"OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE," where we explore the profound significance of obedience to God through scripture, biblical examples, and personal testimony.

Our key scripture is 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (MEV), where Samuel speaks to Saul: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Obedience is better than sacrifice, a listening ear than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king."

In John 14:15-21, Jesus emphasizes the importance of obedience as an expression of love for God: "If you love Me, keep My commandments. I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, that He may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him, neither does it know Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you fatherless. I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more. But you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father. And I will love him and will reveal Myself to him."

In 1 John 2:3-6, we learn that knowing God is evidenced by keeping His commandments: "By this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word truly has the love of God perfected in him. By this we know we are in Him. Whoever says he remains in Him ought to walk as He walked." Furthermore, 1 John 2:17 reminds us that "the world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever."

We will explore the rewards of obedience as outlined in Deuteronomy 28:1-15, where God promises blessings, prosperity, and success to those who follow His commandments. Conversely, Deuteronomy 28:15-68 details the dire consequences of disobedience, including suffering, defeat, and exile.

Our discussion will include several biblical examples of disobedience and its consequences: Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden (Genesis 3), the wickedness of Noah's time leading to the flood (Genesis 6-7), the defiance of the Tower of Babel builders (Genesis 11), Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19), the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 14), Saul's rejection as king (1 Samuel 13, 15), David's family turmoil (2 Samuel 11-12), and the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).

I'll share my personal story of running from God's calling, facing consequences like illness and financial loss, and finding redemption and blessings upon returning to God. I lost my job when I walked away from God, got sick when I skipped church, and faced financial scams. These experiences taught me the importance of obedience and the blessings that come from following God's will.

In conclusion, we will discuss how to hear from God and obey Him by following the Ten Commandments and striving for spiritual maturity as outlined in Hebrews 5:11-14. Ephesians 2 emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace and the unity believers find in Christ.

Join us as we delve deeper into the importance of obedience to God, learn from biblical examples, and hear a personal testimony of faith and redemption. Remember, obey God, spend time with Him, and He will reveal things to you in the spirit.