Scripture Reading: John 5:30
Introduction
A. As children of God we do not seek to do the things that please us, but the things that please Him (Galatians 1:10; 2:20; Romans 6:16–18).
B. The faithful child of God cannot obey only the commandments which require the least effort; he must surrender his will for God’s.
Discussion
I. There are some who completely disregard God’s commands.
A. King Ahab went to war with Syria in spite of the warning God gave him against the enterprise (1 Kings 22).
B. King Jehoiakim destroyed the scroll that contained God’s words of warning (Jeremiah 36).
C. King Zedekiah didn’t want to surrender to the Babylonians as Jeremiah advised (Jeremiah 37).
II. Others obey, but only because it agrees with their own will.
A. Jehu was more than happy to comply with God’s will to make himself king of Israel (2 Kings 9).
B. The rich young ruler expressed the same attitude about serving God (Matthew 19:20–22).
III. This attitude problem persists to the present day.
A. Some choose not to be baptized (Luke 7:29–30).
B. Some would change the worship of the church to satisfy their own desires (1 Kings 12; 1 Corinthians 11:20–22).
C. Some forsake the assembly (cf. Hebrews 10:25).
D. Some defile their defile with harmful substances (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17).
Conclusion
A. To become a child of God, one has to die to self (Romans 6).
B. Instead of seeking to do our own will, let us seek to do God’s.