The Obedience Of Faith

Faith That Produces Obedience

Attention: So, you’re down to your last pack of Ramen Noodles. Bills paid? No way! Doesn’t matter though, because you’re about to starve to death. Your plan is to split the pack of Ramen between you and your child then wait to die of starvation. When along comes a man asking you to make some for him first, and then feed yourself and your child.

Need: The creator of the universe demands voluntary obedience…but we don’t always like to give it!

Text: 1 King 17:8-16

Sermon Idea: If we have enough faith we will be obedient

Interrogative: What is the relationship between faith and obedience?

I. The Price of Obedience Requires Faith (v. 9)

a. Elijah sent to a Gentile

i. God taught the Jews that they were to consider ravens an abomination

ii. On the western coast of Palestine

iii. Gentiles did not obey the law of Moses

b. Widow commanded by God

i. She immediately agreed to bring water in draught

ii. Greater sacrifice requested by prophet

iii. She faced a choice

c. Obedience is a choice

i. Abraham – Isaac

ii. Daniel and 3 Hebrews

iii. Jesus warned disciples to count cost/ Forsake all or you “cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33)

iv. Jesus Himself learned obedience through suffering and paid a high price in order to be obedient!

d. We must choose

"Michael, was four years old and there he was, sobbing uncontrollably in the hallway. Concerned, his mother next to him and drew him close.

"’What’s the matter, sweetheart? Are you hurt?’He shook his head and turned to her, but she was unprepared for his response.

"’Daddy said a bad word to me!’he sobbed. She almost laughed out loud. She had known my husband 12 years and had rarely heard him raise his voice. But Michael had heard him say something, and she was curious enough to want to know what it was.

"’Honey, what bad word did Daddy say?’And seeing a chance for sympathy, her sensitive four-year-old stopped crying and blurted out-’Obey!’

i. May cost something

1. Sanctification that will ruin popularity?

2. A job offer?

3. Time spent visiting the suffering?

4. Evangelism?

ii. Normally nothing more than our own desires

1. I WANT:

a. To look with lust

b. To get even

c. To be lazy

d. To do what’s easy

II. The Promise of Obedience Requires Faith (v. 13,14,15a)

a. Neglected truth

i. Faith for you miracle? YES!

ii. What about faith that produces obedience?!!!

iii. Heb. 11 emphasis more on miracle working faith or obedience producing faith?

b. He made a bold request but coupled with bold promise

i. God will never ask something unreasonable of you

ii. It may seem that way

1. Abraham – Isaac

2. Noah

3. Jesus said to take water to the gov. of feast

c. She believed and acted accordingly

i. Should we do less?

1. Moses left Egypt

2. Joshua fought a city by marching around it

3. Gideon took 300 to fight an entire army

d. We act on what we believe

i. Some believe Darwin rather than God – and act

ii. Some get high on drugs and believe they can fly

iii. Children either believe that they will be punished or don’t believe it…

e. Do we believe God?

i. If we believe:

1. All men are sinners

2. The wage of sin is death

3. Death is eternal

4. Man can do nothing to save himself

5. Jesus is Savior

a. We will evangelize

ii. If we believe:

1. Everyone will give an answer for actions

2. Some will be rewarded

3. Some will suffer loss

4. Heavenly rewards for thankless, payless deeds worth more than pay and praise

5. God really does know better than us

a. We will obey (pray)

III. The Payment of Obedience Requires Faith (v. 15,16)

a. Elijah

b. Widow

c. You

i. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mar 10:21)

ii. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (Mat 19:29)

iii. Present Payment: Peace, joy, confidence toward God, a meaningful life, all of our needs met and no good thing withheld from us

Visualization:

Reiteration:

Action:

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