The Joy of Obedience (Philippians 2:8-11, James 4:4-10)

Props: ladder (or large picture of a ladder)

 The death Jesus died was very shameful.  In Jesus’ time, only criminals were crucified.  So when Jesus was praying in the garden, He knew that He—the King of Kings, God’s Son—was about to die a shameful death and be put in a low position.  The soldiers would mock Him and spit on Him.  The people would laugh at Him and call Him names.  Jesus would be put into the very lowest place there was.  (Point—or step up—to the lowest place on the ladder). 

People talk about moving up the “ladder of success.”  People say you need to try to climb up that ladder to become as powerful and rich as possible.  They say it doesn’t matter what you have to do to get there.  You can hurt other people along the way.  You can lie, cheat, steal…whatever.  Is that true?  Of course not! 

God’s ways are completely different.  He says that true success is obedience to Him and serving others.  In the world’s eyes, that would put you at the bottom of the ladder.  But God says to humble yourself, or make yourself lower, and let Him lift you up to the top.  Obey Him and He will take care of the rest.  

            Today’s lesson is all about obedience, and what Jesus’ obedience means to us.  Let’s look at what the scripture says about Jesus’ obedience to God:

“[Jesus] humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
            even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8-11 (NIV)

 Because of Jesus’ obedience, God moved Him from the lowest place to the highest place.  (Point—or climb—to the top of the ladder).  James 4:10 says: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”  If you obey God—even when it’s difficult—He will take you to the top and make you successful in His Kingdom.  He will turn things around if you obey Him.  

            Obedience always brings blessings.  God will tremendously bless your life and the lives of those around you if you choose to obey Him.  Remember Jesus’ example and obey God!