OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 12 JULY 2020 SUNDAY: UNDERSTANDING OBEDIENCE

MEMORIZE: Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Galatians 3:6

BIBLE READING DANIEL 6:4-10

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

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MESSAGE

The person God will use for great things will not consider the pains, losses and sacrifice that may follow obedience. Abraham was 99 years old when he was told to get circumcised.

We can only imagine the magnitude of pain his obedience brought him. But it is obvious that in his decision to obey God, he took his focus away from the pain he would suffer and focused on pleasing God.

Later on, at the age of 115, when God asked him to sacrifice his only and long-awaited son, he did without asking questions. Abraham was indeed outstanding in his faith and obedience

It is funny how some Christians, especially those in your age group, think that living a life of complete obedience is an option. The truth is, it really isn’t an option. This is why God says He would rather you are hot, or cold.

If you are hot, you are totally for Him and would obey Him completely. If you are cold, you are not for Him and so you don’t even have any business obeying Him. Obeying Him occasionally, or only when it is convenient will mean that you are warm.

This last set of people are in great danger because the Bible says God will spew them out of His mouth. It won’t always be easy, but obeying God completely is the only option you actually have as a Christian.

KEY POINT

Before leaving the house every morning, remind yourself that complete obedience to God is your only option.

HYMN

WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way,
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

CHORUS
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away,
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay,
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay,
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,
What He says we will do,
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: PSALMS 7:1-17, PSALMS 8:1-9, PSALMS 9:1-20, ACTS 17:1-34