Growing in Christ: Walking in Obedience. John 14:15-21
Good Morning
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am what it says I am.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
"Growing in Christ: Walking in Obedience"
Turn with me in your Bibles to John 14:15-21 and say, “Amen” when you are there.
Today, we're going to look at the essential key to a deep, flourishing relationship with Jesus: obedience.
In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
Obedience to God isn’t a mere duty; it’s an expression of love.
Obedience brings us closer to Christ, empowers us to live victoriously, and opens doors for the Holy Spirit to move in us in powerful ways.
Today, I want to share some stories that will help us see how obedience can truly transform our lives.
Let me start with the story of Chris. Chris grew up in a difficult environment. His family was broken, and he carried deep scars from his childhood. After years of running from God, Chris had a radical encounter with Jesus that changed his life forever. He was saved, set free from addiction, and began to experience peace for the first time in his life.
However, Chris soon realized that although his life had changed, there was still something holding him back: unforgiveness. He had been deeply hurt by someone close to him, and he held onto that bitterness, allowing it to fester in his heart.
It wasn’t until he read Matthew 18:21-22, where Jesus tells Peter to forgive seventy-seven times, that the weight of Jesus’ command to forgive truly struck him.
It was not easy. Chris felt like he was losing control by letting go of his anger and pride. But one day, after months of wrestling, Chris made the decision to obey God’s Word and forgive.
The moment he did, something powerful happened: He experienced freedom in a way he never expected. As he chose to obey, his heart began to heal. The chains of unforgiveness broke, and Chris was able to embrace a life of peace and joy.
Chris’ story is a reminder that obedience to Jesus isn’t about following a rule—it’s about receiving God’s healing power and freedom. Our obedience, though difficult at times, opens the door for God to move in ways that we cannot even imagine.
1: Obedience Shows Our Love for Christ
In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments. Our love for Jesus is demonstrated in how we obey Him. Obedience isn’t about mere compliance; it’s about a deep connection with the heart of God. We obey because we love Him, and we want to live in alignment with His will.
Let me share the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When the angel appeared to her and told her that she would conceive the Savior of the world, it was an unimaginable, life-altering message.
It meant shame, scandal, and the loss of her reputation in her community. But despite the great cost, Mary responded with obedience. She said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s obedience wasn’t easy. It was a sacrifice, but it was born from her deep love and trust in God. Through her obedience, she became a vessel for God’s salvation plan. She gave birth to the Messiah, and her obedience continues to echo through history, bringing hope to all of humanity.
Obedience to Jesus is always a response to His love for us. It is a way of saying, “Lord, I love You so much that I want to please You, no matter what it costs.”
- Obedience flows from love. If you love Jesus, you will want to follow His commands.
- Is there an area in your life where you are holding back from obeying Jesus?
Surrender that area today. Let your love for Him be your motivation to obey.
In John 14:16-17, Jesus tells His disciples that the Holy Spirit will come to those who obey and follow His commandments. The Holy Spirit is not just a distant power, but the very presence of God that dwells within us. And the Holy Spirit is given to empower us to obey.
I want to tell you about Samantha, a young woman who came to faith in Christ a few years ago. Samantha was passionate about growing in her relationship with Jesus, but there was one challenge she struggled with: her relationship with a particularly difficult colleague. This colleague was rude and critical, and Samantha found it hard to love her. Every time this person criticized her, Samantha wanted to respond in anger.
But as she prayed, Samantha felt God nudging her heart toward obedience. She came across Matthew 5:44, which says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” It was a tough pill to swallow, but she knew that if she obeyed, the Holy Spirit would give her the strength to respond with grace rather than anger.
As she chose to pray for her colleague and show kindness instead of retaliation, something amazing happened: The more she obeyed, the more she felt the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Samantha wasn’t just following a rule; she was **experiencing the Holy Spirit’s work in her life. The relationship with her colleague began to change, and Samantha found that the Holy Spirit was enabling her to live in a way that reflected Christ.
- The Holy Spirit empowers you to obey.
- Obedience invites the Holy Spirit to work through you.
- If you are struggling with obedience, ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to follow God’s commands. He is there to help you.
3: Obedience Brings Blessing and Fruitfulness
In John 14:21, Jesus says, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Jesus is telling us that obedience brings intimacy with Him, and obedience opens the door to divine blessings and fruitfulness.
Let me share the powerful story of Abraham, the father of faith. God called Abraham to leave his home, his family, and his comfort zone, and to go to a place God would show him. It wasn’t a call that made sense. Abraham didn’t know where he was going or how it would all turn out. But Abraham obeyed. His obedience to God’s call was the **foundation** of God’s promise to make him the father of many nations.
Abraham’s obedience resulted in a blessing that reached far beyond his lifetime. From his obedience, the nation of Israel was born, and ultimately, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, came from Abraham’s line. Through Abraham’s obedience, the world was blessed.
When we obey God, it may not always bring immediate rewards, but it will always bring fruitfulness. Our obedience positions us for God’s blessing, and we begin to see His hand move in our lives in ways we never expected.
- When you obey God, you position yourself for His blessings and for His fruitfulness.
- Your obedience doesn’t just impact your life—it impacts the lives of others as well. You may not see it immediately, but God is using your obedience for something far greater.
Church, obedience to Jesus is not a burden—it is the key to growing in Christ and experiencing His presence and His power in our lives.
It’s about trusting Him enough to follow His lead, even when the way is hard. When we obey, we open the door for the Holy Spirit to move in us and through us, bringing freedom, blessing, and fruitfulness.
- Maybe you’ve been struggling with a particular area of obedience. You’ve been hesitant to trust God or to take that step of faith. Today is the day to surrender and obey.
- If you want the strength to walk in obedience, I invite you to come forward and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you.
- If you want to experience the blessing and fruitfulness that comes from obeying Christ, come forward and make a fresh commitment to follow Him fully.
Let’s pray:
“Lord, thank You for the grace You give us to walk in obedience. We surrender our hearts to You today. Empower us with Your Holy Spirit to obey Your commands. May our love for You be expressed in our obedience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
As the worship team leads, I invite you to come forward and respond to God’s call to walk in obedience.
