HEB 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
I want to speak to you tonite about THE most important thing we as christians need to learn....obedience. Probably one of the hardest things that any of us do is to be obedient to someone....anyone, even those we know are clearly in authority....especially if it runs contrary to our own will. We always think we’re right!
Here’s the thing......if you ever want to learn anything, you must be teachable. To be teachable, you must learn to be obedient. Do you think you would have ever learned anything in school if you weren’t made to be obedient. That’s largly what’s wrong with our schools today is lack of discipline and obedience. You see it in the stores, at WALMART, or wherever there are "unruly" children. If you don’t make a child sit and learn, they are going to be running around having fun....instead of being obedient and learning the things they need to know to get along in this life.
Let’s see just how important obedience is....who is it for....HEB 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; It was obviously so important to learn obedience that Jesus Himself learned by it! We are to become obedient in order that God be able to teach us what we need for this life.....for that perfect peace that God has promised us. The troulbe is, we want that peace, but we don’t want to be obedient!
So how DID Jesus learn obedience? by the things which he suffered; WOW! So you mean I have to suffer in order to learn obedience? Well, yes. You must suffer your "old man" desires and set them aside; also you must realize that when you are dis-obedient, you are apt to be puished. Have you ever tried to teach a child something and they won’t sit still? They have something else they would rather be doing.....sometimes you have to "discipline" them for their own good, don’t you? Because you know that it is important that they have this information you are trying to teach them. It will make their lives easier, and that’s what we want to do for our children...make life as easy as possible. How much moreso our Father in heaven for us?
Every believer has a responsibility to grow mentally, socially, culturally, morally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. When we cease to grow we are subject to regressions. Jesus grew...Luke 2:52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. It needs to be a goal in your life, to grow. What happens when something stops growing? How about a plant...many of you probably have houseplants....do they continue to grow as long as they are alive? It is only upon death that things cease to grow, so if you are not growing in the Lord, you should be fearing for your spiritual death.
So, yes! Sometimes you will consider whatever you are going thru in your life as "suffering". Every time you think like that, I would like for you to compare whatever it is you are going thru with hanging on a cross for people who rejected you. That ought to give you some pause! Let’s talk about that disciple thing....
I don’t know of ANYONE who ever liked discipline. I hated spankings....(you might have thought I enjoyed them, as much as I got myself into them)....or ANY kind of discipline! Ever get "grounded?" Boy, that’s sure the right name for that! But it also helps to keep you grounded to what you priorities should be! I want to show you something...and I will read this in NIV...HEB 12:4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
How about that vs 11? Again, no one like discipline, but the Word tells it that discipline produces what? a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. There is that peace that we are all seeking.....the Bible tells us right there that discipline is for your training, as unpleasant as it may be at the time.
Jesus knew that the biggest obstacle to success would be a person’s pride. The Lord said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt. 11:28,29) It is only when we recognize our inadequacies that we will be able to learn what the Lord wants to teach us. God cannot teach people who are proud, arrogant or self-absorbed. Jesus told people, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me." The Lord wants all of us to learn more about Him, His will for our life and our own capacities through ministry/witness experiences. Only when we are able to get out of the security of our own shell are we able to realize the potential we have in Christ. Many people remain as spiritual infants because they lack the faith and obedience to take on service responsibilities.
Jesus taught that unless everyone assumes the innocent teachability of children we would never enter heaven. In MAT 18 Jesus said, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven… therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." The Lord praised the children’s’ trusting, unpretentious and teachable attitudes. It is better to humble ourselves before God than to be embarrassed by our own prideful stupidity. I want you to think of that squirming child or grandchild on your lap and realize that children are more open to teaching that most of us "grown folk" are.
Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to be our ever-present teacher. In John 16:13 the Lord said, "But, when He the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." Only when we are walking in close relationship with God are we able to hear the voice of the Spirit. Make every effort to spend time every morning receiving instructions from the Spirit of God for what He wants you to do.
We ALL need more wisdom, don’t we? And wisdom comes from teaching, and teaching from obedience, and obedience from discipline.James 1:5 which says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Our Lord knew that wisdom is given to those who humbly and earnestly seek for it.
