I Choose Obedience

1. Obedience is important. Mt 28:19-20; Jn 14:15, 21, 23; Jn 15:14; Mt 7:24-25; Jas 1:22
2. Obedience grows out of relationship. It all comes back to the relationship we have with Jesus.
3. Obedience involves an understanding of God's Word. Ps 119:105 God's Word gives us direction. (Rightnow media through 2Rivers).
4. Disobedience has consequences. Direction determines destination. If we continue to make poor choices, we will end up in a bad place. Prov 7, 3:5-6; The momentary thrill of sin is not worth the pain of obedience.
5. Obedience is hard. Ps 73

I Choose God

Josh 24:1-15 you must choose whom you will serve. "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
We will only choose to serve God if we are head over heels in love with God.
Jer 2:1-13. God's charge against Israel (and us): They turned away from God, and turned to other things to satisfy themselves. We get to this point by taking our eyes off of God as our greatest treasure.
We will only be satisfied if God is our greatest treasure. We are sinners and prone to turn away from God.
1. The ultimate essence of evil is choosing, desiring and treasuring anything or anyone more than God.
2. The cross was to bring us to God. 1 Pet 3:18a
3. Nobody is like this on their own. Only God can do this in us and for us.

Called by Grace

There, but for the grace of God, go I.
None of us deserve grace.
1. By God's grace, we are called to salvation. Accounts of Paul's conversion: Acts 9, 22, 26. Paul was not trying to hide his past. Paul never forgot what Jesus did in his life, and wanted others to know what God had done. Rom 1:16, 1 Tim 1:12-15. In grace, God is the initiator, he pursues us. Acts 26:12-14. We should not be ashamed of the gospel, always be thankful, allow God to use us and our life as an example to others.
2. By God's grace, we are called to service. Acts 22:6-10. "What shall I do, Lord?" Eph 2:8-10. We are called to service by the same God as Paul. Faithfully live out the role God has given us.
3. By God's grace, we are called to suffer. Acts 9:15-16. We should not try to avoid suffering. Paul's life became harder when he became a Christian. Rom 5:1-5. We should be on guard that our suffering is for Christ, not for doing wrong. Be aware and pray for those who are being persecuted and suffering around the world today.