How Obedience Leads to More Grace - Genesis 6:13-22

Genesis 6:13-22 (NLT) 

     So God said to Noah, … “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior…So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

Agreeing with God is doing what He asks when it is convenient

Obedience is doing what God asks when it is not convenient, but we know it is His will

Obedience is where the default system of our life begins to change.

James 2:10-11 (Msg) 
    You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. [11] The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.

 Galatians 5:1, 7-10, 13 (NIV) 
    It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery...You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? [8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." [10] I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be....You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Luke 12:32 (KJV) 

    Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

1.  Understand the consequences of violating spiritual laws even when the consequences remain unrevealed

Romans 6:23 (NIV) 

    For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 12:2 (NIV) 

    There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Numbers 32:23 (NIV) 

    …you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Hebrews 5:8 (NLT) 

    So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

          Obedience is gradual because it is learned
          Obedience is learned because it is gradual

2.  Conflicts, suffering and complex problems provide the training ground for obedience maturity

          Start with blind compliance, continue with informed and learned obedience

3.  Learn to obey God regardless of how we feel in order to protect our potential and future

Hebrews 11:7 (Msg) 

    By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.