Heart Habits: The Habit of Responsive Faith
Speaker: Pastor Pierre Du Plessis
Scripture Reference: Acts 8: 25-38
Sermon Recap:
Jesus said if we, as His followers, truly love Him that we will obey Him (John 14:15). However, when it comes to obedience, there are two different ways in which we tend to respond to the voice of God. Either we respond with responsive obedience or we respond with reluctant/delayed obedience. For example, when Jonah clearly heard God’s directive to go to Ninevah and preach, he initially responded with reluctant/delayed obedience by running in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:1-3). When we, like Jonah, respond in this way, it implies pride and the desire to have more control, security or clarity over our actions or we may not embrace the directive. We may want to know more details about the why, when, where or how before we move forward. But if we need things to make sense to us before we have the faith to obey, we will miss out on spiritual blessings. Delayed responses may also come as a result of pressure, guilt or be transactional with the expectation of receiving something in return.
When Jesus called Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew to follow Him so that He could make them fishers of men, they demonstrated responsive obedience as they immediately left their nets and followed Him (Mark 1:16-18). This kind of obedience requires a trust-based faith, and a surety that God’s way is better even when one does not fully understand all the implications or details to follow. It is an obedience that is prompted by love and devotion, and not an action based on duty.
God is looking for us to have responsive faith. He desires that we get over those things that cause reluctancy and delays, and develop a heart of obedience that is always responsive in our actions to His directives. His blessings rest on responsive faith, but the choice lies within us.
Discussion Questions:
1. What resonated with you as you listened to this sermon and reviewed it?
2. Read Acts 8:25-38. What type of obedience did Philip demonstrate? How did he do this? What type of obedience did the Ethiopian Eunuch demonstrate? How did he do this?
3. Philip preached the Good News to The Ethiopian Eunuch. Pastor quoted theologian Tim Keller as saying, “the Gospel is the good news that through Jesus Christ, God has done everything necessary to rescue us from sin and death, reconcile us to Himself, and renew all things by grace, through faith.” What does this mean to you? How does it relate to responsive faith?
4. What type of obedience do you most often demonstrate? In times when your obedience is reluctant or delayed, what holds you back? In times when your obedience demonstrates responsive faith, what motivates you to take action?
5. What do you think we need to do to get over those things that cause reluctancy or delays in being obedient?
6. Why do you think love is a prerequisite for obedience to God?
7. It was said that delayed obedience often reveals mistrust and the resistance to the Lordship of Jesus. What does this mean to you?