a. William Bradford, the governor of the Plymouth Colony of pilgrims, insisted, "Those who believe in the Holy Scriptures are bound to observe its teachings. Those who do not are to be bound by its consequences."

b. It is not difficult in our world to get a person interested in the message of the Gospel; it is terrifically difficult to sustain the interest. Millions of people in our culture make decisions for Christ, but there is a dreadful attrition rate. Many claim to have been born again, but the evidence for mature Christian discipleship is slim. In our kind of culture anything, even news about God, can be sold if it is packaged freshly; but when it loses its novelty, it goes on the garbage heap. There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness.

c. Last week we began a series of sermons on DISCIPLEWALK - Step one - Follow Me - Today is step two - OBEDIENCE

d. This is probably the most talked about and least practiced virtue

e. Let's take STEP TWO NOW

I. THE BIBLE ON OBEDIENCE

a. From the beginning The Bible has emphasized obedience

1. For Adam and Eve in the garden

2. For Noah & Abraham & Moses & Joshua & Sampson

3. For Kings and common folk

4. David wrote the God desires obedience rather than sacrifice

b. Jesus did nothing of His own initiative but only what the Father directed

c. Jesus called for obedience and made it the key to discipleship

1. Two quick references from John:

a. John 14:23-24 - "If you love me will obey My teaching"

b. John 15:14 - "If you love me you will keep my commandments"

d. New Testament writers also put the emphasis on obedience

1. Peter - 1 Peter 1:14-16 - "as obedient children be holy..."

2. Paul - Eph 4:26-5:6

3. John - 1 John 2:4; 5:2-3 - Say love and not obey - liar

II. SOME SPECIFICS FOR BELIEVERS

a. William F. Buckley, Jr., American editor and writer, pointed out the importance of obeying God when he wrote, "I mean to live my life an obedient man, but obedient to God, subservient to the wisdom of my ancestors: never to the authority of political truths arrived at yesterday in the voting booth."

b. It is time to look at some specific areas for obedience

c. I looked at just the New Testament passages on obedience and found more than 30 areas in which we are to be obedient

d. Well, lets look at some of them - this is not an exhaustive list

1. Personal spiritual growth and development

a. Paul says we should move from milk to meat - stop behaving like babies

b. It is natural to grow - not to grow is abnormal

c. We grow by being nourished - food, shelter, fellowship

d. Prayer, Bible Study, Church Attendance

1. These all have high priority with God

2. Love each other

a. Bear with one another - Patience - long-suffering - long bothered

1. Many commands to forgive

a. Grudges are not allowed only forgiveness

b. Take care of the needs of less fortunate - feed, clothe...

c. Be faithful in marriage - it is a testimony to the world

3. Witness

a. We are to bear fruit

b. Focus on the eternal and share what you know

c. Be courageous - God's Spirit goes before you

4. Be a giver

a. This means much more than money but it does include your finances

1. We are to be givers and not takers - problem we face in our country is the perception that we are supporting professional takers - We are commanded to give

2. This is our TIME - TALENT - TREASURE

b. We are to give of ourselves in church

c. We are to invest our lives in the lives of others

d. We are to give 10% of our income to the Lord - it is a better deal and has better results than the government

III. THE BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE

a. Everybody longs for freedom. But for many people its pursuit leads to bondage. The greatly loved Bible teacher Henrietta Mears knew the secret of true freedom, and she wanted her students to know it too. With young people in mind, she said, "A bird is free in the air. Place a bird in the water and he has lost his liberty. A fish is free in the water, but leave him on the sand and he perishes. He is out of his realm. So, young people, the Christian is free when he does the will of God and is obedient to God's command. This is as natural a realm for God's child as the water is for the fish, or the air for the bird."

b. Do you want to be free - really free - it comes with obedience

c. This is step two - two steps to learn to walk - it starts the journey of faith

IV. SOME CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

a. Some Strange People I Know

People who talk about prayer but never pray.

People who say tithing is right but never tithe.

People who want to belong to the church but never attend.

People who say the Bible is God's Word to man but never read it.

People who criticize others for things they do themselves.

People who stay away from church for trivial reasons and sing, "Oh, How I Love Jesus."

People who continue in sin all their lives but expect to go to heaven.

b. Will you take the step of obedience today

c. Ever wonder where to start - Let me be real practical and direct from the scripture

1. Jesus said where your treasure is there your heart will be also

2. Want a heart of obedience - be obedient with your treasure

d. During the invitation hymn I am going to ask that you bring your faith promise card and place it in the basket - The finance chairman is the only one who sees these cards - it helps us in budgeting -

BOW WITH ME IN PRAYER

HYMN # 132 "AMAZING GRACE"