Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-6)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. (Psalm 22)

Obedience Is Better Than The day king Saul learned the importance of complete obedience to God (I Samuel 15) God’s command – Utterly destroy the Amalekites (vs. 1-3) Everything went smoothly, Saul appeared victorious, but God was not pleased. He disobeyed (vs. 8-27) Destroyed everything worthless, but saved what he saw as valuable His reasoning seemed good – Wanted to worship God, give God glory Samuel wept all night over Saul’s disobedience – A grieved heart! Saul defends himself. He did what he sincerely believed was right and good. He was shocked to be condemned. He felt he had obeyed He misunderstood God… God wasn’t after a spectacular worship service, God desired obedience. God wanted Saul not sheep! Obedience is better than worship! When Saul chose to disobey God, Saul chose sin… He chose to reject God’s word… Presumptuous!

Obedience Is Better Than The day king Saul learned the importance of complete obedience to God (I Samuel 15) Some important observations and lessons to be learned: God wants our obedience more than He wants our worship Partial obedience is disobedience. Do it all the way, do it God’s way Guard against the sin of presumption in our response to the Lord Obedience means making no substitutions or exceptions to God’s will Experiencing what we see as a good outcome does not negate the path we chose to get there. The end doesn’t justify the means! Be careful who you listen to… Hear the voice of God not the people! Two points of practical application… It’s not okay to live however I want Monday thru Saturday and expect a few hours of worship on Sunday to make everything okay Guard against creativity in obedience. What did God say He wanted?

Obedience Is Better Than What Else Is Obedience Better Than? Better than my feelings and emotions (John 17:17; Rom 10:17) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

Obedience Is Better Than What Else Is Obedience Better Than? Better than my feelings and emotions (John 17:17; Rom 10:17) Better than my thoughts and ways (Isa 55:8-9; 1 Cor. 1:25) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Cor. 1:25)

Obedience Is Better Than What Else Is Obedience Better Than? Better than my feelings and emotions (John 17:17; Rom 10:17) Better than my thoughts and ways (Isa 55:8-9; 1 Cor. 1:25) Better than my physical condition (Ezra 9:1-2; 10:3-5) “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations… they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” (Ezra 9:1-2) Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” (Ezra 10:3-5