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OBEDIENCE
Lord of All or Not at All
INTRODUCTION
When we got saved, we received Jesus both as Lord and Savior. We did not only ask Him to save us from our sin, but we also surrendered our lives to Him as our Lord. In fact, being a Christian is about following Jesus as the Lord of our lives. We actually do not make Jesus as Lord. He is already Lord. What we do as His follower is to acknowledge and submit to His lordship.
WHAT OUR OBEDIENCE MEANS
OBEDIENCE is a total surrender.
LUKE 1 4:33
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
The Lordship of Christ demands our total, willing and unreserved obedience in every area of our life. Our obedience to God will ‘ require giving everything in our life to Him.
There should be no part in us where He is not obeyed as Lord. It is either He is Lord of all or not at all.
OBEDIENCE is a heart matter.
1 PETER 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Submission to Jesus’ lordship does not merely involve acts of obedience, but more importantly a spirit of obedience. Obedience begins in the heart. A true believer will have a desire in his heart to follow the Lord and his life will give evidence of that desire.
OBEDIENCE is a lifetime commitment.
COLOSSIANS 2:6
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
The decision to follow Jesus as Lord is not a momentary experience. It begins at salvation, but does not end there. . It is a continuous and firm resolve to obey the Lord even when it is difficult and inconvenient. Obedience is saying yes to Jesus all the time no matter what the cost.
WHAT OUR OBEDIENCE DOES
Our OBEDIENCE expresses our love for God.
JOHN 14:15
If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Our OBEDIENCE demonstrates our faith in God.
JAMES 2:17
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Our OBEDIENCE gives glory to God.
MATTHEW 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Our OBEDIENCE serves as a witness for the Gospel.
PHILIPPIANS 1:27a'
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Our OBEDIENCE brings benefits to us.
LUKE 11:28
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. ”
CONCLUSION
Jesus is Lord. Confessing this is the starting point of our Christian life. Obedience is our response to His lordship over us. A Christian has a continuous desire and a firm resolve to totally follow Jesus as Lord in all areas of his life. His decision at the moment of salvation to submit to the lordship of Christ will result in a life of obedience to Him.
This is what being a Christian is — obeying Christ at any time, at any place and at any cost. Jesus must be Lord of all or not at all.
QUESTIONS:
Are there still areas in your life in which you find yourself disobeying the Lord Jesus?
Would you like to submit those areas to the Lord right now in prayer?
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