The Power of Obedience
The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience as a source of strength and joy in our lives, and encourages listeners to follow God's will, even when it's difficult.
In this sermon transcript, Basilia Schlink discusses the power of obedience in our lives. She acknowledges that obedience is often seen as unpopular, especially among young people who strive for independence. However, she emphasizes that obedience to God's will is the way to experience joy and glory. Jesus' life serves as an example of loving, trusting, and complete surrender to the will of God. Schlink encourages listeners to follow Jesus' example and surrender to God's will, even in difficult circumstances, as this will bring strength and fulfillment to their lives.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. Why do we experience so little of His wonderful reality in our lives? Perhaps because we are no longer prepared to go the way which brings such happy experiences. What way is this? Listen to the answer offered in today's meditation by Basilia Schlink called, The Power of Obedience.
In our day and age, no word seems to have become more unpopular than the word obedience, especially among young people. Nothing is as bad as having to be obedient. There is nothing we strive for as much as to live and run our own lives.
But in this way we cheat ourselves of the source of all strength for our lives. Whoever doesn't want to obey anymore shouldn't be surprised if his life has become empty, weak, unhappy, and stale. The life and way of our Lord Jesus really show what the power of obedience is all about.
Jesus' obedience was loving obedience, trusting obedience, complete surrender to the will of His Father. Obedience was a life necessity for Him, His daily food. As He said in John 4, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.
Jesus knew He was given the privilege of doing the very best will, the wisest will of God, who created the universe and all mankind. Yes, to do God's will was the Son's greatest joy, and this was His source of strength. When Jesus calls to us, Come, follow Me, He is calling us to follow Him on the way of obedience, out of love for Him.
Therefore, when our will is crossed or our plans and desires are overruled, we should learn to surrender completely to the will of God our Father. This means continually learning and practicing obedience, especially when we have difficult superiors or when others treat us unjustly. To follow their regulations and wishes may mean real suffering for us.
However, we are to do it as long as their wishes do not contradict the commandments of God. By following this way, we will experience what a source of strength there is in obedience. Therefore, do not act according to your own will, but according to God's will, no matter how difficult or incomprehensible it might seem to you.
That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. Please write and ask for your free leaflet. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Problem of Unfulfilled Expectations
- A. We experience little of God's reality in our lives
- B. This is because we are not prepared to follow the way of obedience
- II. The Unpopularity of Obedience
- A. Obedience is unpopular, especially among young people
- B. We strive for independence and autonomy
- III. The Power of Obedience
- A. Jesus' obedience was loving, trusting, and complete
- B. Obedience was a life necessity for Jesus
- IV. The Call to Obedience
- A. Jesus calls us to follow Him on the way of obedience
- B. Obedience is a source of strength and joy
- V. Practicing Obedience
- A. We must learn to surrender to God's will
- B. This means following God's will even when it's difficult
Key Quotes
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.” — Basilea Schlink
“Obedience was a life necessity for Him, His daily food.” — Basilea Schlink
“To follow their regulations and wishes may mean real suffering for us.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- We must learn to surrender to God's will, even when it's difficult.
- Obedience is a source of strength and joy in our lives.
- Following God's will means following the way of obedience, which can lead to real suffering, but also to a deeper relationship with God.