When Obeying God Leads Us into the Unknown
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Fear Not Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25, Matthew 2:13–23
Fear Not
When Obeying God Leads Us into the Unknown
Matthew 1:18-25 & 2:13-23
Fear of the Unknown can be debilitating in our lives!
Obeying God often involves walking in new ways, walking in areas that are unknown and uncertain to us.
Living A Life Of Obedience Involves:
1. Obeying Immediately (18-21, 24)
“I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.” (Psalm 119:60)
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
One of the things that can make God commands burdensome is Delay
2. Obeying Consistently (25)
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:3)
3. Obeying Sacrificially (2:13-15)
In order to obey God, they sacrificed almost Everything they knew and were comfortable with
In order to follow God’s plan for my life I have to be willing to be uncomfortable, because when I stay comfortable I don’t Grow
I will be tempted to hold unto the Thing that makes me comfortable and reject the One who can really give me comfort
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,” (2 Corinthians 1:3)
4. Obeying Courageously (2:19-21)
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
When was the last time you took a risk because of your faith?
Three Kinds of Risks:
- Crazy Risks
- Calculated Risks
- Christ-Centered Risks
5. Obeying Thoughtfully (2:22-23)
“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 27:12)
“In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” (Proverbs 13:16)
God gave us a Mind and He expects us to use it
“Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34)
There is a huge difference between Obedience and Compliance
Obedience is: Love + Trust + Action
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Making It Practical:
- Where might fear of the unknown be keeping you from obeying God in your life right now?
- When was the last time you took a risk because of your faith?
- Is your life marked by true obedience (Love + Faith +Action) or mere compliance?
- What is the next step of obedience that God is calling you to take right now?
other sermons in this series
Dec 19
2021
When Obeying God Leads Us into the Unknown
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25, Matthew 2:13–23 Series: Fear Not
Dec 12
2021
When God Asks You to Attempt the Impossible
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Luke 1:26–56 Series: Fear Not
Dec 13
2015
When God Asks You to Attempt the Impossible
Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Luke 1:26–56 Series: Fear Not