Week 2: January 10, 2016
Topic: Disobedience – Part 1
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 42: 1-18
Introduction
Disobedience is the act of refusal to follow instructions or neglect of laid down rules. The disobedients are the people that intentionally fail to do what they are told or expected to do.
It is not acceptable for anyone to disobey the elders and the authority as long as their demand is not in conflict with our Christianity faith.
Whenever anyone deliberately disobey the authority, by what the authority wants or purposely disregard the laid down rule, they are putting their lives at risk. It is even worse to disobey God.
In the biblical term, the disobedients are the people that are defying the Lord, and Almighty God will not view their transgression lightly. He will see it as dust/human challenging His divine authority.
Furthermore disobedience is a great sin, and God always view it as a symptom of larger iniquity that will be committed if it is not checked.
Meaning of Biblical Disobedience
1. Disobedients are Anti-Christ and Pro Devil:
When anyone disobeys God, they are obeying the Devil indirectly, and whenever they refuse to follow the instructions/rules of the light, they are following the darkness.
Therefore, it is your choice to please God by being obedient, or please Satan by being disobedient to God.
One thing we must realize is that, any soul that disobey God by going astray, associating and serving the lesser gods, shall perish with them from this world and vanish from under the sky/heaven, so says the Bible.(Jeremiah 10:11).
If you don’t want to perish from the earth, do not disobey God or worship/serve idols/demons.
2. Tempting/Daring God:
Christians must refrain from disobedient conducts, which portend them as tempting/daring the Lord.
Please learn from the history of Uzzah, in the Bible, who paid dearly with his life, for disobeying the laid down rules regarding the Ark of Covenant.
Uzzah, who was not a priest, was looking for a way to touch the Ark of Covenant. The opportunity presented itself, when the oxen stumbled, then Uzzah put out his hand to steady the ark.
To spectators, it was as if he was trying to do the work of God, but to Almighty God, that searches the heart, He knew Uzzah was daring Him, that’s why God killed him. (2 Samuel 6:3-7).
Therefore be warned, because human can never deceive God, do not tempt/dare God, since He knows the hidden things and secrets of the heart.
3. Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice:
The Bible confirmed that obedience is better than sacrifice; in fact it is more pleasing to the Lord than any burnt offering, while disobedience or stubbornness is as bad as idolatry in the sight of God (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
The disobedients are doing things that will provoke God to anger and such people must not expect goodness from Him, because you cannot continue in sin and expect the grace of God to multiply in your life.
Brethren in the Lord, let us obey our Lord God at all times so that it will be well with us, during our existence in this world.
Disobedient People Don’t Know God
1. False Confession:
No matter if you profess or confess to know God, it is your work that will verify/proof it. Many Christians claim they know God, but deny His existence by their deeds and lifestyles. These categories of people are abominable/despicable, disobedient, and not qualify for every good work. (Titus 1:16)
It is a common occurrence nowadays, people who confess to know God and behave nicely in the church. When you see them outside the church premises, their mode of dressing does not glorify God, and their lifestyle is against the virtues of Christianity.
2. Do Not Return To Old Lifestyle:
We the believers were once foolish and disobedient, during which period we were deceived and mislead. This makes us to become slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures.
Our lives were full of evil, envy, and various forms of vices. We hated others and they hated us, thereby resulting in keeping malice. But because we are now in Jesus Christ, we are new creatures and old things/behaviors have passed away (Titus 3:3).
Brethren, we must not return to our old conducts, including disobedience because, “It is better not to know Jesus Christ than to know Him and deny Him”. Since we already knew Him, there is nothing like forgiveness again, but the judgment of God, so Christians beware.
1. Emulate The Rechabites:
Believers must emulate the Rechabites who were obedient to God by abstaining from drinking wine/alcoholic drinks according to the commandment/directive of their ancestor Jonadab (Jeremiah 35:14-19).
It is essential for Christians to be obedient at all times, for conscience sake. Therefore, be obedient to God when it is convenient and when obedience is against your interest. So that for your heavenly Father, who sees your efforts will reward you when you least expect.
Week 3: January 17, 2016
Topic: Disobedience – Part 2
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 42: 1-18
Consequences of Disobedience
1. Denial of Admission into the Heavenly Kingdom:
The disobedient people that neither follow lord's instructions nor harken
to His voice, shall not come into the glorious home. They will have their portion in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8) Henceforth, Christians yield and learn how to obey God without compromise, so that you will be among those that will assemble at the wedding of the Lamb. Any born again that did not want their achievements in Christianity to be useless must start obeying God from this moment onward.
2. Wrath of God:
Christians do not be deceived; the wrath and the fierce anger of God shall dominate the lives of every disobedient person unless they repent, change and reconcile with God. (Ephesians 5:6). Brethren do not fool yourself and let no one fool you because God will never excuse any sin, not to even mention disobedience. The only antidote is obedience, which will make God to renew your life and restore your captivities.
3. There Is No Escape:
The Bible stated that the messages which God delivered through the angels, has always proved true and people were punished for every violation of the law and acts of disobedience (Hebrew 2: 2). This means that there is no way of escaping the punishment, other than for people to be obedient to the commandments of the Lord.
4. Disobedient Shepherds/Pastors:
Every pastor/shepherd that refuses to obey God will lose their right senses spiritually which will prompt them not to follow the Lord or ask God what He wants/requires from such shepherd. Therefore, those pastors shall never prosper, but will fail completely and their flocks shall be scattered, says the Bible. (Jeremiah 10:21). Furthermore God will ask of the blood of the flocks from the pastor/shepherd which means additional punishment/suffering.
5. Other Calamities for Disobedients:
Every soul that abandon the instructions of God by forsaking His law that He gave to us, those that does not obey His voice or walk according to it will not only have themselves to blame when the following calamities are befalling them.
· Their land and means of livelihood will be utterly ruined.
· They will be fed with spiritual bitterness and they shall drink poison.
· They will be scattered around the world/globe and they shall be strangers in distant lands.
· Their enemies will chase them with sword until they are completely destroyed.
· Weeping will be their buddy (friend) and endless tears shall flow from their eyes. (Jeremiah 9:12-18)
If you don’t want any of these calamities to overtake you then don’t stick to your gun. Do not be adamant or stubbornly follow your desires and the dictates of your heart but always obey God when it is appropriate and when it is not.
Examples from the Bible
1. Adam and Eve (Genesis Chapter 3):
Adam disobeyed God with the connivance of his wife Eve. This caused great difficulties for his descendants and makes our lives burdensome. The repercussions of their disobedience are summarized:
· Separation From God (Genesis 3:23-24)
Both Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden.
· Curse on Mankind (Genesis 3:17-19)
God cursed the ground because of Adam and said, “by the sweat of our brow/face you will eat”.
· Curse on Women (Genesis 3:16)
God cursed the women, “in pain you will give birth”.
· Spiritual Death
When Adam and Eve were sent away from the Garden of Eden they lost the access to God that they see and talk to like friends. Since then no human being has seen God physically again, but only in spirit (dreams/visions/trance) with the exception of Moses that saw the glory of God.
· Enmity Between Humans and Satan (Genesis 3: 14-15)
God cursed the great Serpent; He also put enmity between mankind and Satan.
2. Pharaoh (Exodus Chapters 2-7):
The disobedience of Pharaoh caused olden day Egypt economic downturn and human casualties because, pharaoh hardened his heart and failed to let the Israelites go from their midst. The summary will be mentioned:
· Rod turned to snake (Exodus 7:10-12
· Water turned to blood (Exodus 7:17-22)
· Plague of frogs (Exodus 8:1-7)
· Plague of lice (Exodus 8:16-19)
· Plague of flies (Exodus 8:20-24)
· Death of animals (Exodus 9:1-5)
· Plague of boils (Exodus 9:8-11)
· Plague of hail (Exodus 9:16-23)
· Plague of locust (Exodus 10:12-15)
· Plague of darkness (Exodus 10:21-23)
· Death of firstborns (Exodus 12:28-30)
Week 4: January 24, 2016
Topic: Disobedience - Part 3
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 42: 1-18
3. Achan (Joshua Chapter 7):
· Achan took/stole the accursed things that God commanded must be set apart for Him, which made the Israelites to be defeated by people of Ai. (Joshua 7:2-12)
· Despite the warnings from God, Achan not only stole, he lied and the stolen items were among his belongings. Achan together with all his earthly possessions were stoned and burned. (Joshua 7:16-26)
4. King Saul (1 Samuel Chapters 13 and 15):
King Saul transgressed and disobeyed the Lord, this action made him to forfeit the throne to David (the neighbor that was better than him).
Furthermore, Saul’s descendants lost the throne of Israel eternally. Saul lost something that is irreversible and irredeemable forever.
First, King Saul disobeyed the Lord by sacrificing burnt offerings which is the duty of the priest (Samuel) and not the work of a king. (1 Samuel 13:9-14).
Secondly, he did not utterly destroy the Amalekites together with their earthly inheritance; but preserve their king Agag, the best of the sheep, goats and cattle. The second incident was the “straw that broke the camel’s back”.
It really pained the Lord that Saul did not learn from his first mistake, to the extent that Almighty said “He was sorry that He ever made Saul the king of His people Israel (1 Samuel 15:10-23).
Though Saul admitted his guilt and confessed to Samuel that “He had disobeyed the instructions/commandments of the Lord because he was afraid of the people and did what they demanded (1 Samuel 15: 24-29).
Therefore do not allow anyone to pressurize you to disobey the Lord your God that has been merciful to you. Also resist every peer pressure that can lead to disobedience of God’s commandments.
5. Prophet from Judah killed by Lion:
God sent a prophet to king Jeroboam about what will happen in the near future. The message displeased the king and he stretched out his hand to arrest the prophet. Instantly, the king’s hand withered, but the prophet prayed to God and the king’s hand was restored (1 Kings 13: 1-7).
The ordeal of the prophet started when an elderly prophet deceived him to return to his house and feast with him. The younger prophet disobeyed God’s commandments so as to please the old prophet.
Despite the fact that God instructed him not to eat or drink anything in that city, and not to return to Judah by the same way/route he came into the city (1 Kings 13: 8-19). Brethren, it is better to please/obey God than humans. Remember, God is first, therefore, do not obey humans and disobey God so that the fierce anger of the Lord will not come upon you and our descendants.
The young prophet was rewarded for his disobedience when he was killed by a lion. God wanted people to learn from his mistake that was the reason the lion neither attack the donkey nor run away. (1 Kings 13: 20-25).
Christians must realize that even if God has used you or still using you in various capacities to perform miracles/healings, it does not exempt you from the repercussion of disobedience. It must be noted that it is better to learn from other peoples’ mistake rather than your mistake because it might have irreversible impact on our life.
6. Jonah:
We all know the story of Jonah that God sent to the people of Nineveh to warn them of their wickedness and the impending judgement. He decided to run by ship to Tarshish. Jonah was swallowed by a great whale. While in the belly of the fish, he repented, fasted and prayed for three days. His punishment was light because he repented on time (Jonah 1: 1-17).
Brethren, do not be foolish to say I will repent of my disobedience just in the ‘nick of time’ like Jonah because it is only God that gives repentance and you might not be as lucky as Jonah.
Week 5: January 31, 2016
Topic: Disobedience – Part 4
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 42: 1-18
Afflictions brought by Disobedience (Leviticus 26:14-43)
To be fore warned is to be fore armed; therefore, we will study the consequences of disobedience in the Book of Leviticus.
It stated that anyone that does not listen to God or obey His commandments, together with those who break His covenant by rejecting His laws and treating His regulations with contempt, regardless of their status, shall be rewarded by the following afflictions:
· They will have wasting disease and burning fever which will cause their eyes to fail and their lives will ebb away i.e they shall lose their lives if care is not taken.
· They will suffer sudden terrors, economic downturn, and oppression or denial of their rights.
· God will turn against the disobedient. He shall set His face against such people for downfall and they will be defeated by their enemies.
· Those who hate them shall govern them and they will run when no one is chasing them.
· God will break their arrogant spirit by making the skies above as unyielding as iron (no rain but drought and the earth beneath as hard as bronze (no amount of fertilizer shall bring surplus harvest).
· All their work shall be for nothing because the land will yield no crop and trees shall bear no fruit (whatever means of their livelihood will be destroyed).
· God will release wild animals that shall kill their children, and destroy their cattle, so that their population will dwindle/reduce and their roads will be deserted (various disasters that will cause migration shall happen).
· War, sword and pestilence (disease) will ravage their land, says the Lord to make their land desolate.
· Their daily bread shall be cut off: there will be scarcity of food and basic necessities of life.
· Even when they are alive, they will never have enough goodness to satisfy their desires.
· Foreign army will occupy their land. God shall scatter them among nations and attack them with His own weapons.
· God will demoralize them in the land of their enemies and they shall live there in constant fear.
· They will have no power, courage or strategy to stand before their enemies.
· They will die among foreign nations and be devoured in the land of their adversaries.
· Their remnants that are alive will rot away in foe’s land.
All the above mentioned afflictions shall come upon the disobedient people until they humble their disobedient hearts admit their guilt and start obeying the directives of God.
It is important that we must not discard this precious word of God, but study in detail the passage in the Book of Leviticus with the knowledge that the wise among us will never disobey God again.
Learn from the Israelites of the olden days, so that you will be full of the fear of Almighty God and be afraid to disobey Him.
Curses of Disobedience (Deuteronomy 28: 15-68):
Curses of disobedience can be found in the Book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 28: 15-68). It must be read for us to understand the severity of the sin called Disobedience. The curses will never come to pass in our lives since I know that we will change and “turn a new leaf”.
Conclusion: (Romans 10:21):
Finally Christians, God has opened His merciful arms. He stretched out His divine hands to us. Therefore, do not continue in the ways of the world or contrary people through persistent disobedience.
Stop arguing with God, but come to Him in meekness and humility, so that His efforts to save you shall not be in vain. Invariably, Satan will be disgraced publicly concerning your life.