1. What Does God Want? OBEDIENCE!

2. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” I John 2:3-5“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” I John 2:3-5

3. Disobedience = Punishment “Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”“Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Thess. 1:6-8 II Thess. 1:6-8

4. Obedience = Blessings "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.“ Matthew 11:28-30"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.“ Matthew 11:28-30 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” I John 5:2-4“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” I John 5:2-4

5. Examples of Obedience & Disobedience Noah = ObedienceNoah = Obedience Genesis 6:5-22 Genesis 6:5-22 Saul = DisobedienceSaul = Disobedience I Samuel 15:1-23 I Samuel 15:1-23

6. Noah Saul Noah Saul Told to build ark of Told to utterly destroy all Gopher wood Amalekites and livestock Noah did according to Saul did not kill King Agag all that God commanded or the best of the livestock God was pleased with God was displeased with Noah Saul Noah obeyed God Saul disobeyed God

7. What Does God Want? Obedience! God wants us to: Hear His Word Rom. 10:17 Believe His Word John 3:36 Repent From Sins Acts 17:30 Confess Jesus Matt. 10:32-33 Baptized – Immersed Acts 22:16 Live Faithfully Rev. 2:10

8. Are You Being Obedient to God?

9. By Bob Gard – Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org Adapted lesson from Mark Dunagan www.ch-of-christ.beaverton.or.us August 7, 2005 pmwww.hollisterchurchofchrist.orgwww.ch-of-christ.beaverton.or.us