Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
all the hardships he endured.
The Lord swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body
I will set on your throne.
If your sons keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
their sons also forever
shall sit on your throne.”
For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

Psalm 132:1, 11-13, 17

Obedience isn’t optional in the life of a disciple, and the true measure of our discipleship is seen in the level of our obedience. It’s the very evidence that we’re walking with Jesus. In this Sunday’s message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter walks us through Psalm 132 to show us that obedience is costly, personal, and communal. But it’s also worth it. Obedience may stretch us, but it also forms us and blesses those around us.

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How Are We Called to Obey?

• God’s Word - We are primarily called to be obedient to doing what God says in His Word (see 1 John 2:3-6, Psalm 119:4-5).
• God’s Voice - The Spirit leads us into truth and applies the Word personally, guiding us through internal conviction, discernment and promptings during prayer (see John 16:13).
• Godly Authority - God provides spiritual leaders like pastors and mentors, and obedience here is less about hierarchy and more about mutual submission and spiritual formation (see Hebrews 13:17).
• The Body of Christ - Obedience is outworked in the context of community, through accountability, confession, encouragement and love. The New Testament makes clear that obedience is not just vertical but deeply horizontal (see 1 John 4:20).
• God’s Providence - Sometimes God leads us through open or closed doors, suffering, or divine timing that requires surrender and trust (see Proverbs 16:9).

Obedience Is Costly

• “The Christian life begins with obedience, depends on obedience, and results in obedience.” Charles Colson
• The first five verses of Psalm 132 introduce us to the cost of obedience through David’s story. He was obedient to God, despite the hardships he endured.
• “Obedience is taught throughout the entire Bible […] True obedience is one of the toughest requirements of the Christian life. Apart from obedience, there can be no salvation, for salvation without obedience is a self-contradictory impossibility.” - AW Tozer
• Obedience costs us being in charge of our own lives, in both the big and small moments. 
• When there’s a lot at stake, like a financial investment or moving cities, we are more likely to obey, but obedience is in our daily choices. 
• It can look like surrendering your mornings to be with God, giving up your finances in the tithe, being patient with a frustrating co-worker and forgiving someone who never acknowledged their wrongdoing.

Obedience Is Individual & Communal

• In Psalm 132:6-10, we see that David took ownership of his own responsibilities and choices, obeying what God called him to do.
• No one else can read the Bible for us or bring our hearts to surrendered generosity or force us to live in purity. These are choices only we can make.
• David also shows us that our individual obedience has communal ramifications. David’s obedience to return the Ark and, through his son, build the Temple, meant that the pilgrims singing this Psalm had a place of worship.
• The twelve disciples were obedient to the Great Commission, which launched the church—the legacy we stand in today.
• Paul was obedient to Jesus’ voice on the road to Damascus, so the church was able to spread to the Gentiles and across the world.
• Our obedience is our responsibility, but the results of our obedience is not just for us.

Obedience Brings Blessings

• “The obedience that springs from faith is the obedience of a son, not of a slave.” Thomas Brooks
• Obedience is not for the sake of gain, but when we disobey, we face practical consequences—because we were designed to live in alignment with God’s wisdom.
• For example, if a child were to disobey a parent’s warnings not to touch a hot stove or pot, he or she would experience the pain of a burn.
• So many scriptures carry promises about the blessings of obedience:
  
  • Deuteronomy 28:1-2
  • Psalm 1:1-3
  • Joshua 1:8
  • Proverbs 3:1-2
  • John 14:23
  • Luke 11:28
  • James 1:25
  • 1 John 2:3-5
  • Romans 6:22

Dinner Party Questions

• We are called to obey God’s Word, His voice, godly authority, the Body of Christ and divine providence—which of these areas do you find more straightforward to obey? Which is most challenging?
• What are the daily moments of obedience that God is calling you into? In your devotional time, relationships, integrity or finances?
• How have you seen your obedience (or disobedience) impact people around you? 

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