Obeying God's Word
E.A. Johnston emphasizes that true Christian faith is demonstrated through obediently meeting the needs of others as commanded by God's Word.
In this sermon, E.A. Johnston challenges believers to live out their faith through obedience to God's Word, especially in meeting the needs of others. He underscores that true Christian love is demonstrated by action, not just belief, and that all resources ultimately belong to God. Johnston calls Christians to examine whether their lives align with Scripture or if they are merely professing faith without obedience.
Full Transcript
1 John 3.17 declares, But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Do you know what God is saying in that verse? Do you know what He's really saying, friends? He's saying, if you have the supply, and a fellow believer has a genuine need, and you do not meet it, how abides the love of God in you? He is indicating here, that if you've got the supply, and a fellow brother has a need, you don't have to ask God, it's the will of God to meet it. Is the Word of God just black print on white paper, and only a theory you can take or leave, or are we to be obedient to the Word of God? Obeying God's Word is what God expects from us. He wouldn't have told us to do a thing, if He didn't expect us to do it.
It is the will of God to meet that need, if you have the supply to meet it. When you have a need, God has a supply for you, already in the body of Christ. It's all His money anyhow.
If you think it's your money, you're dead wrong, friend. It all belongs to Him. If God tells us to do something, according to His Word, and we are able to do it, and we choose not to, then that is just plain disobedience.
If He says, abide in Me, and we refuse to do it, and go our own way, then how can we still follow Him? If He's on one road, and we are traveling on another road, how can we follow Him? If Jesus says to take up your cross, and deny yourself, and follow Me, and we refuse to do that, then how can we call ourselves a follower of Him? My Bible says, to obey is better than sacrifice. The bottom line is, does our brand of Christianity line up with the Word of God, or does it stand in opposition to it? Are we a paper Christian, or a doer of the Word?
Sermon Outline
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I
- God’s command to meet the needs of fellow believers
- The connection between love and obedience
- The expectation of action, not just belief
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II
- Understanding God’s provision through the body of Christ
- Recognizing that all resources belong to God
- The responsibility to use what God has given to help others
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III
- The consequences of disobedience
- The importance of aligning our lives with God’s Word
- The difference between being a ‘paper Christian’ and a doer of the Word
Key Quotes
“If you have the supply, and a fellow believer has a genuine need, and you do not meet it, how abides the love of God in you?” — E.A. Johnston
“If God tells us to do a thing, according to His Word, and we are able to do it, and we choose not to, then that is just plain disobedience.” — E.A. Johnston
“My Bible says, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Actively seek to meet the needs of fellow believers when you have the means to do so.
- Recognize that all your resources belong to God and should be used in service to His will.
- Examine your life to ensure your faith is demonstrated through obedience, not just words.