READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | We may enjoy reading God’s Word, but if our life is not mastered and transformed by it, then we are not using the Word as God has intended. God’s Word is not just to be studied and admired, but to be applied in our lives! (Phil 4:9) If there is a lack of scriptural transformation in our life, we do not have the depth and maturity that God wants for us.
The Priority of Obedience
Scripture records that God worked through the heroes of faith when they obeyed His Word. Ordinary people were used to fulfil God’s extraordinary purposes. Scripture is not just meant for knowledge. Rather, scriptural obedience is the pathway for us to fulfil the destiny He has for us. It is a humbling journey, but God’s grace enables us to obey Him. Obedience is the key that unlocks the riches of God’s destiny for each of us.
Our Lord Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands” (Jn 14:15). Some aspects of obedience are as follows:
- A response to the Word. The principle is ‘God speaks, I obey.’ We should not think ‘I speak, God obey’, or ‘I do and, God bless.’ Obedience involves listening to and discerning what God is saying to us and responding in faith and trust.
- We are aided by the revelation of the Spirit, who leads and guides us into all truth. (Jn 16:13) It is not just a matter of the human intellect; rather, the Holy Spirit has been given to us to lead us to appreciate and apply the Word.
The Posture of Obedience
Having the best Christian preachers and resources does not mean that there will be obedience and faith. The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. Is our heart like trampled ground (hardened), rocky ground (shallow), thorny ground (infested) or good soil? This affects our receptivity to and the efficacy of God’s Word. Growth in spiritual obedience requires us to address the internal posture of our heart. In learning to submit our hearts to the Lord, we begin the journey of decluttering and surrender, so that we may be sensitive to the inspiration and leading of the Spirit in scriptural obedience. Cultivating an inner posture of obedience entails the following spiritual practices: anchor our hearts (hear and retain the Word), abide (persevere) and align (produce a crop). (Luke 8:15)
The Practice of Obedience
The test and goal of obedience is whether we are walking in the same way as Jesus walked. (1 Jn 2:5-6) It is not about having more information, but rather, our inward formation of growing to be more like Jesus. Do we walk and love like Him, such that His love, light and life shines in and through us?
Let’s anchor, abide and align our hearts as we learn to do what Jesus commands us to do, and thereby fulfil His destiny for our lives.
(Sermon Notes by Denis Koh)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1a. Describe your journey of reading, learning, and applying God’s Word. Share 1-2 meaningful examples of how you applied God’s Word in your life.
1b. What are the challenges and struggles that you experience in reading and applying God’s Word?
2a. Read John 14:15-17 & 1 John 2:3-6. Share the reasons why Scriptural Obedience is such an important aspect of intentional discipleship?
2b. What is the connection between keeping the commandments and abiding in Jesus and his love? What motivates you to obey God’s Word?
3a. Read Luke 8:4-15. What are the 4 kinds of soil and what do each represent? What type of soil describes the posture of your heart and why?
3b. Read Luke 8:15. Describe the traits of “good soil”. What Christian virtues do they represent and how can you cultivate them?
3c. How well do you listen to God’s Word? What steps can you take to prepare your heart to be more ready to receive and obey God’s Word?
4a. Read 1 John 2:3-6. Use the R.O.A.D. format (use the link: wesleymc.org/brd2022 for more details) to Read, Observe, Apply and Do what God is saying to you through the text, and share 1 or 2 application points with one another.
4b. Share with one another what steps you can take or habits you can cultivate to apply God’s Word in your daily life more faithfully as part of your Intentional Discipleship, to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6b). Close with prayer for one another.
