Category: Obedience

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!”

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

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The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4, explains how, though the outward man is perishing, the inward man is renewed each day.

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The lesson gives a concise history and description of the ark of the covenant. Examining Israel’s dealing with the ark, several applications come to mind:

• God’s instructions are to be followed
• What happens when the glory of God departs
• The concept of Sanctification
• The consequences of disobedience

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The lesson is a textual sermon on Acts 17, showing the different responses shown to Paul’s preaching in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens.

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Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera

Armando uses the text of Deuteronomy 4:7-14 to emphasize how God expects us to keep the statutes and commandments that He delivers to man.

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Invitation delivered by: Josh Jackson

Jesus taught as one having authority (cf. Matthew 7). He is our Lord, the exalted one, and deserves our reverence and obedience.

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To know God is the ultimate attainment of man. The “know”-ing of our text carries with it much more than a casual acquaintance with Him. As Barnes’ states, “‘To know God as he is’ is to know and regard him as a lawgiver, a sovereign, a parent, a friend. It is to yield the whole soul to him, and strive to obey his law.”

We can know God. Such an intimate acquaintance is obtained through our obedience to His will. Conversely, as stated here by John, those who claim to know God, and do not obey Him are liars. This truth is obvious. Can a man truly claim to know God as the sovereign Creator and disregard His instructions to him? The idea is absurd.

It is only in our obedience to the will of the Lord that our love for Him is complete. There are many who claim to love Jesus, but prove themselves to be lacking in their devotion by disregarding His will.

What ought we to do? What is our obligation in light of our relationship to God and His Son? What is our response to His mercy and grace? It is, or at least it ought to be, obedience (vs. 6). We should “walk just as He walked.”

After reading this article, you might consider the title a bit misleading. It is less a discussion of the merits of the second amendment to the constitution, and more an examination of the question of authority. But, at least it piqued your interest!

You would have to have spent the last few weeks under a rock to not have gotten wind of the rather passionate current debate over the relative need for gun control. The debate has become more contentious in the aftermath of the mass shooting on December 14th at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. This shooting has led gun control advocates to call for comprehensive legislation that will greatly limit the type and numbers of firearms available to American citizens. At the other end of the spectrum, it has led others to call for the arming of teachers, principals and other law abiding citizens to combat these violent criminals.

Continue reading “In the News: The Second Amendment” →

A few days ago I came across the written thoughts of a young Christian who took issue with the idea of making New Year’s resolutions, at least with regard to a person’s efforts to serve his Lord.

He made some good points, emphasizing that we should resolve today and every day to serve God acceptably. This, of course, is true. I certainly would not suggest that anyone wait until January 1st before beginning an effort to serve God. (If you do that today, you would be waiting for 360 days!)

However, the first month of the year remains as good a time as any to take stock of your spiritual standing, and to determine to do better than you have in the past. With that in mind, I would encourage you to consider what you did last year in the following areas, and to contemplate what you could do to improve in 2013:

• Making prayer a habit. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Reading and studying God’s word (Psalm 1:1-2)
• Diligently attending worship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Achieving focus and zeal in worship (John 4:24)
• Expressing interest in brethren (Philippians 2:4)
• Walking with Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
• Placing Christ first in life (Galatians 2:20)
• Sharing the faith with others (1 Peter 3:15)
• Living a transformed, holy life (Romans 12:1-2)
• Practicing benevolence (James 1:27)
• Practicing hospitality (Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9)

Surely each of us, no matter what efforts we have made in the past, can do better this next year as we seek to serve our Lord!

Lesson 6 of 8 in a series on Awesome Texts.

The Apostle Paul affirms that with the Lord’s help, all necessary things can be accomplished. To obtain victory in Jesus, we must meditate on those things that are noble and praiseworthy.

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Invitation delivered by: Jonathan Hinds

Jonathan uses the parable of the marriage feast in Matthew 22 to indicate the proper response to the invitation of God.

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Primarily using Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, the apostle indicates that spiritual soundness must include being sound in the faith, in personal faith, in speech, and in moral conduct.

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Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera

Armando explains the importance of understanding God’s will that we might be saved. Text: Matthew 13:1-ff.

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Invitation delivered by: Chad Gallman

Chad uses the book of Ecclesiastes to establish the truth that man, because he is man, should fear God.

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