Category: Obedience

The incarnate Creator of the universe has spoken to you, are you listening?

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

• He said that divorce was sinful, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 19:9).
• He said that evil thoughts, sex outside of marriage, theft and lying are all sinful too, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 15:19).
• He said to be a good influence, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 5:16).
• He said to love your enemies, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 5:44).

He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), are you listening?

He said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48).

Are you listening?!

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Jesus intended for his listeners to be discerning and disciplined in their hearing. The lesson emphasizes how essential it is for us to be good listeners.

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The apostle Paul wrote of ancient Israel in her infancy as a nation. “But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:5-6).

The reasons for God’s displeasure, both at the beginning and through Israel’s entire national history are myriad. They can be simply summarized in this statement – They did not obey God’s will for them. At turns they were rebellious, prideful and negligent. Regardless, God told them what He required of them, and they did not follow His will.

Today there are religious people who are guilty of the same thing. They give lipservice to God, but do not follow His will. They have not learned from the example of Israel.

The next time someone tells you that the Bible was not intended by God to be a “pattern” for the Christian, remember God’s dealings with Israel. They were “written for our admonition” (11).

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“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the ineritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24).

Have you considered that every aspect of your existence here on earth is to be controlled by the Lord? That in every relationship you have – familial, fraternal, civic or business – your words and actions are to accord with the will of Jesus Christ.

The words, “for you serve the Lord Christ” require of you honesty, industry, mercy and love. Respect for authority comes directly from a respect for Christ’s authority. A flouting of any authority, be it the President, a police officer, or your employer, constitutes a flouting of the authority of your Lord.

Remember, whatever you do is to be done, not as to men, but rather “as to the Lord.” You belong to Him!

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Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

In Romans 5:12 the apostle Paul affirms that death has spread to all men. The only way to escape death is through God’s gift to man (cf. Romans 6:23). As such, we are Debtors (Romans 8:12).

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There is no more important question for each of us to ask ourselves. We acknowledge the existence of God, and our own subservient relationship to Him. So, each must ask, “What kind of servant am I?”

In the text of Matthew 24 Jesus describes the two answers possible. One may be a “faithful and wise servant” (vs. 45), or an “evil servant” (vs. 48). What is the difference between the two? The faithful and wise servant is the one, when the Master comes, who is doing the Master’s will (vs. 46).

The point is simple. God is our Master, and if we want to please Him, we must do His bidding. That is why it is so important for us to know the pattern of obedience required by God in His word. If we do so, we are “blessed” (vs. 46), and will be rewarded (vs. 47). If not, “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vs. 51).

A sobering truth, to be considered in opposition to the common claim that sincerity in religion is the sole matter of importance. Jesus tells us the important thing is to do the Master’s will!

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The Sermon analyzes the letters of the Lord to the seven church of Asia, found in Revelation 2 & 3.

The letters emphasize Jesus’ knowledge of the works of the churches, His call for some to repent, and His promise of reward to the faithful.

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Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). The phrase “if then” refers back to his statement in the previous chapter, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (2:12).

Those who have been baptized have been raised with Christ. The blessings given by God at baptism (the “remission of sins” cf. Acts 2:38), require a response on the part of those who are born again to this new life. We are to “seek those things which are above.”

The idea that man has no part to play in his own redemption is very wrong. Paul wrote, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2). He also admonished the Philippians to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (2:12-13).

Have you been raised to a new life? Then you need to ask yourself whether you are doing “His good pleasure” or your own. You are now a child of God, and it is your responsibility to “seek those things which are above.”

The URGENCY of the Gospel is seen in:

* The Plan of Salvation before Creation.
* The Compassion of the Christ
* The Crucifixion of the Christ
* The Exaltation of the Christ
* The Future Coming of the Christ
* The Christ’s Charge to the Church

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Paul, in Colossians 3:18-25, gives numerous exhortations, emphasizing that a man’s standing with God is dependent upon his obedience. There are no exceptions to this, because God does not show partiality.

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In order to fight the good fight of faith (cf. 1 Timothy 6:6), we must first identify the enemy, and second utilize all of the help and weapons at our disposal.

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Acts 12 records a despotic King, Herod, determining to “harass some from the church.” He executed James, the brother of John, and we are told his actions “pleased the Jews.” Their approval spurred him on, and he siezed Peter as well, and put him in prison. (vv. 1-3).

Two lessons can be learned from this:

1) Though we are fortunate not to be the subjects of governmental persecution, that can change. Christians will always be the subject to the ungodly impulses of evil men. It is for this reason we are called to be virtuous in standing when our faith is tested.

2) Ultimately, God wins! So, it is in our best interest to serve Him. Not all who are evil will get their punishment in this life (though Herod did, as God struck him worms, and he died, vs. 23). But, rest assured that the ungodly will be punished, and those who believe will receive the reward of heaven.

As Paul wrote, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

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I recently came across the following quote, attributed to Abraham Lincoln:

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

Truer words could not be said. God’s way is the way of righteousness. It is fair and good. Israel questioned that in Ezekiel’s day, and God answered, “Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:29-30).

As God’s way is fair and right, those who walk in it will as a consequence be rewarded with an eternity in heaven. The apostle Paul wrote, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).

God’s way is the right way, so it is obvious that it should be our way as well. If we submit our will to His, and are obedient servants, He promises us the victory found through His Son.

Sermon 1 of 9 by Carl Allen.

The eternal purpose of God was fulfilled in Jesus Christ when He came to earth, and shed his atoning blood for all mankind. This atonement is available to all, and is accomplished by those who respond in faith to the gospel of our Lord.

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