Obedience: The True Expression of Love for Jesus

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound call to love Jesus through our actions, specifically through obedience to His commands. Jesus challenges us to move beyond mere words and demonstrate our love through our deeds. This obedience is not just about following rules but about living a life that reflects our faith and trust in God. The world may not understand or accept this, often viewing our faith as foolishness. Yet, Jesus assures us that He will not leave us as orphans; He will be with us through the Holy Spirit, guiding and comforting us.

We delved into the concept of "stubborn obedience," a steadfast commitment to follow God even when it is difficult, inconvenient, or counter-cultural. This kind of obedience requires a dogged determination, much like the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who chose to obey God over bowing to King Nebuchadnezzar's statue, even under the threat of death. Their story reminds us that true obedience may require us to sacrifice comfort, security, or reputation.

We also examined the story of Noah, who obeyed God's seemingly illogical command to build an ark. Despite ridicule and doubt, Noah's faithfulness saved his family and preserved humanity. His story illustrates that obedience often doesn't make sense in the moment, but it aligns us with God's greater plan.

Furthermore, we discussed the costly nature of obedience, as exemplified by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus chose to obey the Father, even when it meant enduring the cross. His example teaches us that obedience may involve suffering and sacrifice, but it ultimately leads to God's glory and our growth.

Finally, we were reminded that delayed obedience is disobedience. Like Saul, who lost his kingdom due to partial obedience, we must act promptly on God's commands. Obedience is a daily decision, a choice to trust God's wisdom over our own understanding.

Key Takeaways:

- Love Through Obedience: True love for Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His commands. It's not enough to profess love with words; our actions must align with His teachings. This obedience is a reflection of our faith and trust in God, even when the world views it as foolishness. [04:55]

- Stubborn Obedience: This is a steadfast commitment to follow God, even when it's difficult or inconvenient. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we must choose obedience over comfort, security, or reputation, trusting that God is with us in the fire. [13:56]

- Trusting God's Plan: Noah's story teaches us that obedience often doesn't make sense in the moment. Yet, by trusting God's plan, we align ourselves with His greater purpose, even amidst ridicule and doubt. [27:53]

- Costly Obedience: Jesus' obedience in the Garden of Gethsemane shows us that true obedience may involve suffering and sacrifice. Yet, it leads to God's glory and our spiritual growth, as we align our will with His. [37:49]

- Immediate Obedience: Delayed obedience is disobedience. Like Saul, who lost his kingdom due to partial obedience, we must act promptly on God's commands, trusting His wisdom over our own understanding. [42:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:55] - Love Through Obedience
- [09:25] - Stubborn Obedience Defined
- [13:56] - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
- [22:05] - Obedience in Modern Times
- [25:48] - Trusting God's Plan
- [27:53] - Noah's Faithful Obedience
- [32:05] - Building Faith Amidst Ridicule
- [34:57] - Personal Testimony of Obedience
- [35:46] - Trusting God's Wisdom
- [36:40] - Delayed Obedience is Disobedience
- [37:49] - Costly Obedience of Jesus
- [40:05] - The Cost of Following God
- [41:25] - Obedience in Relationships
- [42:58] - Saul's Partial Obedience
- [45:35] - The Urgency of Obedience
- [46:57] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 14:15-21
2. Daniel 3:16-18
3. Genesis 6:9-22

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 14:15-21, what does Jesus promise to those who love Him and keep His commands? How does this relate to the concept of not being left as orphans? [04:55]

2. How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate "stubborn obedience" in Daniel 3:16-18, and what was the outcome of their faithfulness? [13:56]

3. What specific actions did Noah take in Genesis 6:9-22 that exemplified his obedience to God, despite the ridicule he faced? [27:53]

4. How does the sermon describe the world's perception of faith and obedience, and what challenges does this present to believers? [04:55]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to love Jesus through obedience, and how does this differ from merely professing love with words? [04:55]

2. How can the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego inspire believers to choose obedience over comfort or reputation in today's context? [13:56]

3. In what ways does Noah's story illustrate the importance of trusting God's plan, even when it seems illogical or counter-cultural? [27:53]

4. How does Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane serve as a model for understanding the costly nature of obedience? [37:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to obey God, but it was difficult or inconvenient. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [09:25]

2. Consider the concept of "stubborn obedience." How can you cultivate a dogged determination to follow God, even when it goes against societal norms or personal desires? [13:56]

3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with delayed obedience. What steps can you take to act promptly on God's commands? [42:58]

4. How can you apply the lesson of Noah's faithfulness in your own life, especially when facing ridicule or doubt from others? [27:53]

5. Jesus' obedience in the Garden of Gethsemane involved suffering and sacrifice. Is there a situation in your life where you need to choose obedience, even if it involves personal sacrifice? [37:49]

6. How can you ensure that your actions align with your professed love for Jesus, especially in environments where your faith might be challenged or mocked? [04:55]

7. Reflect on the idea that delayed obedience is disobedience. What immediate actions can you take this week to align your life more closely with God's will? [42:58]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Love in Action
Description: True love for Jesus is not merely spoken but demonstrated through our actions, specifically through obedience to His commands. This obedience is a reflection of our faith and trust in God, even when the world views it as foolishness. It requires us to align our actions with His teachings, moving beyond mere words to a life that embodies His love. This kind of love challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways, showing the world the transformative power of a life devoted to Christ. [04:55]

John 14:21 (ESV): "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

Reflection: Think of a specific command of Jesus that you find challenging to obey. How can you take a concrete step today to live out this command in your daily life?

Day 2: Stubborn Obedience
Description: Stubborn obedience is a steadfast commitment to follow God, even when it's difficult or inconvenient. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we must choose obedience over comfort, security, or reputation, trusting that God is with us in the fire. This kind of obedience requires a dogged determination to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition or ridicule. It is a testament to our unwavering trust in God's presence and promises, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us. [13:56]

Daniel 3:17-18 (ESV): "If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Reflection: Identify a situation where you are tempted to compromise your faith for the sake of comfort or acceptance. How can you choose to stand firm in obedience to God today?

Day 3: Trusting God's Plan
Description: Noah's story teaches us that obedience often doesn't make sense in the moment. Yet, by trusting God's plan, we align ourselves with His greater purpose, even amidst ridicule and doubt. Noah's faithfulness in building the ark, despite the seeming absurdity of the task, saved his family and preserved humanity. This narrative reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His plans are often beyond our understanding. Trusting in His plan requires faith in His wisdom and timing, even when the path is unclear. [27:53]

Hebrews 11:7 (ESV): "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where God's plan seems unclear or illogical. How can you choose to trust His greater purpose and take a step of faith today?

Day 4: Costly Obedience
Description: Jesus' obedience in the Garden of Gethsemane shows us that true obedience may involve suffering and sacrifice. Yet, it leads to God's glory and our spiritual growth, as we align our will with His. Jesus' willingness to endure the cross for the sake of obedience to the Father exemplifies the depth of commitment required to follow God's will. This costly obedience is a call to surrender our desires and embrace the path of sacrifice, knowing that it ultimately leads to a deeper relationship with God and the fulfillment of His purposes. [37:49]

Luke 22:42 (ESV): "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where obedience to God feels particularly costly. What steps can you take to surrender your will to His and embrace the path of obedience?

Day 5: Immediate Obedience
Description: Delayed obedience is disobedience. Like Saul, who lost his kingdom due to partial obedience, we must act promptly on God's commands, trusting His wisdom over our own understanding. Immediate obedience is a daily decision to prioritize God's voice and direction in our lives, responding with urgency and faith. It requires us to set aside our doubts and hesitations, choosing to trust in God's perfect timing and plan. By acting promptly, we demonstrate our commitment to living a life that honors Him and reflects His love to the world. [42:58]

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (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. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.'"

Reflection: Think of a command or prompting from God that you have been delaying. What is one step you can take today to act on it immediately and trust in His wisdom?

Quotes

"So this past week, we talked about how fear can destroy our faith. We talked a lot the last month about having a fear, not of the things around us, but having a holy, honorable, reverent love and fear for God. But it's real faith that destroys that fear. And so when you're living by fear, and it's not just being scared, hiding in the closet somewhere because of the problems around you." [00:02:57] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And again this is that faith over fear the faith that helps us to not trust in the things and the people and the systems around us but we're having power to not believe things that don't help us and not be the thing that Having faith that God is above all of this. You know, this past week, there are people in our nation that are walking around in fear." [00:06:22] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Obedience to God is easy when it fits your schedule, when we understand the reasons, or when it benefits us. But what about those times when obedience is actually hard, when it's inconvenient, or even when it goes against what we, sometimes when we think that we believe, or what we want, or what we think is best for us. Stubborn obedience means saying, Yes, Lord, I will still trust in you no matter what." [00:08:43] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You're just being, old school and old minded and all those thoughts from the past. And I am more, I have been awakened, dad. I've been awakened, mom. I know more than you. I went to college. I've read the articles. I watched TikTok, mom. I have, I know all the knowledge that I need to know. I don't need to follow your old school religion." [00:09:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Let me remind you of these three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. In Daniel chapter three, these three young men refused to bow down to King. Nebuchadnezzar's statue, there was this king that wanted them to simply worship the statue. And so even under the threat of death in a fiery furnace, we know the story. They chose obedience over their own lives." [00:12:23] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"That Jesus is the ark that protects us from that flood that is coming. That there is chaos at this moment. That there are people with other opinions and their thoughts. But Jesus is calling us to build our faith. To stay strong and keep believing and keep praying. And just imagine, imagine there is Noah. Every time. He's doing that. He's building his faith." [00:31:15] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus knew the suffering that was going to come ahead, but he chose obedience to the father over his own desires. Jesus's choice shows us that obedience sometimes requires suffering over our own plans, our own comfort, our own safety. But like I read last week, Philippians chapter two, verse eight, and being found in appearance as a man, Jesus would come and he humbled himself by obeying God to death." [00:39:31] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Some of you already know this. Some of you know that your relationships with your, own family has cost you, but you're here. Some of you have made decisions to leave some friendships. It has cost you, but you're here. Some of you need to take the next step and start knowing that, hey, there's going to be moments where you have to tell that person that you're dating, or that person, your own husband, your own wife." [00:41:49] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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