Obeying God at all times

1. Obedience That Passes The
Test
2 Cor. 2:1-9
Corinthians had repented of failure to correct a problem
over an immoral man. The Immoral man had repented
and needed forgiving. Paul had a two-fold purpose in
writing.
To correct the mess in the church, and to test the
church's willingness to obey in all things. One lesson of
text: God expects whole-hearted obedience in all things.
Love with all we have. (Mt. 22:37) Love demands
obedience. (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3) Another text
outlines 3 tests of our obedience (Phil. 2:12-16).

2. Are We Willing to Obey At All Times?
(v. 12).
• Not just when it is painless.
• When there is emotional pain.(2 Peter 2:7-8)
• Personal ties (Mt. 10:37) even over family
• Consequences of repentance.
• (Lk. 19:8; Ezra 10:1-3).
• Economic hardship. (Mt. 19:22).
• Physical pain. (Heb. 11:35).
• Not just when convenient. (Acts 24:25).

3. Are We Willing To Obey In All Things.
(v. 14)
• Some pass the test. (Gen. 22:12)
• Corinthians. (2 Cor. 2:7-9).
• Some fail the test.
• King Saul. (1 Sam. 15:10-24).
• Rich Young Ruler. (Mt. 19:16ff).
• Would we pass or fail?
• First principles - some or all?
• Worship - some or all?
• General conduct. (1 Thess 4:4)
• Scriptural religious service - questionable morals and
ethics

4. Are We Willing To Obey In All Places.
(v. 15)
• Easy to attend services when surrounded by attending
people.
• Easy to be modest surrounded by decent people.
• Easy to be pure (in word and deed) surrounded by pure
people.
• Easy to demand high standards for children surrounded
by parents that do so.
• Easy to control self (temper, tongue, passion) among non
provocative people.
• Easy to be faithful surrounded by faithful people.
• But, test comes when surrounded by crooked and
perverse people

5. Conclusion:
•Our God is a demanding God! - Expecting
complete willing obedience at all times.
•Our God is as forgiving as he is demanding.
(1 John 2:1; 2 Pet. 3:9).
•If the sinner will repent and be baptized.
(Acts 2:38).
•If the erring will repent, confess and pray.
•(1 John 1:9; Acts 8:22).