Embracing Full Obedience: The Path to Blessing
Summary
In our journey of faith, many of us desire to do what is right and obey God, yet we often find ourselves falling short. This struggle is not unique; it is a common human experience. I shared a personal story about being caught in a moment of selective obedience, which led me to reflect on how often we do the same with God. We may follow His commands when convenient, but when it becomes challenging, we tend to rationalize our disobedience. This selective obedience is a hallmark of being "Christian-ish," a term we use to describe a half-hearted faith that wears the label of Christian without truly following Jesus.
The Bible calls us to full obedience, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:33, Exodus 19:5, and Job 36. These verses highlight that God's blessings are often conditional upon our obedience. While we are saved by grace through faith, our obedience can lead to additional blessings. This is not about earning God's favor, but about living in a way that aligns with His will, which naturally brings blessings.
We explored the concept of covenant theology, where God's redemptive plan is structured around covenants that include unconditional promises and conditional blessings. The new covenant, under which we live, offers the unconditional promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. However, certain blessings are contingent upon our obedience to God.
The story of Saul in the Old Testament serves as a cautionary tale. Saul started with good intentions but gradually drifted into partial obedience, rationalizing his actions. This led to a breakdown in his relationship with God. Disobedience often begins with a whisper, a small compromise that can grow into a significant barrier between us and God.
We must be vigilant against the whispers of compromise in our lives. Partial obedience is not true obedience; it is sin. Every sin we justify builds a wall between us and God. To draw closer to Him, we must take steps of repentance and full surrender. God desires our complete obedience, not because He is a demanding God, but because He loves us and wants to bless us abundantly.
Key Takeaways:
- Selective Obedience: Many of us fall into the trap of selective obedience, doing what God commands only when it suits us. This half-hearted approach is a sign of being "Christian-ish," where we wear the label of Christian without fully committing to following Jesus. True obedience requires full surrender to God's will. [02:01]
- Conditional Blessings: While salvation is an unconditional promise through Jesus, many of God's blessings are conditional upon our obedience. This is not about earning God's favor but aligning our lives with His will, which naturally brings blessings. Understanding this distinction helps us live a life that honors God. [07:38]
- The Danger of Compromise: The story of Saul illustrates how small compromises can lead to significant disobedience. Disobedience often starts with a whisper, a rationalization that seems harmless but can grow into a barrier between us and God. We must be vigilant against these whispers and strive for full obedience. [13:28]
- Confession and Community: Confessing our sins to God and others is crucial for healing and growth. Being part of a community, like a life group, provides support and accountability. This practice helps us overcome the whispers of compromise and live a life fully devoted to God. [20:16]
- Full Surrender: God desires our full surrender, not partial obedience. Every act of obedience is a demonstration of our love for God, who loves us unconditionally. By fully surrendering to Him, we open ourselves to His blessings and grow closer in our relationship with Him. [29:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:01] - The Struggle with Selective Obedience
- [07:38] - Understanding Conditional Blessings
- [13:28] - Saul's Story: A Cautionary Tale
- [16:25] - The Whisper of Compromise
- [18:10] - The Consequences of Disobedience
- [20:16] - Confession and Community
- [23:23] - The Wall of Justification
- [25:59] - The Joy of Obedience
- [29:27] - Full Surrender to God
- [32:05] - Invitation to Full Devotion
- [34:00] - Prayer for Surrender
- [36:00] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Deuteronomy 5:33
- Exodus 19:5
- Job 36
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Deuteronomy 5:33 say about the relationship between obedience and prosperity? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on selective obedience? [02:01]
2. In Exodus 19:5, what condition does God set for His people to be His treasured possession? How does this verse connect to the idea of conditional blessings discussed in the sermon? [07:38]
3. According to Job 36, what is the result of listening to and obeying God? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the blessings of obedience? [07:38]
4. How does the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15 illustrate the dangers of partial obedience? What were the consequences of Saul’s actions? [13:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of selective obedience create a barrier between us and God, as illustrated by the pastor’s personal story? [02:01]
2. What are the implications of covenant theology in understanding the balance between unconditional promises and conditional blessings? How does this affect our daily walk with God? [07:38]
3. In what ways does the story of Saul serve as a cautionary tale for modern believers? How can small compromises lead to significant disobedience? [13:28]
4. How does the sermon suggest that confession and community play a role in overcoming the whispers of compromise? [20:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you practiced selective obedience. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your relationship with God? [02:01]
2. Identify an area in your life where you might be rationalizing partial obedience. What steps can you take to fully surrender that area to God? [29:27]
3. How can you actively seek out and participate in a community that holds you accountable and supports your spiritual growth? What role does confession play in this process? [20:16]
4. Consider the concept of conditional blessings. How can understanding this motivate you to align your life more closely with God’s will? [07:38]
5. Think about a “whisper of compromise” you’ve experienced recently. How can you counteract this whisper with a commitment to full obedience? [16:25]
6. How can you demonstrate your love for God through acts of obedience this week? Identify one specific action you can take. [25:59]
7. Reflect on the unconditional promise of God’s love. How does this assurance encourage you to pursue a deeper relationship with Him through obedience? [23:23]
Devotional
Day 1: The Trap of Selective Obedience
Many believers find themselves in the cycle of selective obedience, where they follow God's commands only when it aligns with their convenience or desires. This half-hearted approach is a reflection of being "Christian-ish," a term that describes a superficial faith that lacks true commitment to following Jesus. True obedience requires a full surrender to God's will, not just when it is easy or beneficial. This selective obedience can lead to a spiritual stagnation, where one wears the label of a Christian but does not experience the fullness of a relationship with God. [02:01]
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (ESV): "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been selectively obedient. What steps can you take today to fully surrender this area to God?
Day 2: Understanding Conditional Blessings
While salvation is an unconditional promise through Jesus Christ, many of God's blessings are conditional upon our obedience. This is not about earning God's favor but about aligning our lives with His will, which naturally brings blessings. Understanding this distinction helps believers live a life that honors God and opens the door to His abundant blessings. Obedience is a demonstration of our love for God and a pathway to experiencing His goodness in our lives. [07:38]
James 1:25 (ESV): "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: Consider a command of God that you find challenging to obey. How might your life change if you fully embraced this command and trusted God for the outcome?
Day 3: The Danger of Compromise
The story of Saul in the Old Testament serves as a cautionary tale of how small compromises can lead to significant disobedience. Disobedience often starts with a whisper, a rationalization that seems harmless but can grow into a barrier between us and God. Believers must be vigilant against these whispers and strive for full obedience, recognizing that partial obedience is not true obedience but sin. Every sin justified builds a wall between us and God, hindering our relationship with Him. [13:28]
1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision where you compromised on your values. What can you do to ensure that you choose obedience over compromise in the future?
Day 4: Confession and Community
Confessing our sins to God and others is crucial for healing and growth. Being part of a community, like a life group, provides support and accountability, helping believers overcome the whispers of compromise and live a life fully devoted to God. This practice of confession and community fosters an environment where individuals can grow spiritually and experience the joy of obedience. It is through this communal support that believers can find strength to pursue a life of full surrender to God. [20:16]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your life can you trust to hold you accountable in your spiritual journey? How can you take a step towards deeper community and confession this week?
Day 5: Full Surrender to God
God desires our full surrender, not partial obedience. Every act of obedience is a demonstration of our love for God, who loves us unconditionally. By fully surrendering to Him, believers open themselves to His blessings and grow closer in their relationship with Him. This full surrender is not about losing oneself but about finding true freedom and joy in living according to God's will. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that God has intended for His children. [29:27]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
"God is asking for our full obedience. If you'll do all, if you'll obey me completely, God is asking for our full obedience. And the second thing is they're actually conditioned. Some of God's blessings are conditional. God is asking for all of our obedience and those verses show us that some of his blessings are actually tied to obedience." [00:05:30] (25 seconds)
"There's what I would call unconditional promises that are true no matter what. There are unconditional promises, and then there are conditional blessings. How many of you have a kid? Raise your hand. Type in the comment section, I have a kid. If you have a kid, you know the power of unconditional promises and conditional blessings, right?" [00:07:19] (23 seconds)
"Disobedience always starts with a whisper, with a whisper. Hey, you're a pastor and you got some really important things to do. Even though you have 12 items and it says only 10, you're important enough to sneak on in there when everybody else has to follow the rules. And you know how it goes. The voice tells you, go ahead and look. No one's gonna know." [00:16:31] (29 seconds)
"Disobedience is rarely a one-time event. When you do it once, you think, well, I've already done it now. Well, I lost my virginity, so might as well have a party. A couple of you laugh because you've been there, right? Disobedience is rarely a one-time event. And here's what happens. What you allow in the moment often owns you in the future." [00:17:23] (23 seconds)
"Where are you letting sin whisper in your life? God speak to us. It could be for some of you, you're partially obeying. You're not taking revenge against the person that hurt you, but you're also not forgiving them as Jesus asked you to do. It could be that you're not completely neglecting your time with God. You still do your little verse of the day or whatever it is, but it's more of a check the box for you than it is really seeking after the heart and the will of God." [00:18:44] (39 seconds)
"Saul was making excuses and in verse 22, Samuel replies to him, does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in what? As in obeying the Lord. And Samuel says, to obey is better than sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrifice. Why does God love for us to obey Him? Because He loves us." [00:25:46] (36 seconds)
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