Opportunities Never Cease

About a month ago, I attended a church service at my church, and the Lord was putting it on my heart to announce this blog to my church family. I did not feel prepared to go before my family that day. I was not “dressed” correctly. My hair was not done, and I had no makeup on. I am sure you have been there, done that. Right? I convinced myself that I would not make a good impression on the congregation. God said in my mind (very quietly) OK, I will let you slide this time. For some reason, that gave me chill bumps. Yeah, can anyone say “Willful disobedience?”

Text: James 4:17 The Error of Willful Disobedience
Theme: Topical study on Examples from scripture that illustrate the choice to obey or disobey.

Introduction: One of the major t

Text: James 4:17 The Error of Willful Disobedience
Theme: Topical study on Examples from scripture that illustrate the choice to obey or disobey.

Introduction: One of the major themes in the letter of James is this matter of “doing” what God has told us to do. (Review James 1:22-25; 2:8; 2:12

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201%3A22-25%3B%202%3A8-11&version=NIV

– Note that doing is connected with the Word of God. Now James sums up everything that he has warned us about by giving us a challenging summary statement. He calls our attention to the fact that it is not enough to know the truth but that we must act on the truth in obedience. He says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” This is a clear warning against willful disobedience. King David in Psalm 19 prayed for deliverance from this type of sin. He prayed, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” The fact is that God did not make us like puppets. He gave us the gift of choice – of freewill to obey or disobey. The Old Testament is full of examples for our edification. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” I trust the O.T. examples that we will consider today will help us to choose to obey instead of suffer the consequences of disobedience.

I. Cain’s choice – Gen. 4:1-12 https://biblia.com/bible/esv/genesis/4/1-12

II. Joseph’s choice — Gen. 39:7-9

Focus on God enabled him to choose good instead of evil (vs.9).
Sometimes obedience to God brings harsh consequences from man (vs.20).
But God was with him (vs.21).

III. Joshua’s choice – Joshua 24:14-15

IV. King Saul’s choice — I Samuel 15

Self-deception of Saul’s choice (vs.13, 20) Partial obedience is still disobedience
Rebuke of Saul’s choice (vs.22-23).
Partial repentance – He was still blaming others – he was the king and chose to disobey God (vs.24). If fear was a motive, it was sin to fear man rather than God.

V. Demas’ choice – 2 Timothy 4:10 ‘For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica . . .” James 4:4

Conclusion: Avoid two errors in responding to a message like this about doing “good.”

hemes in the letter of James is this matter of “doing” what God has told us to do. (Review James 1:22-25; 2:8; 2:12 – Note that doing is connected with the Word of God. Now James sums up everything that he has warned us about by giving us a challenging summary statement. He calls our attention to the fact that it is not enough to know the truth but that we must act on the truth in obedience. He says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” This is a clear warning against willful disobedience. King David in Psalm 19 prayed for deliverance from this type of sin. He prayed, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” The fact is that God did not make us like puppets. He gave us the gift of choice – of freewill to obey or disobey. The Old Testament is full of examples for our edification. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” I trust the O.T examples that we will consider today will help us to make the choice to obey instead of suffer the consequences of disobedience.

I. Cain’s choice – Gen. 4:1-12

II. Joseph’s choice — Gen. 39:7-9

Focus on God enabled him to chose good instead of evil (vs.9).
Sometimes obedience to God brings harsh consequences from man (vs.20).
But God was with him (vs.21).

III. Joshua’s choice – Joshua 24:14-15

IV. King Saul’s choice — I Samuel 15

Self deception of Saul’s choice (vs.13, 20) Partial obedience is still disobedience
Rebuke of Saul’s choice (vs.22-23).
Partial repentance – He was still blaming others – he was the king and chose to disobey God (vs.24). If fear was a motive, it was sin to fear man rather than God.

V. Demas’ choice – 2 Timothy 4:10 ‘For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica . . .” James 4:4

Conclusion: Avoid two errors in responding to a message like this about doing “good.”

That situation came into my mind several times over the coming month. Last Sunday, I went to church, and out of the blue, I heard Pastor Gary ask for any announcements from the family. I felt a very strong “nudge” on my right shoulder blade. My left hand went up. My left hand came down a few seconds later as Pastor Gary continued talking. A few moments later, “nudge,” and my hand went back up. Pastor continued talking, and my hand came back down. Well…I did not want to be rude and interrupt the Pastor…..lol. As you can imagine, God was not concerned about interrupting the service. He had an announcement. In just a second, I felt a very strong “shove” on my right shoulder blade, and UP out of that chair, I came.

My cousin, who was sitting behind me, heard me say, “OK, Father! I am going!” Out loud! I went before the church with NO MAKEUP, MY HAIR PULLED BACK IN A PONYTAIL, AND SANDALS ON. You see, my friends, God does not care about what you look like or how you are dressed. I stood before the congregation right in front of the pulpit and waited for the Pastor to finish what he was saying and then handed my card to him and asked him to announce to the church about the urnottheonlyone.com blog.

The Pastor was very complimentary, and the family was very curious about the blog. I gave the Pastor all my business cards with me with a promise that I would bring more this Sunday. As I returned to my seat, my cousin and her DIL were giggling together. I sat down and turned to my cousin, and told her..”I HAD to get up and go. I thought the Lord would boot me out of this pew!” She laughed and said, “I saw that! I saw your hand go up, then come back down, then go back up and then come back down. We were wondering what you were doing. And then all up you jumped and to the front you went! You were almost running.” They were having a chuckle about that. I told them,”Well, that is the last time I am arguing with the Lord!

When He says ANNOUNCE! I am announcing the first time! LOL. Don’t make the Lord BOOT you out of your seat when He asks you to do something. The next time He may pick a time that is a whole lot more embarrassing to impel you to surrender. It is so much more fulfilling to volunteer. God Bless!
http://youtu.be/TGK5ZYjZ6oY