Faithful Obedience: Preparing for Christ's Return
Summary
Today, we explored the power and necessity of faithful obedience as we prepare for the return of Jesus. God calls us not just to anticipate His coming, but to actively ready ourselves as His bride by living lives marked by obedience to His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Obedience is not about following a formula or checking religious boxes; it’s about honoring God above all else, choosing His wisdom over our own understanding, and allowing His nearness to shape our lives. The world will recognize God’s people not by their knowledge or outward success, but by their wisdom, understanding, and the evident presence of God among them.
Obedience is not always about sacrifice; sometimes it looks like rest, miracles, or a testimony. It’s about trusting God enough to do what He says, even when we don’t have all the answers. Disobedience, on the other hand, hardens our hearts and distances us from God’s covering, not because He punishes us, but because we remove ourselves from His presence. Every act of obedience is a seed sown, and while we may not see immediate fruit, God is more interested in our transformation than our comfort. The process of waiting, of letting the seed “die,” is often where God prepares us for greater things.
Living obediently brings boldness and freedom, freeing us from the exhausting burden of secrets and double lives. Confession and honesty before God lead to forgiveness and purification, restoring intimacy with Him. Even when obedience is tiring, we are encouraged not to give up, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we remain faithful. God is searching for hearts fully devoted to Him, and He gives us room to grow, just as a teacher patiently guides a student. The more we focus on His instruction, the more freedom and purpose we find.
Ultimately, obedience is not about God breaking us, but making us into who He has called us to be. Today is always the right day to sow seeds of obedience, to respond to His voice, and to step into the life and future He has prepared for us.
Key Takeaways
- Obedience is the foundation of wisdom and intimacy with God. It’s not about fearing punishment, but about honoring what God calls righteous and good, choosing His ways over our own preferences or the world’s standards. This reverence for God’s instruction is what sets His people apart and draws His presence near. [09:35]
- Disobedience doesn’t just bring consequences; it hardens our hearts and distances us from God’s covering. When we ignore God’s voice, we forfeit the blessings and nearness that come with obedience, often missing out on the miracles and rewards He has prepared on the other side of our faithfulness. [14:59]
- You don’t need all the answers to be obedient. Faithful obedience means trusting God’s character and direction, even when the outcome is unclear. Each step of obedience is a seed sown, and though the fruit may not appear immediately, God uses the waiting and “dying” of the seed to transform us and prepare us for greater things. [20:37]
- Living a double life or harboring secrets exhausts and isolates us, destroying intimacy with both God and others. True freedom and boldness come from living transparently and confessing our sins, allowing God’s forgiveness and purification to restore us and empower us to live righteously. [23:15]
- Obedience is a lifelong journey that sometimes brings weariness, but we are called not to give up. Every act of obedience is a seed that will eventually bear fruit, and God is more concerned with our transformation than our comfort. Today is always the right time to start sowing seeds of obedience, trusting that God will bring the harvest in His time. [28:51]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction: The Call to Readiness
[02:10] - The Power of Obedience in Preparation
[04:00] - Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord
[06:30] - The Danger of Knowing but Not Obeying
[09:35] - Obedience Softens, Disobedience Hardens
[12:00] - Obedience vs. Sacrifice: What God Desires
[14:59] - The Rewards and Losses of Obedience
[17:30] - The Baseball Story: Listening to Instruction
[20:37] - Obedience Without All the Answers
[22:15] - Boldness, Secrets, and Intimacy with God
[24:24] - Confession and Freedom
[25:19] - Weariness in Doing Good
[28:51] - Sowing Seeds of Obedience
[31:33] - Transformation Over Comfort
[33:21] - The Banjo Lesson: A Picture of Obedience
[36:36] - Focused Obedience and Freedom
[37:28] - Invitation to Respond and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Power and Necessity of Faithful Obedience
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### Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 4:5-7 (ESV)
> See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?
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.”
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
> And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Deuteronomy 4:5-7, what is the result when God’s people obey His commands in the sight of other nations?
2. In 1 Samuel 15:22, what does Samuel say is better than sacrifice?
3. What does Galatians 6:9 encourage believers to do when they feel weary from doing good?
4. The sermon mentioned that obedience is not always about sacrifice, but can also look like rest, miracles, or a testimony. What examples did the pastor give for what obedience can look like? [13:00]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God value obedience over sacrifice, according to both the sermon and 1 Samuel 15:22? How does this challenge the way people sometimes approach religious activities? [13:00]
2. The sermon said that disobedience hardens our hearts and distances us from God’s covering—not because God punishes us, but because we remove ourselves from His presence. What does this mean practically for someone’s relationship with God? [09:35]
3. The pastor shared that every act of obedience is a seed sown, and that sometimes the fruit is not immediate. How might this perspective help someone who feels discouraged by a lack of visible results? [28:51]
4. The sermon described living a double life or keeping secrets as exhausting and isolating. How does confession and honesty before God restore intimacy and freedom? [23:15]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said, “Obedience is not about following a formula or checking religious boxes; it’s about honoring God above all else, choosing His wisdom over our own understanding, and allowing His nearness to shape our lives.” In what areas of your life are you tempted to just “check the box” instead of truly honoring God? What would it look like to shift from routine to real obedience this week? [13:00]
2. The pastor asked, “What are we forfeiting when we’re not obeying the Lord?” Is there a specific area where you sense God has been prompting you to obey, but you’ve hesitated? What might be on the other side of that obedience? [14:59]
3. The message said, “You don’t need all the answers to be obedient.” Is there something God is asking you to do right now that feels unclear or risky? What would it look like to take a step of faith even without all the answers? [20:37]
4. The sermon talked about the exhausting burden of secrets and double lives. Is there a secret or area of your life you need to bring into the light with God or a trusted friend? What’s holding you back from confession, and what freedom might be waiting on the other side? [23:15]
5. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) Where are you feeling weary in your obedience or service to God? What encouragement from this sermon can help you keep going? [25:19]
6. The pastor used the illustration of the banjo lesson, where the teacher gives the student room to grow. In what ways do you see God patiently giving you room to grow in obedience? How can you focus more on His instruction and less on distractions this week? [33:56]
7. The sermon said, “Today is always the right day to sow seeds of obedience.” What is one practical step of obedience you can take today, no matter how small, to move closer to the life God has for you? [28:51]
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Close in prayer, asking God for the courage to obey, the humility to confess, and the faith to trust Him even when the outcome is unclear.
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice
True obedience to God is not about performing religious rituals or checking off boxes, but about wholeheartedly responding to His voice and aligning your life with His will. When you obey, you are not simply making sacrifices out of duty or fear, but expressing your faith and trust in the One who has saved you and called you by name. Obedience is an act of love, not a transaction; it is about giving your whole heart to God and trusting that His ways are always better than your own. When you choose obedience, you open yourself up to the nearness of God and the blessings He desires to pour into your life. [14:59]
1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV)
So 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 heed than the fat of rams.”
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have been offering God “sacrifices” instead of true obedience? What is one step you can take today to respond to His voice with your whole heart?
Day 2: The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom
Honoring God means choosing what He says is right over your own preferences, feelings, or the pressures of the world. The fear of the Lord is not about being afraid of punishment, but about revering Him so deeply that you desire to follow His ways above all else. When you honor God’s instruction and walk in obedience, you become a person of wisdom and understanding, set apart in a world that often chooses its own path. Let your decisions today reflect a heart that honors what God calls good, and rejects what He calls evil, trusting that His wisdom will guide your steps. [09:35]
Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Reflection: In what specific situation today can you choose to honor God’s wisdom over your own desires or the world’s advice?
Day 3: Every Act of Obedience is a Seed
Every choice you make to obey God is like planting a seed that will, in time, bear fruit—even if you don’t see results right away. Sometimes, obedience feels like sacrifice or waiting, but God promises that your faithfulness will not be wasted. There is a season of dying to self, of letting go of your own plans, before the harvest comes. Trust that God is working beneath the surface, transforming you and preparing you for greater things as you remain faithful. Don’t give up when you grow weary; keep sowing seeds of obedience, knowing that God will bring a harvest in His perfect timing. [30:31]
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Reflection: What is one area where you have been obedient but haven’t seen fruit yet? How can you trust God to bring a harvest in His time?
Day 4: Confession and Transparency Bring Freedom
Living with secrets or hidden sin creates invisible walls of shame and separation from God and others, draining your energy and joy. But when you confess your sins to God, He is faithful to forgive and purify you, restoring intimacy and boldness in your walk with Him. There is no need to live a double life or carry the burden of secrecy; God invites you to bring everything into the light, where His grace can heal and set you free. The righteous are bold as a lion because they have nothing to hide and are walking in the freedom of obedience. [24:24]
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Reflection: Is there a secret or hidden struggle you need to bring to God today? What step can you take to confess and receive His forgiveness and freedom?
Day 5: Obedience Prepares You for God’s Purpose
God’s call to obedience is not meant to break you, but to make you into the person He created you to be. Like a loving teacher guiding a child, God gives you room to grow, learn, and become more like Christ as you focus on His instruction and tune out distractions. The more you zero in on God’s voice and faithfully follow His lead, the more freedom and purpose you will experience. Obedience is the pathway to transformation, preparing you for the return of Jesus and for the unique calling God has placed on your life. [36:36]
Deuteronomy 4:5-7 (NKJV)
“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?”
Reflection: What distractions do you need to set aside today to focus more fully on God’s instruction and become the person He is calling you to be?
Quotes
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