There’s a significant difference between hearing God's voice and obeying it. Many believers listen to God’s voice, but far fewer follow through with obedience. James 1:22 offers us a stark reminder: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." The power of God's word and the transformative impact of His voice in our lives come not just from hearing, but from obeying. The Bible is filled with examples of how obedience to God’s commands brought blessing, favor, and transformation. But it’s also filled with stories of those who heard God’s voice and chose to disobey, resulting in hardship and missed opportunities.
Obedience is at the heart of our walk with God. It is through obedience that we show our love for Him, demonstrate our trust in His plans, and align ourselves with His will. Yet, obedience is not always easy. There are times when God’s commands challenge us, stretch us, or even take us out of our comfort zones. But it is in those moments of obedience that we see the power of God at work in our lives.
In this sermon, we will explore the power of obedience to God’s voice. We will see how obedience deepens our relationship with Him, how it opens the door to His blessings, and how it unlocks the fullness of His purpose in our lives. Through obedience, we move from being mere hearers of the word to being active participants in the kingdom of God, walking in His purpose and experiencing the fullness of His promises.
1. Obedience Demonstrates Our Love for God
One of the most profound ways we express our love for God is through obedience. Jesus made this connection clear in John 14:15 when He said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Obedience is not merely about following rules; it is about relationship. It is an expression of our love, devotion, and trust in God. When we obey God’s voice, we are saying, "I love You, and I trust that Your ways are better than mine."
Love and obedience go hand in hand. In our human relationships, we understand that love isn’t just about words—it’s about action. We show our love for others by being there for them, by honoring their requests, and by doing things that demonstrate our commitment. In the same way, our obedience to God shows our love for Him. It shows that we value His word, that we trust His wisdom, and that we are willing to submit our desires to His will.
But obedience also requires sacrifice. There are times when obeying God’s voice means giving up something we want or doing something that challenges us. In those moments, we are reminded of the ultimate example of love and obedience—Jesus. In Philippians 2:8, we are told that Jesus "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Jesus’ obedience was the ultimate act of love. He willingly laid down His life in obedience to the Father’s will because of His love for us.
When we obey God, even in the small things, we are reflecting that same love and devotion. We are saying, "God, I love You enough to follow where You lead, even when it’s hard, even when it doesn’t make sense, and even when it costs me something." This kind of obedience deepens our relationship with God. It draws us closer to Him, and it allows us to experience His love in a deeper, more intimate way.
Obedience is not a burden; it is a joy. When we love God, obedience becomes a natural response to His love. 1 John 5:3 tells us, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." When we truly love God, obeying His voice is not something we do begrudgingly—it is something we do joyfully, knowing that His commands are given out of love and for our good.
2. Obedience Brings Blessing
Throughout Scripture, we see a clear connection between obedience and blessing. When God calls us to obey, it is not to restrict us or limit us, but to lead us into the fullness of His blessings. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 gives us a powerful promise: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." God promises that obedience will result in blessings that will overtake us.
Obedience positions us to receive God’s blessings. Just as a parent blesses a child who listens and follows instructions, God pours out His blessings on those who obey His voice. This doesn’t mean that obedience is a formula for prosperity, but it does mean that obedience opens the door to the good things that God has in store for us. It aligns us with His will, and when we are aligned with His will, we are positioned to receive His best.
One of the most well-known examples of the blessings that come from obedience is the story of Abraham. In Genesis 12, God called Abraham to leave his homeland, his family, and everything familiar to follow God’s leading. Abraham didn’t know where he was going, but he trusted God’s voice and obeyed. Because of his obedience, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him and make him a great nation. Genesis 22:18 says, "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Abraham’s obedience didn’t just bring blessing to him—it brought blessing to generations to come.
The same principle applies to us today. When we obey God’s voice, we position ourselves to receive His blessings, and those blessings often extend beyond our own lives. Our obedience can impact our families, our communities, and even future generations. When we follow God’s leading, we create a ripple effect that can change lives and bring glory to God.
But we must also recognize that the blessings of obedience are not always material. While God does bless us with provision and favor, the greatest blessings of obedience are often spiritual. Obedience brings peace, joy, and a deeper sense of God’s presence. It brings the blessing of knowing that we are walking in God’s will, and that is a blessing that money cannot buy.
Psalm 128:1-2 reminds us of the blessings that come from obedience: "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." When we walk in obedience, God promises that it will be well with us. This doesn’t mean that we will never face trials or challenges, but it does mean that we will experience the peace and assurance that comes from knowing we are walking in the path God has laid out for us.
3. Obedience Unlocks God's Purpose for Our Lives
Obedience is the key that unlocks the fullness of God’s purpose for our lives. Many believers desire to know God’s will and to walk in their purpose, but they struggle with obedience. We want to know what God has for us, but we hesitate when He calls us to take steps of faith. However, it is through obedience that we step into the plans and purposes God has prepared for us.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse we often quote when thinking about God’s plans for our lives: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." But what we sometimes forget is that walking in the fullness of God’s plan requires obedience. God’s thoughts toward us are good, but we must be willing to follow His instructions to experience the "expected end" He has for us.
One of the clearest examples of obedience unlocking God’s purpose is the story of Moses. In Exodus 3, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses had every reason to doubt—he felt inadequate, unqualified, and fearful. But despite his fears, Moses obeyed God’s voice. Through his obedience, Moses not only fulfilled his God-given purpose, but he also became a pivotal figure in God’s redemptive plan for His people.
Similarly, when we obey God’s voice, we unlock the doors to the purpose He has for us. Obedience often requires us to take steps of faith, to move forward even when we don’t have all the answers. It requires us to trust that God knows the way, even when the path seems unclear. But as we obey, we begin to see God’s purpose unfold in our lives in ways we never could have imagined.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." God has already prepared good works for us to walk in, but it is our obedience that leads us into those works. When we obey God’s voice, we are walking in the path He has prepared for us, and we begin to fulfill the purpose for which we were created.
Obedience also allows us to grow in our calling. As we take steps of obedience, God entrusts us with more. Luke 16:10 reminds us, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." When we are faithful in the small things, God opens the door for greater things. Each act of obedience prepares us for the next, and as we continue to obey, we step into the fullness of God’s purpose for our lives.
It’s important to remember that God’s purpose for us is not always about big, dramatic moments. Sometimes, obedience is about the small, daily decisions we make to follow God’s leading. Whether it’s being kind to a stranger, forgiving someone who has wronged us, or spending time in prayer, every act of obedience matters. Each step we take in obedience to God’s voice brings us closer to the purpose He has for us.
4. Obedience Builds Spiritual Maturity
Obedience is also a key to spiritual maturity. As we obey God’s voice, we grow in our faith, our understanding of His character, and our ability to hear Him more clearly. Hebrews 5:8 tells us that even Jesus "learned obedience by the things which he suffered." If Jesus, the Son of God, learned obedience, how much more must we learn to obey in our walk with Him?
Obedience is a process. It’s something we grow into as we walk with God. In the beginning of our faith journey, obedience may feel difficult or uncomfortable. We may struggle with doubt, fear, or the desire to do things our own way. But as we continue to obey God’s voice, even when it’s hard, we begin to see the fruit of obedience in our lives. Our faith grows stronger, our trust in God deepens, and our spiritual ears become more attuned to His voice.
Spiritual maturity is not about how much we know—it’s about how much we obey. James 1:22-25 gives us a powerful illustration of this truth: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
When we hear God’s voice and fail to obey, we deceive ourselves. We may have the knowledge of what God is saying, but without obedience, that knowledge is useless. True spiritual maturity comes from being doers of the word, from putting into action what we have heard. As we continue in obedience, we grow in our ability to walk in God’s ways, and we experience the blessings of living according to His will.
Obedience also strengthens our faith. Each time we obey God, we are exercising our faith, trusting that His way is better than ours. This process of trusting and obeying builds spiritual muscles, making us stronger in our walk with God. Just as physical exercise strengthens our bodies, obedience strengthens our spirits, enabling us to face greater challenges and walk in greater faith.
5. Obedience Brings Glory to God
Ultimately, obedience brings glory to God. When we obey His voice, we are reflecting His character, demonstrating His love, and participating in His redemptive work in the world. Jesus said in John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." Our obedience bears fruit, and that fruit brings glory to the Father.
Obedience is not just about us—it’s about God’s glory. When we obey His voice, we are aligning ourselves with His kingdom purposes, and our lives become a testimony of His goodness, grace, and power. The world is watching how we live, and our obedience to God is a witness to His transforming power in our lives.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Our obedience is like a light that shines in the darkness, pointing others to the glory of God. When we obey God’s voice, we are not only walking in His will for our own lives, but we are also participating in His work of drawing others to Himself.
Obedience also allows us to be vessels of God’s love and grace to others. When we obey God’s command to love our neighbors, to forgive those who have wronged us, and to serve others, we are reflecting His heart to the world. Our obedience becomes a conduit through which God’s love flows to those around us, bringing healing, restoration, and transformation.
Close:
The power of obedience cannot be overstated. It is through obedience that we demonstrate our love for God, position ourselves for His blessings, unlock His purpose for our lives, grow in spiritual maturity, and bring glory to His name. Obedience is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
Today, God is calling each of us to a deeper level of obedience. Perhaps there is an area of your life where God has been speaking, but you’ve been hesitant to obey. Maybe you’ve been wrestling with doubt, fear, or uncertainty. But God is inviting you to trust Him, to take that step of faith, and to obey His voice.
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, this is your moment to obey the greatest call of all—the call to follow Him. Jesus is calling you to receive His gift of salvation, to walk in newness of life, and to experience the blessings that come from walking in obedience to Him.
Or perhaps you’ve been walking with Jesus for some time, but there’s an area where God is calling you to deeper obedience. Whether it’s in your relationships, your career, or your personal walk with Him, God is inviting you to follow His lead and trust that His way is better than yours.
If you’re searching for a church home, a place where you can grow in faith and walk in obedience alongside others, the doors of this church are open wide. We are ready to welcome you, to walk with you, and to encourage you in your journey of obedience.
And if you need prayer today—if you’re facing a difficult decision, if you’re struggling to hear God’s voice, or if you need the strength to obey—come forward and let us pray with you. God is ready to meet you, to guide you, and to fill you with the power of His Spirit.
Will you respond to His call? Will you walk in obedience? The Good Shepherd is calling. Will you come?
