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Lets learn from Jesus‘ character how He was obedient and to what extent He never retaliated.
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
To see Jesus character, he was always a mark of humility because he always obeyed his Father in heaven, even to the extent of dying on the cross. When we look at Jesus, he was totally surrendered towards the purpose he had come into this world for. It was very challenging for Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.
Mark 14:35-36
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
But through prayer he was able to go through the time of temptation. Obedience is an act of faith. It depends on how much you believe in the person whom you have to obey.
How do you feel or react when challenged?
Are you tempted not to obey? (why)
Do you reason others for your obedience? (if yes, why)
Disobedience is a sin. Many times we are tempted to be rebellious in different areas especially when we are sick or hospitalised or challenged. How are you?
Challenge them to be humble and submissive towards the authority and leadership. Are you subject to the authority, church, leadership, job-boss, schoolteacher etc?
1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Not obeying is being rebellious.
Genesis Chapter 3
We are all born with Adams nature of being disobedient which lead him to a big fall. He was banished from the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:23
So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.
Many times we are not obedient in many areas we are given advice but we do our own, we bluntly disobey.
Do you sympathize with yourself when challenged to obey?
How do you feel when you are told that you are rebellious?
Would you accept challenge / walk off / argue back?
Conclusion
God wants us to have obedient nature.
Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Let us learn to imitate Jesus humility and obedience. When we obey, God is with us and helps us to be successful.
E.g.: - When Moses obeyed God to lead the Israelites out of bondage, God helped him to be successful.
Let’s be obedient and not rebellious.
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