Obedience Paradox Freedom Through Surrender

I'm excited about this topic. The title is obedience paradox freedom through surrender freedom through surrender and if you get time you might want to listen to last Wednesday's message it was obedience not out of obligation but desperation and I still had some thoughts on that but I won't be at a Wednesday service again for a few weeks preaching anyway and so I wanted to kind of share some of that with you this morning but also tie it in with where we're at in the book of Acts and I will tell you this morning that obedience is so important when it comes to knowing God's will. For a believer disobedience I'll even say partial obedience can leave you flustered and frustrated and angry and impatient because when we know what to do but we're not doing it we're losing that battle within it doesn't make us very happy.

Disobedience can lead to a lack of joy it's everything really and the power of the word as I said on Wednesday and I've said it before but some of you might be new when you look at the power of the word of God we believe in the power of the word of God it's life-changing it's applicable to all areas but many people don't understand that the power of the word of God to change a life doesn't come from hearing it it comes from obeying it and my mom used to tell me she passed away about five years ago four and a half years ago she was a marriage and family therapist that was biblically grounded and she'd say son so many people think because they hear the counsel oh that was a good hour thank you so much but that's not going to change anything there's it doesn't change anything and that you actually live in deception you live in deception according to the bible be doers of the word and not hearers only or you will live in deception I can live in deception I can know what the word says about my marriage and not do it I can know what the word says about forgiving others and not allowing a root of bitterness to grow I can know it but if I don't do it I'm gonna be showing up living in a a deceptive bubble everything's good no not everything is good if we're not obeying the word of God now I'm well aware that this can turn into legalism and people leaving going oh my gosh I feel beat up here he goes again here he goes again on obedience and I realize that and I don't want you to leave here with that because nobody follows obedience perfectly there's grace and there's mercy but the bible also also encourages us to get back on track when we fall when we fail and to recognize that we are out of God's will and to jump back in but we left off at act 6 acts chapter 6 the leaders had false witnesses accused Stephen how many of you remember that Stephen the bible said he was full of faith full of wisdom and full of the spirit and we try to remind you every chance we get that that's going to be how you get through these dire times full of the spirit I mean life is already challenging enough when you're filled with the spirit I can't imagine it people just kind of winging it and allowing worldly pursuits to pull them away so anyway here's this man full the holy spirit and he shoots them straight those full of the holy spirit usually will do that they might smile but here comes the hammer it's called speaking the truth in love and they don't go out of their way to cause problems and to do that because that's the wrong heart actually but there's a there's a boldness that that rises up in them when they know something is not right and and something must be said because it's hard the holy spirit's not worried about accusation the holy spirit's not going oh I'm a little bit scared of that person I'm intimidated never who's going to intimidate God and so part of being full of the spirit is we speak the truth in boldness but we also weigh the words carefully we don't rush to judgment and so when they heard him using these um heavy words and convicting them they sat in the council and they looked at Stephen and they said he looks like he has the face of an angel now not sure exactly what that means other than his continence was glowing there was there there was there was a a something about him where people knew he'd been with God and we can sometimes see that in a person's face can't we grumpy Gary's I'm just getting through it yeah and you know and even I can go after the women too if you want but the joy of the Lord is is it's contagious and you know those people you can run into I don't know if I've ever seen Paul in a bad mood I'm sure you have been right maybe you just hide it well or others that are just that you can just tell I could go through the room but I want to embarrass you in a good way like you guys just there's you know man they're they're they're excited to be here where I can't say that about everyone I know it's hard sometimes I'm not excited to be here so I got it but there's there's something about when we've been filled with the Spirit when we've been in his word when we're worshiping we're we're excited and and we can tell there's a there's a I don't want to use the wrong word but an atmosphere and ambience um it just it's something about the person because it does affect our actions and our attitude and our look and our demeanor I mean you can study I've watched some videos it's pretty interesting on those guys who can really study well body language and I'm like man in meetings I better not do that again I better do I don't want to do that I can't do that no what what can I do then just kind of because our body speaks a certain way it's a disposition I mean this this is the most common one isn't it and I know going into the meeting if somebody's like this here we go spirit-filled we use that word a lot it equals peace in the midst of the storm and joy in the midst of controversy and that's what Stephen was he's about ready to get killed and I think he has an idea they're not going to be very receptive to his message basically saying you killed the Messiah you stiff-necked people always resisting the Holy Spirit and then we left off and now we're in act 7 and so the high priest the person in charge of this whole gathering said are these accusations against you correct and I love what Stephen this is this is pretty funny actually instead of just saying no they're not here's why or yes they are he spends and I timed it it's about eight minutes long of him recounting the whole like history of Israel he doesn't even he just says oh remember when God talked to Abram and Abram went to Haran and then he left his father and then he went to this country and then Isaac was born and then out of Isaac came Jacob and then Jacob and then then they went into bondage for each it's like eight minutes eight minutes he's giving Israel the history of what she already is aware of and so he said that he said men listen the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia before he dwelt in Haran and he said to Abraham get out of your country and from your relatives and come to a land that I will show you now I could have turned this into a message about determining God's will because that there's a lot of truth right there get out leave so that's all he need to know for now leave and go where where lord anybody relate uh north south east west and it's one of those things about knowing God's will if you're a type a person or you want to know where you're going it's a little challenging because God doesn't show us often the whole picture what's he show us the one step at a time and I believe and Abraham had to okay I know I'm supposed to leave I'm not sure what direction see east and south and so at some point though and like in your own walk too you have to say okay lord I'm I'm gonna step out in faith I'm trusting you I'm and see that's why I don't think there's exact locations either because it involves faith can you imagine if he said leave your country take this path through the desert watch out for this city go here go here it's it's there's not a lot of faith you're just on autopilot and so when it comes to knowing God's will it's okay to step out in faith as long as it lines up with the bible I'm stepping you know what I'm gonna step out in faith lord and pray that this divorce is okay I'm gonna step out in faith and me and my girlfriend are moving in because we need to save money I'm gonna step here I saw this a lot when I was a real estate agent I'm gonna step out in faith and I'm gonna buy this house and and lord you're gonna bring the money in somehow some way I don't qualify for it it's gonna really oh yeah you guys example okay that way I didn't think of you I didn't think of you I know a lot of people moving so don't feel it take it personally but I'm trying to give you examples like this this I know we can't afford it but I'm stepping out in faith wrong wrong wisdom wisdom I would tell Christians this all the time God had me plant the church and keep my license and it was I learned so much but they're like you know what Shane we're just gonna we're gonna put an offer out there and if they accept it hey it's God's will and I'd say no they might accept it they might it's a very hot market 2009 2010 remember something called short sales reos real estate owned properties offers getting five six seven eight nine ten on a in a week okay I got 10 offers I need your highest and best well let's let's just go up 30,000 if we get it it's God you might get it and I only say it because I heard from other people like we should have never bought this thing this is killing my marriage killing our family we can't give anymore we can't we can't travel like we used to we can't put money away and my point is I guess maybe maybe it doesn't apply to a lot of you but some people in the Christian community think that you just step out and then God blesses your plans and we don't really use wisdom or some people stay stuck and they don't move at all until they know exactly where to go and they stay there for a while have you ever been there go to land that I will show you go step out and I'll show you okay I need to know where I'm I need to know where my list is short how about yours Florida Nashville Idaho or Texas Lord show me which one show me which one I'm ready to follow as soon as you show me which one and then as you're this getting way too practical isn't it and as you're praying right you're praying you have the sense of of just you know what Lord you want us to go to Portland Oregon because we want to go where it's easy and convenient he often wants to put us where we'll grow where he where he wants us to be and it's such an important part here because get out of your country and I will show you step by step and so I know some of you you might you might be fearful that you make the wrong step can you relate to that one I can but as long as you wait on the Lord God wants good things for us as well he doesn't keep people in the same location but as you're waiting on him you're not reacting you're responding I have peace is a good indication the only people fight peace and I don't really have peace but peace is a wonderful because I think it's the internal alarm clock the referee foul as they're praying Lord I need to make a decision here shortly we're sensing this we have appear to have peace we're not our arterial motives and and you check your heart and then you say you know what Lord I'm gonna I'm gonna step out and I'm gonna trust you I think that pleases him because he'll he'll he'll he'll he'll knock you off course if you need to he'll close the door anybody have closed doors slam shut it happens and then what happens now is what follows is Stephen for eight minutes if I were to read it read it gives a long presentation on Israel's history so I'm still kind of going back and forth on if I take us through that even though we already did in Genesis or if I next Sunday or so get to Stephen's death and I'm probably going to do that but I like what the enduring word commentary said about why Stephen gave this lengthy decor lengthy discourse reminding them of Israel's history but that God never confined himself to one place like the temple and that the Jewish people had a habit of rejecting those who God sends to them so he gives this whole history showing that God does not is not limited to one place and showing that people reject often the true messengers of God have you learned that spirit-filled believers who love the truth do not reject the true messengers of God well who does the majority of Christendom the world because the word of God the unadulterated unfiltered clear teaching of the word of God is offensive to most people no matter what hot button you hit on they they don't like they don't like to hear that and again I pray trust me I'm not I don't like to name drop and and I it's just not my heart really but in order to to demonstrate certain things it's it's good to point out certain things which is if you look right now you could just probably just for fun the top 50 biggest churches in the United States are the most popular preachers on YouTube there's a guy in Georgia who's an exception what's his name Philip Michael Anthony I think he's he's on fire he's he's exception and there are other ones too you know of course MacArthur Jack Hibbs people but the majority of them the majority of them are not upsetting the world or lukewarm Christians or carnal Christians they don't they build an incredible audience and and it's just it's really fluff and fluff and I I like the fluff in my 20s I've shared that before I would not be here when I was in my 20s because I wanted to go to church I went to church God still loves me and I feel good leaving I'm encouraged which is good of course but I'm never convicted of my lifestyle and so that will draw a lot more people to hear again there are exceptions I know in our area Lancaster Baptist is is not preaching a watered-down message at all there are people who also truth tellers truth people in the audience will go to churches like that the spirit-filled believers so it's not always the case but if you look at the majority of popular churches you also see silly sermon illustrations have you guys seen any of those clips of just just ridiculous silly stupid they'll put on skits with secular music and they'll they'll say Jesus's parables were really boring so I'm going to dress up like a tree and tell you how you should live and they have to make it so it's just it's sad it's sad there's no fear of God in this place there's no fear of God in this place think about all a lot of the how many of you have heard of A.W. Tozer you like his writings how many of you literally put up your hand if you have heard of that name any guesses how big his church was 400 people Leonard Ravenhill when asked to speak at conferences was rarely asked to come back David Wilkerson popular church in New York but same with him they did not want him speaking at Bible conferences do you know why George Whitefield and Wesley had to preach outside because the Anglican churches and other established churches would not let them preach inside would not ordain them why was John Bunyan locked up for years when he wrote the Pilgrim's Progress because he upset those who did not want to change we can keep going and God might bless some some ministry greatly that that's incredible but be careful be careful are they tickling the ear because we are in that time where the Bible says in the last days the word is endure sound doctrine it means they will not put up with sound doctrine and we still get those emails or calls sometimes hey we've moved to the area or think about visiting are you an affirming church would affirming what we welcome everybody everybody but we call out sin all types of sin just because a heterosexual caves into lust doesn't mean the homosexual that does is right or vice versa all sexual sin in the from the Bible's perspective is wrong and that's why we offer hope offer hope but those who don't want to hear that conviction get upset and isn't interesting I've said this before but it fits perfectly I can say the same exact thing somebody on this side will will never come back they're upset they'll tell their friends I he's a hater somebody on this side will repent and shed tears in the prayer room and thank you so much I needed to hear that what's the difference I didn't the heart the heart do you know what happened to most of the prophets in the old testament they were not popular God raises up the menial and calls them to do the mighty he told Jeremiah I will put my words in your mouth and you will tear down you will root out you will expose and that's why he got in so much trouble number two Stephen was not defending anything he wasn't interesting defending himself he simply wanted to proclaim the truth about Jesus in a way people could understand and again number three God is not limited to one place God is not limited to one place or one church so watch those cults that say there's no salvation outside of this church now God is all about one way there's only one way to the father crystal clear in scripture Jesus is not one of many ways he's not a good choice a good teacher he is the only way the only truth the only life nobody can come to the father except through him however God is not limited to one place or one church God is moving just as powerfully here as he is in Texas or Oregon or Washington or Tennessee or the east coast Vermont Massachusetts he's not limited he's looking for the fire of the spirit in a willing vessel God's not intimidated by our governor saying you're getting political no it's biblical it's just this is all biblical why are we intimidated if God's not because that's what happens fear comes in and he goes on to say Abraham for his name wasn't changed yet to Abram Abraham came to the land of the Chaldeans that God said and here's what's interesting he dwelt in Haran and from there it wasn't until his father was dead that he left where God actually said leave your your relatives leave your relatives but he actually stayed it could have been for years until his dad passed away and then he moved to the land which you now dwell and again depending on what commentary you read we don't want to we don't want to read too deeply in this maybe God wanted him to stay there for a time but it does say get out of your country and leave your relatives but he decided to stay for a season so I thought it was a good opportunity to talk about the tendency toward partial obedience any partially partially obeying people in here that that's all all of you got this topic down what's partial obedience I think why we do it is so we go okay I know God wants me to do this I'm gonna I'm gonna do I'm gonna do a little bit of it so I feel better right I can't remain in complete disobedience fix that relationship okay I kind of will give up that thing that's pulling you away from me to what degree to what degree partial obedience it's kind of funny but not but over the years I've talked to people I prayed with them let's say for alcoholism for example and I'll see him months later I'm like how are you doing I'm doing great I dropped I dropped to just wine now and not whiskey partial obedience girlfriend and boyfriend living together how you guys doing oh good we we we we took your advice and um we have different bedrooms now in the house okay well are you avoiding the appearance of evil are you sure you're not sneaking over it's not too hard partial obedience I know God wants me to forgive and I will kinda you know how we do that don't you you go to someone and you ask for forgiveness and you know it's like I know Lord wants me to do this but here comes the flesh though here watch for this word you know I'm sorry in this step but you know what you did was not right gotta get that butt in there you gotta get are you anybody butts in here anybody like to get that butt in there just me because it kind of it's like I'm not going all the way I'm gonna tell you still while you're wrong partial obedience partial obedience and I could give so many examples but suffice it to say that if this is an area of struggle you know what that struggle is because God's often been dealing with us on that issue in our hearts I mean we could you want me open up some can of worms or should I just keep that closed for now yeah open okay well let's throw it out there what about summertime and dress code for women okay we'll get back to maybe dress code wasn't the right word but you know partially obedience I'll let you fill in the blanks on what that looks like men what about partial obedience on your end because we fight God when we want to make radical changes partial obedience I saw this a lot in the health and fitness industry you know God wants you to make some serious lifestyle changes but you only make a few you'll choose in and out instead of Chick-fil-a not that that matters but partial because full obedience hurts it costs something so Abrams Abraham's partial obedience did not take God's promises away instead it meant that the promise was on hold until Abram was ready to do what the Lord said that's kind of encouraging isn't it because a Christian in partial obedience it's not like okay I'm done with you because remember God can can wait all time all of your life all of your life and I wonder how many marriages are never restored God is showing them what to do but pride digs our heels in doesn't it and it's hard I mean we've we've witnessed a lot of we've seen a lot of divorce in this church especially you know let's say last five years and I know nine times out of ten Abram will agree nine times out of ten brokenness and humility could have fixed it it's that easy I want to shake him say all you have to do is do this I'm sorry you're right I need to make some changes I'm just going to seek God just do whatever you need to do if you need to leave for a while I'm I apologize I'm sorry I could have been better I'm going to pursue God and and and and let the chips fall where they may oh that might now that'll be tested for a while because we also hear but I'm changing pastor they're not lit I'm changing I'm changing your spouse will see you changing you don't need to tell me you're changing often when you tell me you're changing that means you're not changing because somebody who truly is lives in that they don't go they don't try to defend themselves you don't need to pin drop time but isn't that true nine times out of ten at least the ones we've seen the marriages could have been restored often it takes humility on both sides but I do believe there are times where if there's a consistent pattern and things keep coming up and the person is not changing they're being dishonest about it and that that would be a whole nother topic but I believe as you wait on the Lord God will show you the promise was on hold until Abram was ready to do what the Lord said the fulfillment of the promise didn't progress until Abraham left his father behind after he died and then when he went to the place that God wanted him to go that's when the promise began to be fulfilled so what is the practical application that's between you and God is there something on hold while God is waiting on you could it be a spouse coming to the Lord or a prodigal coming to the Lord or prayer not being answered because there's partial disobedience and God had to deal with me in this area too what about if he if he's wanting you to start a ministry or a Bible study or whatever it is but there's a there's a there's a character issue that needs to be dealt with could that delay the blessing partial obedience is huge especially in the Christian community but here's the key God's promises God's promises his presence and his power are not limited to a specific place or time but again promises the promises of God his presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life are not limited to a place or time but they can be limited by disobedience uh-oh let me unpack that one as well because on the surface it might not sound correct because on the surface what I just said is not correct in this sense in God's perfect will God's perfect will your disobedience will not stop his plans I'm convinced of that and there are great books written by theologians on perfect and permissive will what is the difference perfect will is what God says this is going to happen regardless permissive will says I will do this if you do this now how that works under God's sovereign hand I don't know I just know that some things can be delayed delayed by disobedience and I have some examples for you what about Saul's disobedience in 1st Samuel 15 Saul was instructed to utterly destroy let's pronounce that have somebody help me here oh there we go Amalekites I couldn't see his on angle a little bit so destroy the Amalekites what what happened because he didn't he actually lost the kingdom so David became king but David becoming king was part of God's sovereign plan but also Saul's disobedience played a role maybe it would have been maybe it would have been a good transition how do you obey I don't know but we also know about what about the uh the those Israelites uh wandering in the wilderness for 40 years how many of you think that it was supposed to be 40 years the Bible said 40 years it's supposed to be 40 years and I was actually get to the promised land and we know because they surveyed the promised land we're ready to go in here we go let's go and 10 of the 12 spies came back and said nope giants in the land forgetting who God is and so a whole generation could not go into the promised land because of disobedience what about Jeremiah through him God said they did not listen to me but they stiffened their necks in order not to listen or take correction and this is a constant theme throughout the the prophets that the the children of Israel's disobedience led to their downfall now I want to challenge you if you disagree with what I'm about to say just look in the Bible for a little while for a few weeks study this but I can't really find any place where when Israel was walking in obedience to God that he didn't protect them there are times when Joshua forgot to seek counsel and pray and he got tricked and things like that and there was sin in the camp but overall God was with them you're with me I'm with you you're obeying me I'm with you I mean he would he would wipe out armies with an angel he would say he would send in the Madeline worship team in Hezekiah and just just just go worship I'll take care of the enemy no enemy defeated God's people when they were walking in harmony with him Hebrews 5 11 concerning him I believe this is talking about Melchizedek and that's a whole nother topic but the writer of Hebrews says we have much to say and it's kind of hard to explain but you've become dull of hearing dull of hearing a sure sign that somebody is not on a good path is they become dull of hearing of the word of God delayed or partial obedience is still disobedience and Lord I pray even right now that you would show us areas that we are partially obeying you and that we can make changes in our lives and experience your blessings again show us this morning guys I wish I mean I love to camp out here for a while because talking to so many people I've seen so many people hold in that bitterness against somebody else that unforgiveness that bitterness I've forgiven them yeah I can tell you forgiven them whoa if that's forgiveness I don't want to know what anger looks like and don't give in them but have you it's hard though isn't it I'm not whoever played a role in taking down our YouTube I'm having a hard time forgiving those who me and my family these people who attend here the things they'll say about me I want to say how dare you I want to call them out in the service but I have to forgive I have to they're hurting they need a target I got it Lord please help me with forgiveness God please it's hard isn't it some who've been abused as kids and trying to forgive that person is is so hard but you're actually living in the prison of unforgiveness reminder it doesn't make the other person right it makes you line up with God and release release that the goal of disobedience is to draw us away from God's will as well as his presence this is half the reason I talk about this is because it's not just disobedience doesn't just draw us away from God's will it actually draws us away from his presence and what I mean by that is as believers you have the Holy Spirit what the Bible says in dwelling is that an awesome concept I still haven't quite got my head around yet wait a minute I'm a believer now the Holy Spirit is residing in my heart in my soul thank God for that thank God for that and when we're following the scriptural course when we're when we're forgiving others or when we we repent of our bitterness and our our our double-edged tongue and that and we we just we repent of all those things and we get we have clean hearts it's like the Holy Spirit just fills us even more that's how somebody truly filled the Holy Spirit they deal with hurt they deal with bitterness and disappointment they deal with it and they they just obey the word of God and as a result they're they're filled with that that presence of God in their heart but when we don't that's where we quench and grieve the Holy Spirit and sadly when that happens do you want to go to church and worship get me a comfortable couch and a Netflix binge that's what I'm doing it withdraws the presence of God from our hearts unforgiveness any type of disobedience what about continually falling into sin habitual sin James 1 reminds us each one in this room each one listening is tempted we are all tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed that's how temptation works it plants the thought and then you either feed and fuel the thought or you take that thought captive and say lord that's not right get my thoughts back on track but if you continue to dwell on it when that desire has conceived it gives birth to sin and if you don't abort sin what does sin do it's a nasty little weed in the heart do you ever see those weeds and you pull them out like well how does that come back you didn't get to the root sin has to be dealt with swiftly a struggle in your life may simply be an area of disobedience elizabeth elliott a whole lot of what we call struggling is simply delayed obedience pastor i'm really struggling in my marriage could it be delayed obedience now i'm assuming that you'll take what i'm saying run it through the filter of god's word maybe a lot of this doesn't apply to you but how much of it does in regard to obedience and disobedience man i'm really struggling how many of you have said that before some of it is sometimes it's legitimate there can be a legitimate struggle no disobedience involved but if we're really struggling with something could it be because of partial obedience how many men have i talked to pastor i'm really struggling with lust well i told you go get a flip phone for a month oh no no i can't i can't do that i'm i'm struggling partial obedience and of course that isn't the cure but you've got to make some changes in order to see progress did anybody know what the definition of insanity is man we've got a lot of insanity in the church don't we sometimes i i feel it too i'm insane you're doing the same thing but you're expecting different results we cannot do the same thing we have to turn and do what god wants us to do but when you're unsure of god's direction worship when you're unsure of god's position on a matter praying and use wisdom and i've had this asked recently too what is wisdom it's the application of the word of god the application you applying the word of god it comes the power comes through the application like i said before now this might be a huge help for some people god guides more through wisdom than inner promptings we have a lot we can look we could spend a whole sermon on this do i believe that the holy spirit still prompts us of course and leads us and we believe in the of course the supernatural gifts of the holy spirit but i would say i don't know what you think dave nine nine nine out of ten or more often god leads us through wisdom in his word because feelings can be deceptive and our attitude gets in there and our anybody have ulterior motives on anything no boy do those play a role don't they ulterior motives i just talked about moving and things like that that definitely plays a role in and moving for example is our heart pure before god or do we hate california new we're out of here or is god truly moving it's it's it's again it's an issue of the heart i just love this topic because people get mad at me for saying that i'm like well maybe he's trying to tell you something those who know they're moving god's moving them they don't get mad it's like the person who can handle their alcohol they don't get mad when i talk about but the alcoholic gets a little upset because you hit that tender point same with this issue of obedience god will guide you through wisdom wisdom i'm telling you when i make decisions a lot i'm not waiting for some inner voice to lead me sometimes it happens there's a strong but more often than not it's it's it's just a wise decision god has given us our our brain for a reason and i know especially when i talk about like the hyper charismatic camp or the hyper pentecostal camp that's why i've seen a lot of abuses i've seen a lot of people who aren't doing that well spiritually you know i mean they're they're they're they're really into the holy spirit don't get me wrong i mean it's just like wow and and they're always just waiting for that word waiting for that word have you got a job yet i'm waiting for that word i'm waiting for that word from the lord where to work it's been six months he might want you to go to lowe's go to home depot go to trader joe's go to trader joe's distribution distribution no no no no i'm just waiting just waiting at what point do you do say you know what i need to use some wisdom i have an offense against someone i'm just i have an offense against someone i'm just gonna wait it's gonna wait months go by right just gonna wait well the word's clear if you if you have something don't even go to a worship service resolve it resolve it now if you're like me sometimes you you use the i'm waiting on the lord as an excuse to delay the inevitable correct okay but then when god spoke in this way in act 7 steven again still talking he actually talks for about eight minutes if you could read all of act 7 it takes about eight minutes or so and he's just going over israel's history and he said that the descendants remember the children of israel are going to deal i'm sorry dwell in a foreign land and they're going to go into bondage and oppression for 400 years and they did under pharaoh they were in bondage for 400 years and that nation egypt to whom they were in bondage god will judge them and boy did he ever and when they fulfill that time of 400 years they're going to come out and they're going to serve me in this place so the children of israel came out of bondage from egypt they traveled through the wilderness they eventually came into the promised land which was israel and that's exactly where steven is talking to these people right now that we're reading isn't that amazing but i want to unpack this for a minute god allowed them to go into bondage and oppression how would why would god allow why would god allow bondage and oppression well number one bondage means being controlled or influenced by negative forces or habits and i do but do believe that christians christians can open the door to demonic bondage i don't know about that pastor well just start going back into sin actually don't just it's an illustration but open that door to sin again get hooked to that whatever it is and you'll quickly find that you are in bondage that's bondage you're now can you still say can you say no from the can you can you stay say no and and and and remove yourself from the temptation i believe as a believer you can i don't think a believer is possessed and and as a robot because no temptation is overtaking you but what is common demand but god is faithful we're not god is faithful and he's not going to allow you to be tempted beyond what you're able to bear and escape but how many of you have ever been able to turn from a temptation and say man that wasn't too bad thank you lord i acted upon that and i just i took that thought captive and i turned from it but if you go back into the bondage lust of the flesh and you open that door and you stay there for a while it's a lot harder to resist now because you're under bondage but what is oppression then oppression is when you are subjected to unjust or cruel treatment anybody work in a hostile work environment anybody being subjected to unjust or cruel cruel treatment because of their faith praise god we don't experience it as much in america but it is rampant in other countries very very difficult to be a christian in many countries and god will allow those things from time to time a couple different reasons it can prepare us it can prepare us for what the future holds it also in preparing us it shapes our character how many of you have come out much stronger after you beat the oppression and the bondage and god took you through those things and yeah i don't want to ever go back to that it shaped your character it built your character now you can testify you can help others you you if you speak there's going to be a boldness about you because you have overcome those things and christian that's how you become stronger i love the approach of heaven on earth life is a bed of roses you're gonna have your best life now i mean that all sounds really good but you are in warfare the bible doesn't say get a comfortable comforter and a pillow and just put on the full pillow of god what's that sleep mattress sleep number yeah put that sleep number on eight tonight it says put on the whole armor of god why because you have to there we go you have to withstand the wiles of the devil which is actually the trickery the cunning deceit if you look up the hebrew word i'm sorry the greek word for wiles it's trickery it's deceit and you have the whole armor of god on which would be a sermon someday because i haven't spoke on that in a while the sword of the spirit of god the breastplate of righteousness his righteousness but also living holy the helmet of salvation guarding your mind that how faith man that's that's powerful and you you put on that armor and that's how you resist the wiles of the devil but i'm not going to put on the armor if i'm not in a fight and so sometimes that oppression and that bondage will come in order to prepare the soldier many of you seen documentaries um it's pretty cool we have a a navy seal in the family can't say a lot about that he he has some some of his soldiers guys underneath him but in order to become and pass you have bondage and oppression in the training camp don't you because that's the only way you're going to come out as ready to fight and when they don't want to what do they do ding ding ding they ring a bell and they quit and that's a very high percentage of the people of the soldiers the higher you go in military battle the more you're going to have to go through how much more in the christian faith the more you're going to do for god the more armored up you're going to need to be and so don't beat yourself up when you're in bondage to something break free take it to the lord realize that that struggle that fight that oppression that messenger from satan can keep you humble humble i mean i i hate my past like some some of you we all struggle with different things yours is marijuana mine's dark chocolate at midnight dipped in peanut butter with some milk i'm joking of course but we all have different things that and that that struggle can keep you close to the savior because you realize just how weak you are a messenger from satan and you pray lord take this away take this away and sometimes he doesn't take it away many of you know who else said those exact same words and they wrote a good portion of the bible young young adults maybe you don't know this or people who are new to the faith or don't read the bible much but the apostle paul was given allowed to have a messenger of satan who knows what that means i don't like it though just the language alone and what it did it actually buffeted his flesh it did something to the this thorn in my side i don't think a rose bush was stuck on him but the language is something is prodding me something is bothering me and god said my grace is sufficient he also said in your weakness you will become strong and that's the point often through bondage why bondage and oppression can be used to our advantage and the reason i say that is i see so many christians instead of the next point here it can lead to a renewed spiritual desire and desperation for god they leave god or they kind of walk away for a season instead of getting desperate they desert instead of getting desperate for more of him they desert him and this is the time to press in like never before obedience is not just actions obedience is not just actions it's also our attitude in zechariah 7 god said they were not obeying because they were not executing true justice or showing mercy or compassion and they were talking poorly about their brethren they had outward obedience and i love this verse when you fasted and mourned did you really fast for me for me god said that and this whole zechariah chapter they're just going through the motions the ultimate cost of disobedience it's like what i said in the title of the message freedom through surrender there's tremendous freedom when we surrender to god now i'm going to fast forward this is what stephen says after eight minutes after eight minutes it's funny too he doesn't even transition like he just likes it and then then he goes you stiff neck people and uncircumcised in your heart in other words it showed their actions their their neck it was it was a posture of arrogance and not bowing to the lord and uncircumcised in the heart and ears means they weren't cutting away the things of the flesh and things of the world they weren't listening to god they they closed their ears to what he had to say you always resist the holy spirit you always resist the holy spirit as your fathers did so do you and just like stephen god sent prophets to warn his people to bring them back to the lord but they would not listen then the spirit of god came upon zechariah and he said to them thus say says god why do you transgress the commandments of the lord so that you cannot prosper because you have forsaken the lord he has also forsaken you and i've used this quote many times before i think about three other times from puritan thomas hooker he said be forewarned if you will live in your sins here expect to be damned with them hereafter and this is really bringing it home bringing disobedience home to the unbeliever the person who is in disobedience against god that's the worst kind of disobedience that's how you experience freedom through surrender when you surrender your will when you surrender your way when you surrender your sin that's when the freedom follows and when we fight obedience it produces anger have you ever noticed that so many people are mad when you challenge them when you say things like this they get they get so mad because disobedience produces anger but when we surrender joy follows joy follows look at that line we just read so that you cannot prosper when you disobey god you cannot prosper now i can already hear the the critics i'm doing really well financially brother oh wrong definition of prosperity wrong definition of prosperity sometimes the bible will talk about financial prosperity but when the usually when the term is used it's he will prosper you in your relationship with the lord prosper you in favor with it's a it's a the blessings of god the prosperity doesn't mean you'll be a millionaire it means you're close to the lord you're prospering and what you do what you say those around you your whole life is life giving versus life draining and that's the paradox that's the paradox is those who think they're prospering are not prospering they have worldly success did you know that worldly success is ultimately spiritual failure and it breaks my heart all these people we glamorize and we just love we if i could just meet them oh i love this person that's why they're you're called a fan all these people with worldly worldly success are failing spiritually i think i mentioned this wednesday but if you look at i try to hit all the different things that you might be relate to from kobe bryant or uh your favorite dodger or what about your favorite nascar any nascar people in here no balcony okay there's one one of the greatest of all time dell earnhardt what about if they don't know the lord look at all these people we're saying they're prospering look at this look at this oh how incredible oh i love katie perry i love taylor oh the kids go crazy over taylor they start screaming worldly prosperity can be spiritual death think about these people i thought about them that that have passed away that we look up to gone forever in eternity pastor you don't know their final moments that's true that's true they may have called out to god and i hope so but there is no fruit to indicate guys i hope if you just take one thing away from this i hope it's this you cannot follow the world and god christians try they try but they're miserable because in order to really follow the world you have to you kind of have to turn your back on god and to really follow god you're turning your back on the world now let me give you a little bit of encouragement as you're turning your back on the world it will it will still call your name those influence are still there aren't they they whisper the pursuits the lusts the things that you you those things are they're still there that influence is still there and when we turn and begin to embrace them again it's we're miserable because we can't serve both god and the world the thing to do is you repent and you change the way you're walking and you are drawn back to god and you pursue god again like never before that really is the way and there is freedom through surrender what area do you need to surrender this morning what area do you need to surrender this morning guys i know there's so many christians they're not fully sold out to god they love what they drive they love their vacation they love their toys and there's nothing wrong with toys or a car or going somewhere but what captivates you what's got your heart are those things pulling you away from god surrender surrender and experience the freedom that i love that bible verse taste and see that the lord is good taste and see that the lord is good and that's why i get passion that's why i ruffle some of your feathers i can tell by your looks that's okay but that's why i do because i've tasted and seen of the goodness of god i've tasted and seen oh not only that i was i don't know about you but i was blind but now i see i was lost but now i'm found so if you are truly lost and truly blind spiritually and the spirit of the living god came upon you and you begin to see the brightness of his glory wouldn't you preach with all of your heart with all of your mind wouldn't you warn the sinner wouldn't you encourage the saints i don't care guys i i hate to keep saying this but i don't look for popular opinion i don't want you to go about that was such a great message i hope you leave a little ticked off did that guy just say i can't have a 30 foot toy hauler in my buggy and pulling my bass tracker behind it no i didn't say that but if that's convicting you god is putting his finger on it i don't know if anybody even owns what i just said i have no clue but guys i've seen the world pull so many people away why because sin fascinates before it assassinates