“OBEY is Not a Four-letter Word”

June 28/09 1Jn 2:3-6, 3:19-24   Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)

●     THE OBEDIENCE SIDE OF GRACE

    ○    keeping God’s ways not just an Old Testament concept (Jn 1:17; Rom 5:20; 6:1; 1:5)
    ○    grace doesn’t prevent us giving more than 10 percent

●    OBEDIENCE AS LOVE-BASED WATCHFUL ATTENTIVENESS

    ○    Early stages of Kohlberg’s moral development theory: ‘obedience and punishment driven’ / ‘self-interest driven’
    ○    strength of will / wishes apparent even in two-year-olds
    ○    law of Moses emphasized blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience (Dt 28, 30:15-18)
    ○    Jesus and apostles connected obedience with love (5:3; Jn 14:21,23)
    ○    levels of obedience/attachment: police cruiser; calf competition judge; piano recital; playing for pleasure of dear patrons (2:5)

●    ADVANTAGES OF WALKING IN GOD’S WORD

    ○    Assurance of Relationship (2:3,5; 3:21,24)
    ○    Avoidance of Hypocrisy (2:4,6; Jn 8:44)
    ○    Advancement in Loving Maturity (2:5)
    ○    Answer to Accusation (3:18-20)
    ○    Accepted Prayer (3:22)

●    OBEDIENCE KEY FOR VETERAN STREET MISSION WORKER

    ○    Rick Tobias stuck with Yonge Street Mission 25 years, though didn’t want to stay 5
    ○    it’s not about fulfilment or happiness, but obedience to Christ’s call