Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters. It's a joy to be here with you today. We stand on the edge of a new day, ready to step into the light of God's word. We are here, not by chance, but by the grace and love of our Lord.

Our passage today comes from 2 Corinthians 5:9. It says,

"So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it."

What a powerful word. What a beautiful goal. To please Him, in all that we do, wherever we are. This is the heart of our faith. This is the essence of our obedience. This is the faith that saves.

G.K. Chesterton once said, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried." Yes, living a life of faith can be difficult. Yes, obedience to God's word can be challenging. But we are not alone. We have each other, and we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Living in Faith

When we speak of faith, we often think of it as a belief, a conviction, a trust in something or someone. In the context of our Christian walk, it is all of these and more. It's a deep-seated assurance in the promises of God, a steadfast reliance on His word, and a firm commitment to His teachings. It's a way of life, a mode of existence, a state of being. It's not just about believing in God, but also about living for Him, with Him, and through Him.

Faith is not a passive state: It's an active, dynamic, ongoing process. It's not just about accepting God's word, but also about acting on it. It's not just about knowing God's will, but also about doing it. It's not just about professing our faith, but also about practicing it. It's not just about talking the talk, but also about walking the walk.

Faith is not a solitary endeavor: It's a communal, collective, shared experience. It's not just about our personal relationship with God, but also about our communal relationship with each other. It's not just about our individual faith, but also about our collective faith. It's not just about me and God, but also about us and God.

Faith is not a static state: It's a dynamic, evolving, growing process. It's not just about having faith, but also about nurturing it, strengthening it, deepening it, and expanding it. It's not just about being faithful, but also about becoming more faithful. It's not just about where we are in our faith, but also about where we are going in our faith.

Understanding Obedience

Understanding obedience is like peeling back the layers of an onion ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO