FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (12):

Obedience

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Psalm 11:3

 

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

 

1.    A foundation is the base upon which a structure is built.

2.    It has been said that a building is only as strong and secure as its foundation.

 

B.   There are several ways a foundation can crumble.

1.    First, the foundation may not have been built with solid materials (i.e., sand vs rock, (Matt. 7:24-27).

2.    Second, the foundation can be neglected by the owners.  Over time, it deteriorates (i.e., wood rots, mortar loosens and falls out, cracks develop).

3.    Third, hidden factors can cause a foundation to be weakened (i.e., water or termites).

4.    Fourth, the foundation can be attacked by the enemy.  He is just as aware of the importance of a strong foundation as the owners of a building are.

 

C.   It is important, therefore, to pay close attention to the foundation.  It should be constantly inspected so it remains strong and steadfast. 

 

D.   The Bible teaches us that the church is the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

1.    Jesus is the chief cornerstone.

2.    The teachings of the apostles and prophets make up the remainder of the foundation.

3.    Ephesians 2:20

 

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

 

E.   Because we need to pay attention to the foundation, we have been presenting lessons from time to time entitled:  “Foundational Truths.”  We want to continue that series in this lesson.  The subtitle of this lesson is just one word:  “Obedience.”

 

I.             THE DEFINTION OF OBEY

 

A.   Matthew 8:26-27

 

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?  Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

 

1.    The Greek word translated “obey” is the common word for obey in the New Testament.

2.    Definition:

a.    Strong (5219):  to hear under (as a subordinate), to listen attentively, by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority

b.    Thayer:  to listen, to hearken, to obey, to be obedient, to submit

c.    Vine:  to listen, to attend, to obey

3.    What caused the disciples to marvel was the fact that the aspects of the creation that have no life, no mind, and no soul listened to the words of Jesus and obeyed Him.

 

B.   Those who obey Jesus Christ…

1.    Are under Him.

2.    Listen intently to what He says.

3.    Conform to all of the commands that He issues forth immediately just as the winds and the sea did at the sea of Galilee.

 

II.           PLAIN PASSAGES TEACHING OBEDIENCE

 

A.   Obey (Heb. 5:9)

 

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

 

B.   Obeyed (Rom. 6:17)

 

But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine  which was delivered you.

 

C.   Obeying (1 Pet. 1:22)

 

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

 

III.         SYNOMYMS FOR OBEY

 

A.   Observe (Matt. 28:20)

 

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

 

B.   Keep (Luke 11:28)

 

But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

 

C.   Continue in (John 8:31)

 

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

 

D.   Do (John 15:14)

 

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

 

E.   Mind (Rom. 8:5)

 

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

 

F.    Heed (Heb. 2:1)

 

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

 

G.   Submit (James 4:7)

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

IV.         THE DIFFICULTY OF OBEDIENCE

 

A.   We just do not want to obey.

 

B.   We do not understand why.

 

C.   We do not want to sacrifice.

 

D.   We fear the rejection of others.

 

E.   We do not want to suffer.

 

F.    We have a false sense of religious security.

 

V.           EXAMPLES OF OBEDIENCE

 

A.   Abraham (Heb. 11:8)

 

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

 

B.   Jesus (Phil. 2:8)

 

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

VI.         WHAT OBEDIENCE DOES

 

A.   Proves whose servant we are (Rom. 6:16)

 

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

 

B.   Manifests our love for God (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3)

 

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

 

C.   Manifests our faith in God (Jam. 2:18b)

 

…shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 

D.   Makes us like God

1.    God is holy.  God is wise.  God is good.  God is unchanging.  God is perfect.

2.    Every command in Scripture comes from the mind of this wonderful being.

3.    If we obey His commands, we can be with Him, and we can be LIKE HIM (Eph. 4:23-24).

 

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

E.   Keeps us from the evil one (Ps. 119:104)

 

Through thy precepts I get understanding:  therefore I hate every false way.

 

F.    Blesses our lives now (Jam. 1:25)

 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

G.   Grants eternal rewards in the hereafter (Rev. 22:14)

 

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

H.   Pleases our heavenly Father (Matt. 3:17)

 

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Obedience to many is an evil word.

 

B.   Instead of simply obeying God, some seek to find ways to thwart God’s commands.

 

C.   According to 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, there are severe consequences to all those who refuse to obey the gospel of Christ.

 

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.