The Transformative Power of Obedience to God
Summary
In the sermon titled "The Gift of Obedience," the speaker explores the theme of obedience to God and its transformative power in the lives of believers. The sermon begins by addressing the common feeling of unworthiness due to sin, emphasizing that God does not judge us by our failures but desires our active involvement in His work. The speaker encourages the use of individual skills and talents for God's purposes, noting that obedience to God can lead to others being amazed by His work in our lives.
The importance of not just hearing but obeying God's word is underscored, with a reference to James chapter 1. The speaker calls for love, praise, faith, and obedience to God, praying for the congregation's encounters with God and guidance in recognizing His will. The sermon concludes with an invitation to connect with the church and support its mission.
The speaker draws on the stories of Samuel and the Apostle Paul to illustrate that God can speak to us at inconvenient times, urging the audience to be ready for God's interruptions. The sermon also highlights the need for proximity to Jesus, as exemplified by Peter allowing Jesus to use his boat to teach the crowds.
The concept of revenge is discussed, with Jesus teaching the word of God from a boat on the Sea of Galilee. The speaker reflects on the fishermen washing their nets and Jesus' decision to use the boats, emphasizing that Jesus often introduces Himself at unexpected times, as seen in the story of Moses.
The dangers of holding onto bitterness and anger are addressed, with a call to let go of grievances and focus on obeying God both privately and publicly. The speaker stresses the importance of building others up and being willing to be uncomfortable for God's sake.
Every encounter with Jesus ends in a choice, as illustrated by Peter's decision to obey Jesus' command to fish in deep waters despite his knowledge and experience suggesting otherwise. The speaker outlines six steps to obey Jesus, starting with the need for proximity to Jesus.
The speaker discusses the importance of faith, love, and obedience, using the story of Simon's strange first encounter with Jesus as an example of obedience. The sermon also recounts how Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, symbolizing a transformation from being self-centered to focusing on others.
The speaker warns against making excuses when Jesus asks us to do something, emphasizing that His requests often come with lessons and connections to others. The importance of denying oneself and following Jesus is highlighted, along with the distinction between opponents and enemies.
The sermon concludes with three ways to obey personally: accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, dealing with internal anger and bitterness, and expressing gratitude for the blessings that come from Jesus. The speaker shares a personal story about a boat ride and reflects on the significance of giving God our faith.
Key Takeaways:
- God's call to obedience transcends our feelings of unworthiness and past failures. By embracing the gifts and talents He has given us and using them for His glory, we can experience a life of purpose and witness the amazement of others as they see God's work in us. [30:45]
- True faith is not passive but active, requiring not only hearing God's word but also implementing it in our lives. As we express our love and faith through obedience, we open ourselves up to divine encounters and the ability to discern God's will, leading to a more profound spiritual journey. [41:59]
- God's communication with us is not bound by our convenience or readiness. Like Samuel and Paul, we must be prepared for God to speak into our lives at any moment, and like Peter, we must allow Jesus to come close, using our resources for His purposes. This proximity to Jesus is crucial for obedience. [16:14]
- Obedience to Jesus often requires us to confront and let go of our bitterness, anger, and unhealthy thoughts. By doing so, we can live a life that builds others up and shares the good news, even if it means facing discomfort or inconvenience. [39:59]
- Every encounter with Jesus presents us with a choice, and obedience is a personal decision that can lead to profound blessings. As seen in Peter's story, when we choose to follow Jesus' instructions, even when they challenge our understanding, we open ourselves to miraculous outcomes and a deeper relationship with Him. [25:07]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Gift of Obedience"
#### Bible Reading
1. James 1:22-25 (NIV)
> "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
2. Luke 5:1-11 (NIV)
> "One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.' Simon answered, 'Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.' When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!' For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.' So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."
3. John 1:35-42 (NIV)
> "The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!' When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means 'Teacher'), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas' (which, when translated, is Peter)."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Simon Peter's initial reaction to Jesus' request to let down the nets in Luke 5:5? How did he respond despite his doubts? [16:48]
2. In John 1:35-42, what was the significance of Jesus changing Simon's name to Peter? What does the name Peter mean? [06:27]
3. According to James 1:22-25, what is the difference between merely listening to the word and doing what it says?
4. How did the fishermen react to the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5:9-10? What was their immediate response to Jesus' call? [30:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to perform the miracle of the fish in Luke 5:1-11? What lesson was He teaching Peter and the other fishermen? [16:48]
2. How does the story of Simon Peter's name change in John 1:42 symbolize his transformation and future role in the early church? [06:27]
3. In James 1:22-25, why is it important to not only hear the word but also act on it? What are the consequences of failing to do so?
4. How does the concept of obedience to Jesus challenge our natural inclinations and comfort zones, as illustrated by Peter's experience in Luke 5:5-6? [16:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or inadequate to follow God's call. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can Peter's story encourage you in similar situations? [27:27]
2. Jesus often asks us to do things that seem inconvenient or illogical, like Peter letting down the nets again. Can you identify a recent situation where you felt God was asking you to step out in faith? How did you respond? [16:48]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of proximity to Jesus for obedience. What practical steps can you take this week to draw closer to Jesus and be more attuned to His voice? [09:27]
4. Holding onto bitterness and anger can hinder our obedience to God. Is there someone or something you need to forgive or let go of to fully obey God's call in your life? [37:16]
5. Every encounter with Jesus presents a choice. Think about a recent encounter you had with Jesus through prayer, scripture, or a sermon. What choice did you make, and how did it impact your spiritual journey? [08:13]
6. The sermon mentioned that Jesus' requests often come with lessons and connections to others. How can you be more open to these divine interruptions in your daily life? [20:31]
7. Reflect on the three ways to obey personally mentioned in the sermon: accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, dealing with internal anger and bitterness, and expressing gratitude. Which of these areas do you feel most challenged in, and what steps can you take to grow in obedience? [34:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Purpose Through Obedience
Obedience to God unlocks a life of purpose, utilizing one's unique gifts for His glory. Despite feelings of unworthiness, embracing God's call leads to a transformative experience that not only benefits the individual but also inspires others. This active participation in God's work showcases the remarkable ways He operates through us. [30:45]
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.'"
Reflection: What talents or skills has God given you that you might be underutilizing? How can you commit to using them for God's purposes this week?
Day 2: Active Faith Through Obedience
Hearing God's word is just the beginning; true faith requires action and obedience. It's through this active faith that one can experience divine encounters and gain clarity on God's will. This journey of obedience deepens one's spiritual connection and fosters a life of praise and love. [41:59]
James 2:22 - "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent instance where you heard God's word but did not act on it? What steps can you take to align your actions with your faith today?
Day 3: Readiness for Divine Interruptions
God's timing is unpredictable, and He may call upon us at moments that seem inconvenient. Being prepared for these divine interruptions allows us to serve His purpose and bring Jesus closer into our lives, just as Peter did by offering his boat to Jesus. Proximity to Jesus is essential for obedience. [16:14]
Acts 9:10-12 - "In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, 'Ananias!' 'Yes, Lord,' he answered. The Lord told him, 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart that is ready for God's interruptions, even when they come at the least convenient times?
Day 4: Letting Go for Obedience
Obedience to God often requires releasing bitterness and anger. This act of letting go not only frees us from unhealthy emotions but also empowers us to build others up and spread the good news. Embracing discomfort for the sake of obedience is a testament to our commitment to God's will. [39:59]
Ephesians 4:31-32 - "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Reflection: What grievances are you holding onto that may be hindering your obedience to God? How can you begin to release them today?
Day 5: The Choice of Obedience
Encounters with Jesus culminate in a choice: to obey or not. Peter's decision to trust Jesus' command to fish in deep waters, against his own expertise, exemplifies the blessings that follow obedience. Personal decisions to follow Jesus' instructions can lead to miraculous outcomes and a deeper faith. [25:07]
Luke 5:5 - "Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.'"
Reflection: What is Jesus asking you to do that seems counterintuitive or challenging? Are you willing to trust Him and take that step of obedience?
Quotes
"Use the faith that he has given you absolutely and then obey the word that he has given you." [41:59] (Download)
"You cannot have peace and bitterness at the same time; you cannot have cyanide and clean water at the same time. You got to get rid of the anger and bitterness." [37:59] (Download)
"What do you give the God who has everything? You give Him your personal, your private, and your public obedience—not just one." [39:59] (Download)
"If you are waiting for the perfect moment to believe in Jesus, it will never happen. Jesus will introduce himself to you at moments that are uncomfortable to you." [12:26] (Download)
"God uses a motley crew like us so many more times than God uses the privileged and the positioned powerful. That gives us an advantage." [38:39] (Download)
"God is just waiting for us to go okay, I'll go in the Deep Waters, using the skills, talents, and giftings He has given us for His purpose." [30:45] (Download)
"Be prepared, you never know when sneaky Jesus is going to come to you. The first step is to have a proximity to Jesus; be prepared." [15:36] (Download)
"Peter gives Jesus permission to get close, and that's a step we all must take. It's about allowing Jesus into our personal space, into our boats, so to speak, and letting Him guide us from there." [15:36] (Download)
"Every encounter with Jesus is a choice. This morning, you turned on the YouTube stream or drove to church, and you're going to have a choice. Every single one of you could have a potential encounter with Jesus." [08:13] (Download)
"Following Jesus sometimes is not hard, there's a blessing on it. But if you say so, let the nets down. I don't know whether this is sarcasm or obedience, but because you said so, let's go." [25:07] (Download)
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