Prayer Issues: Obedience

We often quote Dr. John R. Rice where he said, "All our failures are prayer failures." That implies to me that all our victories are therefore prayer victories.

The Bible is clear, the Lord...

• gives victory over sins in response to prayer.

• gives boldness in our witness in response to prayer.

• saves souls in response to prayer.

• sends revival in response to prayer.

Prayer...

• is no doubt the most necessary ingredient in the Christian life.

• is perhaps the most neglected ingredient in the Christian life.

• should be the most natural ingredient in the Christian life.

There are issues that must be addressed if our prayers will be effectual.

These issue of...

• prayerlessness must be dealt with. Un-prayed prayers are unanswered prayers.

• Disobedience must be dealt with. 1 Samuel 28:5, "And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."

God makes it clear, the disobedient Christian will not get his prayers answered.

• God desires and expects obedience from His children. Titus 2:14, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." One of the reasons the Lord saves sinners is so that we will trust and obey Him.
  

• Obedience to God is in our best interest. We need God to answer our prayers and obedience is necessary to get my prayers answered. I have never regretted obeying God.
  

• Obedience brings glory to God.
  

• Obedience brings answer to prayers. God only answers the prayers of obedient Christians. God only answers the prayers of obedient churches. God only answers the prayers of obedient parents. God only answers the prayers of obedient children. Just imagine if we all were obedient to God. Just imagine if our whole community was obedient to God. Just imagine if our whole nation was obedient to God. Just imagine if our whole world was obedient to God. Matthew 6:10, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." God wants folks on earth to obey God the same way and to the same extent as they do in Heaven.

Lets commit ourselves to obey God.

1. Consider the Priority of Obedience. The first priority in obedience to God is my personal salvation. John 3:7, "Ye MUST be born again." This is not a suggestion, but rather a command. Salvation is not a matter of "take-it-or-leave-it," it is a matter of "obedience or disobedience!" 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" The most important issue in life is to get saved! The most dangerous thing in life is to NOT get saved! If a person ends up in Hell, it is not because they did not get baptized, or were not a church member, or didn't live a good enough life, but because they did not obey the Gospel.

   
   

2. Consider the Purpose of Obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22, "And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams." King Saul chose to disobey God rather than repenting and obeying God. He tried to cover up his disobedience by making a sacrifice. Notice: a. Obedience does not earn the love of God. Romans 5:8 & Ephesians 2:4-5 make it very clear, God loves us even when in sin and disobedience. The most hateful, hardened and disobedient sinner is loved by the Lord. b. Present obedience does not make up for past disobedience. If I never borrow money again, it does not pay eliminate past debt incurred. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse away past sins. 1 John 1:7, "...and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." c. Obedience is our expression of live and gratitude for our great salvation! The greatest measure of my love for the Lord is not how loud I shout or sing, or how good of a show I can put on. The greatest measure of my love for the Lord is to simply obey Him. John 14:21, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me..." 

   John 14:24, "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings..."
   

3. Consider the Purity of Obedience. a. Pure obedience is immediate obedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience. b. Pure obedience is exact obedience. Doing exactly what the Lord requires. c. Pure obedience is submissive obedience. d. Pure obedience is continual obedience - not "short-term obedience.
   

4. Consider the Product of Obedience. a. Safety. The safest place to be is in the will of God. To be in God's will requires obedience on my part. b. Honor. The most honorable person in the family of God is the one that humbly obeys God in sincere faith. c. Answered prayer. Obedience is necessary to have my prayer answered.
   

God makes it clear, the disobedient Christian is the Christian that will not get his prayers answered.