Sermon: The Call to True Obedience
Scripture Texts:
- James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
- Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
- John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
How are you doing today, Radiant.Life?
I want to begin by inviting you to picture something with me. Imagine, if you will, a classroom. In this classroom, there is a teacher who has worked hard to prepare a lesson. She has invested time, study, and energy into making sure her students understand the material. She goes over each concept slowly and clearly, checking to make sure every student grasps the ideas she is teaching. The lesson is not just academic; it is meant to change the students' approach to the subject, to equip them with knowledge and understanding they can use in their daily lives. After delivering the lesson, the teacher assigns a project. The students leave the classroom with the knowledge they need to succeed, and they all nod in agreement as they walk out the door. But the next day, when it is time to turn in the assignment, none of the students have completed the work. They were present in the classroom, they heard every word of the lesson, but when it came time to act on what they had learned, they chose not to follow through.
This scenario is an all-too-common one, not just in the classroom, but in the spiritual lives of many people. We attend church, hear the Word of God, acknowledge its truth, and even feel convicted. But when it comes time to apply the lessons we’ve learned, we often fail to act. We are like the students who hear the lesson but fail to follow through. The teacher’s words were meant to be put into practice, not just heard and forgotten.
This leads us to an important question:
- Are we truly living out what we hear in church?
- Are we genuinely applying the truths of Scripture to our everyday lives?
- Or are we merely hearing the Word, without taking action?
Today, I want us to dive deep into what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus, not just someone who listens to His words but someone who obeys them. The call to true obedience is more than a command; it is a reflection of our love for God.
The Nature of Obedience
Let’s start by defining what obedience is in the context of our relationship with God. Obedience is not about blind submission or following rules for the sake of following rules. Obedience in the Christian life is about aligning our actions, thoughts, and attitudes with the will of God. It is a response to His love, His authority, and His commands. In many ways, obedience is the natural outflow of a heart that has been transformed by the love of Christ. Obedience is also an expression of trust. When we obey God, we are saying that we trust His Word more than we trust our own understanding. We trust His plan for our lives more than we trust our own desires. This is why obedience is so central to the Christian faith—it is an expression of our faith and trust in God’s goodness and wisdom. In James 1:22, we read, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James is making a powerful point here. It is not enough to simply hear the Word of God. It is not enough to sit in church week after week, absorbing knowledge, but failing to apply that knowledge in our lives. James warns that if we do not live out the Word we hear, we deceive ourselves. Knowledge without application is useless. It is like a student who knows all the answers but refuses to do the work. This type of “hearing” is not true discipleship—it is self-deception.
Obedience and Lordship
Let’s turn to another Scripture that challenges us in this area. In Luke 6:46, Jesus asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” This is a convicting question that demands us to examine the authenticity of our faith. It is easy to call Jesus “Lord” with our lips, but the real question is whether we are living as if He truly is Lord. The term “Lord” in Scripture refers to someone with ultimate authority. To call Jesus Lord is to acknowledge that He has authority over every area of our lives. But Jesus points out the disconnect between calling Him Lord and not doing what He commands. We must recognize that to call Jesus Lord is not just a declaration—it is a commitment. It is an acknowledgment that His Word has the final say in our lives. It means that when we say “Lord,” we are submitting ourselves to His rule and obeying His commands. True lordship is not about words; it is about action. Jesus challenges us to live out the reality of His lordship in our daily lives. If He is truly our Lord, then our lives must reflect His authority in all we do. This is the essence of what it means to follow Jesus. It is not enough to say the right words. It is not enough to claim to be a Christian or to say that Jesus is Lord. The true test of discipleship is whether we are obeying His commands. The Apostle John writes in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Here, Jesus connects our obedience directly to our love for Him. If we truly love Jesus, we will obey His commands. Love for Jesus is not merely an emotional feeling; it is demonstrated in our actions. The more we love Jesus, the more we want to please Him by doing what He asks of us.
The Root of Disobedience
Disobedience is often rooted in something deeper than mere rebellion. At the heart of disobedience lies a lack of trust in God. When we disobey God, we are essentially saying that we know better than He does. We are saying that our way is better than His way. But this is a lie that the enemy has been feeding humanity since the beginning. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they disobeyed God because they believed the lie that God’s commands were not for their good. They believed that by disobeying, they could be like God, knowing good and evil. But the truth is that God’s commands are always for our good. They are not arbitrary rules meant to limit our freedom; they are guidelines meant to protect us and lead us into a life of blessing. Disobedience, on the other hand, leads to destruction and separation from God. It is only through obedience that we can experience the fullness of life that God has for us.
The Cost of Disobedience
There is a cost to disobedience. In 1 Samuel 15:23, the prophet Samuel tells King Saul, “For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” Saul’s disobedience in failing to follow God’s command led to the loss of his kingship. His rebellion against God was not just a mistake—it was a serious offense, likened to the sin of witchcraft and idolatry. Disobedience to God is not a small matter. It is a rebellion against His authority, and it carries serious consequences. When we choose to live in disobedience, we are not just resisting God’s commands; we are resisting His authority in our lives. We are rejecting the relationship He desires to have with us and the blessings He wants to pour out upon us. Disobedience separates us from God and robs us of the peace and joy that come from walking in His will. But the good news is that God is gracious. Even in our disobedience, He invites us to return to Him. Through repentance, we can be restored to right relationship with God. The moment we turn back to Him, He is faithful to forgive us and restore us. God’s grace is greater than our disobedience, and His mercy is new every morning.
Obedience as the Pathway to Blessing
The pathway to true blessing is through obedience. It is not through striving or struggling to earn God’s favor, but through surrendering to His will and obeying His commands. When we obey God, we align ourselves with His purposes, and we open the door for His blessings to flow into our lives. In Deuteronomy 28:1-2, we read, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” Obedience brings blessing. It brings favor. It brings the peace and joy that only come from walking in God’s will. The blessings of obedience are not always material—they are spiritual. They are the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the blessings that make our lives rich and full, regardless of our circumstances.
The Call to Live Out Our Faith
So, how do we live out this call to obedience? First, we must make a decision to put God’s Word into action. We must choose to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. This means applying the truths of Scripture to every area of our lives—our relationships, our work, our finances, and our personal habits. It means choosing God’s way over our own way, even when it is difficult. Second, we must cultivate a heart of love for Jesus. When we truly love Jesus, obedience becomes a joy, not a burden. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When we love Jesus, we are not weighed down by His commands; we are drawn to them because they lead to life. Finally, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us to obey. We cannot obey God in our own strength. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us that we can live lives of true obedience. The Holy Spirit convicts us, guides us, and empowers us to live according to God’s will.
Conclusion
As we close, I want to ask you:
- Are you a hearer of the Word, or are you a doer?
- Are you someone who calls Jesus “Lord” with your lips but fails to live according to His commands?
- Or are you someone who loves Jesus and obeys His Word, knowing that true life is found in living according to His will?
The call to obedience is not a call to legalism. It is a call to love, trust, and surrender to the One who loves us more than we could ever imagine. Let us respond to His love by living in obedience, knowing that through obedience, we find true life and blessing. May God give us the grace to live out our faith with joy, with passion, and with obedience. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- How can you apply the teachings of Jesus in your daily life? What areas need the most attention?
- Are there areas where you have been “hearing” the Word but not living it out? What steps can you take to make changes?
- How does obedience reflect your love for Jesus? How can you grow in love and obedience to Him?