Obedience: The Heart of True Faith

In the book of First Peter, we are introduced to the concept of being "obedient children." This phrase, though lacking a verb, carries a profound assumption: as believers, obedience is not merely a command but an inherent expectation. Peter assumes that those who are elect and saved are naturally obedient. This assumption challenges us to reflect on the essence of sin, which is rebellion against divine authority. The story of Adam and Eve illustrates this rebellion, as their disobedience brought sin into the world. Sin, as described in the Bible, is lawlessness and disobedience to God's law.

The sermon delves into the American spirit of individualism and self-determination, highlighting the tension between our cultural values and the biblical call to obedience. While we cherish our freedom and the right to self-determination, we must recognize that God has given us the power, but not the right, to choose evil. Our wills are ours, but they are meant to align with God's will. Salvation is not merely about accepting Christ as Savior but also acknowledging Him as Lord. This means that obedience is integral to our faith journey.

The notion that one can accept Christ as Savior without acknowledging Him as Lord is a dangerous heresy. The Bible teaches that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, and salvation involves confessing Him as Lord. This understanding restores the Creator-creature relationship, acknowledging God's right to command and our obligation to obey. True happiness and freedom are found in obedience to God, as even the angels in heaven delight in doing His commandments.

Hell is depicted as the world of disobedience, a place for unreconstructed rebels who refuse to surrender to God's will. In contrast, heaven is the realm of obedient children who have found their true sphere as moral creatures. The essence of sin is rebellion, and salvation reverses this by restoring our relationship with God. We must not approach Christ with a divided heart, seeking only His benefits without submitting to His lordship. True conversion involves a complete surrender to Christ as both Savior and Lord.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Obedience is an inherent expectation for believers, not just a command. As children of God, our lives should naturally reflect obedience, as it is assumed by our faith. This obedience is not optional but integral to our identity as Christians. [02:07]
• 2. Sin is fundamentally rebellion against divine authority. The story of Adam and Eve illustrates how disobedience brought sin into the world. Understanding sin as lawlessness helps us grasp the gravity of our actions and the need for repentance. [04:09]
• 3. The American spirit of individualism can conflict with the biblical call to obedience. While we value freedom and self-determination, we must recognize that God has given us the power, but not the right, to choose evil. Our wills should align with God's will. [11:12]
• 4. Salvation involves acknowledging Christ as both Savior and Lord. The notion that one can accept Christ as Savior without acknowledging Him as Lord is a dangerous heresy. True conversion requires a complete surrender to Christ's lordship. [20:10]
• 5. Heaven is the realm of obedient children, while hell is the world of disobedience. Our eternal destiny is determined by our response to God's authority. True happiness and freedom are found in obedience to God, as even the angels delight in doing His commandments. [32:22]
  ** [32:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Introduction to Obedience
• [01:14] - Assumption of Obedience
• [02:07] - Obedience in the Bible
• [03:30] - Essence of Sin
• [04:09] - Rebellion Against Authority
• [06:48] - Questions of Allegiance
• [08:36] - American Individualism
• [11:12] - Power vs. Right of Self-Determination
• [14:39] - Moral Choices and Rights
• [17:29] - Aligning Our Wills with God
• [20:10] - Christ as Savior and Lord
• [23:54] - Whole Christ, Not Divided
• [27:17] - Restoration Through Salvation
• [32:22] - Heaven and Hell: Obedience vs. Rebellion
• [37:47] - Final Reflections and Call to Action

1. 1 Peter 1:14 - "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance."
2. Romans 10:9 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
3. Ephesians 2:2 - "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience."

1. What does Peter assume about believers in 1 Peter 1:14 regarding obedience? How does this assumption challenge our understanding of faith? [02:07]
2. How does the sermon describe the essence of sin, and what biblical story is used to illustrate this concept? [04:09]
3. According to the sermon, how does the American spirit of individualism conflict with the biblical call to obedience? [11:12]
4. What does Romans 10:9 emphasize about the relationship between confessing Jesus as Lord and salvation? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on acknowledging Christ as both Savior and Lord? [20:10]

1. How does the assumption of obedience in 1 Peter 1:14 affect the way believers should view their relationship with God? What implications does this have for daily Christian living? [02:07]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the American value of self-determination can lead to a misunderstanding of our relationship with God? How might this affect one's spiritual journey? [11:12]
3. The sermon mentions a "dangerous heresy" regarding accepting Christ as Savior without acknowledging Him as Lord. How does this heresy impact the understanding of true conversion and salvation? [20:10]
4. How does the concept of heaven as a realm of obedient children and hell as a world of disobedience challenge common perceptions of these places? What does this say about the nature of obedience and rebellion? [32:22]

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle with obedience to God? What steps can you take to align your will with God's will this week? [02:07]
2. How do you balance the cultural value of individualism with the biblical call to obedience? Can you identify a specific situation where you need to prioritize God's authority over personal freedom? [11:12]
3. Consider the notion of accepting Christ as both Savior and Lord. Have you ever found yourself trying to separate these roles? How can you fully embrace Christ's lordship in your life today? [20:10]
4. Think about a time when you acted out of rebellion rather than obedience. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [04:09]
5. The sermon suggests that true happiness and freedom are found in obedience to God. Can you recall a moment when obedience led to unexpected joy or peace? How can you seek more of these moments? [32:22]
6. Identify one area in your life where you have the power but not the right to choose evil. What practical steps can you take to choose good instead? [14:39]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to understand the importance of acknowledging Christ as both Savior and Lord? What role can you play in fostering this understanding? [20:10]