Obeying God
1 John 4:16-17 NIV
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.”
Obedience: Compliance with an order, request or law.
Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became OBEDIENT to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
John 5:19 NLT
'So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. '
Matthew 26:39 NKJV
'He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; NEVERTHELESS, not as I will, but as You will. ”'
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OBEDIENCE:
- OBEDIENCE IS THE RESPONSE TO MY FEAR OF THE LORD
Ecclesiastes 12:13 AMP 'When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: FEAR GOD [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. '
TO FEAR GOD: to regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of.
To know God is to love God. To love God is to fear God.
To fear God is to obey God.
John 14:23-24 NLT
'Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. '
Psalms 112:1-2 AMP
'Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience], Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. '
WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT OBEDIENCE:
- OBEDIENCE IS THE RESPONSE TO MY FEAR OF THE LORD
- OBEDIENCE REQUIRES SACRIFICE
Matthew 16:24-26 NLT
'Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? '
Galatians 2:20 AMP
'I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. '
SACRIFICE: The destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.
obeDIEnce
Hebrews 12:2-3 NLT
'We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. '
WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT OBEDIENCE:
- OBEDIENCE IS THE RESPONSE TO MY FEAR OF THE LORD
- OBEDIENCE REQUIRES SACRIFICE
- OBEDIENCE IS THE SIGN OF SUBMISSION
SUBMISSION: the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person.
Obedience is DOING what God says, WHEN He says it, and the WAY He says to do it. – Dr. Charles Stanley
Isaiah 1:19-20 NLT
'If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord , have spoken!” '
What do you need to Submit to the Lord and obey him in?
Maybe you made a decision to follow Jesus today, or maybe you’re curious what life with Him is all about. Wherever you are on your journey, we invite you to share with us so we can help you discover your next step.
