Listen and Obey

LISTEN AND OBEY

James 1:22 (NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

1. Listen and obey even when it doesn’t make sense.

Genesis 6:22 (NIV)

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

2. Listen and obey even when you’re sure you’re not the right person for the job.

Judges 8:28 (NIV)

Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.

3. Listen and obey even when the results are not what you expected.

John 18:1-7 (NIV)

1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

Exodus 3:13-14 (NIV)

13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

John 18:4-6 (NIV)

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

John 18:7 (NIV)

Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

1. Listen and obey even when it doesn’t make sense.

2. Listen and obey even when you’re sure you’re not the right person for the job.

3. Listen and obey even when the results are not what you expected.

QUESTIONS:

1. What have you done or what would you do if you felt God was leading you in a direction that doesn’t make sense? Who can you turn to for guidance?

2. How might you overcome your feelings of inadequacy and step out in boldness into the ministry God has for you?

3. God’s plan for our lives is not always what we expected. What will you do when things don’t work out the way you had planned?