The Attitude of Obedience

The Attitude of Obedience

Text: 2 Kings 5:1–14 (KJV 1900)

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. 2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. 4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. 5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. 7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. 8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Introduction:

* Wilbur Chapman once met the founder of the Salvation Army in his old age. He asked General Booth “What is the secret to your great success with the Salvation Army?”

*General booth answered that not very long after God gave him a burden to reach the poor of London, he that the more he surrendered himself to God, the more the Power of God rested on him.

* Dr. Chapman said he went away from that meeting with General Booth knowing “that the greatness of a man’s power with God is the measure of his obedience to God.”

* The Christian who claims the promises of God should also obey the commands of God.

* If you are not obeying the commandments of Jesus this morning, then you have no reason to believe God is going to bless your life.

* Let me go a step further this morning…

* If claim to be a child of God this morning, a follower of Christ, and are not obeying the words that Jesus taught, the you can expect the chastisement of God in your life.

* It is understood this morning that every believer is supposed to have the attitude of obedience toward God.

* The Scriptures teach that because of this attitude of obedience are to obey in the following areas:

- Husbands are to obey Christ as the head of the church.

- Wives are admonished to their husbands as the head of the home.

- Children are admonished to obey their parents.

* The time to teach obedience to authority is in the playpen instead of the state pen.

* Christ was one child who knew more than his parents—yet he obeyed them.

- Employees are admonished to obey their masters.

- Citizens are admonished to obey their civil authorities.

- Church members are admonished to obey and follow the example of the church leaders.

* The very first thing a new Christian is supposed to do is an act of public obedience- Believers’ Baptism.

I. The attitude of obedience begins with obeying the Gospel.

1 Peter 4:17 (KJV 1900)

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Romans 10:14–16 (KJV 1900)

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 (KJV 1900)

7 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;

A. Naaman's greatest need was met by obeying God. Man's greatest need today is the leprosy of sin that eats away at our lives and threatens to condemn us in a burning hell.

B. The message was sent to the wrong person. Men continue to seek help from religion and good works.

C).The prophet called for Naaman. God calls sinners to himself in order to meet their need.

D). Naaman had to get past his pride and adopt an attitude of obedience in order to be saved.

* Jordan is a muddy little stream, friend. It is not nearly as pretty as some of the streams in Lebanon.

* Men are more attracted to works that they to be saved rather than the foolishness of preaching.

* To us who are saved, the cross is a glorious symbol of hope. To those who have not obeyed the Gospel, the cross is a symbol of simple mindedness, ignorance, shame and reproach.

* A man once came to Jesus and asked what good work he could do in order to be saved. Jesus replied “forsake everything you have and follow me.

* The man went away sad because, like our friend Naaman, he didn’t like the way Jesus said it took to be saved.

* Jesus was telling this man that he must have an attitude of obedience in order to be saved.

* My friend you must “Obey the Gospel” Have you yet obeyed the Gospel, or have you just taken for granted that you are saved because you have heard the gospel and believed.

* It’s not enough to have a head knowledge of the Gospel and agree with it. There must be an appropriation of the Gospel- Salvation is a gift of God, there must be a time when you reached up to heaven and accepted salvation.

* Men would rather do good works to get to heaven than repent of their sin to get to Heaven.

* People don’t want to come to the cross. Instead they want to do something great.

* Naaman was a proud man of great accomplishments.

* The prophet insulted Naaman by not even coming to speak to him face to face, but sent a servant to tell him how to be healed.

* The proud men of this world, thinking themselves to be wise, are offended because God does not come down and prove to them that He exists.

* They are angry that He sent a messenger! Like Naaman, The men of this world are offended because of Christ this morning!

1 Peter 2:6–8 (KJV 1900)

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

* Like Naaman, if you are to be saved you must let go of your good works, your religion, your belief that man is basically good, and come to Christ with nothing in your hands to receive the free gift of Salvation.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee; Let the water and the blood, From thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Save me from its guilt and pow'r. Should my tears forever flow, Should my zeal no languor know, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and thou alone. In my hand no price I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, And behold thee on thy throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee. Augustus Montague Toplady, 1776; alt.

II. Hearing is not obeying.

Matthew 7:24–27 (KJV 1900)

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.

John 14:15–21 (KJV 1900)

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

James 1:21–22 (KJV 1900)

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Philippians 2:5–12 (KJV 1900)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 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.

* A person who claims to believe in Jesus and to be a follower of Jesus, but does not obey what Jesus taught, is liar. This is what theologians refer to as a practical atheist.

* Does your family members and friends see you obeying the words of Christ, or in their eyes are you a practical atheist?

III. Sacrifice is not obedience.

* People like to talk about obeying God, but few really obey God.

Isaiah 29:12–13 (KJV 1900) 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, Saying, Read this, I pray thee: And he saith, I am not learned. 13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, And with their lips do honour me, But have removed their heart far from me, And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Mark 7:1–9 (KJV 1900)

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

* Some men think that God will accept them because they have done sacrificial works for him.

* Saul made the sad mistake of thinking that God would overlook his sin and disobedience if he did something great for the God.

* Men today make the same terrible mistake of thinking that God will let them into heaven because of the many religious works that they have done for God.

* Jesus tried to warn men that our religious works cannot keep us from a burning hell.

Matthew 7:20–23 (KJV 1900)

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 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.

Matthew 25:41 (KJV 1900)

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

1 Samuel 15:21–23 (KJV 1900)

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. 22 And Samuel said,

Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.

* The religious rulers and Pharisees of Jesus’ day thought that by their religious works, they had earned acceptance by God. Jesus told them that God was not impressed with their religious works.

Matthew 9:10–17 (KJV 1900)

10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

* Jesus taught that in order for a man to come to God, his heart must be made new, like new wine is put into new skins, in order to please God a man must have a new heart- he must be born again if the spirit.

* Jesus gives the illustration of patching a garment. People want to patch the old man up with religious rites, good works, and self sacrifice.

14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

* Jesus says it will not work- our good works and sacrifice jus make us more wicked by thinking we can approach God and his Heaven with the old man.

Matthew 12:43–45 (KJV 1900)

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. IV. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

* The Israelites didn’t obey God and take the promise land as God commanded them. Deuteronomy 1:26–28 (KJV 1900)

26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God: 27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.

* God would not accept their repentance because they had delayed their obedience.

Deuteronomy 1:40–45 (KJV 1900)

40 But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea. 41 Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill. 42 And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. 43 So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord, and went presumptuously up into the hill. 44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah. 45 And ye returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.

* A woman and her daughter were listening to the preacher talking about praying and reading your Bible. After a while the daughter looked up into the face of the mother and asked "Mama is he talking about you?"

* Is your child looking at you right now an saying in their heart “Is he talking about you.”

* Are your family members asking “Is he talking about you.”

* If your co-workers heard your preacher preaching on sin would they think “Is he talking about you.”

* Are you delaying your obedience to God this morning Christian?

* If you are realize that you are living in disobedience.

V. God must be obeyed completely.

A. Saul’s obedience was incomplete and was not accepted by God.

B. Naaman was not healed until he went down for the last time.

* Are the areas in your life where you have only partially obeyed God?

C. Our obedience to God does end with salvation and baptism.

* Obeying the Gospel is to last the rest of our lives.

Romans 12:1 (KJV 1900)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

* Repentance is not a onetime thing. We are to continually live in an attitude of repentance over our sin.

John Locke

To conform all our actions to the law of God. It does not consist in one single act of sorrow, but in doing works meet for repentance; in a sincere obedience to the law of Christ for the remainder of our lives.

VI. Sometimes obedience is hard.

A. The Widow and her son.

B. Abraham and Isaac.

C. All of the people in the news lately in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, China, North Korea, and soon to come in America, persecuted by Muslims and Shera Law.

VII. Obedience brings God’s blessings.

A. God will bless the obedient Christian.

Psalm 1:1–3 (KJV 1900) 1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

B. Joy is the by-product of obedience.

John 15:10–11 (KJV 1900)

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. VIII. Obedience leads to more revelation.

* Obedience sheds light on the hidden things of God.

* Your obedience to God today determines what you’ll be for God tomorrow.

* Obedience is the “Gateway to Knowledge”

* Anne Sullivan, who tutored young Helen Keller who was deaf, dumb, and blind, said, “I saw clearly that it was useless to try to teach her language or anything else until she learned to obey me. I have thought about it a great deal, and the more I think, the more certain I am that obedience is the gateway through which knowledge, yes, and love, too, enter the mind of a child.”

Romans 1:18–32 (KJV 1900)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

IX. Failure to obey results in judgment.

A. Those who fail to obey the Gospel will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment.

1 Peter 4:17 (KJV 1900)

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Revelation 20:11–15 (KJV 1900)

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

B. Those who stop obeying the Gospel after they are saved will face the Judgment Seat of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:13–15 (KJV 1900)

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

C. All who are saved will endure chastisement for disobedient to God’s Word while on this earth.

Hebrews 12:5–17 (KJV 1900)

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

X. Sometimes it’s necessary to disobey man in order to obey God.

Acts 5:29 (KJV 1900)

‎‎29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

A. The revolutionary war was fought on this principle.

B. The civil war was also fought on this same principle.

* The words of “the Battle Hymn of the Republic” are a good example of the principle of disobeying man’s laws in order to obey God’s rules.

* This song became a symbol of American patriotism around the time of the Civil War.

* In the years since the Civil War, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" has been used frequently as an American patriotic song.

* This song is usually heard at the national conventions of both the Republican Party and Democratic Party, and is often sung at Presidential inaugurations.

* We sing this song in our church services around the 4th of July.

* This was one of Sir Winston Churchill's favorite songs. At his request this song was played at his funeral in St. Paul's Cathedral in 1965.

* The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was played on September 14, 2001 at the Washington National Cathedral and at Saint Paul's Cathedral during memorial services for the victims of the September 11 attacks.

‎‎ Battle Hymn of the Republic

‎‎Author: Julia Ward Howe

‎‎Composer: American melody? William Steffe?

‎‎Tune: Battle Hymn (American trad? Steffe?)

‎‎Scripture: Rev. 14:18-9; Ps 85:9-12

‎‎1 Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.

‎‎2 I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps; His day is marching on.

‎‎3 He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; O be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on.

‎‎4 In beauty of the lilies, Christ born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free, While God is marching on

‎‎5 He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave; He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave; So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave. Our God is marching on.

‎‎Chorus Glory! glory, hallelujah! Glory! glory, hallelujah! Glory! glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

* In the past men have given their lives by defying governments when they have required their citizens to disobey the commands of our God.

* I am afraid that in the coming days of America, we as Christian American citizens will once again be called on to take a stand against men who rule over us in the name of our God.

Conclusion:

* Have you yet obeyed the Gospel?

* Are you a doer, and not just a hearer?

* Are you ready to pay the ultimate price to remain obedient to God?