Obedience in the Life of the Believer (John 14:15)
This sermon explores the fundamental principle of obedience, beginning with its earliest mention in scripture and tracing its importance throughout a believer's life. It gently guides listeners to understand obedience not as a burden, but as an expression of love and the pathway to God's best.
This sermon emphasizes that obedience to God is an essential principle in life, flowing from love and leading to blessings. Disobedience, even partial, is rebellion with consequences, but God provides the Holy Spirit's help to live obediently.
Overview
The sermon begins by highlighting the first lesson on obedience found in Genesis 2:15-17, where God gives Adam a clear command with a severe consequence for disobedience. This foundational principle is extended to families, stressing that children should be taught to obey their parents as a reflection of obeying God, our ultimate authority. The preacher warns that a conflict arises when children observe their parents living contrary to what they teach.
Obedience is precisely defined as "doing what God says how He says do it and when He says do it," with the crucial clarification that partial obedience is considered full disobedience. Any act of choosing not to obey God is characterized as rebellion, and the sermon asserts that such disobedience invariably brings penalties, whether immediately evident or not, as there is no escaping God's ultimate law.
Jesus' words in John 14:15, 21, and 23 are presented as central, linking love for God directly to keeping His commandments. The sermon explains that while no one is perfect, a godly and obedient person will immediately confess sin and repent, facilitated by the Holy Spirit's conviction. The Holy Spirit also provides the power to make right decisions and confess wrong actions.
The preacher outlines two key motivations for obedience: reverence for who God is as the holy, sovereign God who sent Jesus to die for our sins, and a sincere desire to please Him. Ultimately, obedience is presented as the best way to live, despite sometimes being difficult, and it begins with the decision to accept God's plan of salvation by trusting in Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Key points
- The first lesson on obedience in the Bible is found in Genesis 2:15-17, where God gives Adam a command with clear consequences.
- Children are commanded to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3) as a reflection of obeying God, the ultimate authority in our lives.
- Obedience is defined as doing "what God says how He says do it and when He says do it"; anything less, including partial obedience, is disobedience.
- Disobedience is an act of rebellion against God and always results in penalties, even if they are not immediately perceived.
- Jesus repeatedly states in John 14:15, 21, and 23 that keeping His commandments is the evidence of love for Him.
- The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin and enables them to make right decisions, confess wrongdoings, and receive forgiveness.
- The two primary motivations for obedience are reverence for God's person and a genuine desire to please Him, recognizing it as the best way to live.
In Charles Stanley's words
“Obedience means doing what God says how He says do it and when He says do it.”
“Partial obedience is what? Disobedience.”
Outline
- I. The First Lesson on Obedience (Genesis 2)
- A. God's first command to Adam and the consequence (Genesis 2:15-17)
- B. The importance of teaching obedience in families (Ephesians 6:1-3)
- C. The conflict created by disobedient parents
- II. Understanding Obedience
- A. Defining obedience: what God says, how He says, when He says
- B. Partial obedience is disobedience
- C. Disobedience is rebellion against ultimate authority
- D. Disobedience always brings a penalty
- III. Obedience as Evidence of Love (John 14)
- A. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15, 21, 23)
- B. The Ten Commandments as evidence of God's best
- C. Obedience as a way of life, not just a daily decision
- D. Obedience is the best way to live, though sometimes the hardest
- IV. Help and Motivation for Obedience
- A. The Holy Spirit's role in conviction and enablement
- B. Motivation 1: Reverence for who God is
- C. Motivation 2: Desire to please God
- D. Obedience begins with the plan of salvation
Scripture references
15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Insights
True obedience flows from a deep reverence for God's nature.
The Holy Spirit gently guides us toward alignment with God's will.
Every choice to obey shapes our relationship with divine authority.
Questions & answers
What is the sermon's main definition of obedience?
Obedience means doing exactly what God says, how He says, and when He says to do it, without any omissions or substitutions.
How does the sermon connect love and obedience?
The sermon highlights Jesus' words in John 14, where He states that if someone truly loves Him, they will keep His commandments and His word.
What is "partial obedience" according to the sermon?
The sermon asserts that "partial obedience is disobedience," meaning that failing to fully comply with God's commands in any aspect is an act of rebellion.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in a believer's obedience?
The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin, makes them aware of wrongdoings, and enables them to make right decisions, confess, and turn away from sin.
What are the motivations for obedience discussed in the sermon?
The two primary motivations are reverence for who God is and a genuine desire to please Him, recognizing that obeying God is always the best pathway.
Where does a life of obedience begin?
A life of obedience begins when an individual responds to the plan of salvation, asking God for forgiveness based on Jesus' sacrifice and surrendering their life to Him.
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