Community & Discipleship

The Joy of Obedience (Acts 8:26~40)

2016.09.25Philip Arndt

True disciples are called, sacrificing, learners, and sent out, and obedience must mark every area of life. Philip's willing obedience in Acts 8 shows that joy lasts through storms because Jesus walks with us.

Obedience must mark every part of our discipleship

True followers of Jesus are called, and that call includes sacrifice, because we cannot follow Jesus with our whole lives while holding on to everything else. Our family has learned this in coming to Onuri, leaving parents, children, and grandchildren far away. Followers are also learners, as Jesus restored Peter and let him know he still had much to learn. Finally, they are sent out, so we must be ready to go wherever Jesus sends us. Obedience cannot be left out of any of these.

Philip rose and went without knowing the details (vv. 26-27)

When the angel of the Lord told Philip to go south to the desert road to Gaza, he gave no destination details, no plan, and no timeline. Most of us would ask for more information before making such a big decision. Philip did not. Luke records simply that he rose and went. He did not need a job description or a list of benefits. He only needed to be obedient.

Obedience means preaching the gospel wherever we are (v. 40)

After the Spirit carried Philip away to Azotus, he did not stop to worry about shelter, food, or safety. He passed through the towns and preached the gospel until he came to Caesarea. Our first response in hard situations is often to recommend a book, a seminar, or a preacher. These can help, but our first task is to point people to Christ. We cannot ask Jesus to fix what we have not recognized as broken.

Joy lasts through storms when Jesus walks with us

Happiness is a feeling that fades, as when a traffic jam ruins a good mood on the way home. Joy is different because it lasts and keeps us steady in the middle of the storm. We can face anything when Jesus walks alongside us. Joy is also contagious, and people around us notice when we have been with Jesus. Obedience in every area of life brings that joy.

Obedience draws us into a deeper walk with Jesus

Those who are obedient desire to go deeper and to draw closer to Jesus, and this takes determination, discipline, and hard work. Many who call themselves followers keep Jesus at arm's length and try to fix their problems on their own. The simple question to ask is, what has Jesus been saying to you lately? God wants to teach us something fresh today, and we miss out when we do not hear it. Sanctification is a process that continues until we see him face to face.

Apply to Life

  • Let us ask ourselves honestly what Jesus has been teaching us lately.
  • Let us hold our lives with open hands and surrender every area of them to Jesus.
  • Let us rise and go when Jesus calls us, even when we do not know the details.
  • Let us point the people around us to Christ before we point them to books, programs, or teachers.
  • Let us seek the joy of obedience that lasts through every storm, because Jesus walks with us.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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