THE URGENCY OF OBEDIENCE By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
— Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
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Introduction
The Christian life is not merely about receiving salvation and enjoying personal blessings; it is a divine commission to labor in the vineyard of the Lord for the redemption of others. The voice of God speaks clearly and passionately to His people, calling them to a life of obedience, surrender, and active participation in the great mandate: the salvation of souls.
In this prophetic message, the Lord reminds His people of the mercies extended through Jesus Christ and the tragic fate of those who reject Him. The message reveals that worshiping false gods leads only to deeper darkness, while obedience to the command of Christ leads to eternal life and fulfillment. Sadly, many believers today are distracted by personal ambitions and the pursuit of the “good life,” while the world perishes for lack of knowledge.
This lesson aims to stir the heart of every believer, to rekindle a passion for the lost, and to restore the urgency of the Gospel mandate. As co-laborers with Christ, we are not called to selfish living, but to selfless obedience. This is the hour to arise, obey, and bring others into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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Be Thankful for Salvation and Serve with Gladness
“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!”
— Psalm 100:2
God begins His message with a call to thankfulness. Salvation is not to be taken for granted. We are to live each day with gratitude that we have been delivered from eternal death through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to serve God — not a burden.
The joy of the Lord is found in serving Him with a heart full of gratitude. Serving with gladness uplifts the soul and aligns us with divine purpose. When we recognize the mercy extended to us through Christ, our natural response should be worship, obedience, and service.
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The Tragedy of False Worship and the Darkness of Deception
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.”
— Romans 1:25
Around the world, multitudes are worshiping false gods, imprisoned by demonic deception. These gods are not benign; they lead their worshipers deeper into rebellion and sin. God makes it clear: He does not call anyone to worship idols or demons. There is no salvation in them — only delusion and destruction.
This darkness is not merely theoretical; it results in eternal separation from God. Without Christ, those who die enter hell, a place of torment and hopelessness. This is the dreadful fate of billions unless the Gospel reaches them in time. The urgency of this reality must shake the Church out of comfort and into mission.
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The Eternal Commission Remains Unchanged
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’”
— Mark 16:15
The command Jesus gave His disciples is not optional and has not expired. It is a continual commission to every generation of believers. Preaching the Gospel is not a side activity; it is the heartbeat of God's mission on earth. Sadly, few are listening. Even fewer are obeying.
Modern believers have, in many cases, exchanged the call of Christ for a life of comfort and prosperity. But God is calling His people back to the fundamentals — to the cross, to the call, to the commission. Obedience is not negotiable. We will be held accountable not only for what we do but also for what we fail to do.
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Selfishness Hinders Obedience
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
— Romans 8:5
Living selfishly is living disobediently. Many believers today focus solely on their own well-being, success, and fulfillment. They neglect the needs of others — especially their need for salvation. This self-centered mindset is a departure from the Spirit-led life.
The Holy Spirit never leads us into self-idolatry. He leads us into service, sacrifice, and soul-winning. The truly abundant life is not found in accumulating possessions or achieving personal goals. It is found in doing the will of God and seeing souls brought into His Kingdom.
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Surrender Is the True Christian Life
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20
To follow Jesus means to die to self. It means to live a life completely yielded to God’s plan. God is not impressed by our careers, comforts, or achievements. He is pleased when we surrender everything for the sake of His Kingdom. The surrendered life is not passive — it is actively engaged in the work of God.
God’s message is clear: do not waste your one life on earth chasing selfish dreams. Use it fully for His glory. Every believer must live with the awareness that we are ambassadors of Christ, assigned to declare His message to a lost world.
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The Holy Spirit Directs Us into Mission, Not Comfort
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses...”
— Acts 1:8
The presence of the Holy Spirit is not merely for personal edification but for empowerment to fulfill the mission. The Spirit equips us to be witnesses — to go, preach, teach, and make disciples. He does not lead us to settle in complacency or become consumed with our own desires.
As we follow the Holy Spirit, we are led into the footsteps of Christ. His priorities become ours. His burden becomes our burden. The more we yield to the Spirit, the more joy and purpose we find in obedience.
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The Harvest Is Ripe; The Laborers Must Arise
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’”
— Matthew 9:37
Around the world, people are desperate for truth, desperate for hope. They are bound in fear, chained by sin, and trapped in deception. They need the Gospel. And God has chosen us — His people — to carry it to them.
Believers are called to be laborers in the harvest. This is not just the work of pastors or evangelists — it is the calling of every follower of Christ. When we stay focused on the mission, the burden is not heavy. When yoked with Jesus, the work becomes joyful and fruitful.
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Materialism Distracts from the Mission
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20
The obsession with material wealth has become a plague in the Church. Many believe that prosperity equals God’s favor. But making gain in this life does not mean we are pleasing God. True gain is measured by the souls we bring into His Kingdom.
God warns against the "materialism mania" that distracts His people. Our lives are hidden in Christ. We are not the center — He is. Our mission is not to build personal empires, but to expand the Kingdom of God. Let us shift our focus from temporal gain to eternal fruit.
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Summary
This divine message is a wake-up call to the Church. It reminds us of the priceless gift of salvation and the seriousness of our commission. It reveals the danger of false worship, the darkness of deception, and the urgency of evangelism. We are not called to live for ourselves but to live for the One who saved us.
Selfishness, complacency, and materialism have weakened the Church’s witness. But it is not too late to return to obedience. The Spirit is still calling. The harvest is still ripe. Souls are still perishing. Will we respond?
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Conclusion
We are living in crucial times. While many enjoy the privileges of salvation, billions remain unreached. The Gospel is still the only way to eternal life, and the responsibility to proclaim it rests on our shoulders. Every believer must rise up, reject selfish living, and embrace the divine commission with passion and urgency.
We are accountable not only for our obedience but also for the souls that could have been reached through us. Let us not be found wanting. Let us be found faithful.
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The Call to Action
Renew your commitment to the Great Commission. Refuse to be entangled by the pursuit of comfort or wealth. Surrender afresh to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Prioritize eternal things. Live every day with the urgency of eternity. Preach the Gospel. Make disciples. Declare Jesus as Lord to a dying world.
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Final Word of Encouragement
Beloved, your life matters far beyond what you can see. You are a vessel of salvation, a carrier of divine truth, and a messenger of eternal hope. Do not be discouraged by the seeming indifference of others or the pressures of life. Stay focused, stay surrendered, and stay joyful. The God who called you will equip you. And in the end, the reward will be eternal.
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Salvation Prayer
If today you desire to turn from selfishness and sin and follow Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, pray this from your heart:
Heavenly Father,
I come to You in the name of Jesus. I confess that I am a sinner and have lived for myself. I repent of my sins and turn away from my old life. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for my sins and rose again. I receive Him now as my Savior and Lord. Cleanse me, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and lead me in Your perfect will. I choose to live for You and obey Your commands. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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To God be all the glory. May you arise and walk boldly in the mission He has entrusted to you.
