The Obedience of Faith: Glorifying Christ Together
Summary
In this message, we explore the profound concept of "The Obedience of Faith" as articulated by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans. This obedience is not merely about following rules or performing works; it is a heartfelt response to the grace and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. True faith involves a deep sorrow for sin, a turning away from the world, and a commitment to live for Christ. This transformation is not optional but essential for anyone who claims to believe in Jesus as Lord.
Paul emphasizes that his mission is to call people from all nations to this obedience of faith. The term "nations" is significant, as it underscores the universal scope of the gospel. It is not limited to the Jews but extends to all humanity, breaking down barriers and uniting people under the lordship of Christ. This inclusivity is a central theme in Paul's writings, reflecting the heart of the gospel message that salvation is available to everyone who believes, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background.
The ultimate purpose of this obedience is for the glory of Christ's name. Paul labors tirelessly to spread the gospel, driven by a desire to see Jesus glorified among all peoples. The name of Jesus represents His character, His work, and His divine nature. As believers, we are called to glorify Him through our faith, our words, and our lives. This is not just a duty but a privilege, as we participate in the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan for the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The Obedience of Faith: True faith in Jesus Christ involves a heartfelt sorrow for sin and a commitment to turn away from worldly ways. This obedience is not about works but a genuine response to the grace of God. It is essential for anyone who claims to believe in Jesus as Lord. [01:40]
- Universal Scope of the Gospel: The gospel is for all nations, breaking down barriers and uniting people under Christ. This inclusivity reflects the heart of the gospel message that salvation is available to everyone who believes, regardless of their background. [06:25]
- Glorifying Christ: Our ultimate purpose as believers is to glorify Christ's name. This involves living a life that reflects His character and proclaiming His greatness to the world. It is a privilege to participate in God's redemptive plan. [16:34]
- Living for His Name: As Christians, we are called to live for the sake of Christ's name, desiring that all come to know Him and glorify Him. This involves sharing the gospel and living a life that points others to Jesus. [22:04]
- The Hope of His Return: We look forward to Christ's return, when He will come in glory and establish His kingdom. This hope motivates us to live faithfully and proclaim His name until He comes again. [23:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to the Obedience of Faith
[00:39] - Sorrow for Sin and Turning to Christ
[01:40] - The Process of Becoming a Christian
[02:14] - Paul's Mission to All Nations
[03:30] - Gentiles vs. Nations Debate
[05:20] - Paul's Call to Jews and Gentiles
[06:25] - The Universal Gospel
[07:48] - All Have Sinned and Need Salvation
[09:19] - God's Plan for Unity
[10:22] - Jesus, Savior of the World
[11:52] - Drawing All Nations to Christ
[13:00] - Preaching for His Name's Sake
[16:34] - Glorifying Christ Through Obedience
[19:59] - Living to Glorify Jesus
[23:04] - The Hope of Christ's Return
[25:21] - Conclusion: Living for His Glory
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Obedience of Faith
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:5 - "Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake."
2. Romans 3:22-23 - "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
3. Acts 26:17-18 - "I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by "The Obedience of Faith" in Romans 1:5, and how does it differ from mere belief? [01:40]
2. How does the sermon describe the universal scope of the gospel, and what significance does this have for both Jews and Gentiles? [06:25]
3. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate purpose of our obedience to faith? [16:34]
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of glorifying Christ's name through our lives? [22:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In Romans 1:5, Paul speaks of calling all nations to the obedience of faith. How does this reflect the inclusivity of the gospel message, and why is this important for the church today? [06:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes a heartfelt sorrow for sin as part of true faith. How does this sorrow lead to a transformation in one's life, according to the sermon? [00:39]
3. The sermon mentions that glorifying Christ is not just a duty but a privilege. How does this perspective change the way believers might approach their faith and daily actions? [16:34]
4. How does the hope of Christ's return motivate believers to live faithfully, as discussed in the sermon? [23:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Is there an area where you need to turn away from worldly ways to live more fully for Christ? What steps can you take this week to make that change? [00:39]
2. The sermon highlights the universal scope of the gospel. How can you personally contribute to breaking down barriers and uniting people under Christ in your community? [06:25]
3. Consider how you glorify Christ in your daily life. What is one specific way you can reflect His character more clearly to those around you this week? [16:34]
4. The sermon speaks of living for the sake of Christ's name. Identify one person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you share the gospel with them in a loving and respectful way? [22:04]
5. The hope of Christ's return is a powerful motivator. How does this hope influence your priorities and decisions? What is one change you can make to align more closely with this hope? [23:04]
6. Think about a time when you felt sorrow for your sin. How did that experience lead you to a deeper commitment to Christ, and how can you maintain that commitment moving forward? [00:39]
7. The sermon encourages believers to live for Christ's glory. What is one practical way you can ensure that your actions and words this week point others to Jesus? [16:34]
Devotional
Day 1: The Heartfelt Response of Faith
True faith in Jesus Christ is characterized by a heartfelt sorrow for sin and a commitment to turn away from worldly ways. This obedience is not about performing works but is a genuine response to the grace of God. It is essential for anyone who claims to believe in Jesus as Lord. This transformation involves a deep recognition of one's own sinfulness and a sincere desire to live a life that honors Christ. The obedience of faith is a journey of continual growth and repentance, where believers are called to align their lives with the teachings of Jesus. [01:40]
Romans 6:17-18 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness."
Reflection: What specific worldly habit or mindset do you need to turn away from today to align more closely with the teachings of Jesus?
Day 2: The Gospel's Universal Reach
The gospel is for all nations, breaking down barriers and uniting people under Christ. This inclusivity reflects the heart of the gospel message that salvation is available to everyone who believes, regardless of their background. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that his mission is to call people from all nations to the obedience of faith, highlighting the universal scope of the gospel. This message of salvation transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, inviting all people to partake in the grace offered through Jesus Christ. [06:25]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in breaking down barriers and sharing the inclusive message of the gospel with someone from a different background today?
Day 3: Living to Glorify Christ
Our ultimate purpose as believers is to glorify Christ's name. This involves living a life that reflects His character and proclaiming His greatness to the world. It is a privilege to participate in God's redemptive plan, and as believers, we are called to glorify Him through our faith, our words, and our lives. The name of Jesus represents His character, His work, and His divine nature, and our lives should be a testament to His glory. [16:34]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect Christ's character in your interactions with others today?
Day 4: Living for His Name
As Christians, we are called to live for the sake of Christ's name, desiring that all come to know Him and glorify Him. This involves sharing the gospel and living a life that points others to Jesus. The call to live for His name is a call to be ambassadors of Christ, representing His love and truth in a world that desperately needs it. It is a call to be intentional in our actions and words, ensuring that they align with the mission of making Christ known. [22:04]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally share the love and truth of Jesus with this week, and how will you do it?
Day 5: The Hope of His Return
We look forward to Christ's return, when He will come in glory and establish His kingdom. This hope motivates us to live faithfully and proclaim His name until He comes again. The anticipation of Christ's return is a source of encouragement and strength for believers, reminding us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. It is a call to remain steadfast in our faith and to continue spreading the gospel with urgency and passion. [23:04]
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."
Reflection: How does the hope of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and priorities? What is one change you can make today to live more in light of His coming?
Quotes
Bound and that I cannot save myself but that God has provided the way in Jesus Christ and him crucified and I therefore believe that but if I believe that I'm not going to continue where I was I must be sorry for my sin which has necessitated the coming of the Son of God into the world and his terrible death upon the cross I must have sorrow for sin why do I go to him if I'm not conscious of my sin and having done all that I turn away from my sin I don't want to belong to the world and it sin any longer I want to belong to him and to please him who has done so much for me I give myself to him [00:14:55]
Faith includes all that the Apostle uses his terms very deliberately he doesn't just say believe the gospel he says The Obedience of faith faith is always an obedience now you notice that I'm not talking about works that are going to follow all this I say the very process of becoming Christian is this Obedience of Faith because I believe this as as I believe it I turn away and I turn to God with grateful things because of what Christ Jesus has done for me [00:29:49]
The Obedience of Faith now then the Apostle tells us that he has received Grace and apostleship in order to call people to this Obedience of Faith then the next thing he tells us is that he's been called to do this among all nations now here's another most important addition to the statement you will find that there is a good deal of disagreement as to the exact meaning of this those who've got the revised version in front of them will'll find that it agrees with this authorized which says among all nations [00:31:59]
The gospel of Christ for it is the power of God un salvation to everyone that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek that's the thing that he's proud of that's why he exalts in it that's why to use is light toties again he's not ashamed of it for it is the power of God and to Salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first but also it's this amazing also to the Greek that's a surprising thing not the Jews only any longer but the Gentiles have also come in [00:06:35]
The fullness of the Gentiles is going to come in all Israel is going to be saved that's the thing this glorious conception the fullness of the Gentiles the fullness of the Jews and so the work is complete and the kingdom will be handed back unto God and then a further argument is this that it's the apostles great theme in every epistle take the epistle to the Ephesians what is it that's happening in this dispensation well it's God's Great program for you reuniting in one all things things whether they be in heaven or in Earth all things even in him [00:09:02]
Jesus Christ Our Lord this glorious blessed savior who's great enough and big enough to include the whole World Son of God as well as son of men not only seed of David but the Everlasting Eternal only begotten of the father ah you see Paul isn't the only one who rejoiced in this look at the Aged Simeon as he stands with the infant in his arms and as he looks at him and speaks and says this is the truth about him he is a light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel [00:10:58]
Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved the Obed of Faith among all nations the Jewish Messiah the savior of the world all nations what a wonderful message no no he's not merely saying here that he's the Apostle to the Gentiles he has a gospel to preach to anybody whatever he is to the Jew or to the Greek the wise or the unwise it doesn't matter who any soul that is in need and that believes here is his savior All Nations [00:12:43]
I do what I do for his name by whom we have received Grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name ah this is the climax translate it if you like with the revice standed at this point for the sake of his name for his name's sake I'm an apostle says Paul I'm a preacher I'm calling upon people in all nations to The Obedience of Faith why am I doing it for his name's sake that's his motive that's his reason [00:14:05]
By obeying this gospel by our Obedience of faith we glorify the Lord Jesus Christ now the Apostle statement therefore is that he preaches and he labors to that one great end that's his prime motive that's the thing that drives him on that Christ may be glorified that his glory may be manifest amongst the people and that all may live to the praise of the glory of his grace that's his constant term [00:16:29]
Not to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to refuse to glorify him and that is the essence of sin do you remember how our Lord put it himself he said talking about the coming of the Holy Ghost he said when he shall come he shall convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of Judgment of sin because they believe not on me of righteousness because I go into the father and the world seeth me no more of judgment because the prince of this world is now judged [00:18:31]
We are to show forth his excellences his virtues his greatness his glories we are to show it to show forth the Praises of him who has called you out of Darkness we do that in our lives that is why we're to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul he says because you can't be indulging in them and glorifying him you are proclaiming as a Christian that Christ can deliver you from sin from Satan from the World the Flesh and the devil so we are glorifying him as we live the Christian Life [00:21:20]
We live for his sake for his name's sake for the sake of his glory we want everybody to come and bow the knee to him who is So Glorious and so wonderful and in the same way of course we look forward to his coming because that when we know that when he comes he will not come in the form of humiliation next time he will come as the King of Kings the Lord of lords he will be riding the cloud of Heavens surrounded by the Holy Angels and he'll rout his enemies and banish sin and evil and set up his kingdom and Reign [00:22:48]
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