God's Will Part 2

 

    God created people for a purpose.  He has a purpose for everything He created.  His purpose for you is His plan or will for your life.  It really is not complicated.  People make it complicated.  His will for you is to have a relationship with Him, be obedient and service Him, and in the process make more disciples.

    God has a sovereign will and a commanded will.   His sovereign will is His complete control over   all creation and time.  Not a second goes by that is not accounted for.  History reveals His control from the beginning to now.  What He decides will happen, will happen.  Everything has a time a purpose.

    God's commanded will is revealed through His laws, decrees, statues, and commandments.  This is where God holds people's free will accountable.  You do not have to follow His plan for your life, but the blessings will go to someone else.  If you disobey, then you choose God's curses onto your soul.  The good news is that God never brings judgment without warning to give people a chance to repent and turn to him first.

    Believers are to observe God's commands, remember them, and apply them to their lives.  He is always with you, so you never have to do it alone.  You can obey any of His commandments if you are able to keep these two.  The first is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind.  The second is to love your neighbor (everyone you meet) as you love yourself as a creation of God.

Isaiah 14:24-27, 46:8-11, Matthew 22: 37-40, 28:16-20, & Ephesians 1:9-11, 5:15-20

Attitude Toward Obedience

 

        All the good that comes from people originated with God.  If we do not do things in love and faith, then they mean nothing.  Obedience is a part of genuine faith.  It comes from the heart attitude to serve God.

    Abraham was obedient to God out of faith and devotion.  His obedience was rewarded with his inheritance of land, wealth, historical patriarch, and father of a nations.  He got all of that because of his attitude.  

    It is better to be reluctant and obey, than not to obey at all.  However if you obey with the attitude of faithful submission, then it will be rewarded.  If God's Word does not make sense to you, but you find that you are being called to do something, then just do it.  Trust that it will all come together eventually.  You may even start seeing things in new perspective.

    The point is that Christians are called to do God's will from the heart, like Jesus did as a human.  Jesus came as a servant to mankind, so our attitude should be that of a servant.  Work hard without expecting something in return.  You have already been promised eternity with God and abundance while alive, but what is given abundantly may not be what you are thinking you want.

    To be obedient is to present your body as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.  That means that you lifestyle is pursing to be like Jesus.  You work to be holy, blameless, and faithful.  You train yourself to do whatever God ask without questioning it.  This is how you truly worship God as you allow God to transform you into a new person.

    If you choose disobedience, then you will find curses in your life.  If you reject God (salvation), then you will face the eternal curse.  If you are not a Christian, then right not is the time to change that.  If you are a Christian, then prayerfully seek God's guidance on how you can be more obedient?  Where have you been ignoring God's voice?  Where are you stubborn in life and need to tear down walls to hear God's voice?

Isaiah 64:1-7, Matthew 21:28-32, Luke 5:4-7, 17:7-10, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 6:5-9, & Hebrews 11:8-10

How to be Obedient

 

    If you are a Christian, then you should obey Jesus' commandments.  It all starts with learning how to love and leads to observing the commandments as you walk with Jesus.  Obedience no longer is a check off list or something you have to do.  It becomes a part of you because you want to be obedient.

    Children are commanded to obey their parent to please God and have a long life. Wives are commanded to obey their husband who is the head of the house.  The man is commanded to lead the home as God leads the church.  That means that men lead in love.  Employees or workers are to obey their boss(s) to get back from God.  Work for them as if you are working for God Himself.

    Wives are to submit to their husband even if it is hard and causes grief.  If you are a woman that pursues God, then the husband may be won over. through your living witness.    We are all called to sacrifice for one another.

    Everyone has leaders to obey.  The spiritual leaders are responsible to watch over our souls.  If they do not, then they will answer to God.  We are all to obey our government because they were instituted by God.  They are His representative.  He will not take kindly to leaders who do not represent Him well.    

    If you have the impossible employer, then you are still called to obey them unless it goes against God's commandments.  Be good and gentle as your remember that everyone suffers grief and hardship somewhere in life.  You ultimately answer to God, not them, so be able to approach God with a clear conscience.  By obeying the people that God put over you, you are ultimately obeying God.  

Matthew 28:16-20, Romans 13:1-7, Ephesians 5:22-33, 6:1-9, Colossians 3:18-25, Hebrews 13:15-17, & 1 Peter 2:18-19, 3:1

Results of Obedience

 

    To follow God, you must be obedient.  You can't be obedient without faith.  Obedience is faith that becomes heroic.  Abraham was obedient.  He left his home and everyone he knew to go where God led for a mysterious promise .  He was 75 year old at the time.  He was so faithful to God, that he was willing to sacrifice his own son.  God saw his faith and made it where he didn't have to, but Abraham was willing.

    Abraham's obedience shows us the rewards of following God.  Abraham was blessed with land.  He was promised an uncountable number of offspring.  He was promised that his offspring would be blessed.  He never saw how true God was to His word, but Abraham got everything God promised.  It reveals the truth that if we are obedient, then we will receive God's blessings and promises too.  God made Abraham famous for his faith.

    Jesus' primary concern was to be obedient to God.  He was going to finish God's will and his work. Jesus was obedient to the point of death, but he rose again for to break the hold of sin and death on all of us.  Obedience comes down to attitude.  Abraham's attitude was trusting.  Jesus' attitude was for God's will to happen.  

    Obedience to God brings promises and blessings.  There are some that will never change over time.  One promise is obedience means you remain in God's love.  Another promise is you are a friend of Jesus.  A different promise is that your prayers will be answered.  One more is that God will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.  When you are obedient to God, you gain wisdom, spiritual strength, and your soul becomes indestructible.  It always leads to abundance.

Genesis 12:1-6, 22:1-12, 26:1-6, Matthew 7:24-29, Luke 22:41-44, John 4:34-38, 15:9-17, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:1-10, & 1 John 3:22

The Call to Obedience

 

    If you want to see fruit in your salvation, then you have to learn how to be obedient.  It starts with your parents teaching you how to be obedient, but being a Christian takes it to another level.  Jesus taught us how to make our bodies a living sacrifice, so that we will be holy and pleasing to God.  Obedience is true worship lived out.

    Obedience is the mark of a true believer.  It demonstrates the Love of God.  Disobedience displays that you are a liar.  If you belong to God you will be obedient because it means you know His voice.  If you choose disobedient, then you reveal that you are not a true believer.  

    How could a true believer know God's voice and disobey continuously?  The character of a true believer is doing the will of God.  You are not perfect.  You will mess up occasionally, but how quickly you repent tells your relationship with God.  Your walk with Jesus is your testimony of faith.

    Partial obedience is disobedience in God's eyes.  Your way over God's way is always disobedient.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Stubbornness and defiance is like a child disrespecting their parents.  God sees it as evil because you display defiance and idolatry to yourself.  Disobedience to God has consequences.  It leads to Him rejecting your role in something bigger and better than yourself: leadership role, position, or favor.

    When you hear God's instructions you can react a few different ways.  The main ones are acceptance or rejection.  You can get excited and follow immediately.  This leads to mercy and kindness.  You can get angry because you don't like His terms.  Getting angry leads to you doing something you will regret one day.  

    When you reject God, then you can't expect Him to listen to your prayers.  You will be forced to face the consequences on your own until you repent and submit to His authority.  If you don't do that, then you are headed to a desolate existence and eternal rejection.  Ultimately, it will always be your choice.  Submitting to God's authority is the best gift you can give Him.  

1 Samuel 15:16-23, Zechariah 7:8-14, Matthew 7:21-23, Romans 6:15-18, 12:1-2, & 1 John 2:3-6

Obedience Part 2

 

    Obedience is a declaration of love, respect, and trust.  If you love Jesus with all your heart, mind, and strength, then you will obey his commands.  Devotion is when you commit to divine priorities.  Your focus on the eternal things instead of the momentary commitments or distractions.

    Christians are expected to be obedient to God.  Our obedience is more than following the rules.  It is a set heart attitude toward God.  Salvation is a call to obey God's commands out of love and devotion.  When you hear God's Word, you are called to be doers.  It is not good enough to just learn about what God wants.  You need to apply it to your life and allow it to change who you are.

    To follow Jesus means you have to deny your personal desires until they align perfectly with Jesus'.  We will never hit perfection in this life, but we do change and align more with Jesus if we invest into the relationship.  To follow Jesus means to pick up your cross daily.  It is a heavy burden, but he carried it first.  He is still carrying the heaviest part.  Your weight is what you put into it.  Let go of anything holding you back.  Sacrifice it at the cross and do not pick it back up.

    Jesus showed us how to be obedient.  He came into this world to make the old ways new.  He turned the commandments into a reality that reveals the truth of how much we need God.  He lived them in a way that made them more relatable.  You can see how every command is for your benefit.

    Obedience brings God's favor.  When you obey God, you have no deceit.  It brings forth good things and life giving attributes.  That can't be insulted, but some people will try.  Obedience judges justly.  It is hated by the world because it reveals the truth about how Satan works.  Whomever you obey reveals who you love.  If you really know God, then you will obey Him.

Luke 9:21-27, John 14:15-21, James 1:22-25, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:18-25, & 1 John 2:3-6

Evangelism Strategy

 

    The strategy for evangelism is simple: be a witness.  Your entire lifestyle tells the world what you believe.  You should only need words to defend your faith or explain why you choose to live the way you do.  This means there is no room for grumbling or arguing.  Your life should be blameless and pure, so that the world can see the redeemer in your life.

    Evangelism includes good works.  Good works are not to earn your way into Heaven, but draw the attention of the world to God.  When they ask why you are the way you are, you give God the glory.  When you speak to people, be gracious.  Your attitude is what will be attractive to people.  God met you where you were in life, so try to meet people where they are in life too while being careful that you do not fall into a sinful pattern or lifestyle.  

    Prayer is the only way evangelism works.  Pray salvation over people, so that they will understand the truth.  Prayer for the leaders to live peacefully and quiet lives that mark Godly dignity.  Pray that God will bring people into your life that you can invest into, show the way, or have a salvation conversation with.  Pray that doors are opened to speak God's Word and make Him known to people.  

    If you are in a threatening situation, it can be hard to speak God's word instead feeling panicked.  God commands that we be bold and courageous.  Pray now that you will be bold if the you are ever persecuted for your faith.  Worship God with your life instead of being afraid for it.  Live your life with a clear conscience.  

    You need God's Word to evangelize.  It penetrates the soul separating it from the spirit to judge the thoughts of the heart.  You need scripture to witness, so that you can explain it and make it real to people.  It also is the proof that Jesus raised the dead and fulfilled all his prophecies or will in the future.  Prayer keeps your mind alert and heart thankful, so you can make the most of every opportunity.

    Scripture brings wisdom to your conversations to lead people to salvation through faith.  It holds power that you cannot obtain on your own.  It speaks to any situation that anyone has in life.  It is essential to have confidence in God.  It is the only way you will have a defense for your faith.  Keep it simple, but use the Bible to develop a strategy that works for you and your spiritual gifts through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:13-16, Acts 4:27-30, 17:1-4, Romans 10:1-4, Philippians 2:14-18, Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Hebrews 4:12-13, & 1 Peter 3:13-17