Disobeying God

Disobeying God

Introduction (1 John 3:4):
I want to begin with a quote by brother Garland Robinson, a preacher in the southern United States. He once wrote: “Most people live as though they cannot disobey God, or that at least it doesn’t make any difference if they do.” Those words should cause us to pause and examine ourselves. Many people either believe it is impossible to disobey God, or they believe disobedience carries no consequences. Some deny God altogether, while others believe that if God exists, He would never send anyone to hell. Yet Scripture makes it clear: there are numerous ways in which we can disobey God. This lesson is a call to self-examination, using God’s Word as a magnifying glass to see whether disobedience has crept into our lives.

Doing What Is Forbidden
The first and most obvious way to disobey God is by doing what He has specifically forbidden. John wrote, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Sin is transgressing God’s law—breaking a clear boundary. The world loves to sin; John said the whole world lies in wickedness. When we sin, we practice lawlessness like the world. Some sins are obvious: stealing, murder, adultery. Others may not seem so serious, but are equally forbidden—lying, cheating, jealousy, envy. Paul listed jealousy and envy among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5. These are not “lesser” sins—they are transgressions of God’s will.

Refusing to Do What God Has Commanded
Another way we disobey God is by omission—refusing or failing to do what He has commanded. James wrote, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). If I read the New Testament and find something I have not done, my responsibility is to obey. Giving is a prime example. Paul emphasized that giving is a reflection of gratitude for God’s blessings (2 Corinthians 9:6–8). If I withhold my giving, I reveal ingratitude. Saul is another example. In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded him to destroy the Amalekites completely. Instead, he spared King Agag and the best of the spoil. He made excuses, but Samuel told him that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry. Refusing to obey God’s command is disobedience. John affirmed, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3). When we choose not to do what God has commanded, we show a lack of love.

Adding to the Word of God
God has always forbidden man to add to His Word. Moses told Israel, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it” (Deuteronomy 4:2). At the end of the Bible, John warned that if anyone adds to the words of the prophecy, God will add to him the plagues written in it (Revelation 22:18). To add to God’s Word is to reject His authority. Paul wrote, “Not to think beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6). Examples abound today: adding denominational names to the name “Christian,” adding instruments to worship, adding extra requirements to God’s plan of salvation. Sincerity does not change the fact that additions to God’s Word are disobedience.

Taking Away from the Word of God
Disobedience also comes by taking away from God’s Word. Revelation 22:19 warns that those who take away from God’s Word will have their part taken from the book of life. Today many have removed repentance from God’s plan of salvation, or made baptism optional rather than essential. Others take away from worship, observing the Lord’s Supper less frequently than every Sunday (Acts 20:7). Still others have removed the command for church discipline (1 Corinthians 5). Taking away is just as dangerous as adding.

Substituting for What God Has Commanded
Finally, substitution is another form of disobedience. Cain offered the fruit of the ground instead of the commanded sacrifice, while Abel offered by faith (Genesis 4:3–8; Hebrews 11:4). Saul substituted his own ideas for obedience (1 Samuel 15). Nadab and Abihu substituted strange fire for God’s fire and were destroyed (Leviticus 10:1–3). Jeroboam substituted worship in Dan and Bethel for God’s appointed place in Jerusalem. Substitution is common today: sprinkling for baptism, choirs for congregational singing, drama and entertainment for preaching, fundraising methods for freewill offerings. Every time man substitutes his own way for God’s way, it is disobedience.

Conclusion
Disobedience takes many forms—doing what God forbids, refusing to do what He commands, adding to His Word, taking from it, or substituting something else in its place. God has given us the perfect pattern for salvation and worship. We must examine ourselves daily, even multiple times a day, to ensure that we are walking in obedience. On the day of judgment, we want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant,” not “Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity.”

Disobeying God Sermon Outline:

• Introduction – Quote from Garland Robinson; self-examination; 1 John 3:4.

• I. Doing What Is Forbidden

  • Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).

  • Examples: lying, cheating, jealousy, envy, hatred.

  • World lies in wickedness (1 John 5:19).

• II. Refusing to Do What God Has Commanded

  • Sin of omission (James 4:17).

  • Example: Saul and the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15).

  • Giving as reflection of gratitude (2 Corinthians 9:6–8).

  • Love of God shown by keeping His commands (1 John 5:3).

• III. Adding to the Word of God

  • Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18.

  • Do not go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6).

  • Examples: denominational names, instruments in worship, extra requirements for salvation.

• IV. Taking Away from the Word of God

  • Revelation 22:19.

  • Examples: removing repentance, baptism, weekly Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), church discipline (1 Corinthians 5).

• V. Substituting for What God Has Commanded

  • Cain’s sacrifice rejected (Genesis 4:3–8; Hebrews 11:4).

  • Saul’s disobedience (1 Samuel 15).

  • Nadab and Abihu’s strange fire (Leviticus 10:1–3).

  • Jeroboam’s false worship.

  • Modern examples: sprinkling for baptism, choirs for singing, entertainment for preaching, fundraising schemes for offerings.

• Conclusion – Disobedience comes in many forms; examine ourselves daily; strive to hear “Well done.”

Call to Action:
Let us use God’s Word as our mirror and magnifying glass to examine every part of our lives. Are we obeying, or have we allowed forbidden acts, neglect, additions, subtractions, or substitutions to creep in? Today is the day to correct disobedience, return to God’s pattern, and walk faithfully with Him.

Key Takeaways:

• Sin is lawlessness—doing what God forbids is disobedience (1 John 3:4).

• Failing to do what God commands is also sin (James 4:17).

• Adding to or taking away from God’s Word brings condemnation (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18–19).

• Substitutions in worship or salvation are not accepted by God (Genesis 4; Leviticus 10; 1 Samuel 15).

• Obedience is the true expression of love for God (1 John 5:3).

Scripture Reference List:

• 1 John 3:4 – Sin is lawlessness.

• 1 John 5:19 – The world lies in wickedness.

• James 4:17 – Sin of omission.

• 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 – Giving as a reflection of gratitude.

• 1 Samuel 15 – Saul and the Amalekites.

• 1 John 5:3 – Love of God is keeping His commandments.

• Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18–19 – Do not add or take away from God’s Word.

• 1 Corinthians 4:6 – Do not go beyond what is written.

• Acts 20:7 – Weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper.

• 1 Corinthians 5 – Church discipline.

• Genesis 4:3–8; Hebrews 11:4 – Cain and Abel.

• Leviticus 10:1–3 – Nadab and Abihu’s strange fire.

• Matthew 25:21 – Faithful servant’s reward.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO