CityRise Sermons

4 Principles for Obedience, Change, and Spiritual Growth


Listen Later

Facing a moment when you realize you're "flying the wrong direction"? This sermon from Dr. Roger Patterson, based on the story of Moses in Exodus 4, offers four essential principles for adjusting your course and moving forward in obedience to God.

Dr. Patterson emphasizes that spiritual transformation begins with a change in direction, drawing a parallel with the story of "Wrong Way" Corrigan and the profound journey of Moses. Learn how to overcome the fears and private disobedience that hold you back so you can embrace God's plan for your life.

In this message, you'll discover:

Key Principles for Adjusting Course: 1. Be truthful with yourself and with others: Moses wasn't completely honest about his return to Egypt, driven by fear of his father-in-law and fear for his life. God's specific word to Moses—that the men seeking his life were dead—served as a reinforcement and encouragement against his fear. The practical question for us is: What fear is holding you back, and what one step will you take in spite of it?

2. When you take action, resolve the unresolved: You cannot move forward in public obedience while remaining in private disobedience. Just as Moses had neglected the covenant command of circumcision for his son, God will deal with a leader's unfinished obedience. This principle calls for repentance: owning your failures and agreeing with God, saying, "You are right, I am wrong".

3. Trust God to bring you the right people for the journey: God brought leaders like Aaron (spokesman, wingman) and others to provide capacity, strength, and a succession plan for Moses. The work God calls you to is far too great to do alone. Proverbs 24:6 states, "in the abundance of counselors there is victory".

4. Your aim is to influence others and show God's faithfulness: When you adjust your course and obey, others will see the faithfulness of God and join you. Your private faith is turned into a public witness. Dr. Patterson illustrates this with the life of Nelson Mandela, whose internal reorientation from anger to grace and revenge to reconciliation ultimately led to him influencing a nation.

Action Points (The Four A's):

Identify the direction of God's calling.

Address the area he's asking you to surrender (Repent).

Accept the help he's sending you.

Act—take your first step today.

Scripture Reference: Exodus 4:18-31

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

CityRise SermonsBy CityRise Network

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

2 ratings