DISOBEDIENCE (Read Rom. 5:19)

TWO OF THE WORDS GOD HAS PAID A LOT OF ATTENTION TO IN BOTH TESTAMENTS ARE OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE.

a) Moments ago we heard both of these terms read from Rom. 5.

b) Verse 19 says there was someone who was “disobedient.”

c) Because of wrongdoing from the first couple, sin was introduced into the world.

d) Paul used the first couple to show that disobedience brings about terrible consequences.

2) In this same verse from Rom. 5 Paul also stated an important truth about obedience.

3) In contrast to how the first people acted, Jesus came and He was “obedient.”

4) Because the Lord did what He was supposed to, the consequences of sin can be fixed.

5) Originally I wanted to present a lesson on disobedience and obedience.

6) The plan was to look at disobedience today and obedience next Sunday.

7) After some consideration it seemed best to take the study a few steps further.

8) In the New Testament there are several words for “sin.”

9) It is my goal to study each of these words and then conclude with a lesson on obedience.

a) Paul started with the negative in Rom. 5:19 so that is where we will begin.

b) I looked at the word rendered “disobedience.”

10) This is a significant word in the New Testament, though it occurs only three times.

11) Before I go into detail about this term, notice a progression in the 5^th chapter of Romans.

a) Sin is described in several different ways.

b) Back in verse 12 we have the word “sin.”

c) Verse 14 uses the word “trespass” which has the sense of a “false step.”

d) This past week I saw a man stumble in a public place.

e) Tile was on the floor but it was not even; one section was higher than the rest.

f) As this man’s foot moved from one section to the other, he didn’t see the change in height.

g) He stepped falsely; this can also happen in the spiritual realm.

12) In verse 19 we come to a third description for sin: disobedience.

13) Sources that define Bible words are very precise in regard to what this term means.

14) I have two definitions to share with you, and I will give the hardest one first.

a) Disobedience is a “volitional unwillingness to hear.”

b) That is, someone makes a choice to not do what they have been told.

c) A second definition for disobedience is this: “a refusal to listen, turning a deaf ear.”

15) These definitions should be very familiar to us because of both day-to-day life and the Bible.

16) God told the first couple to avoid eating fruit from a certain tree.

17) This instruction was clear, but there was a “refusal to listen” from Adam and Eve.

18) We know this refusal was not instantaneous, but it did eventually come.

WE ARE LONG SINCE REMOVED FROM THE TIME OF ADAM EVE. EVEN THE WORDS WRITTEN TO THE CHRISTIANS AT ROME WERE PENNED A LONG TIME AGO.

a) Yet, the message of Rom. 5:19 is still fresh and pertinent to modern life.

b) We have all kinds of situations were people are told what to do but they do not do it.

2) Even in the world we find case upon case where people “turn a deaf ear” to what they are told.

3) We hear repeated warnings about drinking and driving.

4) In spite of laws, police, warnings, and the threat of arrest and conviction, what do we find?

5) People still drink and drive.

a) We have all heard stories about identity theft.

b) Numerous warnings have been giving out basic personal information.

c) Do not give out a social security number to everyone who asks for it.

d) Be careful about giving someone a credit card number.

e) Warnings are given, but there are still people who are careless with key pieces of information.

6) People hear vital information but they choose to ignore it.

7) This past week I phoned a property management service in town and spoke with the manger.

a) She said the company she works for manages 550 area properties.

b) Of this number she said they have “problems” with 5% of the rentals.

c) People are told that rent is due at a certain time, but some do not pay.

d) A complaint is filed with the court, but about 5% still do not comply.

e) A judge becomes involved, but there are still renters who do not listen to the judge.

f) Then the sheriff comes along and people still try to argue with him.

8) Other problem renters turn a deaf ear to certain clauses in their leases.

9) Some leases have a prohibition against pets, but there are renters who have an animal.

10) When someone comes by to collect the rent, they are met with a barking dog.

11) Another common violation according to the manager is drug dealing.

12) Drugs are specifically prohibited, but people use and sell them anyway.

13) All these examples illustrate the word “disobedience” in Rom. 5:19.

14) People will not listen to and follow the rules.

15) Because of what is done in the world, we can certainly expect to find disobedience in the spiritual.

a) Certainly in the Bible we find people who were warned but they decided to close their ears.

b) Pharaoh is a classic Bible example of this mindset.

c) He was told what to do but he closed his heart to the information.

d) In Noah’s day there were lots of people who also received important information.

e) Before the flood, Noah was preaching and people received life and soul saving facts.

f) Because they had a “volitional unwillingness to hear,” they died.

16) When Jesus came to the earth He spoke about this same matter in the Sermon on the Mount.

17) In Mt. 7 He talked about 2 people, both of whom built a house.

18) One man founded his house upon a rock; the other put his on a foundation of sand.

19) The fellow with the bad foundation refused to hear (follow) God’s guidance and he sinned.

20) This is exactly what disobedience is.

a) When someone has been presented with the truth but fails to do it, they disobey.

b) This applies to every part of our spiritual life.

c) By every part I mean our worship. If we know how to worship but do it another way, disobeying.

d) If we know how the church is to be organized and we do it another way, we are guilty of sin.

e) When we know the Bible pattern for becoming a Christian but teach/do something else, that’s wrong.

21) Anytime people turn a deaf ear to what is in God’s word they are putting themselves in jeopardy.

22) Earlier I said the word used in Rom. 5:19 is found elsewhere.

I NOW WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE OTHER TWO PLACES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WHERE THIS TERM IS FOUND.

a) These verses are 2 Cor. 10:6 and Heb. 2:2.

b) Heb. 2:2 will be read first.

c) In the book of Hebrews we find several contrasts.

d) Whoever the writer was, he often contrasted the Old Testament with the New.

e) One of these comparisons is in the second chapter and the second verse of this book – READ.

2) What was the “word spoken through angels”? This is another way of describing the Old Testament.

3) God’s old covenant was a system that is described as “steadfast.”

4) God counted “every transgression” and any “act of disobedience.”

5) There were times when people broke God’s law and times when they refused to listen to God.

6) Both actions are sins, but they are different types of sin.

7) At the end of this verse we are informed that there is a “reward” for sin.

a) In life we find that a reward often comes to those who refuse to listen.

b) Suppose that we are licensed to carry a firearm.

c) We decide that since we have a license, we will take our gun anywhere we choose.

d) In the near future we decide to fly to another state so we take our gun to the airport.

e) Even though there are posted signs about carrying a firearm, we try to carry it on to the plane.

f) We are going to be rewarded for our lack of listening to the rules.

8) God said that under the Old Testament this was how He treated His people.

9) If those in the nation of Israel refused to listen to heaven, they had to pay a penalty.

10) A study of the Old Testament reveals that this is exactly what happened.

a) We could say a little more about Heb. 2, but the remaining information can also be found elsewhere.

b) In fact, it is now time to turn to that third reference, 2 Cor. 10:6.

c) This is an especially interesting reference because of the context.

d) 2 Cor. is largely a defense of Paul’s apostleship.

e) There were false teachers who questioned Paul’s authority.

f) Paul had to defend himself.

g) In 2 Cor. 10:6 Paul applied the word “disobedience” to religious people.

11) Paul said Jesus was ready to “avenge all disobedience,” and this applied to people who were pious.

a) These are only a few words in 2 Cor. 10:6, but they make several points.

b) Here is what the passage says – READ 6A

c) At the end of verse 5 Paul referred to Jesus, and the Lord is still in mind in verse 6.

d) When God thinks about disobedience (not hearing His word), Jesus becomes involved.

e) Heaven does not turn people who turn a deaf ear to spiritual matters over to angels.

i) Neither are these people overlooked.

f) God knows how the disobedient are and the Lord Jesus Christ pays attention to them.

12) Furthermore, those who turn a deaf ear to the spiritual matters of life will be “avenged.”

13) There will be punishment/retaliation.

14) Certainly non-Christians who refuse to hear will be dealt with.

15) In this context, however, the application is to religious people.

a) In the secular realm we know that ignoring things is not always very serious.

b) Not too long ago I read about some of the silly labels that we find on products.

16) On some cans of peanuts there is a warning that says: warning: this can contains nuts.

17) On at least one baby stroller a label says, “remove baby before closing.”

18) To these kinds of common sense labels we probably turn a deaf ear—ignore them.

a) In the spiritual realm, God does not let us turn a deaf ear to certain parts of His word.

b) Notice what is said in 2 Cor. 10:6.

c) God will avenge “all” disobedience.

d) If we turn a deaf ear to even one part of God’s word, we will account for that.

e) God is not pleased with people who say they like half of His word.

f) Saying we will follow 75% of even 95% of His word and plan will not please Him.

19) Many would feel good about themselves if they followed 99% of God’s instructions.

20) With 99% there is still 1% disobedience.

21) An inspired spokesman for God said that even 1% is being noticed.

22) If we believe the text, Jesus will “avenge all disobedience.”

23) God calls His people to total (complete) obedience.

24) We therefore cannot ignore or alter any part of heaven’s word.

25) Are we willing to “hear” the word of God?

26) Are we willing to “hear” (obey) it all?

27) If we have failed at this in the past we now have one more opportunity to get it right.