Sermon Tone Analysis

We have been studying the Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter 11.

As we have studied, we have learned by the examples set before us in God’s Word.

We have learned that it is impossible to please God without faith.

One of the most profound steps of faith we can take is just simply obeying what God has told us to do.

It has become the norm today to question before obeying.

Truth is delayed obedience is disobedience.

My Great Aunt - Elevator - “Hit the Floor”

Obedience without delay, often is born out of fear - not terrified, but respect for the authority, both desire to please, and realization of punishment.

This is the response that Abraham had to the commands of God!

God chose Abraham to be the father of a nation

In order to do this he must obey and go to a land that God had prepared for His people.

The story of Abraham’s obedience is found in Genesis 12:1-4

It takes faith to obey!

But we can trust that God has our best in mind.

Have faith, and obey!

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines obedience—compliance with a command, prohibition or known law and rule of duty prescribed; the performance of what is required or enjoined by authority; or the abstaining from what is prohibited, in compliance with the command or prohibition.

Obedience may be voluntary or involuntary.

Voluntary obedience alone can be acceptable to God.

True faith in God will lead us to obey the Bible voluntarily

You will want to obey, your desire is to please and obey God.

A life of faith is a life that is willingly surrendered to God.

Do you believe in God

Believe His Word

Believe in Christ

Do you obey His Commands?

Let’s look at the example given us today in the life of Abraham.

I would like you to see a few key points about Obedience...

First of all we see in these verses that Obedience is the...

I. Pathway to Blessing

vs. 8

The choices that we make in life lead us down a path and always to a destination.

In a very real way, the decisions that we make are determined by how we view God’s Word.

I often tell my kids, “Make good choices receive blessings, Make bad choices receive consequences.”

This is true in every walk of life.

IN the Job - promotion or loss of job

in marriage - a close companion and friend or a divorce

in law - freedom or prison

Doing right reaps blessing and security from God.

Doing wrong reaps danger and guilt.

God wants to shower us with blessing, but we have to first put ourselves int eh place of blessing through obedience.

There are four steps to walking the pathway of God’s blessing in your life.

A. The Root of Obedience

Everything grows from the root.

In Abraham’s example we see the root of his obedience in verse 8.

“By faith Abraham...”

Obedience is simply the result of the faith that is already inside us.

It is an expression of our trust in God.

Every example we see as we travel this Hall of Faith begins with the words “by faith...”

Faith comes before following!

We can only glorify God if we have faith in God.

God is calling you to trust Him today, not just for your Eternal Home, but for your Everyday How’s of life.

So obedience begins at the root - What is the root of faith, then secondly we see...

B. The Receiving of Obedience

Verse 8 again, says, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out...”

God came to Abraham and gave him a clear command.

He called Abraham out of his land and commanded him to travel.

God made his desires clear for Abraham’s life.

Abraham had to receive it through faith.

A command does no good, if it is not heard.

I was in my room cleaning up something and I called for my kids to bring me something.

They couldn’t hear me because they were outside!

The receiving of Obedience is to hear

The Receiving of Obedience is what?

(hear)

There are many commands that are clearly given to us throughout the Bible.

There are more than just the Big Ten!

You will only receive blessing is you hear and obey!

Love the Lord your God

Love your neighbor

Read your Bible

Pray Always

Win souls to Christ

Avoid Evil

Do Good to all men

Be faithful to God’s house

Learn more of God

Learn less of the World!

What will you do with God’s commands?

The pathway to blessings starts with the root of obedience (faith), it continues by receiving (hear)

Then thirdly we see ...

C. The Reward of Obedience

verse 8, continues, “...into a place which he should receive for an inheritance...”

The reward of obedience was Promise

What is the reward of obedience?

Promise

We are given many great promises in the Bible, but they are all contingent on our obedience!

God was leading Abraham to a great land prepared for him and his future family - Israel!

All Abraham had to do in order to receive the promise from God was to obey!

Imagine our response...

Are you kidding, leave this home I just got established!

You want me to go camping for how long?

But I have established a great business…my sheep farm is going great!

We often miss out on many great things in our life because we fail to obey!

Thomas à Kempis said, “Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is; delayed obedience is disobedience.

Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience, withdraws from grace.”

God through His grace has prepared incredible blessings for us, amazing treasures, if we will just believe and obey!

Do you love God enough to obey Him?

Faithfully obey!

Attend church every time the doors are open, He has something that He wants you to hear!

Stay in His Word faithfully