The True Meaning of Obedience

The definition of what it means for us to obey God has changed from the old covenant of the law to the new covenant of grace.

Before, perfectly keeping all the commandments was required in order to receive blessings and avoid being cursed; now, belief in Jesus’ perfect performance in keeping all the laws positions us to receive all of the blessings with none of the curses.

Focusing on Jesus instead of on our self-efforts allows us to find rest in His sufficiency.

Setting aside all the rules and regulations that religion says are important and simply believing in God’s love allows Him to give us the specifics of how to accomplish what He wants us to do.

 1.Deuteronomy 28:1-7

1.Becareful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding.

1 “Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 

² All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God.

³ “You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field.

⁴ “The ^[a]offspring of your ^[b]body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your animals, the offspring of your herd and the young of your flock will be blessed.

⁵ “Your basket and your kneading bowl will be blessed.

⁶ “You will be blessed when you come in and you will be blessed when you go out.

⁷ “The Lord will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way, but flee before you seven ways.

 

Deuteronomy 28:1–7 outlines the conditional blessings that God promised to the Israelites if they faithfully listened to and obeyed His commandments. 

 FIRST POINT: - 1. Key Themes in Deuteronomy 28:1-7

Deuteronomy 28:1–7 was delivered by Moses to the second generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab around 1450–1250 BC, right before they crossed the Jordan River to enter and conquer Canaan.

2.Location: Encamped in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River.

3.The Transition/ change in Israel: The older generation that left Egypt had passed away during the 40 years of wilderness wandering. Moses was addressing their children, who were about to face a completely new agricultural and urban lifestyle in Canaan

(Unbelief and Rebellion: Despite witnessing 10 miracles in Egypt and further parting of the Red Sea, the people repeatedly doubted God's power and complained during this period)

According to the biblical account in the Book of Exodus, the journey from Egypt to Canaan took 40 years. While a direct walk along the coastal route is about 200 to 250 miles and could have taken roughly 11 days, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for four decades as a consequence of their lack of fait

4.Geopolitical Tension: The local Canaanite populations were anxious and hostile, making the promise of military protection and agricultural stability in verses 1–7 immediately practical and reassuring.

 5.The Condition: 

VERSE-1 “Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

VERSR-2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God.

A) Diligently listening to

B)  Obeying

C)  Following all the God’s command

D)  Brings exaltation above other nation

 

6. Abundance and Provision: 

³ “You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field.

⁴ “The ^[a]offspring of your ^[b]body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your animals, the offspring of your herd and the young of your flock will be blessed.

⁵ “Your basket and your kneading bowl will be blessed.

Blessings apply everywhere—

both in the city and the open field,

covering children, crops,

livestock, and food storage (baskets and kneading bowls). 

7. Daily Life: 

⁶ “You will be blessed when you come in and you will be blessed when you go out.

Deuteronomy 28:6 means that God's favor covers your

A)  entire life. Coming in and going out is a phrase that means everything you do,

B)  Every daily routine, and

C)  All your movements are safe and blessed

8.Protection from Enemies: 

⁷ “The Lord will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way, but flee before you seven ways

 No matter what battles we face today—

a)  Whether opposition,

b)  Struggles, or

c)   Unseen challenges—

d)  God promises victory to those who trust and obey Him.

e)  The enemy may come against us in strength, but the Lord's power is greater.

 

SECOND POINT: -

Hebrews 3:18-19 (Amplified Bible) - ¹⁸ And to whom did He swear [an oath] that they would not enter His rest, but to those who disobeyed [those who would not listen to His word]? ¹⁹ So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest—the promised land] because of unbelief and an unwillingness to trust in God.

 

A) Key Meaning: -

1.The Oath: God swore that the rebellious generation in the wilderness would not enter His rest (Numbers 14:21-23)

2.Disobedience (v. 18): Their actions showed a refusal to follow God's commands and trust His leadership.

3.Unbelief (v. 19): The root cause of their disobedience was a lack of faith and trust in God's promises.

4.The Lesson: Real faith always results in obedience; doubting God leads to turning away from Him.

Hebrews 3:18-19 looks back to the historical rebellion of the first-generation Israelites who left Egypt under Moses but were barred from entering the Promised Land of Canaan because of their unbelief and disobedience.

B) The Historical Event (The Wilderness Rebellion)

·       The Exodus: God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt with mighty miracles, intending to bring them directly into Canaan (the Promised Land) as a place of "rest" ( Exodus 3:8).

 

·        The Spies' Report: At Kadesh Barnea, Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan (Numbers 13:1-2). Ten returned with terrifying reports of giants and fortified cities, causing the people to panic, rebel, and refuse to go forward (Number 13:28-33).

 

·        God's Judgment: Because the people grumbled, tested God ten times, and refused to trust His protection, God swore in His wrath that that entire adult generation (except for faithful Joshua and Caleb) would wander and die in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers 14:22-34).

C) The Point in Hebrews: 

·       Warning to Early Christians: The author of Hebrews uses this Old Testament failure as a vital warning for Jewish-Christian believers who might be tempted to turn away from Christ back to Judaism (Yudhid haram) under pressure or persecution.

 

·        Unbelief Leads to Disobedience: Verse 18 mentions "disobedience" and verse 19 attributes it to "unbelief," showing that failing to trust God's promises practically results in rebelling against His commands.

 THIRD POINT: -  

 1 Corinthians 15:12-17, NLT The Risen Christ, Our Hope - 12 ^, Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵ Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

 1 Corinthians 15:12–17 Paul says this to correct some believers in Corinth who believed Jesus rose, but claimed that ordinary people could never rise from the dead. Paul shows that denying human resurrection logically destroys the resurrection of Jesus, which tears down the entire Christian faith.

A) Key Logical Consequences Outlined by Paul

 Why the Resurrection Matters

• Tied Together: Jesus shares human nature. If human bodies cannot rise, then Christ could not rise either.
• Useless Message: If Christ is still dead, the gospel message is a lie and faith has no value.
• False Witness: The apostles would be liars who falsely claimed God raised Christ.
• Unforgiven Sins: Christ's rising proves God accepted His sacrifice. Without it, people remain in their sins

 Corinthians were advised that what you believe is not right kind of faith and right kind of obedience.

 We also should have right kind of faith so that our obedience is also right.

 

  

4. Romans 8:31, 32, Amplified Bible: -

³¹ What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? ³² He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

Here are the key points from Romans 8:31-32 (Amplified Bible):

 

·        God is on your side: If God is actively for you and supporting you, no opponent or obstacle can successfully stand against you.

 

·        The ultimate proof of love: God did not withhold His own Son, Jesus, but gave Him up to die for everyone.

 

·        Assurance of daily provision: Because God already gave the greatest gift (His Son), you can trust that He will also freely and graciously give you everything else you need.

 5.1 John 4:19   ¹⁹ We love, because He first loved us.

God is the ultimate initiator of divine love, and human love is merely a responsive reflection of His grace

Divine Initiative: True love does not originate within human effort or merit; it begins with God reaching out first.

Agape Love: The Greek word used for love here is agape, which describes a selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love defined by the sending of Jesus Christ.

The Proof of Fellowship: In the broader context of 1 John 4, John argues that because God loved us so deeply, believers are morally obligated to love one another. Claiming to love an invisible God while hating a visible neighbor is portrayed as a contradictio

 So, what is the true meaning of Obedience

 Summary:

1. Because of Jesus, obeying God no longer means working to follow long lists of rules.

2. Under grace, the primary focus is not our lifestyle, but our belief system. Believing the right things leads to living the right way.

3. Jesus Christ and His finished works give our faith power. He is God’s expression of love.

4. Without Jesus, our faith is useless. He has already taken care of our sins. Whatever we aspire to be is made possible because He was raised from the dead. 

5. Because God gave us Jesus, it’s now possible to receive everything else we need in life. We need faith in Jesus, not in material things; if we have faith in Him, we will never lack for anything.

 God bless you all ….

Delivered from the Fear of Death

Main Text: Hebrews 2:14–15 - “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Central Truth

Jesus entered into our humanity, went to the cross, died our death, and through His death broke the power of the devil so that we no longer need to live as slaves to fear.

 

1. CHRIST SHARED OUR HUMANITY

Hebrews 2:14 says:

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things.”

Jesus did not save us from a distance.

He came into our condition.

He took flesh and blood.

He became truly human.

John 1:14 says:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Why did He become like us?

Because what He did not assume, He could not redeem.

Christ came into the very realm where humanity had fallen under sin, death, condemnation and Satan's oppression.

But there is an important distinction:

Jesus became like us in humanity, but He did not become sinful in nature.

He was without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 says:

“Yet without sin.”

Therefore, Jesus could stand in our place as the spotless Lamb of God.

 

 

 

 

2. JESUS CAME TO DESTROY THE ONE WHO HAD THE POWER OF DEATH

Hebrews 2:14 says:

“That through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”

Notice something very important.

Jesus destroyed Satan through death.

This appears to be a paradox.

Satan thought the cross was his victory.

But the cross became Satan's defeat.

The devil used death as a weapon against humanity.

But Jesus entered death voluntarily and came out victorious.

Colossians 2:15 says:

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

The cross was not God's defeat.

The cross was God's victory.

 

 

 

3. THE CROSS WAS NOT SIMPLY AN EXAMPLE—IT WAS A DIVINE EXCHANGE

This is where the teaching of Watchman Nee becomes particularly helpful.

Nee repeatedly emphasized the believer's identification with Christ.

The Christian life begins with what God has accomplished in Christ.

Romans 6:6 says:

“We know that our old self was crucified with him.”

Notice the language:

“with Him.”

Not merely He died.

But:

We died with Him.

Romans 6:4:

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death.”

Romans 6:5:

“We have been united with him in a death like his.”

And Romans 6:11:

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

This is the heart of identification.

Jesus died for us, but there is also a deeper reality:

We died with Him.

He was raised, and therefore we have newness of life in Him.

 

4. WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR OLD MASTER?

Before Christ, humanity was under the dominion of sin and death.

Romans 5:12 says:

“Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin.”

Sin brought death.

Death brought fear.

Fear brought bondage.

And Hebrews 2:15 describes the result:

“And deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Look at the progression:

Sin → Death → Fear → Slavery

The devil exploited this condition.

But Jesus entered the very place of our bondage.

He went into death.

He conquered death.

He rose from the grave.

And therefore the chain has been broken.

 

 

5. THE DEVIL'S POWER WAS BROKEN THROUGH CHRIST'S DEATH

We need to understand Hebrews 2:14 carefully.

It does not mean that Satan became nonexistent.

Nor does it mean that Satan has no activity in the world.

Rather, his decisive authority and claim associated with death have been defeated through Christ's victory.

Jesus said:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
—Matthew 28:18

Colossians 1:13 says:

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”

That is deliverance.

We have changed kingdoms.

We have changed masters.

We have changed spiritual position.

We are no longer under Satan's dominion.

 

6. THE REAL PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY FEAR—IT IS THE BONDAGE PRODUCED BY FEAR

Hebrews says:

“Through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Fear can become a master.

Fear says:

• “What if something happens?”
• “What if I lose everything?”
• “What if I become sick?”
• “What if I die?”
• “What will happen to my family?”
• “What will happen tomorrow?”

The devil can use fear to keep people in bondage.

But the believer has a different foundation.

Psalm 23:4 says:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

Why?

Because death is no longer the final word.

Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection and the life.”
—John 11:25

 

7. WATCHMAN NEE: SEE YOURSELF IN CHRIST

One of the strongest themes in Watchman Nee's teaching is that the believer must learn to see himself in Christ, rather than continually looking at himself apart from Christ.

This is essential for overcoming the accusation and intimidation of the enemy.

The enemy says:

“Look at yourself.”

God says:

“Look at Christ.”

The enemy says:

“Look at your failure.”

God says:

“Look at what Christ has accomplished.”

The enemy says:

“You are still the same person.”

The gospel says:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17

Your confidence is not:

“I am strong.”

Your confidence is:

“Christ is strong in me.”

Your victory is not based upon your ability to defeat Satan.

Your victory is based upon Christ's victory over Satan.

 

8. CHRIST'S DEATH DEALT WITH OUR OLD MAN

Romans 6:6:

“Our old self was crucified with him.”

This is where many Christians struggle.

They try to improve the old life.

But Christianity is not primarily self-improvement.

It is new life in Christ.

The cross does not merely say:

“Try harder.”

The cross says:

“The old man has been dealt with.”

Galatians 2:20:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

This is not simply a doctrine to memorize.

It is a truth to live.

 

9. WE MUST LIVE FROM CHRIST'S VICTORY, NOT TRY TO PRODUCE OUR OWN VICTORY

Suppose someone gives you a house that is completely paid for.

You do not spend the rest of your life trying to pay the purchase price again.

You simply live in what has already been provided.

Likewise, Christ has accomplished something for us that we could never accomplish ourselves.

At the cross:

Sin was dealt with.

The old man was crucified.

Death was conquered.

Satan was defeated.

The power of fear was broken.

Therefore, Christian living is not:

“Lord, help me somehow obtain victory.”

It is:

“Lord, teach me to walk in the victory You have already accomplished.”

 

10. HOW DO WE WALK IN THIS VICTORY?

A. Believe what God says

Romans 6:11:

“Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Faith begins by agreeing with God's Word.

B. Reckon yourself identified with Christ

You died with Christ.

You were buried with Christ.

You were raised with Christ.

You now live in Christ.

C. Refuse the dominion of fear

2 Timothy 1:7 says:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Fear does not have the right to govern the believer.

D. Set your mind on Christ

Colossians 3:1–3:

“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is... For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Your life is hidden with Christ.

That is your position.

 

11. JESUS DID NOT ONLY DELIVER US FROM DEATH—HE DELIVERED US FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH

This is the wonderful conclusion of Hebrews 2:15.

Jesus came:

“to deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

The gospel does not promise that Christians will never die physically.

The gospel promises that physical death is not the end for those who belong to Christ.

Paul could therefore say:

“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
—Philippians 1:21

Why could Paul say that?

Because death had lost its ultimate authority.

1 Corinthians 15:55 says:

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Christ has conquered the grave.

 

12. A WORD TO THE CHURCH

Church, do not live like people who have never heard the gospel.

You are not waiting for Christ to obtain victory.

Christ has already won the victory.

You are not trying to convince God to accept you.

You are accepted in the Beloved.

You are not trying to defeat Satan through human strength.

Christ has already triumphed over the powers of darkness.

You are not trying to manufacture spiritual life.

Christ is your life.

Colossians 3:4:

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

 

CONCLUSION: FROM FEAR TO FAITH

Hebrews 2:14–15 gives us a powerful movement:

Christ came into our humanity.

↓

Christ entered death.

↓

Christ defeated the devil.

↓

Christ broke the dominion of death.

↓

Christ delivered us from fear.

↓

Christ brought us into freedom.

Therefore, believer, you do not have to live as a slave to fear.

Your old master has been defeated.

Your old identity has been dealt with at the cross.

Your life is now in Christ.

So, when fear comes, don't begin by looking at yourself.

Look to Christ.

When Satan accuses you, don't argue with him in your own strength.

Stand upon what Christ has accomplished.

When fear of death comes, remember:

Jesus entered death for you.

Jesus conquered death for you.

Jesus rose from death.

And because He lives, you have life.

---

Preaching Declaration

Church, let us declare this together:

I am in Christ.
I have died with Christ.
I have been raised with Christ.
My old life has been dealt with at the cross.
Sin shall not have dominion over me.
Satan is a defeated enemy.
Death is not my final destiny.
Fear will not rule my life.
Christ is my life.
Christ is my victory.
Christ lives in me.
Therefore, I will live by faith and not by fear.
In Christ, I am free!

Key Scriptures for the Sermon

Hebrews 2:14–15; Romans 6:4–11; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:14–15; Colossians 3:1–4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57; John 11:25–26; Philippians 1:21; 2 Timothy 1:7.