The Transformative Power of Obedience to God

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

Youtube Chapters

Bible Reading

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)."

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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]