On the Edge | Part 3 - Finding Purpose in The Pain From Obedience | Pastor Adam Bishop

Sermon Summary

John the Baptist’s story becomes a lens for understanding how obedience can produce pain — and how that pain can be turned into spiritual clarity, identity, and perseverance. Raised as a prophetic voice between the testaments, John lived a stark, uncompromising life preparing people for the Messiah. When imprisonment and doubt followed his faithful witness, he did not hide his questions; he sent his own disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one?” Jesus answered not with rebuke but with evidence: healings and the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promises, and then he publicly affirmed John’s place in redemptive history. Rather than shaming John for doubt, Jesus used the moment to remind the crowd — and implicitly John — who he was and whose testimony mattered most.

The narrative progresses from private disillusionment to a public reaffirmation of identity, and finally to a resolve to remain faithful even unto death. John’s willingness to take his pain directly to the source models a disciplined spiritual posture: bring doubt to Christ, let God’s actions and Word reorient belief, and allow identity in Christ to fuel courageous obedience. The sermon also widens perspective beyond John to the church’s martyrs and the early African witnesses, showing that staying the course has long shaped the Christian story. Ultimately the account points to Jesus’ own obedience — the cross as the ultimate instance of suffering born of submission — and to the assurance that pain from obedience is not meaningless because God’s purposes, revealed in resurrection and reconciliation, transform suffering into salvific work.

Practical implications flow through worship and sacrament: communion is presented as a reminder that Jesus knows obedient pain, that his sacrifice both bears sin and makes God’s presence available, and that believers can find identity and courage in him. The call is pastoral and urgent — when obedience brings hardship, move toward Christ, receive his identity as defining, and live with the resolve to remain faithful, trusting that pain does not have the final word.

Key Takeaways

1. Bring doubts straight to Jesus When obedience has yielded pain, the most honest spiritual move is to take questions to Christ rather than hiding them. John modeled this by sending his disciples to ask the hard question — an act that opened him to a corrective and clarifying encounter with Jesus. Vulnerability before God invites evidence of God’s work and prevents doubt from calcifying into apostasy. [28:50]
2. Identity is found in Christ alone Secondary roles—spouse, parent, career—will all fail as ultimate identity anchors; scripture and Jesus’ public word about John reorient value around divine affirmation. Hearing Jesus’ judgment on John in front of the crowd shows that God’s appraisal rather than human opinion is what steadies the soul under trial. Repeatedly returning to what Christ says about a person reshapes thought patterns and protects against identity theft by culture or critics. [34:51]
3. Stay the course despite the cost Knowing who God is and who one is in God removes contingency from faith: obedience no longer seeks reward but honors the call, even when it leads to loss. John’s martyrdom demonstrates that faithful persistence can be the truest fulfillment of vocation, and church history’s martyrs offer a sustained witness that courage is cultivated, not invented. Faith refined by suffering produces a legacy greater than immediate comfort. [43:07]
4. Jesus entered obedient suffering for us The cross reframes pain from obedience: it was both substitutionary atonement and the climax of Jesus’ faithful submission to the Father’s plan. Because Jesus experienced separation and the extremity of obedient suffering, believers are never abandoned in their own painful obedience — Christ identifies fully with the cost. That shared experience makes communion a place of solidarity and a reminder that pain will not have the final word. [47:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:58] - Obedience can bring unexpected pain
[20:37] - Trials are normal for disciples
[21:32] - Who John the Baptist was
[24:47] - John baptizes Jesus and hears God
[27:58] - John’s doubt in prison
[30:39] - Jesus answers with Isaiah fulfillment
[34:51] - Jesus defends John’s identity
[43:07] - John’s martyrdom and staying the course
[45:06] - Early church martyrs example
[47:16] - Jesus’ obedient suffering explained
[50:32] - Communion: remembering purpose in pain
[54:01] - Closing prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

Luke 7:18-28 (NIV)
18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the disciples, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is being proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Matthew 14:10-13 (NIV)
10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.

Observation questions

What specific question did John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus while he was in prison? (Luke 7:19-20)
Before answering John’s disciples, what actions did Jesus take in their presence? [29:55]
What are the six specific signs of the Messiah that Jesus told the disciples to report back to John? (Luke 7:22)
After John’s disciples left, how did Jesus describe John’s character and his status among those "born of women" to the crowd? [34:51]

Interpretation questions

Jesus answered John’s doubt by quoting phrases from the book of Isaiah. Why would Jesus use these specific scriptural promises to reassure John instead of just giving a simple "yes" or "no" answer? [30:39]
John the Baptist had previously heard the audible voice of God and seen the Spirit descend on Jesus, yet he still struggled with doubt in prison. What does this suggest about how physical suffering and difficult circumstances can affect a person's spiritual certainty? [29:25]
Jesus chose to publicly praise John’s greatness at the very moment John was publicly questioning Him. What does this reveal about Jesus’ heart toward those who struggle with doubt while trying to be obedient? [35:26]
John’s obedience to God’s call eventually led to his imprisonment and execution. How does this narrative challenge the common "karma-like" belief that if we obey God, our circumstances will always get better? [19:35]

Application questions

When obedience to God has led to a season of pain or disillusionment in your life, how have you handled your questions? Do you feel the freedom to take your doubts straight to Jesus, or do you feel a sense of shame that makes you want to hide them? [27:58]
It is very easy to forget in the dark what we knew to be true in the light. What is a specific truth about God’s character or a past way He has come through for you that you need to "remind" yourself of today? [32:47]
We often look to secondary roles—like being a spouse, a parent, or our career—to tell us who we are. Which of these roles are you most tempted to use as your primary identity, and how does that role "fail" you when life gets difficult? [40:45]
No one has more conversations with you than you do. What are some of the negative thoughts or opinions from others that have "taken root" in your mind, and how can you create space for Jesus’ voice to enter that conversation this week? [37:05]
Staying the course often requires a courage that we cannot generate on our own. Looking at the example of John or the early martyrs, what would it look like for you to remain faithful to your calling even if there is no immediate earthly reward? [44:05]
Jesus experienced the ultimate "pain from obedience" on the cross, including the pain of being separated from the Father. How does knowing that Jesus has "been there too" change the way you talk to Him when you feel like your own obedience is costing you too much? [47:16]
As you reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus, how does the truth that "pain never has the final word" give you the resolve to keep moving forward in your current trial? [51:34]

Sermon Clips

Like, think obedience matters. And I do think that God wants to bless you. But sometimes the blessings that flow from obedience don't happen until years or decades later. Sometimes the blessing that flows from obedience may not be a blessing we get to experience until we're in heaven with Jesus. Sometimes the immediate effect of obedience is our circumstances actually get worse. What are we supposed to do with that? [00:19:58] (26 seconds) #LongGameObedience

K? In fact, if you don't have any enemies in your life, you're probably not doing it right. If everybody's on board the way you're living your life, you're probably not walking with the Lord. So if you walk with the Lord, some people will take notice in a good way. Some people will take notice in a bad way. They will become your enemies. And if Jesus had enemies, and if John the Baptist had enemies, that means you're in good company. Okay? But see, John the Baptist's enemies had power. [00:25:20] (24 seconds) #ExpectOpposition

And this isn't new to have to be punished for walking with God, but the problem is he stays there for a while. And as days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, John begins to experience pain, disillusionment, doubt. He starts to question everything about his life. He starts to question whether or not he missed God. He starts to question whether or not he's been fooled by his cousin, Jesus. And this pain just sets in. You ever been there? [00:26:09] (34 seconds) #PainIsPartOfFollowing

who was connected to Jesus even before his birth. This is the same guy who after he baptized Jesus, he heard the audible voice of God. I don't know about you, but it encourages me that someone who heard God's audible voice doubted. I've never heard God's audible voice, but I've doubted. Right. People say, if God would just speak to me in an audible way, I'd never doubt him again. Yes, you would. Yes, you would. Because John the Baptist did. [00:28:55] (33 seconds) #DoubtIsHuman

Jesus could have looked at these two guys. Jesus would not have been sinning, by the way, he had done this. And said, you go back and tell John he needs to grow in his faith. I mean, he baptized me. Does he not remember that day? Tell him he's gotta do a lot better if he really wants to be one of my followers. Jesus doesn't do that. He actually gives him a gracious response that's incredibly personal. And here's the good news for you. He wants to do the same for you as well. [00:31:20] (30 seconds) #GraceForDoubt

But you've gotta go to him. So many times when we have doubt, disillusionment, and we think that, you know, we've been fooled or maybe none of this is real, we actually turn away from Jesus. And what I'm challenging you to do is to take that to Jesus. [00:31:50] (15 seconds) #TakeItToJesus

So I don't know if I can do that. I mean, it must have been a little embarrassing for John to send these guys to Jesus and, you know, how's that all gonna happen? And so many times we feel those emotions like, I mean, I don't I don't wanna tell Jesus I'm doubting him. I don't wanna tell Jesus that that I'm beginning to waver in my faith. I mean, I I don't really wanna let Jesus down. And the good news is you are never holding him up. He's big enough to handle your questions. [00:32:05] (30 seconds) #BringYourDoubtToJesus

Being a parent is a high blessing but it can also be terrible. And here's why. Again, nobody talks about this. Here's why. Your kid's job, their number one job that they had like, didn't have to sign up for this job. They didn't have to apply for this job. They literally were born into this world with this job. That job is to disobey you. It's called having a sin nature. So when your kids disobey you, it's not to hurt your feelings. And if that hurts your feelings, you have misread what it means to be a parent. [00:39:24] (40 seconds) #KidsDontHaveToObey

But it doesn't matter if it's being a spouse or being a parent. For some of us, it's our careers. We find our identities in our career and then we get called in and we get laid off. We don't know what to do. And the enemy's greatest strategy in our lives is to use secondary roles to compete for that primary place. You need to go to Jesus and say, tell me who I am to you. Tell me who I am to you. [00:40:30] (29 seconds) #IdentityFromJesus

I think the biggest barrier for me going to Jesus is I just think that he's kinda tired of having the same conversation. I think that he thinks I should be further along at this point in my life than I am. And I almost feel this sense of shame to, like, go to him one more time and go, do I really need to confess this again? And here's what I've learned over the years, that emotion is from the enemy. It's not from him. Then when I go to Jesus, he says, not only do I love you, I like you. I'm glad you're here. There's some things I need to remind you about. [00:41:33] (31 seconds) #ReturnWithoutShame

`I think the biggest barrier for me going to Jesus is I just think that he's kinda tired of having the same conversation. I think that he thinks I should be further along at this point in my life than I am. And I almost feel this sense of shame to, like, go to him one more time and go, do I really need to confess this again? And here's what I've learned over the years, that emotion is from the enemy. It's not from him. Then when I go to Jesus, he says, not only do I love you, I like you. I'm glad you're here. There's some things I need to remind you about. [00:41:33] (31 seconds) #FaithNotShame

John stayed the course no matter the cost. He saw it through to its completion, and it broke Jesus' heart when he found out what had happened to John the Baptist. But, again, John was now operating not from a place of circumstance, but from a place of identity. And listen, if you know who Jesus is and you know who you are according to Jesus, you can face anything in life. You can face any set of circumstances. [00:43:39] (26 seconds) #IdentityNotCircumstance

Jesus knows what pain from obedience feels like. You see, Jesus' pain from obedience was the pain of the cross. So you've heard that Jesus died for your sins, and that's true. But see, that's only half the story. If you flip over the coin, the other part of the story is that Jesus went to the cross out of obedience to the father. This was God's plan. This was God's great plan of redemption. That God was literally sending his son so that his son could die in our place. And Jesus was faithful to be obedient to God's plan. And Jesus' obedience to God's plan was incredibly painful. [00:47:33] (52 seconds) #ObedienceWasSacrifice

And not just the excruciating way that Jesus died. Jesus Jesus didn't fear facing physical pain. The pain that Jesus knew he was going to have to experience was the pain of being separated from his father. See church, when Jesus hung on the cross, he literally became sin. And God can't have anything to do with sin. So as Jesus was dying on the cross, for the first time, he wasn't experiencing the presence of his father. [00:48:25] (33 seconds) #CrossCost

And see, when you and I sin today, God doesn't turn away from us. See, when you and I sin today, we can still experience God's presence because Jesus has already paid the price for that sin. See, when you and I sin today, God doesn't hold our sin against us because God held our sin upon his son on the cross. [00:49:31] (24 seconds) #GraceStillHere

It doesn't matter what you've done, the price has already been paid. It doesn't matter what sin you're beating yourself up over today, God's not beating you up over that sin. Whatever sin that you are feeling guilty over, that is the enemy condemning you of that sin so you can experience guilt from it. But see what God wants to do through his holy spirit is convict you of that sin so you can experience freedom from it. Big difference. [00:49:55] (24 seconds) #ConvictedNotCondemned

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On the Edge | Part 3 - Finding Purpose in The Pain From Obedience | Pastor Adam Bishop

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

On the Edge | Part 3 - Finding Purpose in The Pain From Obedience | Pastor Adam Bishop

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