Words as seek, believe and come lead one to eventually obey. Many seek, many believe and many come, but obedience is the decision that makes the difference. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1561/29
Today from the International Gospel Hour, let’s see another special word of Christianity. It’s the word obey. Oh, friends, to obey God and to see what all is ahead in one’s life. Oh, what a beautiful thought. Stay with us today for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
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Well, greetings everyone. Great having you with us today. We’re indebted to you for you being with us. Thank you for choosing to study with us here from the International Gospel Hour. Once again, we are indebted to our friends at Polishing the Pulpit for our study today, The Twelve Words of Christianity. They have given us permission here at International Gospel Hour to share this study with you in part, and today our word is Obey. I’m appreciative of Alan Webster, one of the directors of Polishing the Pulpit, who mentions about the word obey, how it implies listening attentively with the intent to heed. It’s not just listening only, but I want to listen so that I may obey. It is not merely external compliance, but an inward posture of submission to God’s authority, as illustrated in the obedience of Jesus to the Father’s will, even unto death on the cross, Philippians 2 and verse 8. In a moment, we are going to look at some work by Brother Mike Hickson of Olive Branch, Mississippi. That’s olivebranchchurchofchrist.org. You can also see Mike on the Gospel Broadcasting Network, gbntv.org, with programs such as CounterPoint and Mike Hickson Live. We appreciate Mike’s good work, his friendship to us here at International Gospel Hour. Before we continue our study of the word obey, a few words about a fellow laborer with us, as well as polishing the pulpit, our friends at House to House, Heart to Heart.
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Please check out our fellow laborers at HouseToHouse.com, an outstanding website for topic research and excellent media section and some free materials. While there, please request a free copy of House to House, Heart to Heart. Check it out today at HouseToHouse.com.
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The concept of obedience is central to Christianity, spanning across all dispensations of time. God has consistently called upon His creation to submit to His will. From the Old to the New Testament, obedience to God is emphasized as essential for a righteous life. Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, underscored the importance of obeying the Father when He proclaimed, This statement sets the stage for understanding that mere verbal affirmation is insufficient. True discipleship requires active obedience. Jesus further reinforced this principle when he said, If you love me, keep my commandments, John 14, 15. John the Apostle echoed this sentiment, stating, For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome, 1 John 5, 3. Obedience is not a grievous task, but a demonstration of our love and reverence for God. In the book of Revelation, John writes, Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22, 14. This verse reminds us that a life lived in obedience to God will ultimately be rewarded with the opportunity to live forever in heaven. Obedience to God brings immeasurable riches, both spiritual and eternal. John speaks of the blessings bestowed upon those who keep God’s commandments, indicating that they are in a favorable position. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1.3 Being in Christ places us in an enviable position, one filled with spiritual blessings and divine favor. Obeying God is not only a duty, but it is an honor. For Jesus Christ, our ultimate example, came to earth with the purpose of obeying His Father’s will. He said, I always do those things that please Him, John 8, 29. Despite the suffering and sacrifice involved, Jesus remained obedient unto death. The Hebrew writer states, Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, Hebrews 5, 8 and 9. Our obedience should mirror that of Christ, reflecting our love and gratitude for the salvation He provides. To live a life of obedience, we must stay anchored in God’s Word, for the Bible serves as our guide, providing the principles and commands we are to follow. The psalmist declared, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119, 105. Regular study and meditation on Scripture help us understand God’s will and align our lives with His commands. And, friends, worship is another vital aspect of an obedient life. Gathering with fellow believers to worship God strengthens our faith and keeps us focused on our spiritual journey. The psalmist invites us, O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, Psalm 95.6. Worship allows us to express our reverence for God and renew our commitment to live according to His will. Engaging in the work of God is also essential. Isaiah responded to God’s call saying, Here am I, send me, Isaiah 6.8. As Christians, we are called to be active participants in advancing God’s kingdom. We are His hands, feet, eyes, and mouth spreading the message of salvation and serving others. The church is described as the pillar and ground of the truth, 1 Timothy 3.15, and it is our responsibility to uphold and share that truth with the world. The ultimate reward for obedience is eternal life in heaven. For John writes, Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22.14 Heaven is a place of unimaginable beauty and joy, where we will see God face to face and dwell in his presence forever. As Christians, our hearts should be set on heaven. Jesus taught, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6, 21. Paul reminds us, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3, 20. Our hope in heaven is not a wishful thinking, but a confident expectation based on God’s promises. Paul wrote in Titus 1, 2, In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. This hope sustains us through trials and difficulties, knowing that our present sufferings are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us. Heaven is our eternal home, a place of rest and reunion with the saints of old. Revelation paints a beautiful picture of the new Jerusalem where God will dwell with His people and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain. Revelation 21.4 The promise of heaven gives us the strength to endure and the motivation to remain faithful. Obedience to God, friends, is not merely a duty, but a privilege and a path to eternal life. By staying anchored in God’s word, participating in worship, and engaging in His work, we can live a life of faithful obedience. The reward for such a life is the promise of heaven. a place of unimaginable beauty and joy where we will dwell with God forever. As we journey through life, let us keep our hearts set on heaven, our ultimate home. Let us strive to obey God in all things, knowing that our obedience is a testament to our love for Him and our desire to live in His presence eternally. What a wonderful study about the word obeyed. And again, we are appreciative to Mike Hickson for his good work. And again, please check out Mike on the Gospel Broadcasting Network, gbntv.org, with such programs as CounterPoint and Mike Hickson Live. We’re grateful to share this material with you today. And we also like to encourage further study. Friends, we have a number of options to study today. You can receive, well, I’ll tell you what. Our most often requested one is our Bible study course by mail. And I’m going to pause for our Jay Webb, whom we appreciate. And Jay will share with you that information of how you can receive the free Bible course by mail to help you obey God and His will.
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Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
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We are grateful to share that free Bible course by mail. I’ll also share with you another Bible course that you can access online. If you will go to God-and-man.com That’s God-and-man.com Now be sure you put those dashes in there. and you can access a free Bible study called God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. You can download that study and work on it at your own pace. We also send that study by mail, so we can also add that as an additional study to you. We’d like to encourage you at this point to choose one or the other, the Bible Correspondence course by mail or God and Man. Either way you want to go will be fine. If you’d like for us to send you God and man instead of the Bible study course by mail, just follow the same instruction that Jay left with you. Toll free 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say God and man. And we’ll be glad to send you that information as soon as possible. You know, friends, when we think about obeying God, I’m reminded of words of old and words in the new. Deuteronomy 5.33, You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess. And also 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. May we obey God, his will, and his way. and we’ll continue our studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today here on our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
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Thank you for listening to our broadcast today. To God goes all the glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. To listen to it again or our other broadcasts, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.
