Obedience Is a Choice
Acts 5:29

Obedience Is a Choice
Acts 5:29

Introduction
Acts 5:29 fixes a clear rule for every disciple: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” This message urges deliberate, heart-deep obedience in the daily decisions that shape our souls.

The Choice of Obedience
Each day places before us real decisions that reveal our allegiance. The apostles, confronted by earthly authority, answered with settled conviction: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). That confession guides believers when circumstances press, when voices compete, and when convenience whispers. Obedience is never an accident; it is a decision born from reverence for the One who speaks.

The Standard and the Stakes
Scripture ties obedience to salvation with solemn clarity. Jesus “became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). Paul asked the Galatians, “Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7). In Jerusalem, the word advanced and “many of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). Refusal carries weight as well: the Lord is revealed “in flaming fire” against those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9). God’s commands are life-giving; His warnings are loving.

The Heart of Obedience
True obedience engages the whole person. The Romans “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine” delivered to them (Romans 6:17). The mind receives God’s word as wise and good. The will bows to His authority. The affections learn to delight in His ways. Such obedience resists the tempter’s subtle suggestions, keeps the conscience tender, and anchors the soul in God’s promises.

Witnesses Who Chose to Obey
Abram answered God’s call and traveled to a land yet to be shown (Genesis 12:1–5). Abraham rose early and lifted the knife over Isaac until heaven stayed his hand; the Lord testified, “Now I know that you fear God” (Genesis 22:1–12). Hezekiah trusted the Lord, held fast, kept His commandments, and the Lord was with him (2 Kings 18:1–7). Peter, weary from a fruitless night, said, “Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net,” and the boats filled (Luke 5:1–6). These lives show that trust moves the feet, and God keeps His word.

Blessings and Warnings Attached to Obedience
Moses set before Israel blessings for diligent obedience and curses for stubborn refusal (Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 15). Wisdom adds a gracious promise: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths…It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5–8). God attaches real consequences to real choices because He seeks our good.

Running the Race with Steadfast Obedience
The Hebrew writer calls us to lay aside every weight and the sin that easily ensnares, to run with endurance, and to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1–2). Along this path the Lord strengthens contentment and courage: “I will never leave you nor forsake you…The Lord is my helper; I will not fear” (Hebrews 13:5–6). Daily obedience becomes the steady cadence of a life fixed on Christ.

[Obedience Is a Choice] Sermon Outline:

• Text & Aim — Acts 5:29

  • Aim: Urge deliberate, heart-deep obedience to God in every circumstance and invite hearers to respond to the gospel.

• I. The Daily Decision to Obey — Acts 5:29

  • The apostolic confession under pressure.

  • How this sentence governs competing loyalties.

• II. Salvation’s Path and the Gravity of Refusal — Hebrews 5:9; Galatians 5:7; Acts 6:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9

  • Christ as the source of eternal salvation to those who obey.

  • Hindrances to obeying the truth.

  • Obedience to the faith as gospel response.

  • Final judgment against gospel refusal.

• III. The Nature of Heart-Obedience — Romans 6:17

  • Mind: receiving the implanted pattern of teaching.

  • Will: yielding to God’s authority in concrete choices.

  • Affections: learning to love God’s ways.

• IV. Models of Trusting Obedience

  • Abram’s pilgrimage — Genesis 12:1–5: trusting promise, leaving security.

  • Abraham’s testing — Genesis 22:1–12: surrendering the dearest gift.

  • Hezekiah’s reform — 2 Kings 18:1–7: holding fast, keeping commandments.

  • Peter’s launch — Luke 5:1–6: weary hands, willing heart, abundant catch.

• V. Blessings and Warnings in Covenant Perspective — Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 15

  • Blessings that “overtake” the obedient.

  • Curses that pursue rebellion.

• VI. Wisdom’s Promise for the Obedient Life — Proverbs 3:5–8

  • Trust and guidance; reverence and health; strength for the journey.

• VII. Endurance, Focus, and Assurance — Hebrews 12:1–2; Hebrews 13:5–6

  • Laying aside weights and sin.

  • Fixing eyes on Jesus.

  • Living with contentment and courage under divine help.

• Invitation

  • Prayer for the struggling; repentance for the wandering; obedience to the gospel of Christ.

Call to Action
Set your heart today to obey God in the next decision before you. Seek the Lord in prayer, confess where you have resisted, and act by faith in His word. If you need forgiveness, strength, or restoration, come and ask for prayer. If you are ready to obey the gospel—believing in Jesus, repenting of sin, confessing His name, and being baptized for the remission of sins—respond in faith today.

Key Takeaways

• Obedience is a deliberate, daily choice that confesses God’s authority (Acts 5:29).

• Eternal salvation is given to those who obey Christ (Hebrews 5:9).

• The gospel calls for obedience of the truth and of the faith (Galatians 5:7; Acts 6:7).

• Obedience flows “from the heart,” engaging mind, will, and affections (Romans 6:17).

• Scripture’s witnesses display trust expressed in action (Genesis 12:1–5; Genesis 22:1–12; 2 Kings 18:1–7; Luke 5:1–6).

• God attaches blessings to obedience and issues sober warnings against refusal (Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 15).

• Wisdom promises guidance, health, and strength to those who trust the Lord (Proverbs 3:5–8).

• Endurance fixes the eyes on Jesus and rests in God’s presence and help (Hebrews 12:1–2; Hebrews 13:5–6).

• Final judgment awaits those who reject the gospel; today is the time to obey (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9).

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 5:29 — The disciple’s rule amid pressure: obey God rather than men.

• Hebrews 5:9 — Christ as the source of eternal salvation to all who obey.

• Galatians 5:7 — A warning about hindrances to obeying the truth.

• Acts 6:7 — Priests become obedient to the faith as the word spreads.

• Romans 6:17 — Obedience from the heart to the pattern of teaching.

• Genesis 12:1–5 — Abram obeys God’s call to go.

• Genesis 22:1–12 — Abraham’s tested obedience regarding Isaac.

• 2 Kings 18:1–7 — Hezekiah’s trust, steadfastness, and prosperity under God.

• Luke 5:1–6 — Peter’s “Nevertheless at Your word” and the great catch.

• Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 15 — Blessings for obedience; curses for refusal.

• Proverbs 3:5–8 — Trust in the Lord brings straight paths and health.

• Hebrews 12:1–2 — Laying aside sin and running with eyes on Jesus.

• Hebrews 13:5–6 — Contentment and courage under God’s unfailing help.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 — The Lord’s judgment on those who do not obey the gospel.

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