Introduction:
I want to talk about obedience to God. Many, I say many claim to follow Jesus Christ and are doing so ignorantly. I once was one of “those” guys, a blind leader of the blind. I began serving the Jesus of my imagination, instead of the Jesus in the pages of the New Testament. I am still learning to obey Jesus instead of saying, I think Jesus would… Instead I am trying to remember what Jesus Did.
I have been to many so called Christian churches, but so many follow after their teachers, instead of opening the Bible and studying for themselves. Listen to Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
The Philippian church obeyed. I have been guilty of rebellion, as in teaching my version of God or the God that came from my imagination. I have forsaken all teaching, rebellion, sin, and even myself today by having a Thus says the Lord for everything. I am only going to obey what I remember from the New Testament, so because obedience is better than sacrifice I have a sermon on Obedience.
I. Obedience is the primary thing
A. Saul the king was rejected because he did not obey (1 Sam 15:1-23)
1. Saul and the command given him
a. He was to destroy everything ( 1 Sam 15:2-3)
b. Saul was the inflictor of punishment to the Amalek
2. Saul listened to the people instead of God (1 Sam 15:8-9)
a. Saul spared the king he was supposed to kill
b. Saul let his own army keep spoils they were to destroy
c. Saul did not keep what God said in his mind
3. God punished Saul (1 Sam 15:13-33)
a. Saul thought he had obeyed God’s command, but Saul had forgotten
b. Saul did not kill the king or the spoil
c. Samuel killed the king Amalek and told Saul he was no longer the king
B. Nadab and Abihu was struck dead because they watered down the command (Lev 10:1-2)
1. The Text
a. Leviticus 10:1-2 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. (2) And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
2. These were Priests and they were supposed to know the Law of God and Obey
a. These were the guys that have copies of the Law and had been prepared their whole life to perform these services. There is not a question of if they knew what God had said. They knew but did not care to obey.
b. They said in our words, it is too much trouble to offer fire the way God has prescribed… Fire is fire, why use a specific kind of fire. We will use what is easier.
3. God consumed them with the very act of their sin Fire
a. God said He is not going to have a priest to lead his people astray with a lukewarm attitude toward obedience to His commands.
b. God means what He says. He got rid of the rebellion of two of His priests. Do you think he will make an exception with you?
C. Uzza was struck dead because of his disobedience (1 Chron 13:3-13)
1. Uzza knew they were doing wrong
a. He knew God had a prescribed way to carry the Ark of the Covenant
b. He was following the Philistines and their ignorance by putting it on a new cart
c. He did not tell David, wait we cannot do it like this.
2. Uzza was killed because he did not obey God
a. As they travelled they were worshipping God and celebrating
b. The oxen stumbled and God had enough. He killed Uzza
c. It was bad enough they were not carrying it right, but now Uzza touched the Ark
3. David as king, found out what to do and repented and did right in God’s sight (1 Chr 15:13-15)
a. David gathered the entire Priesthood together and encouraged them to prepare themselves for the work they were about to do.
b. In our terms, he said cleanse yourselves and refresh yourselves on the law
c. They did all according to what the Law said and God was pleased (1 Chr 15:15)
II. Jesus’ example of obedience to God’s commands in Baptism
A. Jesus was a Jew
1. Jesus was circumcised the 8th day according to the Law for Jews (Luke 2:22-23)
a. He was the Law of God Personified. As in, if you could picture the law of God in motion or action that was Jesus.
b. The story of the geese in a snow storm:
c. There was a man that did not believe in Jesus but his wife always asked him if he wanted to go to church with her. She was always a good example of Christ but he did not understand what the fuss about Jesus was all about. One Sunday, she asked him again if he wanted to go to church with her. He said I do not understand why God would become a man anyway, no I got other things to do. She went off to church. He sees on the news that a snow storm is coming and he knows he has some geese on his pond. He decides to go and draw them into the safety of his barn. He goes out and tries yelling and motioning with his arms. That did not work. He tries throwing rocks and using a stick that did not work. He gets on his tractor and tries to usher them in that way. He finally gave up and said to himself, unless I dress up like a goose or one of them and show them the way to salvation of the barn they will never know they are about to be destroyed by the blizzard coming. Then he thought about Jesus and knew why God became a man to make a way of salvation for mankind. The next time she went to church he did too.
2. Jesus was called a Jew by a Samaritan woman and did not correct her (John 4:9)
a. Samaritans were considered half breeds because Jews intermarried with their ancestors.
b. Jews had no dealing with them, but this woman called Jesus a Jew and Jesus even told her that He was the Christ.
B. Jews had to obey the commandments from prophets (1 Sam 12:15)
1. Jews had to obey the commands of the Prophets and John the Baptist was a prophet
a. Had Jesus not obeyed the command of a prophet then he would have sinned.
b. It is a funny thing, He did not need to be baptized to be forgiven because He had not sinned but Jesus did so to obey the command to prevent sin from occurring.
2. All the Jews were coming and confessing sins and being baptized by John
a. For the remission of sins or for the forgiveness of sins. Remission is like cancer. If you have cancer and it goes into remission you do not have cancer anymore.
C. Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Mat 3:1-15)
1. Jesus as a Jew had to obey the command to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins or else he would have sinned
a. How many of us can learn from Jesus example?
b. To obey a law that does not even apply to you in our words it is useless. Jesus would have sinned if He had said, I do not need to obey the command to be baptized for the forgiveness of sin because I have never sinned.
2. Jesus was a unique situation, He was sinless
a. I have trouble imagining a hunger and thirst for righteousness that never fails
3. John forbade, but Jesus said we have to fulfill all righteousness or obey the command
a. John said, wait I have sinned, truly I need to be baptized by you.
b. Jesus said I have to obey what God has said to fulfill all righteousness or I will sin.
III. Cornelius Example of obedience to God’s commands in Baptism
A. Peter grew up as a Jew and had no dealings with non-Jews or Gentiles
1. Peter did not associate with the unclean, gentiles, or non-Jews (Acts 10:9-20)
a. Peter thought anyone not a Jew was unclean
2. Peter was given a sign by God Almighty
a. Peter had a vision on the rooftop and seen unclean beasts. He was told to kill and eat.
b. Peter thought eating something besides the Old Testament Law allowed was a sin but God was telling him to arise and eat these unclean beasts.
B. Cornelius house was cleansed but as a sign to teach Peter (Acts 10:25-48)
1. Cornelius prayed and gave alms, God decided to use Cornelius to teach Peter
a. Cornelius was instructed to send for Peter and wait for the answer
2. Cornelius gathered everyone he knew to hear what God wanted them to do
a. He gathered everyone he knew and wanted them to hear what God had to say as well
C. Cornelius was baptized to fulfill all righteousness just like Jesus
1. God cleansed the household of Cornelius as a SIGN to Peter
2. Peter recounts the story and said they received the Same as we apostles (Acts 11:9-17)
3. Peter commanded them to be baptized, like Jesus to fulfill all righteousness. They had to obey the command to be baptized for the forgiveness of sin or else God would be a liar.
a. By the way, Cornelius was not praying the Sinner’s prayer but listening to what Peter was telling them. It was a sign to Peter that Any man can be saved.
b. Although God used these unclean beasts in Peter’s eyes as a sign to show that God loves all men not just Jews, these Gentiles were cleansed but Peter said wait a minute you guys have to enter the church of Christ same way as everyone else. Then commanded them to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, saying who can forbid water…if they had not been baptized then they would have lost the Holy Spirit through disobedience.
c. They like Jesus could have sinned and said no we are cleansed already and have no need of being baptized for the forgiveness of sin but they obeyed like Jesus.
IV. What about you? Believer’s baptism
A. Do you believe in God and in so doing know there is a punishment for disobedience?
1. What is sin
a. Breaking the law: 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
b. Unrighteousness: 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
c. Doubting: Romans 14:23 and he that doubteth is damned if he eats, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
d. Sins of omission: James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
2. Wages of Sin
a. Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
c. John 8:23-24 and he said unto them, ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. (24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
B. What does the New Testament say today about How to be Saved
1. Roadmap Illustration:
a. Anytime in the New Testament, you find an example of salvation, the messenger always took them from where they were at and gave them the instructions of how to get to salvation. It is like a man in California, that wants to go to Tennessee. He stops before he leaves and asks how do I get to Tennessee? They answer that is easy just go across the Rocky Mountains, down through the great plains, into Arkansas, cross the Mississippi river into Memphis and then you will be in Tennessee. He drives across the Rocky mountains and then asks someone how do I get to Tennessee? They respond, go through the great plains and into Arkansas. Then cross the Mississippi river at Memphis and you will be in Tennessee. He drives through the great plains and gets to Arkansas and asks some one how to you get to Tennessee? They respond that’s easy just drive through the rest of Arkansas and cross the Mississippi river and go into Memphis and you will be in Tennessee. You see the answers were all different, but the destination was the same depending on where the man was on his journey to get to Tennessee. The same is true of every conversion in the New Testament. They were all told the same message but is seems different because of where they were on the journey to the Kingdom of God.
2. Hear the Message of Jesus work on the cross (Rom 10:13-17); (Heb 11:6)
3. Believe in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection (Mark 16:16, 1 Cor 15:1-4)
4. Repent of our will and forsake anything but God’s will through Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30-31; 2:38; Luke 13:3,5)
5. Confess that belief of Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world from sin (Mat 10:32-33; Rom 9:9-10)
6. Be Baptized to wash away all past sins, and be adopted into the Family of God (Acts 2:38-39; 1 Pet 3:20-21)
7. There is not an example of the Sinner’s Prayer in the New Testament (Paul =Acts 22)
a. In fact Paul prayed and fasted for 3 days and that did not saved him because he was told in Acts 22:16, to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord”
C. What would Jesus do? Or rather What did Jesus do?
1. Look at those who had been baptized in John’s baptism (Acts 19:1-6)
2. Remember the disobedience of Saul, Nadab, Abihu, and Uzza
3. Look at the Obedience of Jesus, Cornelius, and Paul
Conclusion:
So what is Faith? Is it an emotional experience brought on by God so that you can be saved? Not in any way is faith an emotional experience Faith is obedience to the word of God because God said this is the way I decided to save you, by obeying my commands. James 2:17-20 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
So do you really believe that Jesus died in your place for sin? Do you really believe that He was buried for three days according to Jewish time keeping, and was raised on the morning of the third day?
I am going to make this simple: Jesus said Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jesus also requires obedience to His Word found in the New Testament, listen to John 14:15 “If you love me keep my commandments” In Mark 16:16, Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Did Jesus say he that believes and is baptized will be saved? Yes or no? Do you believe Jesus came in the flesh and was crucified on the cross and raised three days later? Yes or no? Have you been baptized before? Yes or No Do you still believe in your baptism? Yes or No? Will you be baptized in order to obey Jesus? Yes or No?
Finally listen to Jesus: “Matthew 7:21-27 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
Notice there are people on the day of Judgement saying to Jesus, in my words, finally I see my Lord Jesus, but He says depart from me I do not know you, and they are like look my whole life I have prophesied in your name, I cast out devils in your name, look at all I did for you so many wonderful works, and Jesus responds I do not know you. You never obeyed what I said to do. So are you going to give lip service to Jesus or are you going to obey HIM? Yes or no?
Try…A…Daily Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend
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