Category: Obedience
Subject: Obedience
From the Preacher’s Pen: We Will Be Judged
In 2 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul wrote of the hope of heaven, contrasting it with our life here on earth. He said, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.”
It is an interesting picture, putting off this tent (our frail and mortal body), and replacing it with an eternal one. Paul was confident that he would obtain that promised life, and so stated in verse 8, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
People today speak of their confidence, placing all of it in “the finished work of Jesus Christ.” They state they are confident, not because of what they have done, but what Jesus has already done for them, assuring them the hope of heaven. They view any suggestion of responsibility on the part of man to be a form of legalism, and a trust in works of merit.
Paul looked at it differently. He recognized what God had done for him, and his confidence was in God (see verses 5-7). However, he still understood the necessity of obedience, writing, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (9-10). As we recognize what God did for us in sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, let us acknowledge that our final standing will, in part, depend upon what we have done while living our lives on earth.
Sermon: Neither Will I Be With You Anymore
Israel’s Defeat at Ai is examined (Joshua 7), with proper applications made for Christians. In order for us to have God “with us”, we must refrain from taking part in what is accursed by God. There is a clear admonition to faithfulness, and to refrain from worldliness.
Sermon: My Will VS Thy Will
God has blessed man with free will. He compels no one to obey Him. His desire is for men to voluntarily come to Him, to worship Him, and obey Him. Men have a choice. However, while all of this is true, it must be understood that the choices men make have consequences.
Sermon: I Am the Vine
John 15:1-8. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” And, “without me you can do nothing.” The study concerns Jesus’s statements, and their significance.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Winter Weather and God’s Word
Job’s friend Elihu, in describing the majesty of Almighty God, said among other things:
“From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen” (Job 37:9-10).
With the weather of the last couple of days, we are reminded of the power of our God. It is one of a myriad of ways that nature proclaims His glory. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
The same God that made the universe has revealed His will to man. Consider His words recorded by the prophet, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
The Almighty God who created the universe has promised us that His word will be accomplished on the earth. The only way this can be a pleasant truth is if one is in accord with that will. To oppose it is foolish. Those who do so are destined for ruin. There is, however, victory in Jesus!
Sermon: Stop Waiting in Line!
There is no waiting in line:
- To be heard by God in prayer.
- To receive spiritual blessings.
- To praise and worship God.
- To read and learn more about God.
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2013 (Jerry Fite)
The following wonderful lessons were preached by Jerry Fite at the West Side church from November 2-7, 2013. There were 9 lessons in all, with sermon audio and PPTX files supplied for each.
Unity in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
(Saturday, November 2, 2013)
- A study of 1 Corinthians 12 explaining in the context of spiritual gifts, that the purpose of a unified spiritual body is edification. The Corinthians were to exercise their spiritual gifts to edify all, as they were united in loving care for one another.
The New Testament Canon
(Sunday Bible Class, November 3, 2013)
- The lesson discusses the canon of scripture, and how it is obtained. The point is made that the church did not determine what books were conanical. Rather, they acknowledged what all understood to be true.
Why Do You Do Good Works? (Ephesians 2:10)
(Sunday AM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- We are to do good works as a second opportunity to truly live. We are alive by the grace of God, and therefore should be zealous for good works.
Applying the Minister’s Checklist (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
(Sunday PM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- Paul revealed to Timothy certain things that should be present for him to be effective as an evangelist. In application, brother Fite asks, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child of God in the local church observed the checklist as well?
Hold to the Pattern of Sound Words (2 Timothy 1:13)
(Monday, November 4, 2013)
- In application, brother Fites calls for faithfulness to the gospel pattern in areas such as Music in worship, Benevolence, Evangelism and the plan of Salvation.
Must I Forgive? Then How?
(Tuesday, November 5, 2013)
- Jesus indicated in Matthew 6 that we must forgive others if we wish to be forgiven. The lesson examines the obligation to forgive, and what to do if a person is unwilling to ask forgiveness of us.
Pay Attention to Your Speech (James 3:1-12)
(Wednesday AM Class, November 6, 2013)
- An expository lesson discussing James 3. Brother Fite calls for us to pay attention to our speech. Our speech should bless, edify, give grace to those who hear, and be full of thanksgiving.
A Plan for Raising Children to be Joyous Christians
(Wednesday PM, November 6, 2013)
- How do we raise joyous children? By helping them to know: The Lord is the Creator of all; their Savior from sin; their High priest; and the presenter of the Crown of Eternal Life.
Before the Judgment Seat
(Thursday, November 7, 2013)
- When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, some will be surprised. Because they are classed among the wicked; they will be the last rather than the first, they will be lost because they were not abounding in the work of the Lord. Live so that you will not be surprised at the judgment seat of Christ.
Mining the Scriptures: Romans 1:13-15
The apostle here expresses his desire to overcome any obstacles, and visit the Romans, that he might, “have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles” (13). Remember, Paul was appointed by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles (cf. Acts 9:15).
His admission of indebteness to them is an interesting one. Why did he owe them? He owed them because of what God had done for him! Paul recognized that both the gift of salvation (cf. Romans 7:24-25) and the ministry to which he had been appointed (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10) were not his because of any merit on his part. If such a gift had been given to him, it seemed to him that he was obligated to do his very best, for the remainder of his time on earth, to avail others of that same gift.
Emphasis will be placed upon preaching as a means of servicing that debt in our comments on verses 16 and 17. For now, note his complete dedication to the task. “For as much as is in me, I am ready…” (15). These words give us some understanding of the value of our gift from God. Grace brings salvation. Rather than thinking of grace as freedom from sin’s consequences (cf. Romans 6:1-2), we should see it as obligating us to righteous living! (cf. Titus 2:11-14).
Sermon: The Obedient Son
Sermon by Jeremiah Cox.
John 12:27. Jesus knew exactly who He was, and what He would have to endure. He was an obedient Son.
Sermon: Jesus is the Way
In John 14:1-6, Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the way. Do you want to be where Jesus is? Then you must be in, “the way, the truth, and the life” with Him.
Sermon: Self-Sufficiency
Deuteronomy 8:11-18. The text introduces the question, Is there room for God in your life? A comfortable life can be dangerous, as we forget God. Truly, we are sufficient only in God, because only God is sufficient!
The Patternists: The Consequence of Faith in God
Do you believe in an Almighty God who created the universe? Not all men do, but for those who believe in God, there is a consequence to their faith. God exists, so what’s next? The Psalmist said, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14).
That God who is responsible for our existence deserves praise and obedience, if He so requires it. It is disrespectful of us to acknowledge His existence, and not willingly submit to His will. Consider the punishment of Aaron’s sons who were guilty of disobeying God (cf. Leviticus 10). God killed them because of their disobedience. When Moses explained to Aaron why Nadab and Abihu were destroyed, he quoted God as saying, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified” (vs. 3). Aaron understood, and accepted the punishment as just.
The lesson for us? God expects us to carefully follow His instructions. He deserves praise and obedience, and He does indeed require it! In our time, He has granted all authority to His Son Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 28:18). As God Himself said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5). Those who refuse to listen to the Son, and obey His words are foolish indeed (cf. Matthew 7:26-27).
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From the Preacher’s Pen: Stop Giving Up!
The other day I came across a motivational message for exercise and weight loss. The message was one of “tough love”, stating, “If you’re tired of starting over… stop giving up!”
As someone who has struggled with my weight most of my adult life, (and is trying yet again to get down to a healthy number), the message resonated. The sentiment is rather harsh, but anyone who has tried and failed to lose weight, stop smoking, or break any bad habit knows that ultimately, the success that some enjoy is directly attributable to their will. While challenging, the message gives hope as well. If this time you can stick to it, you can overcome previous disappointments and achieve your goal. While education, strategies and support all may be integral — in the end it takes perseverance to accomplish your goals.
The lesson is an important one as it applies to our spiritual standing with God. The Christian walk is a lifetime endeavor, and some do not exercise the will to live it consistently and zealously. They may become apathetic, or may be overcome by temptation. Some may become weary of “starting over” even to the point of chucking it all and returning to the world. We may understand and empathize about the difficulties of living our lives for God, but ultimately there is no excuse for failing. In the end, it is a simple matter of will.
Paul wrote, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). In other words, “stop giving up!”
Sermon: What Can the Righteous Do?
The Psalmist asked in Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The lesson seeks to answer the question, by suggesting that the righteous can:
- Continue to keep faith in God
- Continue to pray
- Be careful not to be consumed by anger
- Overcome evil with good
- Remember that they are living for heaven
- Obey God rather than men
Sermon: The Outward Man VS The Inward Man
The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4, explains how, though the outward man is perishing, the inward man is renewed each day.
