Blessings Through Obedience
Introduction
1. On the one hand, the Scriptures teach that we are
saved by faith, not by works:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. On the other hand, the Scriptures teach that we are
save by works and not by faith alone:
"24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24)
3. It is not within the scope of this lesson to
expound and reconcile these Scriptures. Rather, I
want to discuss the difference between ‘works’
and ‘obedience’ and demonstrate that:
a. We cannot be saved by works.
b. Obedience is essential to our salvation.
I. Works And Obedience
A. No person is able to earn salvation (Ephesians
2:5; Titus 3:5).
1. If a person lived a sinless life, would he be
saved?. If a person lived a sinless life then
he would have no need of salvation:
a. Jesus lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians
5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).
b. In theory, we can live sinless lives but
in practice no man ever has or will
(Romans 3:23; 5:12; Galatians 3:22).
"10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 john 1:10)
2. If we falter can we make it good? Can we, by
good works, remove our sin? No, for Jesus
Himself has purged us of sin (Romans 3:25;
Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:7; 2:1; Colossians
1:4; Hebrews 1:3; 10:12; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18;
1 John 2:2; 4:10).
"3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" (1 Corinthians 15:3)
a. The very reason Jesus was manifest was to
take away our sin (1 John 3:5). Therefore,
we cannot do anything to remit our sins.
b. However, we must confess our sin:
"9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
B. Every person is required to be obedient:
1. You are the servants of whom you obey (Romans
6:16).
2. The apostles received their apostleship
to “bring about the obedience of the faith…”
(Romans 1:5).
3. Many were obedient to the faith:
"7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7)
4. Peter asks what will become of those who do
not obey the gospel of God (1 Peter 4:17).
The following Scriptures give the answer to
this question:
"8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath," (Romans 2:8)
"8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" (2 Thessalonians 1:8)
a. It is clear that the wrath of God rests on
the children of disobedience (Colossians
3:6).
b. God does not even want us to keep company
with the disobedient (2 Thessalonians
3:14).
5. But is our salvation dependant upon our
obedience? Hear the Scriptures:
"9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:9)
a. I don’t think the Scriptures could be any
clearer than this, do you?
b. Even Jesus was obedient to God:
"8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8)
C. Summary:
1. The Scriptures teach that no one can earn
their salvation:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. The Scriptures also teach that Jesus is the
author of salvation to all those who obey Him:
"9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:9)
3. Can we not see that there is a difference
between ‘working’ and ‘obeying’?
a. If a person attempts to work for his
salvation, he will find only bitter
disappointment.
b. If a person obeys the gospel, if he is
obedient to Jesus, he will find salvation.
II. The Realm Of Spiritual Blessings
A. What spiritual blessings are available? Lets
look at Paul’s summary (Ephesians 1:3-14):
1. Chosen to be holy and blameless before Him
(1:4).
2. Predestined us to adoption as sons (1:5-6).
3. Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins (1:7-10).
4. An inheritance (1:11-12).
5. Sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13-14).
B. Where are these blessings found?
1. They are found “in Christ” (1:3).
2. Read through the whole passage and notice the
recurring phrase “in Christ” or “in Him.”
C. How does one get “in Christ”?
1. The Scriptures say we are immersed into
Christ:
"3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3)
"27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
2. This certainly corresponds with Jesus’
command:
"19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20)
III. The Blessings Of Obedience– Part One
A. Obedience brings victory (Read Joshua 6:1-27):
1. God gave Joshua specific instructions on how
the city of Jericho was to be captured
(Joshua 6:1-5).
2. Joshua OBEYED the Lord and they won the
victory (Joshua 6:6-27).
3. Questions for your consideration:
a. Did Israel take the city of Jericho by
their own might or did the Lord give it
into their hands?
b. Was their victory earned or given by the
grace of God?
c. Would the victory have been won if Israel
did not OBEY the Lord’s instructions on
how to take the city?
B. Obedience brings cleansing (Read 2 Kings 5:1-14):
1. Naaman, the captain of the King’s army, had
leprosy and went to Samaria to seek a cure (2
Kings 5:1-8).
2. When he came to the house of Elisha, he was
told to…
"10Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean." (2 kings 5:10)
3. Naaman OBEYED the Lord and was cured of his
leprosy (2 Kings 5:11-14).
4. Questions for your consideration:
a. Did Naaman cleanse himself of his leprosy
or did the Lord cleanse him?
b. Did Naaman earn his cleansing or was he
healed by the grace of God?
c. Would the Lord have cleansed Naaman if he
had not OBEYED? Note:
1) At first, Naaman did not obey and was
not cleansed (2 Kings 5:10-12).
2) It was only when persuaded by his
servant that he OBEYED and was cleansed
(2 Kings 5:13-14).
d. When Naaman was about to obey the Lord and
dip himself in the river FOR THE WASHING
AWAY OF HIS DISEASE, would you have said…
“My dear Naaman, what are you trying to do, earn your cleansing? If the Lord intends to cleanse you then He will do so by His grace. My friend, if you believe that immersing yourself in this water is necessary to cleanse you of this disease then you are much mistaken, your theology is wrong, you have misunderstood the word of God. Listen, wait until the Lord has cleansed you and then go and dip in the river as a sign and testimony to your healing.”
…or would you have said:
“And now, why do you wait? Go and dip in the river seven times and be cleansed of your leprosy.”
C. Obedience brings salvation (Read Genesis 6:1-
8:19):
1. Because of the increase of wickedness, God
determined to destroy man and every living
creature (6:5-7).
2. Noah wasn’t sinless but he did worship God.
Because of this, he found grace in the eyes
of the Lord (6:8).
3. God’s intention was to destroy all living
things by means of a world-wide flood (6:17).
4. However, God gave specific instructions to
Noah for the building of an ark by which he
and his family could be saved (6:14-22). Note
the last verse, “Thus Noah did; according to
all that God had commanded him, so he did.”
5. And so the flood came and destroyed every
living thing. But Noah and his family emerged
from the flood unharmed (8:13-19).
6. Questions for your consideration:
a. Did Noah save himself or did God save him?
b. Did Noah earn his salvation or was he
saved by the grace of God?
c. Would Noah have been saved if he had not
OBEYED God?
[In the Old Testament, the Lord promised all manner of physical blessings to those who obeyed Him. Joshua’s victory over Jericho, Naaman’s cleansing from his leprosy, and Noah’s salvation from the flood are just three examples. Now, we shall consider the spiritual blessings that come by our obedience to the Lord]
IV. The Blessings Of Obedience – Part Two
A. YOU CAN WIN THE VICTORY OVER SIN. Just As Joshua
defeated Jericho, you also can win the victory
over sin.
1. The very reason Jesus came into the world was
to free us from the bondage to sin:
"21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
"18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." (Luke 4:18)
"34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:34-36)
"15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (1 Timothy 1:15)
"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10)
"8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 john 3:8)
2. Jesus fulfilled His purpose and won the
victory over sin:
"3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8:3)
"21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
"24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
"13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14)
"56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
3. Jesus has won the victory over sin and it is
essential that we enter into that victory.
How?
a. Throughout the Scriptures we are taught
that ALL spiritual blessings are ‘in
Christ.’
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places IN CHRIST: 4According as he hath chosen us IN HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted IN THE BELOVED. 7IN WHOM we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things IN CHRIST, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even IN HIM: 11IN WHOM also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:3-13)
b. If we are to enter into Christ’s victory
over sin, we must be IN CHRIST.Which leads
us to the next question…
4. How do I get INTO CHRIST?
"27For as many of you as have been BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
5. Once a person is immersed into Christ, he
enters into Christ’s victory over sin. As
Paul says:
“3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:3-7)
a. A person who is “baptized into Jesus
Christ” is baptized “into His death.” One
is “buried with Him by baptism into death.”
b. And what does it mean to be dead? Paul
says, “For he that is dead is freed from
sin.”
c. In conclusion, Paul says:
"17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18)
1) He says they “were slaves of sin” but
they had OBEYED from the heart “that
form of doctrine.” This had made them
free from sin.
2) So, what was the “form of doctrine”
that they had obeyed? Well, just read
from verse one, he’s talking about
their baptism into Christ. So he’s
saying that WHEN they OBEYED the
command to be immersed, they were
immersed into His death, they entered
into the victory that Christ won over
sin, and they themselves were freed
from the bondage of sin.
B. YOU CAN BE CLEANSED OF YOUR SIN. Just as Naaman
was unable to do anything to cleanse himself of
his physical disease, we are not able to do
anything to cleanse ourselves of our spiritual
disease – sin.
1. Like all spiritual blessings, the forgiveness
of sins is only found IN CHRIST:
"7IN HIM we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;" (Ephesians 1:7)
2. We have already seen that, one gets into
Christ through baptism (Galatians 3:27). But
do the Scriptures specifically mention that
one’s sins are forgiven when we OBEY the
gospel?
a. To the those who asked, “What shall we
do?” (Acts 2:37), Peter did not say, ‘You
can’t do anything.’ Rather, he called on
them to OBEY the gospel to receive the
forgiveness of their sins:
"38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
1) The word ‘for’ here means ‘with a view
to.’ They were to be immersed ‘with a
view to’ the remission of sins.
2) The word ‘for’ means the same here as
it does in Matthew 26:28: “For this is
My blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many FOR forgiveness of
sins.” Is anyone willing to say that
Jesus shed His blood because sins were
already forgiven!?
3) Notice also, in the same verse, that
the gift of the Holy Spirit is also
given to those who obey the gospel.
"32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that OBEY him." (Acts 5:32)
b. Likewise, Ananias said to Saul:
"16And now why do you delay? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
1) Note the connection between ‘immersed’
and ‘wash.’
2) A paraphrase would read, ‘And now why
do you delay? Arise and be immersed in
water, and in so doing, wash away your
sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
3. Questions for consideration:
a. Was it necessary for Naaman to immerse
himself in the river to be cleansed of his
leprosy? Did he earn that cleansing or was
he cleansed by the grace of God?
b. Is it necessary to be immersed in water to
be cleansed of sin? If one is immersed for
the remission of sins, does he earn that
forgiveness or is he cleansed by the grace
of God?
C. YOU CAN RECEIVE SALVATION. Just as Noah received
salvation from the flood, you also can be saved
from this wicked generation.
1. Like Noah, we are not able to save ourselves,
we are wholly dependant upon God for our
salvation. How is this salvation obtained…by
not doing anything!?
2. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He
gave His apostle these instructions:
"15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16)
a. Faith, of course, is essential to our
salvation (Acts 16:31) but, as James
says, “Even so faith, if it has no works,
is Dead, being by itself” (James 2:17).
1) Some might argue that we are saved
by ‘faith alone’ but what does James
say?
"18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:18-19)
2) Isn’t it interesting that, the only
time the words ‘faith only’ appear in
the Bible, they have the words ‘not by’
preceding them!
"24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24)
b. Just as OBEDIENCE (not earning) was
essential to Noah’s salvation, so it is
for our salvation. For Jesus says that one
must “believe AND be baptized” (16:16).
1) It is important to realize that,
because repentance is not mentioned in
this verse, it does not mean it is not
necessary; for God commands all men
everywhere to repent (See Luke 24:46-
47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30;
20:21; 26:20).
2) Likewise, Jesus says that the one who
doesn’t believe will be damned. We
cannot say, “Well, It doesn’t say, ‘But
he that repenteth not shall be damned’”
and so teach that repentance is not
necessary.
3. Peter links the physical salvation of Noah
and our spiritual salvation:
"19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:19-21)
a. It is important to see what Peter says
here, “Eight souls were SAVED BY WATER.”
b. He then goes on to say, “The like figure
whereunto EVEN BAPTISM DOTH NOW SAVE US.”
c. This is consistent with Jesus’ words:
"16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
d. Notice that, those who were DISOBEDIENT
were drowned by the water. Those who were
OBEDIENT were carried to safety by the
water.
Conclusion
1. Physical Blessings Obtained Through Obedience.
a. In the Old Testament, those who walked in
obedience to God’s commands received physical
blessings:
1) Joshua received victory through his obedience.
2) Naaman received cleansing through his
obedience.
3) Noah received salvation through his obedience.
b. In all these examples we can confidently say
that all received these blessings BY THE GRACE
OF GOD. We cannot say that any one of them
EARNED their blessing. They received the
blessing because they were OBEDIENT.
2. Spiritual Blessings Obtained Through Obedience.
a. All the spiritual blessings that a person may
receive today can only be obtained by the grace
of God.
1) We cannot obtain victory over sin through our
own efforts.
2) We cannot cleanse our own soul of sin through
own efforts.
3) We cannot save ourselves from the wrath to
come through our own effort.
b. The only way to obtain all these blessings is
through our OBEDIENCE to the Lord’s commands:
"So then faith cometh by HEARING, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
"And they said, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)
"REPENT ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" (Acts 3:19)
"That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and BE BAPTIZED, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
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