Obedience: The Fruit of Our Relationship with Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we delved into the profound topic of obedience, emphasizing its importance as highlighted in John 14 and 15, and 1 Samuel 15:22. Obedience is not just a superficial act but a significant indicator of our love for Jesus. We explored the concept of legalism, as defined by C.J. Mahaney, which is the attempt to achieve forgiveness and acceptance from God through our obedience. However, at Westmead Baptist Church, we understand that our salvation and forgiveness are solely dependent on what Christ has done, not on our deeds.
Obedience, therefore, is a fruit of our salvation, a natural byproduct of our relationship with Jesus. It is through our obedience that others can see the love of God in us. For those who do not know Christ, obedience to God's word does not earn favor or blessings; it is only through accepting Jesus that one can experience God's grace and mercy.
We also revisited the journey of the Israelites in Exodus, focusing on chapters 35 through 39. Despite their previous disobedience and idolatry, the Israelites demonstrated remarkable obedience in constructing the tabernacle according to God's precise instructions. This obedience was a response to God's forgiveness and a desire to glorify Him. The tabernacle, both in the Old and New Testaments, symbolizes God's desire to dwell among His people and teaches us about the relationship between God and man.
As we reflect on the Israelites' journey, we are reminded that obedience to God often requires sacrifice. It is not about what we can gain but about glorifying God through our actions. The same God who dwelt among the Israelites desires to dwell among us today. Our obedience, like that of the Israelites, should be driven by a desire to honor and glorify God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Obedience as a Fruit of Salvation: Obedience is not a means to earn salvation but a natural outcome of our relationship with Jesus. It is through our obedience that others can see the love of God in us. This obedience is a response to the grace and mercy we have received through Christ. [46:12]
2. Legalism vs. True Obedience: Legalism is the attempt to achieve forgiveness and acceptance from God through our deeds. True obedience, however, stems from a heart transformed by Christ. Our salvation is not based on our actions but on what Jesus has done for us. [44:49]
3. The Cost of Obedience: Obedience to God often requires sacrifice. It is not about taking the easy road but about letting go of our desires to glorify God. The Israelites' willingness to give back to God what He had provided them is a powerful example of sacrificial obedience. [01:04:41]
4. God's Desire to Dwell Among Us: The construction of the tabernacle in Exodus symbolizes God's desire to dwell among His people. This desire is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus, who is the ultimate tabernacle. Our relationship with God is made possible through Christ, who bridges the gap between God and man. [56:31]
5. Full Obedience Glorifies God: The Israelites' full obedience in constructing the tabernacle according to God's instructions brought glory to God. Similarly, our obedience to God's word, driven by a desire to honor Him, allows His glory to be seen in us. This obedience is not about what we can gain but about glorifying God through our actions. [01:24:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[42:53] - Importance of Obedience
[43:32] - Legalism Defined
[44:49] - Salvation Through Christ
[45:23] - Parameters of Obedience
[46:12] - Obedience as a Fruit of Salvation
[46:51] - Obedience and Relationship with God
[47:34] - Obedience Without Christ
[48:10] - Invitation to Grace and Mercy
[49:18] - Childhood Obedience Analogy
[50:14] - Knowing Jesus as Your Savior
[52:11] - Studying Exodus
[53:13] - God's Guidance in Exodus
[55:48] - Building the Tabernacle
[56:31] - God's Desire to Dwell Among Us
[01:04:41] - The Cost of Obedience
[01:24:53] - Full Obedience Glorifies God
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 14:15 - "If you love me, keep my commands."
2. 1 Samuel 15:22 - "But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"
3. Exodus 35:1-3 - "Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, 'These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of Sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 14:15, what is the relationship between love for Jesus and obedience to His commands?
2. In 1 Samuel 15:22, what does Samuel say is more important to the Lord than sacrifices?
3. How did the Israelites demonstrate their obedience in Exodus 35:1-3, and what specific instructions were they given regarding the Sabbath? [01:01:34]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus equate love for Him with obedience to His commands in John 14:15? How does this shape our understanding of true discipleship?
2. What does Samuel's statement in 1 Samuel 15:22 reveal about the nature of true obedience versus ritualistic practices? How can this be applied to modern Christian living?
3. Reflecting on the Israelites' obedience in constructing the tabernacle (Exodus 35-39), what can we learn about the importance of following God's instructions precisely? [01:01:34]
### Application Questions
1. In what ways can you demonstrate your love for Jesus through obedience in your daily life? Are there specific commands of Jesus that you find challenging to obey? [46:12]
2. How can you guard against legalism in your walk with God, ensuring that your obedience stems from a transformed heart rather than a desire to earn favor? [44:49]
3. Reflect on a time when obedience to God required a personal sacrifice. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? How can this experience encourage you to make future sacrifices for God's glory? [01:04:41]
4. The Israelites gave back to God what He had provided them. What has God given you that you can offer back to Him in worship and service? [01:03:07]
5. How can you cultivate a desire to honor and glorify God through your actions, even when it requires significant personal sacrifice? What steps can you take this week to align your actions with this desire? [01:15:54]
6. Considering the importance of community in the Israelites' obedience, how can you engage more deeply with your church community to support and encourage mutual obedience to God's word? [01:09:14]
7. How can you ensure that your acts of obedience are visible to others in a way that reflects God's love and draws them closer to Him? What practical steps can you take to be a living testimony of God's grace and mercy? [46:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience as a Reflection of Our Relationship with Jesus
Description:
Obedience is not a means to earn salvation but a natural outcome of our relationship with Jesus. It is through our obedience that others can see the love of God in us. This obedience is a response to the grace and mercy we have received through Christ. When we obey God, we are not trying to earn His favor; instead, we are expressing our love and gratitude for the salvation we have already received. This kind of obedience is a powerful testimony to others about the transformative power of God's love in our lives. [46:12]
Bible passage:
"By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him." (1 John 2:3-5, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to obey God's word. How did your actions reflect your relationship with Jesus, and how might they have impacted those around you?
Day 2: True Obedience Stems from a Transformed Heart
Description:
Legalism is the attempt to achieve forgiveness and acceptance from God through our deeds. True obedience, however, stems from a heart transformed by Christ. Our salvation is not based on our actions but on what Jesus has done for us. When we understand that our acceptance by God is not contingent on our performance but on Christ's sacrifice, our obedience becomes a joyful response rather than a burdensome duty. This kind of obedience is marked by a genuine desire to please God and align our lives with His will. [44:49]
Bible passage:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on an area of your life where you might be tempted to rely on your own efforts to earn God's favor. How can you shift your focus to rely on Christ's finished work and let your obedience flow from a transformed heart?
Day 3: The Sacrificial Nature of Obedience
Description:
Obedience to God often requires sacrifice. It is not about taking the easy road but about letting go of our desires to glorify God. The Israelites' willingness to give back to God what He had provided them is a powerful example of sacrificial obedience. They followed God's precise instructions in constructing the tabernacle, demonstrating their commitment to honor and glorify Him. This kind of obedience may involve giving up our time, resources, or personal ambitions to align with God's will and purposes. [01:04:41]
Bible passage:
"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.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a specific area in your life where God is calling you to make a sacrifice. What steps can you take today to obey Him, even if it requires letting go of something valuable to you?
Day 4: God's Desire to Dwell Among Us
Description:
The construction of the tabernacle in Exodus symbolizes God's desire to dwell among His people. This desire is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus, who is the ultimate tabernacle. Our relationship with God is made possible through Christ, who bridges the gap between God and man. The tabernacle was a physical representation of God's presence, and today, through Jesus, we have direct access to God. This truth should inspire us to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him, knowing that He desires to be intimately involved in our lives. [56:31]
Bible passage:
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" (Revelation 21:3, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you create space in your daily life to be more aware of God's presence and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him?
Day 5: Full Obedience Glorifies God
Description:
The Israelites' full obedience in constructing the tabernacle according to God's instructions brought glory to God. Similarly, our obedience to God's word, driven by a desire to honor Him, allows His glory to be seen in us. This obedience is not about what we can gain but about glorifying God through our actions. When we fully obey God's commands, we reflect His character and bring honor to His name. This kind of obedience requires a heart that is fully surrendered to God and committed to living according to His will. [01:24:53]
Bible passage:
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider an area of your life where you have been hesitant to fully obey God's instructions. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him and bring glory to His name?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Salvation can only come through not what I can do, but what Christ has done. Our salvation, our forgiveness, everything in terms of our standing with God fully depends on Jesus Christ." [44:49] (13 seconds)
2. "It is only through Jesus that we are forgiven and accepted. It's not based on my obedience. It's not based on your obedience. It's based on Jesus Christ." [45:23] (15 seconds)
3. "God in his abundance of who he is extends to you this morning grace and mercy and forgiveness and acceptance. It is extended to you. It is an invitation offered to you to come draw near to him and experience these things." [48:10] (19 seconds)
4. "He loves you and he wants to invite you into a relationship with him that is showing you grace and forgiveness and mercy. But until that day comes where you encounter a living God through his son, Jesus, initiated by the Holy Spirit, then obedience isn't something that's gonna benefit you." [50:14] (16 seconds)
5. "The Lord is worthy of our obedience, but we get to the end of chapter 39. I want you to see this very specifically. The end of chapter 39, drop down to verse 32. So all the work, all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, pleaded. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses." [01:21:35] (60 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Obedience is a fruit of our salvation. Obedience is the byproduct of what comes out of our lives because we depend fully and only on Jesus Christ for our salvation, for our acceptance by God, for our forgiveness of sin, and for our fellowship with the Father by the Holy Spirit." [46:12] (20 seconds)
2. "Obeying the word of God for you does not earn you any favor. It doesn't earn you any blessings. It doesn't gain you any merit. It doesn't put you one step closer towards God. If you are not in Christ, if you've never given your life to Jesus, then obedience to his word is pointless for you." [47:34] (25 seconds)
3. "Obedience to the Lord will always cost you something. There are people who believe that Christianity is all about the easy road. And for those who have that mentality, I challenge you to read the Bible. Every level of obedience that God commands us to in his word brings with it a sacrifice on our behalf." [01:03:07] (25 seconds)
4. "The same people that were defined by their grumbling and complaining and wanting to go back to Egypt and setting up a golden calf, they are now fully obeying the Lord for his glory to be made known among their presence." [01:23:11] (14 seconds)
5. "A flawed, sinful people who didn't deserve forgiveness, grace, or mercy realized a gracious God's offer of redemption and brought the fullness of their obedience to God's commands to God. And he was glorified in his people." [01:26:35] (24 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?