Obedience: A Joyful Invitation to God's Story
Summary
The sermon explores the multifaceted concept of obedience in the Christian life, emphasizing its role as an invitation to participate in God's grand narrative rather than a burdensome set of expectations. The speaker begins by discussing the church's mission to declare Christ's victory to spiritual forces, as outlined in Ephesians 3:9, and asserts that this mission extends to all believers, not just preachers. The personal stories shared, including the speaker's own upbringing in a Christian home and the sense of burden that came with being a pastor's kid, illustrate the struggle with the weight of expectations and the fear of failure that can accompany obedience.
The speaker challenges the congregation to view obedience not as a list of rules to follow but as a joyful following of God, rooted in unity with Christ. They address the common misconception that our well-being is tied to meeting external expectations, including those we believe come from God. This false belief can lead to a sense of isolation and inadequacy, akin to the experience of Adam and Eve. The sermon encourages listeners to find their identity in Christ, who enables us to approach God's throne with confidence, and to fix our eyes on Him, as Peter did when walking on water.
Drawing from the life of the Apostle Paul, the speaker highlights that true obedience is fueled by God's power and grace, not human effort. Paul's ministry to the Gentiles serves as an example of how God equips and empowers His servants for their mission. The story of Roger Staubach, who learned the value of obedience for team harmony and victory, further illustrates the point that obedience is part of a larger purpose.
The sermon concludes by reframing obedience as an invitation to rely on God's resources, rather than our own efforts. The speaker shares the joy and freedom experienced by those about to be baptized, who see their decision as a response to God's work in their lives. The congregation is encouraged to consider what step of obedience God is calling them to and to embrace it as a privilege and joy.
Key Takeaways:
- Obedience in the Christian life is not about adhering to a set of rules but is an invitation to join in God's larger story, where we proclaim Christ's victory over evil, death, and sin to spiritual forces. This mission is not just for church leaders but for every believer, who is called to participate in God's redemptive plan. [13:56]
- The pressure to meet external expectations can lead to a fear of failure and a belief that our worth is tied to our performance. This mindset can cause us to hide from others and from God, resulting in isolation. The sermon invites us to shift our perspective and find our identity in Christ, who declares us new and righteous, freeing us from the burden of perfectionism. [26:48]
- The Apostle Paul's ministry exemplifies how obedience is empowered by God's grace and resources, not by our qualifications or efforts. Like a light bulb that requires electricity to shine, our ability to obey and follow God's mission is energized by His power working within us. [10:49]
- The story of Roger Staubach illustrates that obedience is not just about individual moments of decision but is integral to achieving harmony and victory in God's grand narrative. As believers, we are invited to sustain our obedience by focusing on Christ, who draws us closer to Himself with boldness and confidence. [21:11]
- Obedience should be seen as a joyful response to God's love and guidance, not as a burdensome obligation. When we understand that our steps of obedience are enabled by God's work in us, we can experience the freedom and joy that come from walking in alignment with His will. The act of baptism is a celebration of this obedience, symbolizing our decision to follow Jesus and the new life we find in Him. [32:48]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 3:7-9 (ESV) - "Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things."
2. Ephesians 3:10-12 (ESV) - "So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."
3. Matthew 14:28-30 (ESV) - "And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 3:7-9, what does Paul attribute his ability to minister to the Gentiles to?
2. In Ephesians 3:10-12, what is the role of the church in God's plan, and to whom is this wisdom made known?
3. How does the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:28-30 illustrate the concept of obedience and faith?
4. What personal experiences did the speaker share to illustrate the struggle with the weight of expectations and the fear of failure? ([04:00])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that obedience starts with God's resources, as Paul describes in Ephesians 3:7-9, change the way believers might approach their own acts of obedience? ([09:17])
2. What does it mean for the church to proclaim Christ's victory to spiritual forces, and how might this impact a believer's sense of purpose? ([16:15])
3. How can the story of Peter walking on water serve as a metaphor for maintaining focus on Christ in the midst of life's challenges? ([22:48])
4. How does the speaker's personal story of feeling like a "fraud" relate to the broader theme of finding one's identity in Christ rather than in meeting external expectations? ([04:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the weight of external expectations. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to shift your focus from meeting these expectations to finding your identity in Christ? ([04:00])
2. The sermon suggests that obedience should be seen as a joyful response to God's love rather than a burdensome obligation. How can you reframe your current acts of obedience to align with this perspective? ([29:47])
3. Consider the idea that obedience is part of a larger purpose in God's grand narrative. What specific role do you feel called to play in proclaiming Christ's victory, and how can you take practical steps to fulfill this role? ([13:56])
4. The speaker mentioned that our well-being should not depend on meeting the expectations of others. How can you identify and address any false beliefs you may have about your worth being tied to performance? ([26:48])
5. In what ways can you rely more on God's resources rather than your own efforts in your daily walk of faith? Identify one area of your life where you can consciously depend more on God's power. ([09:17])
6. How can you maintain your focus on Christ, especially during challenging times, similar to how Peter was able to walk on water by keeping his eyes on Jesus? What practical steps can you take to keep your focus on Him? ([22:48])
7. The sermon concluded with an invitation to consider what step of obedience God is calling you to. What is one specific step of obedience you feel God is leading you to take, and how can you embrace it as a privilege and joy? ([32:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience as Divine Participation
Obedience is an active engagement in God's unfolding story, a call to every believer to proclaim Christ's triumph over darkness. It's a shared mission, transcending the boundaries of church leadership, inviting all to declare the victory of Jesus. [13:56]
Ephesians 3:10-11 - "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's story this week, and in what ways can you share the victory of Christ in your daily interactions?
Day 2: Identity Rooted in Christ
The pursuit of God's approval through performance is a misplaced effort. True identity is found in Christ, who liberates from the need for perfection, inviting believers to live confidently as new creations, free from the fear of failure. [26:48]
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself striving for perfection? How can embracing your identity in Christ change your approach to these areas?
Day 3: Empowered by Grace for Obedience
Obedience to God's call is not a product of human strength but a response to the grace and power supplied by God. Like Paul, believers are equipped for their unique missions, not by personal qualifications but by divine empowerment. [10:49]
1 Corinthians 15:10 - "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task God called you to. How did you experience His grace and power in that situation?
Day 4: Obedience for Harmony and Victory
Obedience is not an isolated act but a strategic move towards collective harmony and success in God's kingdom. It's about aligning with the team, under Christ's leadership, to achieve the ultimate victory in His narrative. [21:11]
Philippians 2:2 - "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."
Reflection: How can your obedience contribute to the unity and mission of your church community? What steps can you take to foster this harmony?
Day 5: Joyful Response to Divine Invitation
Obedience is a celebration of God's work within us, a joyful response to His love and guidance. It's an expression of trust and alignment with His will, exemplified in the transformative act of baptism. [32:48]
Romans 6:4 - "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Reflection: What is one step of obedience you feel God is calling you to take? How can you respond with joy and trust in His guidance?
Quotes
"Obedience is walking with the Lord, so how do we reframe this so that it is not a heaping word of guilt and burden, rather an invitation?" [07:45] (Download)
"Our obedience to God does not start with our effort, it starts with God's resources. When we start with God's resources, Christ at work in us, giving us the ability, motivation, and endurance, that is when we experience the invitation into obedience." [29:00] (Download)
"Obedience is never about one specific moment; it's about God's Grand Story when he sends the play into our helmet, so to speak, you better believe that there is a purpose, a bigger story behind it." [18:43] (Download)
"Obedience to Jesus is a 'get to,' not a 'should.' It is freedom, not heavy expectations; it is not shame, it is Joy. This is why we spend so much time on Ephesians chapter 1 talking about what God has done in us." [30:32] (Download)
"God chose, God empowered, God supplied, God commissioned; this was by the working of his power in Paul that Paul was able to enter this Mission." [11:37] (Download)
"Paul's ability to obey and follow in God's mission for his life did not come from him; it came from God's power, his grace, his forgiveness, his transformation from a persecutor of the church to a leader of his church." [13:14] (Download)
"Anything he accomplished was a result of the power of God at work in him. Think of a light bulb that has all the ingredients of light but without electricity, it is unable to accomplish its design and purpose." [13:14] (Download)
"It's almost like God made this choice in me and I'm just along for the ride; that's obedience, that's joy, that's freedom." [32:48] (Download)
"Christian obedience is unlike every other kind of obedience; it is not The Obedience of slaves or soldiers but essentially The Obedience of lovers who know love and Trust the person who issues the commands." [30:32] (Download)
"We the church proclaim that Christ is victorious over evil, over death, over sin; that is our job." [16:15] (Download)
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