Is There A H.E.R.O. In The House? Series 4 of 4
Obedience: Putting the D-I-E In Obedience
February 22, 2009 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson
Introduction:
A In the 11th Century, King Henry III of Bavaria was fed up the set up of being King.
1 He applied to be a contemplative at the local monastery, via Prior Richard.
a The King told the Prior of his struggle, personal battles.
b The Prior said, “My King, do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be difficult for you because you have been a King.
c King Henry respond, “Yes, I understand. I will live the rest of my life being obedient to you as Christ leads you.”
aa Then I’ll tell you what to do. Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place God has placed you.”
bb When the King died, it was written of him, “The King learned to rule by being obedient.”
2 When you grow weary of your roles/responsibilities, remember God has planted you in a certain place.
a Accountant, prison guard, mom, dad, STA, teacher, line worker, clerk, student, small business owner, retired . . .God expects you be faithful where He has put you.
b Today, let’s learn how to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives by being obedient.
3 Over the last three weeks we have learned about . . .
a Humility: Everything you have in the natural/spiritual is from God. God sees you as a child in need.
b Endurance: Length and Lesson of our days. Time is our friend.
c Repentance: Not just for Sundays (life style/attitude), not just for other people. Also how by repenting, you can turn a generational curse into a generational blessing.
B I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1 Cor 15:31
1 You can’t spell the “Obedience” without putting d-i-e right in the middle of it.
a Like the Apostle Paul, we must “die daily.”
b Today, we’ll learn exactly what it means to put the DIE in obedience.
2 I believe Satan cannot break down the heart that has an undivided, loving commitment to God.
a I believe the devil knows that when a heart that obedient to God, he’s going to be frustrated/tormented in his efforts to conquer our lives.
b Why? Because we’re already dead!
T.S.: Let’s look at how we can put the d-i-e in obedience.
I We must have the right size of obedience. (Believe it or not, it’s child size.)
A Christians are called “children of obedience.”
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children (Lit. Children of obedience), do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 1 Peter 1:13-16
1 In life we typically come under 5 principle authorities:
a Kids: Parents (Col. 3.20: Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.)
b Students: Teachers (Prov. 5.12,13)
c Workers: Boss (Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable . 1 Peter 2:18 (NASB)
d Citizens: Government (Rom. 13.1,2: 1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Romans 13:1-2 (NASB)
e Principally to God 22 Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 1 Sam 15:22 (NASB)
2 We must become like obedient children.
a The greatest example of obedience is Jesus, the Son of God, Himself.
aa 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped , 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil 2:5-8 (NASB)
bb 41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Luke 22:41-42 (NASB)
b It was out of love for the Father that He submitted Himself to the Father’s will. (Not moaning, dragging His feet, out of love)
B Have you ever watched your kids when you tell them to do something they don’t want to do?
1 They act like it’s killing them to obey you.(Moan, cry, drag their feet, complain, throw a fit)
a God wants us to be obedient to Him out of our loving commitment to Him.
b Have this “attitude/mind” in you. OBEDIENCE
c Not because we have too, but because we want to. (Love Him!)
2 Pastor, it would kill me to do everything that God has asked me to do.
a Exactly! That’s why Apostle Paul wrote “I . . . die daily!”
b 23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23 (NASB)
b Being children of obedience is a daily commitment to dying everyday to our wills and doing the will of God, right thing, giving Him glory.
aa Sometimes we are better kids than we are at other times.
bb We’re always His kids.
II We must have the right site.
A Obedience (gk. Hupakouo) is from two other words: Hupo (under) and Akouo (to listen to something, hearken, yield, obey)
1 You are under the authority of something you’ve heard.
a Under the influence of a word you’ve heard.
aa James 1.22, “Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only . . .”
bb John 10.27, “My sheep hear my voice, & I know them & they follow me.”
b You are at the right site when you are under the Word at the point where it impacts your judgement, relationships, decisions, attitude, language.
2 Faith & Obedience are handcuffed together.
a If you have faith in God, you’re going to be obedient to Him.
b If you are obedient to God, you’re going to have faith in Him.
c Obedience is the work/fruit of faith.
B I believe the supreme test of faith in God is obedience.
1 When you trust God, you will obey Him.
2 Alcohol is not digested in the body: it is simply absorbed into the tissues of the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines and is eventually makes it exit.
a In part, alcohol leaves the body via the breath.
b Because the percent of total blood alcohol that exits this way is predictable, the alcohol content of the breath can be used to calculate the total blood alcohol content.
aa When a person blows into a Breathalyzer, it tells the policemen how much a person has drank.
bb It’s a valid test to see what you have inside you.
c When you receive Jesus by faith, He’s coming out some way in your life.
aa I believe it’s obedience. Obedience to God we pass the test of faith in Christ.
bb You’ll take up your cross daily, die daily, under His Word/Will.
Conclusion:
A I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1 Cor 15:31
1 You can’t spell the “Obedience” without putting d-i-e right in the middle of it.
a Like the Apostle Paul, we must “die daily.”
b Today, we’ve learned exactly what it means to put the DIE in obedience.
aa The right size (Child size)
bb The right site (Under the Word)
2 I believe Satan cannot break down the heart that has an undivided, loving commitment to God.
a I believe the devil knows that when a heart that obedient to God, he’s going to be frustrated/tormented in his efforts to conquer our lives.
b Why? Because we’re already dead!
3 Story
a The man realized, God’s plan was not for the rock, but for him.
B Today, God is building His church. God is building people.
1 The trials, heartaches, disappointments, are all but part of the process God is using to build you.
2 If you’re obedient, God is going to do something incredible in you.
a Right size, site.
b Pray
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
