www.scatteredchristians.org
Another Sermon for the Starving Bible Believing Christians All Over the World Wide Web
2005 - Touchet Baptist Church, Touchet, Washington - Pastor Mike Paulson - 2005
Expounding the way of God more perfectly - Acts 18:26 - with the Scriptures Rightly Divided - II Timothy 2:15

What Does It Mean?
- To Obey the Gospel -
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
II Thessalonians 1:8

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:
and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
I Peter 4:17


1.  Obey Hebrews 5:9?
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

2.  Be obedient to baptism?
for salvation?  No!
for obedience?  No!  Really?  Really!  Not for obedience!

3.  Obey Paul's two ordinances?
I Corinthians 11:2 - Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Why do we think 'two' - and what are the ordinances that Paul is talking about?

4.  Obey the law?
Galatians 3:10-13 - For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Galatians 2:19 - For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.


Answer:
Let's look at Romans 16:25,26
review both verses...
25: Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26: But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Note in vs 26 - "obedience of faith"
Note in Romans 1:5 -  "obedience to the faith"

to all nations
(comment about 'of' and 'to')

Our Commission!
Then see verse 6 meaning us - "our" commission!
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
See Romans 8:28 -  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Now, let's compare this to Great Commission's 'all nations.'
Matthew 28:19,20
To teach and observe the gospels...
Mark 16:15-20
show signs / confirm one's own salvation

We are to obey faith and tell others about faith!

Baptism introduces people to 'church'
Faith introduces people to the Word of God!

For a few 'faith' verses, see:
Romans 3:28 - Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Galatians 3:11 -  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 10:16,17 -  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Our commission?  Tell others about faith!
Romans 1:1-6!

Marvelous stuff, eh!
So clear!


Look at Old Testament faith:
(only mentioned in two places!)
Deuteronomy 32:20
Habakkuk 2:4

New Testament Faith IN Christ gives you the Faith OF Christ!
Romans 4:4,5 - Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 5:1,2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Philippians 3:9 - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Romans 3:22 -  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Galatians 2:16 - Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:22 - But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.


Is this verse making more and more sense?
I Corinthians 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Ok, so then...
"How Do We Obey Faith?"

For Salvation!
Romans 6:17 - But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
II Corinthians 7:15 -  And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
or
If you choose to remain "lost" - "unsaved:"
Romans 2:8 - But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Ephesians 2:2,3 - Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 5:6,7 - Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Colossians 3:6 - For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
or
if you are saved:
Romans 6:12 - Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Romans 6:16a - Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey
Galatians 3:1,2 - O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Galatians 5:7 - Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

To Workout Your Salvation!
Philippians 2:12 - Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
So many verses from Paul on our walk, etc.

Control Your Thoughts!
II Corinthians 10:5,6 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Unto Righteousness from the Book!
Romans 6:16 -  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
II Timothy 3:16,17 -  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Even Doing More Than What Paul Preaches!

Philemon 21 - Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

These are really two great verses, aren't they!
Romans 16:25,26
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

And just think, you understand them!
(and can even take folks to Ephesians 3 and Galatians 3 to help explain the details of those verses!)

Now what are you doing
with this biblical understanding?