Sermon Tone Analysis

Jeremiah 7:23

Introduction

Obedience – Doing exactly what I am told to do, when I am told to do it, with a right heart attitude.

We minimize obedience – “that it may be well with you” and the opposite is true; all is not well when I disobey…is it well with you?

When God speaks and I don’t obey my spirituality dries up.

Saved people obey God as a pattern of life.

*1 John 2:3-4* “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

*1 Samuel 15:22* “So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord /as great/ delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, *to obey is better than sacrifice*, /and/ to heed than the fat of rams.”

*John 2:5* “His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do /it/.’”

1A.

The Foundation of Obedience – Surrender

If when you face temptation you ask should I obey or not, you will fail.

Obedience is not a series of decisions it is complete obedience.

*Deuteronomy 28:14* "So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, /to /the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

*Genesis 6:22* Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

*Numbers 32:12* 'except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the LORD.'

*Romans 12:1-2* I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, /which is /your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what /is /that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

It is a die-cast decision

It is out of a surrendered life that obedience flows.

\\ 2A.

The Motive for Obedience – Love

Our motives are as important as our actions.

Three Possible Motives

Fear of God – no intimacy

*Galatians 3:19* What purpose then /does /the law /serve?

/It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; /and it was /appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

*Hebrews 6:6-7* if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put /Him /to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;

Rewards – self-centered~/stale

*2 Timothy 4:8* Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Love – primary motive

Ø      We can’t love Him without obeying Him

*John 14:21* "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.

And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

Ø      Deepens the relationship.

*John 14:23* Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Ø      He first loved us!

*1 John 4:19* We love Him because He first loved us.

*Psalm 40:8* I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law /is /within my heart."

“Love God and do as you please.”

(Augustine)

*Romans 13:10* Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love /is /the fulfillment of the law.

\\ 3A.

The Power of Obedience – The Holy Spirit

The flesh cannot obey God properly – only by the Holy Spirit can we obey.

*Philippians 2:13* for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for /His /good pleasure.

*Ephesians 3:16* that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

When we disobey God we cannot go on with out love relationship with God

When you repent of your disobedience He will bring you back to where you left and say obey now.

(Jonah)

4A.

The Arena of Obedience – Individual Lives and Congregational Life

It is not just individual it is corporate

Four areas churches depart:

Church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17)

Kingdom approach to ministry – inward focus

Refusal to change

Dealing with stray and lost sheep