Growing in Grace

Through Obedience

Having no rules may seem like a lot of fun, but when you honestly think about it you realize there would be

no personal rights or protection.

1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that

we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

God, in His wisdom, calls us to obey His will, to protect us as we live here on earth. He established authorities to guide us in our lives.

Examples of Authority•Government – Civil

Romans 13:1-4

Romans 13:1-4Let every soul be subject to the

governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Examples of Authority•Government – Civil

Romans 13:1-4•Parents – Family

Ephesians 6:1-4

Ephesians 6:1-4Children, obey your parents in

the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Examples of Authority•Government – Civil

Romans 13:1-7•Parents – Family

Ephesians 6:1-4•Christ – Church

Ephesians 1:22-23John 10:11

Ephesians 1:22-23And He put all things under His

feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

John 10:11

The Authority of Christ•Given by God

Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-231 John 2:2; Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 28:18And Jesus came and spoke to

them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

Ephesians 1:22-23And He put all things under His

feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

1 John 2:2And He Himself is the

propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

God gave His perfect Son to be our Savior. He alone is qualified to save us from our Sins.

Matthew 7:21-23Not everyone who says to Me,

“Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” 23 And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

The Authority of Christ•Given by God

Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-231 John 2:2; Matthew 7:21-23

•Salvation Through BloodLeviticus 16:10; Hebrews 10:4Colossians 2:9-14

Leviticus 16:10“But the goat on which the lot

fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.”

The removal of sins was not possible under the Old Covenant. True atonement is found only in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:4For it is not possible that the

blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Colossians 2:9-1413 And you, being dead in your

trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Old Covenant Nailed to the Cross

The Authority of Christ•Given by God

Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-231 John 2:2; Matthew 7:21-23

•Salvation Through BloodLeviticus 16:10; Hebrews 10:4Colossians 2:9-14

•A Higher StandardJohn 3:3-5Ephesians 5:1-2

John 3:3-5Jesus answered and said to him,

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2Therefore be imitators of God

as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Obedience•Ultimately it goes back to God

Romans 13:1-2Colossians 3:20

Romans 13:1-2Let every soul be subject to the

governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Colossians 3:20Children, obey your parents in

all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Obedience•Ultimately it goes back to God

Romans 13:1-2Colossians 3:20

•Obedience under all circumstancesColossians 3:22-25

Colossians 3:22-25Bondservants, obey in all things

your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Obedience•Ultimately it goes back to God

Romans 13:1-2Colossians 3:20

•Obedience under all circumstancesColossians 3:22-25

•To God Above ManActs 4:19-20; 5:29

Acts 4:19-20; 5:29(4:19-20), But Peter and John

answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

(5:29), But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Conclusion Obey God!

Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Hebrews 5:8-9