Do Whatever He Says: Trusting God’s Authority and Call

Today is a great day to be alive, and it’s a blessing to gather together and reflect on what it means to truly listen to God. Many of us struggle with the gap between when God speaks and when we actually move in obedience. Life gets in the way, but often, the real issue is that we lose sight of who it is that’s speaking to us. When God calls us to do something, it’s not just a suggestion from a distant figure—it’s a command from the King of Glory, the One who holds all authority, expertise, and influence.

Drawing from John 2, where Mary tells the servants at the wedding to “do whatever he tells you,” we are invited to see ourselves as those servants. The question isn’t just what God is asking, but who is asking. Jesus embodies three kinds of authority: positional (He is God and King), expert (His word creates reality), and influential (He walked among us and understands our struggles). When God speaks, it’s not just a command—it’s a guarantee that what He says will come to pass, and it will be good.

Yet, even knowing this, we often hesitate. Conflict arises—our circumstances, skills, or struggles seem to disqualify us. Like Moses, we see our imperfections more clearly in the light of God’s presence and wonder if we’re really the right person for the job. But God already knows our weaknesses and still chooses us. He doesn’t call us because we’re perfect; He calls us so that we’ll depend on Him. The conflict is intentional—it’s meant to drive us to rely on God’s strength, not our own.

The call is simple but urgent: go now. Don’t wait until you feel ready or until your situation looks perfect. God promises to help and teach us as we go. Our obedience isn’t just for our benefit—it’s for His glory. When we move in faith, we become part of God’s story, and others are blessed through our obedience. The time to act is now, trusting that the King of Glory is with us, empowering us, and working through us for His purposes.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Authority Demands Our Obedience God is not just a distant figure; He is the King of Glory, holding ultimate authority over all things. When He calls us, He does so from a place of unmatched power and position. Our response should be shaped by a deep reverence for who He is, not just what He asks. Obedience is not optional when the King commands—it is the only fitting response. [38:20]
• 2. God’s Word Is Already Reality When God speaks, His words create and sustain reality. What He declares is not just a future possibility—it already exists in His eternal perspective. Our faith is demonstrated by our willingness to act on what God has said, trusting that His word is both true and good, even when we can’t yet see it. [43:10]
• 3. Conflict Reveals Our Need for God Obedience to God will always bring us into conflict—whether with our circumstances, our abilities, or our inner struggles. This tension is not a sign of failure but an invitation to deeper dependence on God. He chooses us with full knowledge of our weaknesses, so that His strength can be made perfect in our lives. [52:32]
• 4. Go Now—Don’t Wait for Perfection Delaying obedience because of self-doubt or waiting for ideal conditions only postpones God’s purposes. God promises to help and teach us as we step out in faith. The blessings and breakthroughs we seek are often waiting on the other side of our first step. Go now, trusting that God is with you and will equip you along the way. [57:03]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [25:39] - Opening and Honoring Leadership
• [26:28] - Opening Prayer
• [27:02] - The Struggle to Obey God
• [27:55] - Who Is Telling You to Act?
• [28:40] - Love and Obedience in Relationships
• [29:45] - “Do Whatever He Says” – John 2
• [31:02] - The Servant’s Perspective
• [31:59] - Three Types of Authority
• [34:23] - Jesus Embodies All Authority
• [35:21] - Who Is Jesus? (John 1)
• [37:00] - God as King of Glory
• [39:06] - Our Obedience Is for God’s Glory
• [41:48] - Jesus’ Expert Authority
• [47:20] - Jesus as Light and Power
• [50:45] - Why We Struggle to Obey
• [51:54] - The Role of Conflict
• [53:07] - Moses’ Example: Imperfection and Calling
• [57:03] - Go Now—God Will Equip You
• [59:14] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Reading

John 2:1-5 (ESV) — > On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Observation Questions

1. In John 2:1-5, what role does Mary play in the story, and what does she instruct the servants to do?
2. According to the sermon, what are the three types of authority that Jesus embodies? ([31:59])
3. What is the significance of the phrase “do whatever he tells you” in the context of the wedding at Cana?
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between doing something because of who is asking versus what is being asked? ([29:32])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that Jesus’ authority is positional, expert, and influential. How does understanding these aspects of Jesus’ authority change the way someone might respond to his commands? ([34:43])
2. The message points out that when God speaks, his word is already reality. What does it mean for faith and obedience if what God says is already true, even if we can’t see it yet? ([43:10])
3. The sermon discusses how conflict and self-doubt often arise when God calls us to act. Why might God allow this conflict, and how is it meant to affect our dependence on him? ([52:32])
4. In the story of Moses (Exodus 4:10-12, referenced in the sermon), how does God respond to Moses’ feelings of inadequacy, and what does this teach about God’s calling? ([53:45])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “go now” and not wait for perfect conditions before obeying God. Is there something you feel God has been prompting you to do, but you’ve been waiting for a better time or for yourself to be “more ready”? What is one step you could take this week to move forward? ([57:03])
2. When you think about God’s authority—as King, as expert, and as someone who understands your struggles—does it change your willingness to obey? Why or why not? ([34:43])
3. The message says that our obedience is not just for our benefit, but for God’s glory and for the blessing of others. Can you think of a time when someone else’s obedience to God impacted your life? How might your obedience impact others? ([39:06])
4. The sermon describes how conflict and self-doubt are not signs of failure, but invitations to depend on God. What is one area of your life where you feel this tension? How can you invite God into that struggle this week? ([52:32])
5. The story of Moses shows that God already knows our weaknesses and still calls us. What is one weakness or insecurity that makes you hesitate to obey God? How does knowing God is aware of it—and still chooses you—change your perspective? ([56:29])
6. The sermon mentions that sometimes we forget “who it is” that is speaking to us. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God’s character and authority when you sense him leading you? ([27:45])
7. The message says, “As we go, God will help us and teach us.” What would it look like for you to trust God to equip you as you step out in obedience, rather than waiting until you feel fully prepared? ([58:40])