law Obedience to God is willingly submitting to His law. God has always required obedience from His people.

Obedience In Old Testament Perspective Hebrews 2:1-2 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Genesis 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did. Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'' Adam & Eve Noah obeyed

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Moses erected the tabernacle according to the pattern. Hebrews 8:5 Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'' The ones who disobeyed Moses law had to suffer the consequences of disobedience, Hebrews 10:26-31

Joshua 7:1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel. I Samuel 15:22 Samuel said, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. Achan’s Sin Saul’s Disobedience Both had to suffer the consequencesJoshua 7:20-26 I Samuel 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king."

Obedience In New Testament Context Some comply to God’s commands for the wrong reasons. Obedience must come from the right motives From the heart. Romans 6:16-18 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? Hebrews 5:8-9 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

If you want God’s blessing you must respond to God’s Word. Obedience demands Action James 1:21-22 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Matthew 7:21-26 tells us how important obedience is. But thanks be to God that though you were once slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Obedience To God Is Not: A mere promise to obey. Matthew 21:28-31 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, `Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, `I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, `I go, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?'' They said to Him, "The first.'' Not responding to the traditions and commandments of men Matthew 15:8-9 `These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' ''

Taking the liberty to substitute human wisdom for God’s way. Leviticus 10:1-2 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. I Peter 2:5 You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Doing only part of what God requires. Obedience is FULLY COMPLYING WITH ALL OF GOD’S COMMANDS Numbers 20:8-12 "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals. So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?'' Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.'' Moses’ sin kept Him out of the “Promise Land” We must make sure the same thing does not happen to us. I Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize exercises self- control in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Complete obedience is necessary for us to get into heaven. ARE YOU OBEYING ALL OF GOD’S COMMANDS TONIGHT OR JUST THE ONES YOU WANT TO OBEY?

Given by David Hamlin on June 20, 2010 pm Hollister, Missouri church of Christ