THE TWO SONS
_(A Lesson In Obedience)_
TO THE BIBLE:
Philippians 2:8 NIV
_“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”_
LS SCET’S TALK
In Luke 3:38, when you study the genealogy of Adam, he was called the son of God. So, if the first Adam was the son of God and the second Adam, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God, what’s the difference between the two sons of God?
The answer is in the parable that Jesus gave in Matthew 21:28-31 of two sons: Their father told the sons to go work in his vineyard. The first son assured his father that he’d go but he didn’t; he disobeyed. The second son told his father he wouldn’t go, but he went. Jesus then asked, “Which of the two sons obeyed his father?"
Clearly, the obedient one is the one who actually did his father’s will, though initially refusing to do so. Now, in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the final moments before Jesus was arrested to be crucified, He prayed earnestly, “...Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Jesus didn’t want to do it, but He did anyway! So, our opening verse says of Jesus, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Jesus’ elevation came because, He was obedient till death, but the failure of the first Adam was his disobedience.
The Bible says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19 RSV). Had the first Adam obeyed, the second Adam wouldn’t have been necessary. So, the difference between the first Adam and the second Adam was obedience.
Obedience is very important; it pays to listen to God and follow His ways. Being born again, we’re born in the nature of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, and we have His obedient Spirit. Hence, in 1 Peter 1:14, we’re called His obedient children. Walk therefore in this nature of Christ in you, and please the Father always.
GO DEEPER
1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Peter 1:14; Proverbs 8:10
PRAY
_Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of receiving spiritual instructions that convey your wisdom. Continually, your Spirit guides me to apply my heart to spiritual instructions—doing things your way, which is the surest measure for guaranteed progress in life. As I demonstrate obedience to your Word, I walk in success, victory, excellence, and glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen._
DAILY BIBLE READING
ONE YEAR
Revelation 10, Micah 1-3
TWO YEAR
Revelation 15:1-8, Habakkuk 3
ACT
Study 1 Peter 1:14 and declare that you are God’s obedient child, as taught in today’s message.
