Embracing Obedience: The Path to Faithful Living
Summary
In the message delivered at Abundant Springs Church, Stephen, the leader of the congregation, emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands as a response to faith and prayer. He begins by welcoming everyone, highlighting the inclusive nature of the church, and expressing a desire for attendees to connect with the church family and Jesus. He also extends a special welcome to newcomers and provides information on how they can connect with the church community.
Stephen then transitions into a time of worship and prayer, acknowledging the burdens attendees may carry and praying for trust in God's presence and guidance. He also prays for various communities, both local and international, demonstrating the church's global perspective and concern for fellow believers.
The core of the message focuses on the biblical account from Luke 17, where Jesus instructs his disciples on the necessity of forgiveness, regardless of how many times they are wronged. Stephen paints a vivid picture of the difficulty of this command, suggesting that the disciples likely struggled with the idea of forgiving repeatedly without limit. He then connects this teaching to the concept of servanthood, explaining that Jesus uses a parable to rebuke the disciples' request for increased faith to fulfill this command. Instead, Jesus emphasizes that they are to obey as servants who do not expect special praise for fulfilling their duties.
Stephen further explores the idea of obedience by contrasting it with the story of ten lepers who, upon asking Jesus for healing, are told to show themselves to the priests. Their healing occurs as they obey Jesus' command, highlighting the principle that obedience can lead to the manifestation of God's promises.
The message also includes personal anecdotes, such as the story of Stephen's father and uncle, which illustrate the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness and the power of obedience. Stephen shares his own journey of reluctant obedience to God's call to ministry, encouraging attendees to consider whether they have been responsive to God's direction in their lives.
Stephen concludes by inviting attendees to respond to the message of Jesus' sacrifice and to commit their lives to following Him. He leads the congregation in a prayer of commitment and offers resources for those who decide to embark on this spiritual journey.
Key Takeaways:
- Obedience to God's commands is a crucial aspect of faith that goes beyond mere prayer. It involves actively responding to God's direction and aligning one's actions with biblical teachings. This obedience is not about earning God's favor but about enacting His power on earth and bringing His kingdom to fruition. [01:09:42]
- Forgiveness is a command that requires limitless grace. The instruction to forgive repeatedly, as taught by Jesus, challenges believers to embody a radical nature of forgiveness that reflects God's mercy. This teaching is not just a lofty ideal but a practical expectation for daily interactions and relationships. [45:42]
- The concept of servanthood in the kingdom of God involves a humble acknowledgment of one's role as a servant. Believers are called to serve without the expectation of praise, recognizing that their service is a response to what has already been commanded by Jesus. This perspective shifts the focus from seeking recognition to fulfilling one's duty with humility. [50:10]
- The interplay between prayer and action is highlighted in the narrative of the ten lepers. Their healing comes as a result of their obedience to Jesus' command, which serves as a reminder that sometimes God's answers to prayers are contingent upon our willingness to act in faith. [55:39]
- The example of Jesus' obedience, even to the point of death, sets a precedent for believers. The Apostle Paul's writings in Philippians 2:5-11 emphasize that Jesus' mindset of humility and submission should be the motivation for believers' own obedience. This obedience leads to exaltation by God and serves as a model for how believers should respond to God's commands. [01:06:59]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 17:4-10 (NIV)
> "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
2. Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
> "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 17:4-10, what is Jesus' response to the disciples' request for increased faith? How does He illustrate the concept of servanthood?
2. In the sermon, what example does Stephen use to illustrate the difficulty of forgiving repeatedly? ([46:41])
3. How does the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 demonstrate the principle of obedience leading to the manifestation of God's promises? ([55:17])
4. What does Philippians 2:5-11 say about Jesus' attitude towards obedience and servanthood?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes the necessity of forgiveness in Luke 17:4-10? How does this relate to the concept of faith and obedience? ([48:11])
2. How does the parable of the servant in Luke 17:7-10 challenge the disciples' understanding of faith and duty? What does this imply about our expectations of recognition for our service? ([50:28])
3. In the sermon, Stephen shares his personal journey of reluctant obedience to God's call to ministry. How does this story help us understand the struggle and eventual acceptance of God's direction in our lives? ([40:13])
4. Philippians 2:5-11 describes Jesus' humility and obedience. How does this passage serve as a model for believers' own obedience and attitude towards servanthood?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to forgive someone repeatedly. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Jesus' teaching in Luke 17:4-10 about limitless forgiveness? ([46:41])
2. Stephen mentioned that sometimes God's answers to prayers are contingent upon our willingness to act in faith. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to take a step of obedience to see God's promises fulfilled? ([55:17])
3. The concept of servanthood in the kingdom of God involves serving without expecting praise. How can you apply this principle in your daily life, especially in your interactions with others? ([50:28])
4. Stephen shared his story of reluctant obedience to God's call to ministry. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act, but you have been hesitant? What steps can you take to move forward in obedience? ([40:13])
5. Jesus' example of humility and obedience in Philippians 2:5-11 sets a high standard for believers. How can you cultivate a mindset of humility and servanthood in your personal and professional life?
6. Stephen emphasized the importance of aligning our actions with biblical teachings. Identify one specific command or teaching from the Bible that you struggle to obey. What practical steps can you take to align your actions with this teaching? ([49:33])
7. In the sermon, Stephen talks about the interplay between prayer and action. How can you ensure that your prayers are accompanied by corresponding actions of faith and obedience? ([42:29])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Faith Manifests in Obedience
Obedience to God is not merely a passive state but an active response to His will. It is the tangible expression of faith, where one's actions align with the teachings of the Bible. This form of obedience is not about earning favor with God but rather about becoming a vessel through which His power is realized on earth. As believers, the call to obedience is a call to participate in the unfolding of God's kingdom, to be co-laborers with Christ in the redemptive work He is doing in the world. It is in the daily decisions to follow God's commands that one's faith is truly lived out. This obedience is a journey, often challenging, but it is in the walking out of God's instructions that His promises and presence are most profoundly experienced [01:09:42].
James 1:22-25 ESV
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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: In what ways might God be calling you to move from passive listening to active obedience in your faith journey today?
Day 2: Embracing Radical Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a command from Jesus that challenges believers to extend grace without limits. It is a radical call that goes beyond human inclinations, reflecting the boundless mercy of God. To forgive as Jesus instructs is to release others from the debt of their wrongs repeatedly, mirroring the forgiveness that God offers to all. This expectation is not merely an ideal but a practical directive for daily life, shaping how believers interact with others and manage relationships. It is in the practice of forgiveness that the nature of God's love is made visible in the world, transforming hearts and communities through the power of grace [45:42].
Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Who is someone you find difficult to forgive, and what step can you take today to release them with the same grace God has shown you?
Day 3: Humble Service as Kingdom Duty
In the kingdom of God, servanthood is not about seeking accolades but about fulfilling the duties commanded by Jesus with humility. This perspective shifts the focus from personal recognition to the joy of serving as an act of worship. Believers are called to serve in the manner of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve others. This humble acknowledgment of one's role as a servant is a powerful testament to the character of God, who values the heart of service over the grandeur of titles. It is in the quiet, often unnoticed acts of service that the love of Jesus is most clearly demonstrated to the world [50:10].
1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: How can you embody Christ's humility in your service today, even in situations where you may receive no recognition?
Day 4: Obedience as the Pathway to Blessing
The story of the ten lepers illustrates the vital connection between obedience and the manifestation of God's promises. Their healing was not just a result of their faith but also their action in obedience to Jesus' command. This narrative serves as a reminder that God's answers to prayers often require an active step of faith on our part. It is through obedience that the blessings and provisions of God are often realized, as believers align themselves with His will and step out in trust, even when the full picture is not yet clear [55:39].
2 Kings 5:13-14 ESV
"But his servants came near and said to him, 'My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?' So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you sense God is calling you to obedience, and how can you take a step towards that obedience today?
Day 5: Jesus' Example of Ultimate Obedience
Jesus' obedience, even unto death, sets the ultimate example for believers. The Apostle Paul speaks of Jesus' humility and submission as the model for Christian obedience. This mindset is not one of begrudging compliance but of willing surrender to the Father's will. It is through this obedience that Jesus was exalted, and it is this same spirit of obedience that should motivate believers to follow God's commands. As followers of Christ, the call to obedience is a call to emulate the selfless love and sacrifice of Jesus, trusting that in doing so, God will work through us for His glory and purposes [01:06:59].
Philippians 2:8-9 ESV
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle with obedience. How can you follow Jesus' example of humility and submission in this area starting today?
Quotes
1) "But at some point, where the rubber meets the road is not when we're on our knees, but what we do when we get off our knees." [43:19] (Download)
2) "Sometimes I think that all God wants us to do is pray and wait. But other times he just wants us to obey." [56:37] (Download)
3) "We don't do it to earn God's favor. We do it out of obedience for the one who loves us and sacrificed for us, the one who we have committed to serve and follow." [01:08:12] (Download)
4) "And on the way, as they were walking out the obedience towards what God had revealed to them in response to their prayers, what happened? They were healed." [55:39] (Download)
5) "Jesus obeyed first. Jesus submitted first. Jesus sacrificed first. And so when the master calls us his servants and says, I need you to do this, we don't do it to earn God's favor." [01:06:59] (Download)
6) "If you try to grasp who God is, scripture reveals that God is one. There is one God who is eternally coexistent in three eternal, co-equal, co-substantive persons." [01:05:40] (Download)
7) "I wonder today, for those of you that during this month of prayer and fasting have been praying into things, if God prompted you to be praying into something, did you pray into it?" [41:16] (Download)
8) "If he said, I need you to go right now and do this, did you do it? Did you? See, I think a lot of us can fall into this trap of thinking that prayer in many ways is a passive activity." [42:08] (Download)
9) "And it is amazing what happens when God's people in faith respond in obedience. You're saved by faith through God's grace alone." [01:08:12] (Download)
10) "Heavenly Father, today I pray for each and every one of us to have the courage to obey. I pray for each and every one of us to not be people who are spiritual cowards." [01:09:42] (Download)
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