Sermon Central
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Whom Shall We Obey? Series
Contributed by Glenn Durham on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: God equips and enables his children to obey his word.
5) Loving obedience must be in and through Christ. Our Westminster Confession of Faith reminds us: “Believers’ ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ” (WCF 16.3). That truth comes from Jesus’ teaching in the next chapter of John: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15.4).
6) Loving obedience must be constant. To obey for a time, especially when it is convenient, is no obedience at all. A servant cannot chose when he obeys or which commands, and Christians are consistently called servants or slaves of Christ. Remember well Revelation 2.26,28: “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations…. And I will give him the morning star.”
4. Conclusion
Maybe there are three groups here today. Some of you are honestly seeking the Lord and growing daily in love and obedience. This word from Jesus calls you to thankfulness for his favor and joy in the Lord. Give praise to God for the grace of obedience!
Maybe some of us need to be checked. We hear Christ speak and are drawn up short. We have allowed our love to grow cold and our keeping of his word to weaken. We must hear what the Spirit says to the church in Ephesus: remember from where you have fallen, repent and return to the Lord, and do the works that you did at first.
Some here may need to realize that your attempts at obedience have been half-hearted, or from fear or guilt, or simply because of the way you were raised. As a result, you cannot honestly say, “I have kept the commandments of Christ.” If so, will you ask him for forgiveness and grace to love? He is a merciful Savior, a gracious Lord, a compassionate God. “Come to me,” Jesus calls, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
He is God; he has the right and wisdom to command. Will you accept that and seek his hand and his favor?
