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"As you have always obeyed..."

Text: Philippians 2:12

THE PATH OF DISOBEDIENCE

The word “obedience” is a very major word used by the prophets of ancient Israel.

1. Israel was called to obey the Lord their God (Deuteronomy 6).

2. The nation was rebuked for its blatant disobedience (Isaiah 1:2-4).

3. Dire consequences awaited those who chose to walk in disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

Perhaps the gravest statement about disobedience may be found in this statement.

“So Samuel said:
‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king.'”

1 Samuel 15:22-23

1. Disobedience is linked with rebellion.

2. Rebellion against God is as grave as the sin of witchcraft.

3. Disobedience is also linked to stubbornness.

4. Stubbornness is simply as bad as iniquity and idolatry.

5. Disobedience ultimately is a rejection of the word of the Lord and has disastrous consequences!

THE PLACE OF OBEDIENCE

The apostle Paul urged the Philippians to be careful to practise full obedience as an expression of genuine salvation in the Lord.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you 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.”

Philippians 2:12

1. “My beloved”

a) Paul’s tenderness towards the Philippians is to be noted.

b) There was a deep affection for the Philippians expressed.

2. “Therefore, my beloved as you have always obeyed”

a) The Philippians have always obeyed the Lord as an expression of their faith.

b) They certainly expressed obedience in the presence of Paul.

c) There was now a strong appeal to express obedience in the apostle’s absence.