Embracing Obedience: A Heartfelt Commitment to God
Summary
Obedience is a fundamental aspect of our relationship with God. Reflecting on my childhood, I recall the simple yet profound lesson of completing my mother's to-do list. This lesson parallels our spiritual journey, where God desires our obedience. Despite the simplicity of this concept, living it out is challenging. A survey by Lifeway Research revealed that less than a third of American churchgoers strongly agree that they are obedient to God. This raises a crucial question: Do we have an obedient posture towards God?
Several reasons contribute to our disobedience. Firstly, we crave control, often resisting surrendering to God's will. Secondly, disobedience can be enticing and fun, providing a temporary thrill. Thirdly, we sometimes believe we know better than God, leading us to stray from His path. Lastly, we may think our way is faster or more convenient, causing us to deviate from God's timing.
Obedience is not just about actions; it's an act of love. Jesus emphasized that if we love Him, we will keep His commands. True obedience stems from the heart, reflecting our love and commitment to God. It's not merely about outward compliance but an inward transformation that aligns our desires with God's will.
King Saul's story in 1 Samuel 15 illustrates the consequences of partial obedience. God instructed Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, but Saul disobeyed, sparing their king and keeping the best livestock. This disobedience led to God's regret in making Saul king. Saul's failure highlights that obedience is 100%, not partial or delayed. Anything less than full obedience misses the mark of God's calling.
Obedience is an opportunity to align ourselves with God's purposes and plans. God doesn't need us, but He wants us to participate in His work. Our obedience allows us to be part of His divine plan. If we choose not to obey, God will still accomplish His purposes, but we miss the blessing of being involved.
In conclusion, obedience is a matter of the heart. It requires us to examine our motives and align our desires with God's will. As we strive for obedience, we must remember that it's an opportunity to grow closer to God and participate in His work. Let us commit to obeying God wholeheartedly, trusting that His way is always best.
Key Takeaways:
- Obedience is an act of love, reflecting our commitment to God. It's not just about following rules but aligning our hearts with His will. True obedience stems from a heart transformed by love for God. [10:20]
- Partial obedience is disobedience. God desires complete obedience, not just partial compliance. Anything less than full obedience misses the mark of God's calling for our lives. [22:09]
- Obedience is an opportunity to align with God's purposes. God invites us to participate in His work, and our obedience allows us to be part of His divine plan. [15:24]
- Disobedience often stems from a desire for control, the allure of fun, or believing we know better. Recognizing these tendencies helps us address the root causes of our disobedience. [06:57]
- Obedience is a matter of the heart. It's not just about outward actions but the inward condition of our heart. True obedience flows from a heart aligned with God's will. [28:08]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Childhood Lesson on Obedience
[02:15] - God's Desire for Our Obedience
[04:00] - Survey on Obedience Among Churchgoers
[06:57] - Reasons for Disobedience
[10:20] - Obedience as an Act of Love
[12:45] - King Saul's Partial Obedience
[15:24] - Obedience as an Opportunity
[18:30] - God's Unchanging Nature
[22:09] - The Importance of 100% Obedience
[25:00] - Obedience and the Heart
[28:08] - God's Regret Over Saul
[32:28] - Personal Story of Obedience
[35:06] - Call to Action: Go and Do It
[37:00] - Prayer and Commitment to Obedience
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Samuel 15:1-35
- John 14:15
- Philippians 2:8
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Samuel 15, what specific instructions did God give to King Saul regarding the Amalekites, and how did Saul fail to fully obey these instructions? [12:45]
2. According to the sermon, what are some reasons people might choose disobedience over obedience to God? [06:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between obedience and love, particularly in the context of Jesus' teachings? [10:20]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of partial obedience, and how is this illustrated in the story of King Saul? [22:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 illustrate the consequences of partial obedience, and what can this teach us about the importance of following God's commands fully? [12:45]
2. The sermon mentions that obedience is an act of love. How does this perspective change the way one might view the act of obeying God's commands? [10:20]
3. Reflecting on the reasons for disobedience mentioned in the sermon, how might these reasons manifest in a person's daily life, and what are the potential impacts on their spiritual journey? [06:57]
4. The sermon suggests that obedience is an opportunity to align with God's purposes. How might this understanding influence a person's decision-making process when faced with a choice between obedience and disobedience? [15:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the urge to take control rather than surrender to God's will. How did that decision impact your relationship with God, and what might you do differently in the future? [06:57]
2. The sermon emphasizes that obedience is 100%. Identify an area in your life where you have been partially obedient. What steps can you take to fully align with God's instructions in that area? [22:09]
3. Consider the idea that obedience is an act of love. How can you demonstrate your love for God through obedience in a specific area of your life this week? [10:20]
4. The sermon discusses the allure of disobedience due to its perceived fun or convenience. Can you identify a situation where you chose disobedience for these reasons? How can you prepare to choose obedience next time? [06:57]
5. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you ensure that your choice aligns with God's purposes and plans, as discussed in the sermon? [15:24]
6. The sermon suggests that true obedience flows from the heart. What practices can you implement to cultivate a heart that naturally desires to obey God? [28:08]
7. Reflect on the call to action at the end of the sermon. What is one specific act of obedience God is calling you to take this week, and how will you commit to doing it? [35:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience as an Expression of Love
Obedience to God is not merely about following a set of rules or commands; it is a profound expression of love and commitment to Him. When we obey God, we are aligning our hearts with His will, demonstrating that our love for Him is genuine and transformative. True obedience flows from a heart that has been changed by love for God, and it is this inward transformation that leads to outward actions that honor Him. Jesus emphasized that if we love Him, we will keep His commands, highlighting that obedience is deeply rooted in our relationship with Him. This perspective shifts obedience from being a burdensome duty to a joyful act of love. [10:20]
John 14:23 (ESV): "Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you express your love for God through obedience today? Consider one specific area where you can align your actions with His will as an act of love.
Day 2: The Danger of Partial Obedience
Partial obedience is, in essence, disobedience. God desires complete and wholehearted obedience from us, not just partial compliance. The story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of partial obedience. Saul was instructed by God to completely destroy the Amalekites, but he chose to spare their king and keep the best livestock. This act of disobedience led to God's regret in making Saul king, illustrating that anything less than full obedience misses the mark of God's calling for our lives. Partial obedience reveals a lack of trust in God's wisdom and timing, and it ultimately hinders our spiritual growth and relationship with Him. [22:09]
1 Samuel 15:22 (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.'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are practicing partial obedience? What steps can you take to fully align your actions with God's instructions?
Day 3: Obedience as an Invitation to Participate in God's Work
Obedience is an opportunity to align ourselves with God's purposes and plans. While God does not need us to accomplish His work, He graciously invites us to participate in His divine plan through our obedience. When we choose to obey, we become active participants in what God is doing in the world, experiencing the blessing of being involved in His work. This perspective shifts our understanding of obedience from a mere obligation to a privilege and an opportunity to grow closer to God. By aligning our actions with His will, we open ourselves to the transformative work He desires to do in and through us. [15:24]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's work today through your obedience? Identify one specific action you can take to align with His purposes.
Day 4: Recognizing the Root Causes of Disobedience
Disobedience often stems from a desire for control, the allure of fun, or the belief that we know better than God. These tendencies can lead us to resist surrendering to God's will and deviate from His path. Recognizing these root causes is essential in addressing our disobedience and realigning our hearts with God's desires. By acknowledging our struggles with control, impatience, or self-reliance, we can invite God to transform these areas of our lives and cultivate a posture of obedience. This self-awareness allows us to confront the barriers that hinder our obedience and seek God's guidance in overcoming them. [06:57]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with control or impatience? How can you invite God to transform this area and cultivate a heart of obedience?
Day 5: Obedience as a Matter of the Heart
Obedience is not just about outward actions but the inward condition of our heart. True obedience flows from a heart that is aligned with God's will, reflecting our love and commitment to Him. It requires us to examine our motives and desires, ensuring that they are in harmony with God's purposes. This inward transformation is essential for genuine obedience, as it leads to actions that honor God and reflect His character. By focusing on the condition of our heart, we can cultivate a posture of obedience that is rooted in love and trust in God's wisdom and timing. [28:08]
Psalm 51:10 (ESV): "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Reflection: Take a moment to examine the condition of your heart. Are there any motives or desires that need realignment with God's will? How can you invite God to transform your heart today?
Quotes
"I came up this week with a few reasons why I think that we disobey, because it's easy to say that God wants us to obey him, and I believe that's true, but it's harder to live that out, and why don't we do this? Like, we know that cognitively that's true, but why don't we live that out? And I came up with a few reasons. Here's the first reason I came up with this week is that we want control." [00:04:48] (21 seconds)
"God doesn't need us, but God wants us. But he wants an obedient posture. Does this make sense to you this morning at all occasions? Is this making sense to you that God wants us? He doesn't need us. He can do everything faster and better without us, but he does want us, and he allows us to be in the kitchen. And so if your way today is not working, if you feel like, man, I'm hitting a wall time after time, if your way is not working, can I suggest to you begin to see, begin to view every act of obedience as an opportunity to more align ourselves closely with God." [00:19:16] (35 seconds)
"Obedience is 100%. It's not 90. It's not 50. It's not 20. It is 100%. Let's go back to the Bible as we skip through this story. This story, by the way, is so good. You ought to go home and this week read 1 Samuel chapter 15. I'm telling you, it's incredible. If I miss anything, call me this week. Tell me what I missed. But I'm telling you, it's incredible. You got to check this out. So as we go, Saul didn't do what God had called him to do. And Samuel, the prophet, confronts him and says, hey, you didn't do what God called you to do." [00:21:11] (31 seconds)
"Delayed and or incomplete obedience is disobedience. Just as a reminder. Like if we delay in what God has called us to do, we're disobeying. If we only do half or three-fourths of it, we're disobeying. That's the sobering truth for us. And we need to catch that at all locations. You have to catch that today. That God wants 100%. When we're obedient, that's 100% of our focus. It's 100% to the Lord. Anything less, man, it's not what God would have for us." [00:26:57] (33 seconds)
"Obedience, it's a matter of our heart. Let's go to the Bible. The Bible says this, that once Saul had done all this, here's what, here's how God felt. God said, man, I regret, we're going to come back to that word, but I regret that I've made Saul king because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions. Samuel was angry and he cried out to the Lord, all that. Samuel, the man of God said, man, God, I listened to you. I obeyed you. I put Saul on the throne and man, this hurts me to see him turning his back on you." [00:28:00] (35 seconds)
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