https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Blessed-in-What-He-Does.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\tby Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: James 1:21-25<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. Sin is the breaking of law – I John 3:4<\/p>\n
A. Sin is universally found in mankind – Romans 5:12<\/p>\n B. Thus, we cannot be surprised that rebellion (going against authority) is also\nwidespread\n C. Obedience then is submitting to authority. It is subjecting your will to the will of\nGod\n
II. Rebellion<\/p>\n
A. Listening to the wrong people<\/p>\n
1. Eve listened to what Satan said – Genesis 3:4-6<\/p>\n a. They lost their innocence and tried to hide from God in their guilt\nand shame – Genesis 3:7-8\n
2. Saul listened to the people<\/p>\n
a. Saul was commanded to destroy the Amalekites – I Samuel 15:3<\/p>\n
b. But Saul kept their king, Agag, alive – I Samuel 15:15<\/p>\n
c. It was what the people wanted according to Saul – I Samuel 15:19-21<\/p>\n
d. But in listening, Saul rebelled – I Samuel 15:22-23<\/p>\n
3. Aaron heeded the people – Exodus 32:1-6<\/p>\n
a. It may have been popular but it was opposed to the will of God<\/p>\n
4. Pilate is another example – Matthew 27:22<\/p>\n
B. Doing with the wrong motives<\/p>\n
1. If you don’t have love, it is without profit – I Corinthians 13:3<\/p>\n
2. Love is why we keep the commands – John 14:15<\/p>\n C. How is it that we laws allowing drinking, drug use, fornication, divorce for any\ncause, abortion, etc?\n
1. Because sin is popular with the people<\/p>\n 2. Why is it that we seem to move from bad to worse morally? Because\npeople are motivated by money – I Timothy 6:9-10\n
D. Following your conscience<\/p>\n 1. Paul sincerely thought that he was doing right by persecuting the church –\nActs 9:1-2\n
a. Yet, he lived with a good conscience – Acts 23:1; 24:16<\/p>\n
b. Paul thought he should work against Christ – Acts 26:9-10<\/p>\n
2. “It feels right to me”<\/p>\n
a. Then you place your own feelings above what God has said<\/p>\n
b. What you may think may be wrong – Proverbs 14:12<\/p>\n
3. Man cannot direct his own way – Jeremiah 10:23<\/p>\n
E. Calling your actions religious – Matthew 7:21-23<\/p>\n 1. How many people live in rebellion against God, but call themselves\n“Christians?” – Luke 6:46\n 2. It is what Saul had done. His rebellion was all right because they were\ngoing to use it for sacrifice\n
III. Submission<\/p>\n
A. We are only saved because God graciously offers us salvation<\/p>\n
1. Our works were works of rebellion – Ephesians 2:1-3<\/p>\n
2. But God decided to save us – Ephesians 2:4-9<\/p>\n
3. Thus, we are restored to our true purpose – Ephesians 2:10<\/p>\n
B. God’s grace teaches us – Titus 2:11-14<\/p>\n
C. The message is that we must submit to the will of God – Romans 6:17-18<\/p>\n
D. We have to obey the truth – I Peter 1:22-23<\/p>\n
E. We cannot obey without listening to Christ – Acts 3:22-23<\/p>\n
1. We have to look to Christ – Hebrews 12:2<\/p>\n
IV. The result are blessings<\/p>\n
A. Blessed are those who keep the commandments Revelation 22:14<\/p>\n
B. Why? Because God’s laws are for our good – Deuteronomy 10:12-13<\/p>\n
C. Following God produces happiness – Psalms 128:1-4<\/p>\n
D. By carefully listening and applying God’s law, we become blessed – James 1:25<\/p>\n
1. You are blessed if you do these things – John 13:15-17<\/p>\n
2. As Jesus said – Luke 11:27-28<\/p>\n
V. The example of the Philippians<\/p>\n
A. They always obeyed – Philippians 2:12<\/p>\n
1. Yet, they were commanded to work their own salvation<\/p>\n
2. The attitude of submission is shown by fear and trembling<\/p>\n
B. God wants them to desire to work for Him – Philippians 2:13<\/p>\n
C. Without grumbling or complaints – Philippians 2:14<\/p>\n
D. What are they to do? Shine as lights – Philippians 2:15-16<\/p>\n
E. This will bring joy to Paul – Philippians 2:17<\/p>\n
F. This will bring joy to the Philippians 2:18<\/p>\n
G. Are you blessed because you are obeying the Lord?<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:21-25 I. Sin is the breaking of law – I John 3:4 A. Sin is universally found in mankind – Romans 5:12 B. Thus, we cannot be surprised that rebellion (going against authority) is also widespread C. Obedience then is submitting to authority. It is subjecting your will to the will of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[374,1287,54,417,416,55],"class_list":["post-31668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-happiness","tag-joy","tag-obedience","tag-rebellion","tag-submission","tag-works"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27487,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/obedience-to-god\/","url_meta":{"origin":31668,"position":0},"title":"Obedience to God","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 13, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Paul Southern via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 10, August 1952. The subject of obedience is an important theme that should engage the thought of every responsible person. Rebellion against constituted authority seems to be a trait inherent with mankind. On every hand, we witness infractions of constitutional, statutory,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":58207,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/submission-to-authority\/","url_meta":{"origin":31668,"position":1},"title":"Submission to Authority","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 21, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Heath Rogers We have discussed the need for authority in religious matters, the proper source for authority, and how to establish Bible authority. In this article, we will consider the importance of responding properly to God's authority. Authority is defined as \"the power or right to give commands, enforce\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1652,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-rebels-cause\/","url_meta":{"origin":31668,"position":2},"title":"The Rebel’s Cause","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 1, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-15 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Israel \u2013 the name means \u201cone who wrestles with God\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jacob received the name when he wrestled with an angel, asking for a blessing - Genesis 32:24-28 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It became the trademark of his descendants - Deuteronomy 9:7, 24 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One that lasted their entire existence as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9880,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-role-of-obedience-in-salvation\/","url_meta":{"origin":31668,"position":3},"title":"The Role of Obedience in Salvation","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 17, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jack Holt Obedience is an obligation each human being sustains to God. This is so because God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, and we are his creatures. Beyond the fact that God is Creator and Ruler, love places us under a moral obligation to obey. As\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":50836,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/law-and-legalism\/","url_meta":{"origin":31668,"position":4},"title":"Law and Legalism","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"by H. E. Phillips via\u00a0Guardian of Truth\u00a0- January 6, 1994 Law is: \"A general rule of action or conduct established or enforced by a sovereign authority; as, a law of Caesar; a law of God\" (Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged). Webster says of legalism: \"Close conformity to law.\" Law and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":62449,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/finding-grace-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":31668,"position":5},"title":"Finding Grace (Hamilton)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 6:1-8 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Each time we choose to sin, we are rejecting the one who tells us not to sin. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is something God has seen throughout man\u2019s history \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numbers 14:11 - Israel\u2019s rebellion \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I Samuel 15:23 - Saul\u2019s rebellion \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a03.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0II Kings 17:15 - Israel\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31668"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31668\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31668"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31668"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}