In the School of Obedience

The name of my title this morning is not unique to me, it actually is from a book which was written by Andrew Murray.  Andrew Murray was a South African writer who encouraged people to a deeper walk with the Lord.  In the Schoo lof Obedience we learn that when we pray God expects us to obey what we are told by Him.  For example we are told to love the Lord with every fibre of our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We are told as well to go and tell everyone about Him.  These two things are known as the great commandment and the great commission.  These two principles must be obeyed.  One time Youngi Cho the pastor of the largest church in the world was asked how his church became so large.  Without hesitation he said, "I pray, then I obey."  From 1 Sam 15:22, we learn that obedience is better than sacrifice.  If you want to see things happen in your life, obedience is key.  In fact it will be one of the things that we will be judged on.  One time I was asked what a Christian will be judged on.  I came up with a list and here it is.  We will be judged on motives, why we do what we do.  We will be judged on love, faithfulness, obedience, truth, our fulfilling the great commandment and the great commission.  Did we forgive?  How did we treat our family, friends and world in general.  All of these are very important in the School of Obedience.  Did we pray, read the word and attend God's house.  Obedience is a choice.  We choose to obey.  When we stand before the Lord and give an account, the Lord will ask us, "Did you obey?"  Saul learned that day so long ago that obedience is better than any sacrifice.  I trust you have learned that today.