The Obedient Life PT5

The Obedient Life - #5

“Blessings of Obedience”

II Corinthians 10:4-5

II Corinthians 10:4-5,  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

INTRODUCTION

Obedience is commanded by God and is an expected choice in the behavior of His people. We have considered the Biblical consequences of disobedience that are apparent in the life of the disobedient. However, it is important that we recognize the tremendous promise of blessing upon the life of the obedient! Consider Deuteronomy 11:27,  A blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 

The Bible speaks specifically of blessings that come with obedience…

I.         OBEDIENCE…AND POWER

Acts 5:32,  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

                                    A.  Persuaded.

1.  Obedience. [to be persuaded by a ruler, to submit to authority,  

      conform to advice or instruction]

                                     B.  Power.

                                                      1.  The Holy Ghost.

                                                                        a.  God’s Promise. Joel 2:28-29, Proverbs 1:23, Isaiah 28:9-12,

      Isaiah 44:3, Hosea 6:3, Ezekiel 36:27, John 7:37-39,

      John 14:16-17, John 15:26, John 16:14, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:39

                                                      2.  The Holy Ghost and Obedience.

                                                                        a.  If we are not living the life of daily obedience…

      our Pentecostal experience is fraudulent.

II.        OBEDIENCE…AND PURITY

I Peter 1:22,  Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:

                                     A.  Purity…

                                                      1.  The Pure in Heart.  Matthew 5:8,  Blessed are the pure in heart: for

      they shall see God. [blessed = supremely blessed, well-off,

      fortunate, happy, blessed. pure = clean, clear, pure. (It's the idea

      of being uncontaminated and without corruption, without

      guile...sincere and honest in motive.), heart = the heart, (fig.),

      thoughts or feelings (mind),  see = to gaze (with wide-open eyes), 

      as at something remarkable.

                                                                        a.  Last Days…Daniel 12:10, Proverbs 30:12  

                                    B.  Purity…Our Model.

                                                      1.  God’s Personality. Psalm 22:3, II Samuel 22:27, Psalm 19:8,

      Proverbs 30:5, Psalm 19:9 

                                    C.  Purity…Our Method.

                                                      1.  Reactions.

                                                                        a.  Obedience and Faith. I Peter 1:22, Acts 15:9

                                                      2.  Relationship.

                                                                        a.  Precept. John 15:3, Job 29:6  

                                                                        b.  Prayer. Psalm 51:10  

                                                      3.  Rapture Ready.

                                                                        a.  Preparing. I John 3:1-3 

                                     D.  Purity…Our Manner.

                                                      1.  Conversation. Proverbs 15:26

                                                      2.  Conduct. Proverbs 21:8

                                                      3.  Character. I Timothy 4:12  

III.      OBEDIENCE…AND PECULIAR TREASURE

Exodus 19:5,  Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Proverbs 25:12,  As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

                                     A.  Peculiar Treasure.

                                                      1.  If You Obey.

                                                                        a.  Peculiar Treasure = Wealth (as closely shut up), special.

                                                                           Isaiah 33:5-6 

 B.  Peculiar People.

      Titus 2:14,  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all

      iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

                                                      1.  Purchased. We Are Redeemed! I Peter 1:18-19, 

                                                                        a.  Freedom. John 8:32, John 8:36, Romans 6:14, 

      Romans 6:18, II Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1

2.  Purified. 

                                                                        a.  The Pure. [to cleanse, to make clean]

      Proverbs 15:2, Proverbs 21:8  

                                                      3.  Peculiar. [Derived from two words: “around” and “to be,”  to be

                                                            around,  being beyond the usual, special]

a.        Special…because He is around His people!

I Corinthians 10:13, Romans 8:28

IV.       OBEDIENCE…AND PROVISION

Jeremiah 38:20  NIV…"Obey the LORD by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you…  Isaiah 1:19  If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land:

                                     A.  Well!

                                                      1.  Promise.

a.  Well = Happy, successful, be content, find favor, make

      sweet.

                                                                        b.  Good = Go well with, good things, make glad.

                                                      2.  Prosperity. Proverbs 10:22   

                                                                        a.  His Way. Genesis 24:56

                                                                                          1)  The Greatest Prosperity. Salvation = Calvary

       (John 1:12)

                                     B.  Willing.

                                                      1.  Willing. [consent to, be willing]

                                                                        a.  Submission. James 4:7  

                                                                        b.  Sabotage. Psalm 81:11-14, Proverbs 1:25-28

                                                      2.  Walking. “do what I tell you” [KJV obey the voice of the Lord]  

CONCLUSION

                  Obedience positions us for extraordinary blessing!