Since I'm Saved By Grace, Can’t I Do Anything I Want? Series

This morning, I want to answer this question, “What Good Is It to Obey God?”

We are focusing on four habits/attitudes that every family should have in this series.

Families are so much fun. Teenagers are so much fun! I recently watched a funny compilation by Chip Leighton, a father of two who has been married for twenty years. Here is a compilation of texts one daughter sent to her parents.

“Send me a pic of your signature. Please don’t ask any questions.”

“My friends are almost here. Make sure dad stays in the basement.”

“Don’t bring homemade. We don’t need to look like pilgrims.”

“Can you send the prom picture you took – except not the ones with you and dad in them.”1

I hope you laugh with your family. And I hope your family is a place of peace and joy for you.

Find Ephesians 2 with me, if you will.

Series Overview

We continue a series dedicated to the home entitled Give Me THAT Attitude. Often, we tell our children, “Don’t you give me that attitude.” This is the exact opposite. These are attitudes we want. The series highlights attitudes that every home should have in abundance.

Your family is blessed when everyone seeks to obey the Lord. Find Ephesians 2 with me, and I’ll be there momentarily. In just a moment, I want you to see how the Bible answers the question: Since God’s Grace Saves Me, Can’t I Do Anything I Want?

To help highlight the happiness that comes to us when we have to obey, here are 3 Quick Hitters that I hope convince you.

1. God Is in Your Corner When You Obey

The Bible says God favors people who obey Him: “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5).

Do you want God’s blessing and favor in your life? Then, clothe yourself with humility. Do you want God’s blessing and favor in your life? Then, be subject to the elders in your life. So, when you are to be humble, it’s like God’s wind is behind you, like wind in your sails. When you are arrogant and proud, God will oppose you like pushing against the wind.

Again, God Is in Your Corner When You Obey. God's favor flows where obedience thrives. Obedience to God isn't a burden—it's the wind in your sails. Even those who are persecuted around the globe for following Christ have an internal peace because they are obeying the God of the Universe.

1. God Is In Your Corner When You Obey

2. Obey God to Become a Better Witness

Jesus commands us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Christians who selectively obey God are terrible advertisements for Jesus. Christians who pick and choose when and where to obey God are terrible witnesses for Jesus.

2.1 Ravi Zacharias

Many of you know the name Ravi Zacharias. Zacharias was a globally renowned Christian apologist and evangelist. Zacharias was highly respected for his intellectual defense of the Christian faith, and he preached to millions worldwide. After Zacharias passed away in 2020, several women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, including inappropriate messages, unwanted touching, and manipulation involving massage therapists at spas he owned. These allegations were later substantiated by an investigation conducted by his own ministry. Need I tell you how this impacts those who have yet to embrace Christ? How many people have you spoken to who refuse to believe in Jesus because of a hypocritical believer? There are too many to count. When you humbly obey God, you are a multiplier witness at school, work, and in your family.

2.2 Beethoven and Grady Tucker

By the way, there are so many hypocritical believers out there; how do you deal with this? One of our high school students, Grady Tucker, gives us good insight at this point. When you attend a classical concert, and someone terribly performs a stunning piece by Beethoven, like "Ode to Joy," we don't diminish Beethoven's brilliance. If someone just murders Moonlight Sonata on the piano, I don’t think less of the genius of Beethoven; I think less of the pianist. If someone murders Christianity by acting a fool, sleeping around, and abusing power, all the while claiming to be a believer, I shouldn’t think less of the brilliance of Jesus.

I should think less of the foolish hypocrite.

1. God Is In Your Corner When You Obey

2. Obey God to Make a Better Witness

3. If You Want to be Happy, Obey the Lord