Oswald Chambers teaches that the eternal goal of the believer is to pursue God Himself through prompt and complete obedience, which reveals God's nature and secures His promises.
This sermon emphasizes the spiritual warfare believers face, highlighting the power of God's weapons to tear down strongholds and bring every thought into obedience to Christ. It stresses the importance of prompt obedience to God's commands as evidence of His nature within us, leading us to a deeper understanding of who God is. Obedience is key to unlocking the promises of God and experiencing His nature revealed through our actions.
Full Transcript
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. To Corinthians 10, for six at any cost, by any road means nothing self-chosen in the way God brings us to the goal, there is no possibility of questioning God when He speaks, if He speaks to His own nature in me. Prompt obedience is the only result.
When Jesus says, Come, I simply come, when He says, Let go, I let go, when He says, Trust God in this matter, I trust. This work of obedience is the evidence that the nature of God is in me. It is through the discipline of obedience that I get to the place where Abraham was and I see who God is.
God will never be real to me until I come face to face with Him in Jesus Christ. Then I will know and can boldly proclaim, In all the world, my God, there is none but Thee, there is none but Thee. The promises of God are of no value to us until, through obedience, we come to understand the nature of God.
We may read some things in the Bible every day for a year and they may mean nothing to us. Then, because we have been obedient to God in some small detail, we suddenly see what God means and His nature is instantly opened up to us. All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen.
The yea must be born of obedience. When by the obedience of our lives we say amen to a promise, then that promise is ours. Oswald Chambers, my utmost for His highest, November 17th, my goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.
Tis His who led me there, not mine but His. At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Nature of Spiritual Warfare
- Weapons are mighty in God, not carnal
- Strongholds and arguments cast down
- Thoughts brought into obedience to Christ
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II. The Call to Prompt Obedience
- No questioning when God speaks
- Obedience is the evidence of God's nature within
- Trusting and letting go as God directs
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III. Knowing God Through Obedience
- Obedience leads to understanding God's nature
- Promises become meaningful through obedience
- The 'yea' and 'amen' of God's promises are realized in obedience
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IV. The Eternal Goal
- Pursuing God Himself above all blessings
- Following God's leading at any cost
- Commitment to God's way, not self-chosen paths
Key Quotes
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” — Oswald Chambers
“When Jesus says, Come, I simply come, when He says, Let go, I let go, when He says, Trust God in this matter, I trust.” — Oswald Chambers
“My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.” — Oswald Chambers
Application Points
- Respond promptly and fully to God's leading without hesitation or questioning.
- Seek to understand God's nature through consistent obedience in daily life.
- Focus on pursuing God Himself rather than merely seeking blessings or peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Oswald Chambers mean by 'the eternal goal'?
He means that the ultimate aim of the believer's life is to know and pursue God Himself, not just His blessings or peace.
How is obedience related to knowing God according to the sermon?
Obedience is the means through which God's nature is revealed to us and His promises become real and effective in our lives.
What role does spiritual warfare play in this sermon?
Spiritual warfare involves using God's mighty weapons to demolish strongholds and bring every thought into obedience to Christ.
Why is prompt obedience emphasized?
Prompt obedience shows the reality of God's nature within us and is necessary to fully experience His guidance and promises.
Can God's promises be understood without obedience?
No, the sermon teaches that God's promises hold no value until we come to them through obedience.
