Simple Obedience

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 [TPT], Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence [sufficiency] flows from God’s empowering presence. 6 He alone makes us adequate [qualified] ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant.  Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit.  The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out life. 

• “God wants us to be an expression of His LIFE wherever we go.”

John 2:1-3 [TPT], Now on the third day, Jesus’ mother went to a wedding feast in the Galilean village of Cana.  2–3 Jesus and His disciples were all invited to the banquet, but with so many guests, they ran out of wine.

John 2:3-4 [TPT], …when Mary realized it, she came to Jesus and asked, “They have no wine; can’t you do something about it?” 4 Jesus replied, “My dear one, don’t you understand that if I do this, it will change nothing for you, but it will change everything for Me!  My hour of unveiling My power has not yet come.” 

John 2:5 [TPT], Mary then went to the servers and told them, “Whatever Jesus tells you, do it!” 

• If we want to see the grace of God unlocked and released into the “who” and “what” of our lives, then we need to OBEY.

• Obedience — “a willingness to submit to the orders or instructions of one in authority or control.”

• Obedience in the Greek language — “to be under another’s voice.”

Our lives revolve around…

1.  The Holy Spirit speaking.

2.  Us hearing what He said.

3.  Us responding out of obedience.  

John 14:15 [NASB], “If you love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.”

John 2:6-7 [TPT], Nearby stood six stone water pots meant to be used for the Jewish washing rituals.  Each one could hold about twenty gallons or more. 7 Jesus came to the servers and instructed them, “Fill the pots with water, right up to the very brim.” 

1.  Obedience doesn’t always make sense

Proverbs 3:5 [TPT], Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

• “If God can get money through you, then He will get money to you.”

• “If you want to live a life of obedience, then you’re going to have to GET USED TO DIFFERENT.”

2.  Obedience turns the ordinary into the extraordinary

Exodus 4:1-2 [NKJV], Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’” 2 So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”  He said, “A rod.”

1 Samuel 17:37-40 [NKJV], Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”  And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” 38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them.  And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand.  And he drew near to the Philistine.

What’s in your hand?

3.  Obedience never does anything halfway

• “Because our God is a god of excellence, He expects us to walk in full obedience.”

• “Their level of obedience ultimately determined the level of their miracle.”

John 2:8-9 [TPT], Then He said, “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the master of ceremonies.” 9 And when they poured out their pitchers for the master of ceremonies to sample, the water had become wine!  

• “Obedience and faith are so divinely connected, it is impossible to have one without the other. It requires faith to believe what we’ve heard is correct and it requires obedience to take a step of action.”

John 2:9-11 [TPT], When he tasted the water that had become wine, the master of ceremonies was impressed with its quality.  (Although he didn’t know where the wine had come from, only the servers knew.)  He called the bridegroom over 10 and said to him, “Every host serves his best wine first, until everyone has had a cup or two, then he serves the cheaper wine.  But you, my friend, you’ve reserved the most exquisite wine until now!” 11 This miracle in Cana was the first of the many extraordinary miracles Jesus performed in Galilee that revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. 

What does obedience release in our lives? 

What does disobedience withhold from our lives?

John 11:40 [NKJV], Jesus said, “Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?”