Obedience Bible Study

Bible study for "Obedience" lesson, for Sunday April 22, 2001
Manchester Church of the Nazarene
"On Our Way to Pentecost!!"

Joshua 5 The Commander of the Army of the LORD 13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" 14So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?" 15Then the Commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.

Acts 5 Lying to the Holy Spirit

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." 9Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Apostles on Trial Again

27And the high priest asked them, 28saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 29But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

What sort of obedience is God seeking? God begins with the inner life:
Are you living in any known sin? Do you have unconfessed sin in your life?
Is there someone who has wronged you that you have not forgiven?
Do you envy those who seem better off? Do you secretly harbor hatred in your heart?
Do you entertain lustful or covetous thoughts? Do you look at or read filth?

God can not bless us, no matter how gifted, or how doctrinally true or eloquent, if we are speaking from disobedient lips! The "Other Witness"— God's Holy Spirit— is ready and waiting to work with us to carry forward the work of Christ in our homes, in our neighborhoods— through the work of this church! He is more loving, more powerful, more capable than we will ever be. But that "Other Witness" will only come where we are willing to OBEY GOD!