Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Blessing of Obedience

Rev. Stephenson opened with a question on Sunday...

Where would we be without Jesus's obedience to God?

The question prompted by the text: Matthew 5:17-20.

Stop and read the passage now. (No Bible? Click the Scripture reference to read online.)

Think about it... Where would we be without Jesus's obedience to God?

Jesus fulfilled the law through His obedience to the law. Because He obeyed, we received access to the greatest blessing: eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 ESV

From the beginning, obedience has been associated with blessing.

Preparation for fulfillment of the law began with the patriarch Abraham. God tested him by calling him to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14).

Abraham, by great faith, obeyed. He promptly set out to offer his son as a burnt offering; the son God said would be the first among many (Genesis 21:12).

In response to Abraham's willing obedience, God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac's life and promised great blessing.

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of the heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."
Genesis 22:15-18 ESV

Abraham's obedience resulted in great blessing, not only for himself, but for his family and for all the nations of the earth.

The blessing of obedience spreads. 

As followers of Jesus, we are to obey as He did. As Abraham did.

Are you missing out on blessings because of disobedience? 
What about your family? community? nation? the world?

Obedience to God will always bring about blessing. And it's not just about you.

Pastor left us with a final question...

How obedient are you being to Christ?

Just something for you to think about, from Sunday...

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