Obedience The Key To God's Heart

Obedience the key to God’s heart

John 14:23-24

September 30, 2007

Introduction

Last week’s message instill to us the fact: obeying Christ is doing what He says; obeying Christ is the foundation of life; and those who disobey will face destruction.

Now this afternoon I am going to set before you the quality the Bible describe as the way to God’s heart as the Lord Jesus Christ himself describes it.

Brethren what do you think is the key to God’s heart? Is it humility, perseverance, or faith? Although these attribute plays a vital role in the Christian’s life, today’s passage reveals to us the key to God’s Heart

Turn your Bible to John 14:23-24 and let us see what does it reveals.

So then, the passage tells us that the best way to express our love, honor, and reverence for God is through obedience. That is the key to God’s Heart: OBEDIENCE.

Let me share with you three points

I. Obedience is not optional for believers

Jesus Christ simply states the fact: “If you love me you will keep my commandments. Jesus is not giving here an optional obedience. Take note: “if you love me, then [optional] obey what I command you.” He is saying that the man who truly loves Him will obey His commandments.

To the believers there is no option. He loves Jesus; therefore, he obeys His commands. It means we follow them and treasure them.

In 1John 2:3-4 we read, “We know that we have come to know Him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

It says here that there is a test that will show us. Do we obey God’s commandments? If we want to know Him obedience should be the priority in the life of the believers who desire to know God more and please Him. The more we walk and love the more we will come to know God. Therefore, if we obey His commands, we know Him.

As a follower of Christ, you have a specific responsibility. Jesus is asking you, just as He asked the apostles, to keep His words. We are to write them on our hearts so as not to sin against God.

Psalm 119:11, “I have laid up they word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

II. Obedience Brings Blessing

Note the words, “My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

What a blessing to be love by God the father. What a blessing both the Father and Christ come to abide in the believer in the person of the Holy Spirit. All three live or dwell within believer.

When we obey God, the love of God will enrich us greatly, as there is no such thing as obeying Him and not being blessed. He does not operate that way. Blessing follows obedience.

So, who are blessed of God?

1. Those who Trust the Lord – (Jer. 17:7; Luke 11:27-28).

2. Those who Fear the Lord – (Ps. 128:1).

3. Those whose Sins are Forgiven – (Ps. 32:2-3; Rom. 4:8).

4. Those whose way is blameless – (Ps. 119:1a)

5. Those who walk (who obey) in the law of God – (Ps.119:1b)

Our obedience to God allows Him to demonstrate His awesome power in our lives. Our obedience also allows God to bless others through us.

Does this mean that we should obey God for the sake of blessings? No it does not. Instead, we should please God and obey Him because of who He is. We should honor Him and reverence Him as God the Father, creator of all things. Therefore, the greatest reward we can attain is His Love and Favor.

So, there’s a blessing to those obeying the word of God. There’s a blessing to those who keep seeking with the whole heart the will of the Lord.

III. Obedience is tied in knowing God and loving Him

I John 2:5 we read, “But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in Him. This is how we know we are in Him” (NIV)

There’s the obedient man. The obedient man obeys God’s word and knows God and loves God.

Remember: Jesus Christ came to earth to reveal God and to show us how to draw near to God. Therefore, to know God, we must draw near to Jesus and follow the example He left us. We must follow the Word of Christ; we must keep the Word of Christ living exactly as He lived.

The more we draw near Him and obey His word and please Him, the more we learn about Him and love Him.