Be Strong – Obey!
Thesis: The Body of Christ is to be strong in the Lord and to obey God and those in authority so that they may enjoy a long life on the earth.
On the lighter side:
There is a story about a student at Cambridge University who entered the classroom on exam day and asked the proctor to bring him cakes and ale. The proctor refused, expressing astonishment at the young student’s audacity. At this point the student read from the four-hundred-year-old Laws of Cambridge, which were written in Latin and still nominally in effect. The passage read by the student said, "Gentlemen sitting for examinations may request and require Cakes and Ale." The proctor was forced to comply. Pepsi and hamburgers were judged the modern equivalent, so the necessary accommodations were made for the student. After all, the law was on his side. Three weeks later the student was summoned to the office of Academic Affairs to face disciplinary action and was assessed a fine of five pounds. He was not fined for demanding cakes and ale, but for blatantly disregarding another obscure Cambridge law: he had failed to wear a sword to the examination.
Video Illustration: from Blue Fish TV Illustrate – two testimonies that share about the importance of being obedient to God and His calling on our lives.
Scripture Text: Play texts from the Dramatized Bible CD and have the congregation listen to God’s Word.
Ephesians 5:1-33:
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—30for we are members of his body. 31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 6:1-24
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—3“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
21Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Summary of Text: Our Scripture texts emphasize the following action points, obey - submit – obey - submit – obey – honor - be strong! I see the emphasis of the Apostle Paul in these two chapters and it’s all rooted in his phrase from 5:1, 2, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We are to imitate the Lord and be obedient to God like Jesus did when He was willing to offer up His life as a sacrifice for us. The emphasis of Paul is that the Christian must learn the way of obedience because this is the way of a Christian soldier!
Introduction:
Holman Bible dictionary states this about the term – Obey or “OBEDIENCE: To hear God’s Word and act accordingly. The word translated “obey” in the Old Testament means “to hear” and is often so translated. In the New Testament, several words describe obedience. One word means “to hear or to listen in a state of submission.” Another New Testament word often translated “obey” means “to trust.” The person’s obedient response to God’s Word is a response of trust or faith. Thus, to really hear God’s Word is to obey God’s Word (Ex. 19:5; Jer. 7:23). The Bible views disobedience as a failure to hear and do God’s Word (Ps. 81:11). Israel’s story was one of a nation who failed to hear or to listen to God (Jer. 7:13; Hos. 9:17). Jesus warned: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:15).” Holman Bible Dictionary article by Gary Hardin adds: True obedience means imitating God in holiness, humility, and love (1 Pet. 1:15; John 13:34; Phil. 2:5-8). True disciples do the will of God (Mat. 7:21). Facing clashing claims for one’s allegiance, the Christian obeys God rather than other persons (Acts 5:29). What motivates us to obey God? Obedience springs from gratitude for grace received (Rom. 12:12). Christians obey God as an expression of their spiritual freedom (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16). Jesus taught that our love for God motivates us to obey Him (John 14:21, 23, 24; 15:10). How does obedience affect our relationships with others? The Bible speaks of obedience from the wife to the husband (Eph. 5:22), from children to their parents (Eph. 6:1), from slaves to masters (Col. 3:22). Obedience with joy should be shown to church leaders (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Obedience is expected from all Christians to persons in authority (1 Pet. 2:13-14). God has spoken in the Scriptures. Disobedience to God’s Word comes from a sinful heart—a heart that will not trust God. Obedience comes from a heart that trusts God. If God’s people obey Him, they find the blessings He yearns to give. If they disobey, believers receive judgment and necessary discipline.
I. How important is obedience in our everyday life?
a. Obedience is at the heart of life in general and if we learn to obey things will go well for us but if we choose the path of disobedience then things will go bad for us:
i. If we did not obey our doctors we would continue to destroy our physical health and not get better. If I failed to listen to my surgeons directions for recovery and decided to do my own thing then I would not heal correctly. The truth is I would injure myself more and stop the healing process. If I failed to obey the traffic laws then I would endanger my life and the life of others. If I failed in school to obey my teachers I never would have learned or been able to graduate. If I failed to obey the laws of nature and I choose to go against them then I would reap the consequence of deciding to jump and the water and live under water I would drown. If I choose to disobey the Law of gravity and tell myself it is irrelevant and then jump off a mountain cliff -- I would still injure myself.
1. The story at Taylors Falls with Dave jumping off the cliff into the St Croix River. In my early twenties I and two other friends would love to come to Taylor’s Falls to camp out for the weekend and to climb rocks. We also loved jumping off the cliffs into the water to swim at the end of a hard day of climbing. I remember the first time Dave #1, Dave #2 and I decided that we wanted to jump off the tallest cliff at the river. Now mind you there were signs which said “Danger” of course being young and stupid we ignored those signs thinking – “We do no have to obey the signs which said ‘No diving allowed’ Danger! Well Dave #1 decided that he wanted to jump first from the highest cliff to experience the adventure of free falling over 100’ and hitting the water below. So he worked up his courage to disobey the warning signs and he jumped and the two of us watched. He leaped and when he hit the water he screamed in pain. We discovered after pulling him out of the water that he had broke his collar bone from the impact. We took him to hospital and he was x-rayed and they confirmed that he had broken his collar bone so they placed a brace on him which he wore for a couple of months. We talked about how dangerous it was to do what he did and I thought to myself “I’m glad he decided to go first!” But here is the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say, after Dave #1 healed he decided to go back and do it again. Yes, I kid you not after his brace came off we went back to the same spot – disobeyed the signs once again and Dave jumped a second time. He leaped with a shout of victory and hit the water with another scream of pain. When he got to the river again from the top because once again Dave #2 and I climbed down we did not jump. We discovered Dave #1 swimming to shore with a trail of blood following him. When he came out of the water we soon discovered that he had hit flat footed and literally had split his foot open from the toes to the heal. We once again packed it up and took him to the hospital for stitches.
a. Dave learned his lesson after the second injury and vowed he would never jump from there again.
b. For some macho, stupid or foolish reason Dave #1 had the idea that he could defy the Law of Gravity and he was exempt from getting hurt. To him those signs meant nothing. He felt he could disobey them and nothing would happen but he discovered the pain of disobedience.
c. Just this last Wednesday we had and incident in Amery where someone decided they could take their corvette to 100 miles an hour and disobey the speed limit laws. But when he had hit his top speed he saw a police officer and some how lost control and crashed at 100 miles an hour. This individual along with his passenger discovered the pain of disobedience as they were flown to the cities in critical condition. They have sadly paid the price of their disobedience to the speed limit laws.
b. The way of obedience brings wellness to our lives.
i. If we obey God and the authorities He has established then things will go well for us and we will enjoy a long life on the earth. This is a promise from the Scriptures to God’s people.
ii. But if we fail to obey God’s authorities and His Word then it will go bad for us.
iii. Obedience to God and the ways of God determine our life’s success or failure.
iv. The key to success was role modeled through the life and death of Jesus. His willingness to obey God and be an imitator of God led Him to be a sacrificial offering for you and me.
1. His obedience brought us grace-forgiveness and eternal life!
c. Who are we to obey? The first person we are to obey is God then according to our 2 chapters we are to obey the authorities that He has established in this world.
i. Why are we to obey? So it will go well with us! The truth that Paul makes is if we obey things will go well for us but we disobey then life will go bad for us.
ii. Illustration: In the movie Karate Kid, young Daniel asks Mister Miagi to teach him karate. Miagi agrees under one condition: Daniel must submit totally to his instruction and never question his methods. Daniel shows up the next day eager to learn. To his chagrin, Mister Miagi has him paint a fence. Miagi demonstrates the precise motion for the job: up and down, up and down. Daniel takes days to finish the job. Next, Miagi has him scrub the deck using a prescribed stroke. Again the job takes days. Daniel wonders, What does this have to do with karate? but he says nothing. Next, Miagi tells Daniel to wash and wax three weather-beaten cars and again prescribes the motion. Finally, Daniel reaches his limit: "I thought you were going to teach me karate, but all you have done is have me do your unwanted chores!" Daniel has broken Miagi’s one condition, and the old man’s face pulses with anger. "I have been teaching you karate! Defend yourself!" Miagi thrusts his arm at Daniel, who instinctively defends himself with an arm motion exactly like that used in one of his chores. Miagi unleashes a vicious kick, and again Daniel averts the blow with a motion used in his chores. After Daniel successfully defends himself from several more blows, Miagi simply walks away, leaving Daniel to discover what the master had known all along: skill comes from repeating the correct but seemingly mundane actions.
T.S. – We need to be strong and make sure that we are obedient on a daily basis even with the rules and guidelines we discover in everyday life.
II. We need to be strong and obey God because His Word tells us that this is the right way to live our lives.
a. The theme and command to obey is not just located in Ephesians 5, 6 but it is spread throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament writings and it is a very common command found in Scripture.
b. The Bible is filled with scriptural directives which tell us that we are to obey the words of God. When I typed in a search on the word obey there came up 161REFERENCES TO OBEY in the Bible and 17 for the term obedience.
i. John 14:23, 24: 23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
ii. John 15:10: 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
iii. Acts 5:29: 29Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
iv. Hebrews 13:17: 17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
v. I John 2:3: 3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
vi. I John 3:24: 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
vii. I John 5:3: 3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
viii. Revelation 3:3: 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
ix. Revelation 12:17: 17Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
c. So why do many decide to disobey and therefore pay the price of disobedience? Is it because they are stupid, head strong, fools, stubborn, or rebellious? By the way these are terms from Proverbs and other wisdom literature that describe as person who lives a life of disobedience to God.
i. Obedience is not a swear word but it is an action that is required of all Christians! God said that we must obey Him and obey those in authority over us. Let’s listen to just a few more verses that speak to us today about obedience:
d. James L. Morrisson states this about the attitude of obedience:
i. "As I see it New Testament obedience is not so much a matter of adhering to specific rules and regulations as it is a matter of attitude, of desiring to please God, to be like Jesus Christ, to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Where there are specific rules we follow them as the clearest evidence of what God would have us do. But in all things we need to have an attitude of submission to his will." "This, then, is our primary motive for obedience- the love of God and the desire to please the one we love. The greatest joy that can come to a Christian is to have his Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21, 23) "He said that when the storms come (when difficulties come), "everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice" will remain standing, while "everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice" will fall with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27). He wrote the church at Sardis, "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent."
(Revelation 3:3).
ii. The Bible has a clear message about obedience and it stresses that this is the right way to live our life.
1. When we learn to do things right in our life through the attitude of obedience to God and His Word then our lives will go well. But if we choose to do things the wrong way then our lives will go bad.
2. John MacArthur shares this story about making sure that what we do things the right way and in obedience to guiding principles. He states, “Speaking of the right way to do things...in a recent issue of a magazine I never read called "Meat and Poultry," the editors quoted from another magazine I never read, "Feathers," that is the publication of the California Poultry Industry. But the following story was irresistible. It seems the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has a unique way of testing the strength of windshields on airplanes. The device is a gun that launches a dead chicken right at the plane’s windshield at approximately the speed the plane flies. The theory is that if the windshield doesn’t crack from the carcass impact, it will survive a real collision with a bird during flight. Well it seems the British were very interested in this and wanted to test a windshield on a brand new high-powered locomotive they’re developing. They borrowed the FAA’s chicken launcher, loaded the chicken and fired. The ballistic chicken shattered the windshield, went right through the heart of the engineer’s chair, smashed the instrument panel behind him and imbedded itself in the back wall of the engine cab. The British were stunned and asked the FAA to recheck the test to see if everything was done correctly. The FAA reviewed the test thoroughly and had only on recommendation... "Thaw the chicken." Now I’m trying to make that into a parable for this sermon, you understand. So you have to come back from that hilarious scene. There’s a right way to do things. And if you do things the wrong way, the result is chaotic. There’s a right way to do things in the church and the Word of God has laid out the formulas for that. Jesus said, "I will build My church," and He has established the plans and He has revealed them to those who are employed in the building. From "Fundamental Christian Attitudes: Obedience" by John MacArthur
T.S. – To obey is a direct command in God’s Word and we need to be strong in making sure that we obey the Word of God in our lives.
III. We need to be strong and obey God because Jesus role modeled this way of life.
a. Obedience is the action which brought you and I grace/forgiveness and eternal life and it came to us because of the willingness of Jesus to obey God.
i. This brings us back to Ephesians 5:1 where we are instructed to imitate the Lord!
1. Forerunner Commentary states:
a. Christ’s death on the stake thus becomes the instrument which enables God to give us grace. But do not be misled into thinking that grace is without cost. Nothing could be further from the truth! It could easily be the most expensive gift you will ever receive. Not only did grace cost the life of Jesus of Nazareth, but it also costs us our lives if we are to receive it! Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? . . . Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. . . . And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:3, 11, 18) Recall again Peter’s words in I Peter 2:24: "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed." Upon giving us grace, God expects us to give the rest of our lives in obedience to Him (John W. Ritenbaugh).
T.S. – Obedience was revealed through the life and death of Jesus as the right way to live and die because it pointed to the fact that Jesus trusted God. Our willingness to obey God will also reveal whether we trust God or not with our lives.
IV. To obey God is to trust God with our lives.
a. Therefore we need to be strong and obey God because it unveil if we really do live by faith or by feelings!
i. My own personal struggle with resigning as Pastor of New Life Community Church and the new call.
1. Thoughts whisper to me to consider that it’s time to leave. I try to brush them off! I even rebuke them as thoughts from the enemy. But they persist and I recognize the voice – It’s God’s voice.
2. I talk to Kathy about and we decide to have a family meeting and take the time to pray about it. We all pray and feel God is speaking to us.
a. Pastor H. visits and his thoughts confirm to us that we need to be strong in the Lord and trust that He God is calling once again.
i. At dinner Pastor Heckman states, “Mike, I believe you should consider a larger church!”
b. Then a little while later Randy’s comes to New Life and gives me a prophetic word: God is going to take His armadillo and have it scooped up by an Eagle so that it can fly. God is propelling you to a higher dimension in Him and people will align around you for the cause of Jesus. Get ready!
i. The thought races through my mind – God is going to move you to a place where you will minister and train more people for the army of the Lord.
3. Shortly thereafter I receive “The Call” to Chicago from Pastor George and discussion follows for months.
a. At different points I wrestle with God as does the whole family that the timing is not right!
b. I decide to call Pastor G. to say “No” but as I talk with him I cannot say it.
i. He tells me they have been praying and fasting for a month and my name keeps surfacing through various sources.
ii. He calls his son and his son tells him talk to Pastor Mike in Amery.
c. So we then discover that Tiffany has to have surgery again and we head to Illinois.
i. Pastor G. wants to meet with me since I am so close.
1. We schedule a meeting time and Kathy decides she is not going because I will meet him to say “Thank You but we are not interested.”
2. So we meet and I cannot tell him “No Thank You!”
a. He shares again how he feels God is leading us together.
4. After our meeting in Illinois Kathy shortly thereafter feels that God tells her during a service that He is calling us to this church. She is sure of it and I am still wrestling with the Lord.
a. Lord I like it here! I love boating and the area! Lord I do not want to work under someone again!
5. One night I can not sleep because of our wrestling match with God.
a. This Scripture verse comes to me strongly in the middle of the night: Proverbs 14:4 – 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. (NIV)
6. God had me come back to it at different times and read it in different translations:
a. CEV – “Without the help of an ox there can be no crop, but with a strong ox a big crop is possible.”
b. The Message – “No cattle, no crops; a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow.”
7. Ashley then tells Kathy that God spoke to her in the service and say’s we are being called out from New Life Community Church.
a. We meet as a family again and Christa is just not real found of the idea of moving.
b. Kathy and I pray after the meeting that if this really is God that all the girls would know it’s His will.
i. BY the way Tiffany is already excited we are moving.
ii. I am still wrestling with God!
8. I am praying again one day about and give God the excuse that the there is no one to replace me. He tells me to talk to this one Pastor I know. So I talk to him at a meeting and I ask him to pray about it.
a. A week later he calls me back and says he and his family have prayed about it and they feel God is telling them to come.
b. I think – “Heh wait a minute I have not resigned yet Lord and you have a replacement!”
i. God smiles and I wrestle with Him some more!
9. Shortly after this incident we are discussing this possible position at dinner while we are eating Chinese food. We are questioning once again if this is God. So I joke to the girls that God will speak to me through the fortune cookie.
a. I open the cookie and this is what it says, “Do not pass up this new opportunity!”
b. I respond “I cannot believe this!”
10. The Men’s retreat: God once again emphasized Proverbs 14:4 to me during a praise service and said look to your right I will give you 4x as many to mentor and train. I reread the verse then there was a prophetic word which spoke about the oxen’s yoke and what’s it’s for.
a. Brian speaks to me after the same service and says that the Lord told him during Praise and Worship that we would be leaving. Angie confirmed that she felt the same later on.
11. A couple Sunday’s later. Rick comes into my office after praying in the café and asks the question, “God said you are leaving is that true? I said “I’m not sure!” Then he said to read Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.”
12. I have another late night wrestling match with the Lord -My inner struggle to say no to the call is met with this scripture one night from the Lord:
a. Proverbs 14:1, 2: 1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.”
13. Pastor G. calls again and we talk and I don’t like some of the things he says to me! I think, "The kids need to graduate school in Clayton and I promised they could. So I actually say to God “No” this is not right."
a. So the Lord burn’s this scripture reference into my heart to read.
i. Proverbs 16:1-3: To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
14. So we schedule the visit to the church and we go with many reservations and expectations.
a. The visit to the church: the sermon - the standing at the end of the 2nd service and the praise to the Lord- the feelings – good and sad!
b. Once again the concerns race through my mind. The change of plans for Kathy’s position and the questions flood into my mind.
i. "What are we doing?"
15. That week we have dinner with Scott and Gail. Scott’s response, “What do you mean you don’t know! You just shared all these confirmations -- its God brother!” Let go of the country club church and do what the Lord wants you to do.”
16. Christa’s change of heart during the visit and her willingness to go! Kathy and I prayed that the Lord would speak to all of us about going. He did! This makes everyone!
17. The confirmation Friday during the day from the Lord and the typing of all these confirmations reiterates this is of the Lord. The peace roles into my heart and I know, “It’s God!” I am waiting for the final word the final call!
18. Rick’s conversation on Friday says, “It’s God” - Brian’s conversation reiterates it – The prayer to know today! The struggle and the word’s, “Not my will Lord but your will be done!”
19. Sunday after the visit.
a. I am sitting in my office with two sermons before me.
b. God tells me to preach the sermon I am preaching today “Be strong – obey” Instead I choose to preach the sermon I preached at the other church and received the standing ovation from some. Before I speak during praise and worship Kathy comes up to me and says, Mike you have always resigned before you had another job and I feel God wants you to resign today. I listen and think no not yet. I get up start preaching the message “One Cry” it’s going good and then the computer locks up. While I was trying to fix it the Lord is speaking to me in my spirit, “I told you to preach the other message and to resign!” So we struggle through to Communion. During communion Kathy reminds me – you are to resign and so I finally am Strong and I obey and resign.
20. The next few weeks after resigning from New Life a few other events take place to make us pray even more about the decision to follow the call.
a. I get offered another Executive Pastor position in Minnesota at another church.
b. I have another phone call from Pastor G. which bothers me.
c. I get offered a position with a parachurch ministry.
i. It’s a part time paid position
d. I interview with a local counseling organization and they ask me about working for them full time.
i. They tell me that they will hire me part-time for sure.
e. I continue to trust that I have heard from God and I need to be strong and I need to be willing to obey!
21. So this brings us to today the last Sunday in April and as of now I have not received the final word from this other church.
a. But the Lord is still telling me “Be strong and obey!”
Conclusion: Some concluding thoughts on obedience:
Some of us are like the preacher who was on a diet and prayed as he drove to work- "Now, Lord if it is your Will for me not to have any donuts this morning You make sure there are no parking places in front of the donut shop." And he later said, "I ate the donuts because there were two places right up front on only my 8th trip around the block." We need to make sure we don’t play the game of making God’s guidance fit what we want rather than seeing if what we want actually fits His plans.
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Timothy Smith
Illustration: The Tiger, the Man and God
A man was being chased by a tiger. He ran as hard as he could until he was at the edge of a cliff with the tiger in hot pursuit. The man looked over the edge of the cliff and saw a branch growing out of the side of the cliff a few feet down. He jumped down and grabbed the branch just as the tiger reached the cliff. The tiger growled viciously as the man sighed a great sigh of relief.
Just then a mouse came out from a crevice and began to chew on the branch. The man looked down to what was a drop of a thousand feet and sure death and looked to the heavens and yelled out, "Dear God, if you are there, please help. I will do anything you ask but please help."
Suddenly a voice came booming down from heaven, "You will do anything I ask?" it questioned.
The man shocked to hear a reply to his plea yelled back, "I will gladly do anything you ask, but please save me."
The voice from heaven then replied, "There is one way to save you but it will take courage and faith."
The branch began to weaken from the mouse and the tiger was still growling a few feet above the man, "Please, Lord, tell me what I must do and I will do it. Your will is my will."
The voice from heaven then said, "All right then, let go of the branch."
The man looked down to a fall of a thousand feet and certain death. He looked up at the hungry tiger a few feet away and he looked at the mouse still chewing on the branch. Then he looked up at the heavens and yelled, "Is there anyone else up there?"
Contributed to Sermon central by: Danny Thomas
Quote: Nothing shall be lost that is done for God or in obedience to Him.
— John Owen
Quote: Hudson Taylor said, "Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith." Contributed to Sermon Central by: Lynn Floyd
Quote: Will is the whole man active. I cannot give up my will; I must exercise it. I must will to obey. When God gives a command or a vision of truth, it is never a question of what He will do, but what we will do. To be successful in God’s work is to fall in line with His will and to do it His way. All that is pleasing to Him is a success.
Henrietta Mears, Dream Big: The Henrietta Mears Story, quoted in Christianity Today, June 21, 1993, Page 41. Contributed to Sermon Central by: Donnie Martin
Finney noted this about obedience and sacrifice, “Revival is nothing more or less than a new obedience to God!” Contributed to Sermon Central by: Michael McCartney
Summary:
1. How important is obedience in our everyday life?
2. We need to be strong and obey God because His Word tells us that this is the right way to live our lives.
3. We need to be strong and obey God because Jesus role modeled this way of life and we are to imitate Him.
4. To obey God is to trust God with our lives.
