Emphasize the importance of obedience to God's will, as it brings blessings, peace, and spiritual insight.
Good morning, church family! It's such a blessing to gather together in His name. Today, we're going to dive into the book of Leviticus, chapter 26 verse 6, a passage that reminds us of the blessings, necessity, and rewards of obedience.
Let's read it together:
"I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country."
What a promise!
This brings to mind a quote from Eric Liddell, who once said, "Obedience to the will of God is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight. It is not willingness to know, but willingness to DO (obey) God's will that brings certainty."
Let's start our time together with a prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word, that guides and corrects us. We ask that You open our hearts and minds today as we study Your word. Help us to understand the depth of Your love for us and the blessings that come with obedience. May we be inspired to walk steadfastly in Your ways, living a life that pleases You. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Now, let's delve into this concept of obedience and see what God has in store for us today.
The blessing of obedience is one that we should strive to fully understand and internalize. We see it in the lives of the patriarchs, the prophets, and even in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. It's a principle that is as old as humanity itself, yet it remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.
Obedience definition: When we talk about obedience, we're referring to the act of submitting to the will of God, of aligning our desires, our actions, and our lives with His divine plan. It's about recognizing His sovereignty and acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. It's about surrendering our will to His, knowing that He knows best. This is not always easy, especially when His will seems to contradict our desires or when it leads us down a path that we would rather not tread. Yet, it's in these moments of surrender that we truly experience the blessing of obedience.
Peace, security, and freedom from fear: These are not just physical blessings, but also spiritual and emotional ones. When we obey God, we're not just securing His blessings in our lives, but we're also cultivating a deep sense of peace and security that transcends our circumstances. We're able to lie down without fear, knowing that our lives are in the hands of the Almighty.
A sense of fulfillment and purpose: When we walk in obedience, we're walking in the center of God's will for our lives. We're fulfilling our divine purpose and playing our part in His grand plan. This brings about a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that cannot be found elsewhere. It's a joy that comes from knowing that we're pleasing our Heavenly Father and making a difference in the world.
Spiritual growth and maturity: As we obey God, we're drawn closer to Him. We get to know Him better and understand His heart more. This deepens our relationship with Him and helps us to grow spiritually. It's through obedience that we're refined, molded, and transformed into the image of Christ.
God's provision and protection: Just as God promised to remove wild beasts from the land and ensure that the sword would not pass through their country, He also promises to provide for and protect those who obey Him. This is not to say that those who obey God will not face challenges or hardships. However, it does mean that they can rest assured knowing that God is with them, watching over them, and working all things together for their good.
Generational blessings: When we obey God, we're not just securing blessings for ourselves, but also for our children and our children's children. Our obedience can have a ripple effect that extends far beyond our own lives, impacting generations to come.
A testament of our love for God: Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands." When we obey God, we're demonstrating our love for Him. We're showing Him that we value His word and His commands more than our own desires and preferences.
The necessity of obedience is not just about following a set of rules or regulations; it's about aligning our will with God's will, and living out His commands in our daily lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO