Episode 107

I'm Kinda Obedient

Sunday, September 14, 202548 min

Join Pastor Greg as he begins his series titled "I'm Kinda Christian".

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Devotionals from This Message

Five short reflections drawn from this message — Monday through Friday.

Daily devotion

Obedience Over Sacrifice

Thursday

"But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'" - 1 Samuel 15:22

We often try to compensate for our disobedience with religious activity. We might skip our quiet time all week but attend church on Sunday. Or perhaps we hold onto a sinful habit while generously giving to charity. We hope our good deeds will somehow balance out our areas of disobedience.

This was King Saul's mistake. When confronted about his partial obedience regarding the Amalekites, he pointed to the sacrifices he planned to make. But Samuel's response was clear: "Obedience is better than sacrifice."

God isn't impressed by our religious performances when our hearts are far from Him. He doesn't want our rituals as substitutes for our obedience. He desires relationship over religion, heart transformation over external conformity.

This truth is liberating. God isn't asking for perfect performance of religious duties. He's inviting us into a loving relationship where our obedience flows naturally from our love for Him. When we truly love someone, we want to honor their wishes, not because we have to, but because we want to please them.

Today, examine your heart. Are you substituting religious activity for genuine obedience? Are you loving the worship but avoiding the obedience? God invites you to move beyond ritual into relationship.

"What is more pleasing to the Lord? Your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? What's more pleasing goes on to say, listen, listen. Get this, Saul. Obedience is better than sacrifice."

Reflect: In what ways might you be substituting religious activities for genuine obedience in your relationship with God?

Prayer: Father, forgive me for times I've tried to substitute religious activities for true obedience. Help me to understand that You desire my heart more than my performance. Teach me to obey from a place of love and relationship rather than duty or guilt. I want to please You in all areas of my life. Amen.

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Episode 108Sep 21, 202544 min

I'm Kinda Prioritized

Join Pastor Greg as he begins his series titled "I'm Kinda Christian".

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Episode 106Sep 7, 2025

Message summary

Many people in religious communities identify as Christians without fully committing to following Jesus - they're 'kind of Christians' who practice selective obedience. This approach means following parts of Scripture that align with personal preferences while ignoring challenging teachings. God desires complete obedience, not partial compliance, and many blessings are conditional upon this obedience. While salvation comes through grace alone, the fullness of God's blessings often depends on our willingness to obey. King Saul's story demonstrates how partial obedience leads to spiritual decline, one small compromise at a time. True discipleship requires moving beyond convenient faith to wholehearted commitment.

From "Kind of Christian" to Fully Committed: The Danger of Selective Obedience

In the Bible Belt, it's common to find people who identify as Christians without truly following Jesus. These "kind of Christians" have just enough faith to soothe their conscience but not enough to transform their lives. They attend church on important days, pray occasionally, and maintain a Christian identity without the commitment that should accompany it.

What Does It Mean to Be "Kind of Christian"?

A "kind of Christian" is someone who is half-hearted in their faith. They call themselves Christians without truly following Jesus. They have enough Jesus to make them feel better but not enough to change them fundamentally. The core issue with being "kind of Christian" is selective obedience. This means obeying God until it doesn't fit with what you want to do. It's following the parts of Scripture you like while ignoring the parts that challenge your lifestyle.

What Does the Bible Say About Obedience?

Looking at several scriptures reveals two important truths about obedience: 1. God asks for our full obedience, not partial compliance 2. Many of God's blessings are conditional upon our obedience Consider these verses: - Deuteronomy 5:33: "Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." - Exodus 19:5: "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." - Job 36:11: "If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant."

Is This Teaching That We Earn Our Salvation Through Works?

This is not about earning salvation through works. We are saved by grace that we cannot earn—it's freely given to us through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. However, while we are saved by grace, we are blessed through our obedience. Some believers might be missing out on God's blessings because they're not fully obedient in all the ways He has called them to be.

Understanding Unconditional Promises vs. Conditional Blessings

In the Bible, there are both unconditional promises and conditional blessings: - Unconditional promises are true no matter what (like God's love for us) - Conditional blessings depend on our obedience (like the prosperity mentioned in the verses above) Parents understand this distinction. You unconditionally love your children no matter what, but certain privileges and blessings are conditional upon their behavior and choices.

King Saul: A Warning About Partial Obedience

One of the best examples of selective obedience is King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. Saul started his reign with good intentions and humility. He was anointed king of Israel and began with a passion to please and obey God. However, over time, he began drifting away from God—one decision at a time. He rationalized one sin after another, which gradually damaged his relationship with God. By the end of his life, the man who once was sold out for God was consulting witches for advice.

How Does Someone Fall So Far?

The answer is simple: one step of disobedience at a time. One moment of rationalizing sin. One instance of thinking, "I know better than God." In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites—every person and all their possessions. Saul obeyed partially. He destroyed most of the Amalekites but spared King Agag and kept the best livestock. Saul did what God asked until he saw something he wanted. He obeyed until he didn't.

How Disobedience Begins in Our Lives

Disobedience often starts with a whisper: - "Go ahead and look, no one will know." - "It's not a big deal." - "You deserve it." - "It's just this one time." But disobedience is rarely a one-time event. What you allow in a moment often owns you in your future. One act of disobedience turns into two, then three, and soon it becomes a pattern. We rationalize our disobedience: - "It's just my struggle." - "This is my thorn in the flesh." - "I'm good in all other areas."

The Real Cost of Disobedience

What begins as "just one drink" can lead to addiction that costs you your marriage or relationships. What starts as "just one bet" can spiral into financial ruin. What begins as "just telling someone off" can damage trust and security in relationships. Every act of disobedience separates you from God. When Samuel confronted Saul about his disobedience, Saul insisted he had obeyed—mostly. He blamed others and made excuses. Notice how Saul referred to "your God" when speaking to Samuel, not "my God." Disobedience had already created distance between Saul and God.

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

Samuel's response to Saul is powerful: "What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is better than sacrifice." In modern churches, we often love worship but hate obedience. We love God's presence but don't like His commands. Yet God says obedience matters more than religious rituals. In the New Testament, 1 John 5:2-3 confirms this principle: "We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."

What Are God's Commandments?

Jesus simplified all commandments into two: 1. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind 2. Love your neighbor as yourself When we truly love God, there are things we won't do because we know they hurt Him. When we love our neighbors as ourselves, we treat them with kindness and respect. This isn't about following burdensome rules—it's about relationship. God's commandments aren't meant to control us but to bring us closer to Him and to bless us.

Life Application

Partial obedience is still disobedience. Like Saul who obeyed "almost everything," our selective obedience separates us from God and His blessings. This week, examine your life for areas of selective obedience. Ask yourself: 1. In what areas am I obeying God only when it's convenient? 2. What excuses am I making for my disobedience? 3. What blessings might I be missing because of my partial obedience? 4. How can I move from being "kind of Christian" to fully committed? Remember, God's commandments aren't burdensome—they're an expression of relationship. When we understand that obedience is about drawing closer to God rather than following rules, it becomes an act of love rather than a burden. Choose today to be more than "kind of Christian." Choose full obedience and experience the blessings God has for you.

Summary

In this sermon, the pastor addresses the concept of being 'kind of Christian' - those who identify as Christians but are half-hearted in their faith without truly following Jesus. The message focuses on selective obedience, where people follow God's commands only when convenient or aligned with their desires. Using examples from King Saul's life in 1 Samuel 15, the pastor illustrates how partial obedience is actually disobedience, and how small compromises lead to spiritual drift and separation from God.

The sermon distinguishes between unconditional promises (like God's love) and conditional blessings that come through obedience. The pastor emphasizes that while salvation comes through grace alone, many of God's blessings are tied to our obedience. The message concludes by reminding listeners that God's commandments are not burdensome rules but expressions of relationship, summarized in loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your truth about obedience and what it means to follow You wholeheartedly, we ask that You open our hearts and minds. Help us to honestly examine areas where we might be practicing selective obedience in our lives. Lord, we don't want to be 'kind of Christian' - we want to be fully devoted to You. Guide our conversation today, reveal what You want each of us to hear, and give us the courage to respond in obedience. In Jesus' name, amen.

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I'm Kinda Obedient

Transcript

Devotionals from This Message

Obedience Over Sacrifice

Continue listening

I'm Kinda Prioritized

Message summary

From "Kind of Christian" to Fully Committed: The Danger of Selective Obedience

What Does It Mean to Be "Kind of Christian"?

What Does the Bible Say About Obedience?

Is This Teaching That We Earn Our Salvation Through Works?

Understanding Unconditional Promises vs. Conditional Blessings

King Saul: A Warning About Partial Obedience

How Does Someone Fall So Far?

How Disobedience Begins in Our Lives

The Real Cost of Disobedience

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

What Are God's Commandments?

Life Application

Group Discussion Guide

Summary

Intro Prayer

Ice Breaker

Lukewarm Christian

Key Verses

Questions

Life Application

Key Takeaways

Ending Prayer