Lesson 17: COMPLETE OBEDIENCE-PART 1

MEMORY VERSE-“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”1 Samuel 15:22
LESSON TEXT-Jeremiah 35:1-19

INTRODUCTION

Obedience is carrying out the word and will of another person. It implies compliance with the demands and requests of one in authority. Absolute obedience therefore is to carry out the demands and requests of one in authority and this time, God. Disobedience is a sin, we have a good example in Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God, Rom. 5: 19. Absolute obedience to God is clearly stressed in both the New Testament and the Old Testament.

LESSON OUTLINE

1. THE MEANING OF ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE
2. REWARD OF ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE

LESSON CONTENT

A. THE MEANING OF ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE
Absolute obedience is to be ready to carry out every instruction given by God in love, John 14: 15-16; Heb. 11: 6-11. It is reading, hearing, preaching and doing the word of God, Josh. 1: 8. It is also living a holy life, Rom. 12: 1-2. It means giving cheerfully and generously,2Cor.9: 6-9. Absolute obedience includes paying your tithe correctly, Mal. 3: 8-10. Another area of absolute obedience is in training your children the way of God, Jer. 35: 12-15. We could add to this list. To some of us, total disobedience is not our problem, but half-obedience. God hates those who are neither cold nor hot, Mk. 12: 29-30; Rev.3:15-16.

B. REWARD OF ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE
There are many rewards attached to absolute obedience. One is that you will become a friend of God, John 15: 14. A known reward is that you will eat the good of the land, Isa. 1: 19.Another reward is that you will rule, reign and have dominion over all things, Deut. 28: 1-13.Absolute obedience can guarantee protection from enemies, Deut.28:7.You will become a channel of blessings to people and nations if you obey God completely, Deut. 28:3-13. God will keep His covenant with you and your descendants, Jer. 35: 17-19. Whosoever wants to enjoy God’s blessing must cultivate the habit of obeying Him whole heartedly-Deut.28:1.God is ready to make you a peculiar treasure unto Him- Ex. 19: 5. He will also be an enemy to the enemies of those who follow Him wholeheartedly, Ex.23:22.Diseases will be kept away from anyone who obeys God diligently, Ex. 15:26.

CONCLUSION

The rewards of obedience are many and God who demands total obedience from His children is always willing to supply the needed grace for it. Absolute obedience gives us grace to commune with God and to receive blessings from Him.

QUESTIONS

1. What is absolute obedience?
2. Name four rewards of absolute obedience.
3. What are some of the promises of God for total obedience?

ASSIGNMENT

Students should come up with some practical experiences of effects of obedience.