According to the parable of the sower, Jesus gave four different types of hearts.
I am pretty sure we are all familiar with the parable in Matthew 13. Of all the hearts described, only one was pleasing to the Father and therefore had a good testimony:
Still, other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
Matthew 13:8 NLT
The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Matthew 13:23 NLT
Even though it is a good thing that we rejoice and tremble in awe as the word of God comes to us, the end product of our rejoicing and all should be OBEDIENCE. It is the one who is obedient to the word of God that will produce fruit consistently.
That being said, tonight we will be talking a bit about Obedience.
The dictionary defines obedience as “willing to comply with the commands, orders, or instructions of those in authority”. I like this in particular because it highlights the substance of OBEDIENCE and that is WILLINGNESS. Of a truth, obedience is not an easy thing. However, if one endures both favourable and unfavourable circumstances yet maintains that state of willingness, one does well.
The Holy Spirit speaking through the Prophet Isaiah said “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land”. Obedience can also be a test of your faith. Remember when Jesus said to His disciples that a time would come when the love of many would wax cold because lawlessness would abound? Lawlessness is synonymous with disobedience, in other words, Jesus is saying that disobedience and consistency in the same can choke the flow of the Holy Spirit’s working in our lives.
Obedience can never and has never been imparted upon a man, it is learnt.
Even Jesus learned Obedience, watch this:
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
Hebrews 5:8 NLT
This means, there is a high level of intentionality that is needed especially when it comes to obeying God. And the interesting thing is that intentionality is mostly seen when things go south. By the way, the suffering of Jesus had to do with His death on the cross.
The writer of Hebrews explains in the twelfth chapter,
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Hebrews 12:2-3 NLT
Jesus actually suffered in the sense that, sinful people mocked him, his disciple betrayed Him and yet, He chose to be obedient regardless.
Let’s ask ourselves a question, how deep and intentional is our resolve to obey God willingly?
Let’s go back to Matthew 13 and wrap this up quickly,
The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
Matthew 13:20-21 NLT
I assure you, as you choose to be willingly obedient to God’s word, contentions and persecution will come not because you did something wrong BUT because you’ve chosen to do the right and godly thing. Even more, contention and persecution will help you gain stature and stamina in your walk with God. As you see these things happen, don’t be sad, rather rejoice! See what James said;
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2-4 NLT
Lastly,
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
James 1:22-25 NLT
We hear God’s word to DO God’s word. From tonight, intentionally set your mind and heart to ALWAYS be willing and obedient to God’s word in and out of season by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is your ever-abiding present Help always, don’t forget to always walk with Him.
God has blessed you.
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