Close To Thee - Obedience

Text: John 15:12-17

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (02/02/03)

Introduction:   

REVIEW OF SERIES

Surrender – Giving up my rights, my authority, my right to self-rule.

Prayer – Dependence expressed through prayer.

Our Church / Our Home / Our Hearts – a house of prayer.

Fellowship – With God

God made it possible through the revelation of Himself through Jesus Christ and in His Word.

Christ had to be made manifest in the flesh, humiliated at the cross, risen again, declared unto us and His Spirit imparted to us.

What is our requirement?

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

We are to Walk In The Light!!

This has to do with our relationship and response to God’s Truth as revealed in Scripture.

It will lead us to confess our sins, and to Sin Not! (I John 2:1)

Our fellowship is further demonstrated and enhanced by Obedience / Service / Good Works.

ILLUS: A son working with his father as an apprentice.  Used to be certain families were known by their trade (Smith, Carpenter etc.) and that trade stayed in the family.

By participating in the same thing.  By working together.  Through experience learning to love what father loved brought closeness – kept people together.

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Strictly doing good works (mere external conformity) does not produce or promote my fellowship with God.

Although if my heart is right, service enhances fellowship.

But my fellowship with God produces and promotes good works in my life!  WHY??

Because if I am in fellowship with God I will care about the things He cares about.  I will hate what He hates and love what He loves.

What works are important to God?  What service does God put a premium on?

What are the things we can render to Him, be involved in – that are dearest to His heart?

We will look at one general application and two very specific ones.

I. Obedience - General

What sort of Obedience is God looking for?

A. Simple Obedience

God said it and that settles it!! EXAMPLE - Abraham

LOOK UP & READ Gen 12:1 & 4

LOOK UP & READ Gen 22:1-3

Why was there simplicity in Abraham’s obedience? I’ll tell you why!!

Because he believed God!!!

Romans 4:20-21  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

B. Sincere Obedience

From the heart, Not “What’s in it for me?”

Romans 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.

Ephesians 6:6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

ILLUS: Child cleaning his/her room – but grudginly.

In other words what the Bible is saying is that there must be a right attitude accompanying obedience.

C. Swift Obedience

Obey immediately – The first time I’m asked.

Psalms 62:11  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

If God said it once, that’s enough for us!!!

D. Successive Obedience

Every time – Time-after-Time

LOOK UP & READ II Corinthian 10:4-6

Same principle as found in I John 1:9 & 2:1 – “Confess our sins” & “Sin not”

E. Sheer Obedience

Completely and Absolutely

EXAMPLE: Noah

Genesis 6:22  Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Now Let’s look at two Specific areas of Obedience.

If I desire to be close to the Lord, I will care about.....

II. The Work of the Family

LOOK UP & READ Deut. 6:6-7

A. Mutual / Unselfish Love

Wrong understanding of Love.

ILLUS: Love used to be elusive (Vaporous) now it is inescapable (Mighty Oak).

B. Family Unity / Togetherness

Pray together / Play Together / Eat together / Spend together etc.

How sad people in same home living separate lives!!

Separate vacations / bedrooms / even churches.

C. Marital Unity & Harmony

1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

D. Discipleship / Training / Instruction

Back to Deut 6

E. Glorify God

Now remember this is not Just You – This is You and God Together for the Family (FELLOWSHIP)

If I desire to be close to the Lord, I will care about.....

III. The Work of the Church

Basically it is the Great Commission.

DEFINITION OF CHURCH:  A local church is an organized body of believers who are immersed upon credible confession of faith in Jesus Christ, who recognize only two offices (filled by pastor and deacon), who are sovereign in polity, and who are bonded together for work, worship, mutual edification, observance of the ordinances and the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel.

The Great Commission involves....

A. Evangelism – Soulwinning, missions etc.

LOOK UP & READ Matthew 28:19-20     Stress “Lo I am with thee”

B. Discipleship –Edify, build up, teach etc.

LOOK UP & READ Eph. 4:11-12

In all these things our responsibility toward the work of the Lord in the church is one or more of the following....

PRAY / GIVE / GO

At least one of these every time out!

Now remember this is not Just You – This is You and God Together for the Church (FELLOWSHIP)

Conclusion:     (Review)