The Road Less Traveled
Introduction: There are many roads that can lead you to your desired destination but not all roads are safe. There are different means of transportation but not all are suitable for the road that is to be traveled upon.
It has been my experience, that the more congested the roads are the more likely you are to be delayed in your travel.
Just because a person has a fast car does not mean that they will get to the desired destination any faster than someone that doesn’t
Sometimes it can take an hour to get somewhere that only takes 15 minutes because of the congestion. Getting your desired destination is important. Equally important is the condition you arrive in.
Many people are on roads that are leading to know where, while others are on roads that have been damaged and can cause you to become damaged if you don’t get off them.
There are two roads that can lead you to God only one road will get you there.
I. OBEDIENCE IS A ROAD LESS TRAVELED
A. Obedience is commanded
Deuteronomy 13:4
4 Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.
1. Obeying Includes Obeying his voice.
Exodus 19:5
5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. ;
Jeremiah 7:23
23 This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’
2. Obeying means Obeying his law.
Deuteronomy 11:27
27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today.
Isaiah 42:24
24 Who allowed Israel to be robbed and hurt? It was the Lord, against whom we sinned, for the people would not walk in his path, nor would they obey his law.
3. Obeying means Obeying Christ.
21 Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion.
2 Corinthians 10:5
5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
4. Obeying means Obeying the gospel.
Romans 1:5
5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.;
Romans 10:16
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” ,
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
5. Obeying means Keeping his commandments.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. .
6. Obeying means Submitting to higher powers.
Romans 13:1
13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. .
B. Obedience course of Action
1. Obedience should be From the heart.
Deuteronomy 11:13
13 “If you carefully obey all the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul,
Romans 6:17
17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. .
2. Obedience to God should be done With willingness.
Psalm 18:44
44 As soon as they hear of me, they submit; foreign nations cringe before me.
Isaiah 1:19
19 If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.
3. Obedience should be Unreserved
Joshua 22:2
2 He told them, “You have done as Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you, and you have obeyed every order I have given you.
3 During all this time you have not deserted the other tribes. You have been careful to obey the commands of the Lord your God right up to the present day.
4. Obedience should be Undeviating
Deuteronomy 28:14
14 You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.
5. Obedience should be Constant
Philippians 2:12
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.