The Obstacle of Obedience
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
We’re continuing our series The Gospel of Jonah, where we discover how Jonah’s story mirrors our own. The tension between God’s will and our will is a battle every believer faces. Jonah shows us that the only thing standing between who we are today and who God wants us to be is one simple—but often difficult—step: obedience.
Jonah’s Second Chance
Jonah was first called to preach to Nineveh, but he ran the other way. His disobedience led to a storm, a plunge into the sea, and three days inside the belly of a great fish. When Jonah finally repented, God gave him a second chance.
In Jonah 3, the prophet receives the same command—and this time, he obeys. What once was resistance became surrender. Jonah teaches us that even when we’ve failed, God is faithful to reset the story and invite us into obedience again.
The Obstacle of Obedience
Jonah’s hesitation came from pride and fear—believing the Ninevites didn’t deserve mercy and fearing what might happen if he preached. For many of us, the obstacles look similar:
Fear of what obedience might cost
Anxiety over the unknown
Pride that resists God’s way
Commitment that feels too heavy
Past pain or baggage that holds us back
Yet, Jonah’s story reminds us that God is patient, and His plans are not stopped by our first “no.” On the other side of obedience is blessing, breakthrough, and impact we could never create on our own.
God Prepares the Way
When Jonah finally obeyed, the results were beyond anything he expected. The people of Nineveh believed, repented, and even the king led the city in fasting and humility before God.
History tells us Nineveh had already experienced plagues, famines, revolts, and even a solar eclipse—signs that prepared their hearts to listen. God had gone before Jonah. All Jonah had to do was say “yes.”
One small act of obedience can unleash the full power of God’s work in the world. As Oswald Chambers once wrote: “The smallest act of obedience has all of the omnipotent power of God behind it.”
What Awaits on the Other Side
When we get past the obstacle of obedience, we discover things we never would otherwise:
Joy
Freedom
Testimonies of God’s faithfulness
Provision
Growth in faith and intimacy with God
Your “yes” to God carries more weight than you realize. It might feel costly on the front end, but on the other side is the life God created you to live.
The Example of Jesus
Jonah isn’t the only one who faced an obstacle of obedience. Jesus Himself endured the cross, “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). The cost was great, but the reward was salvation for the world.
Because Jesus obeyed, we have forgiveness, eternal life, and relationship with God. His obedience calls us into our own.
Taking Your Step
So what step of obedience is God stirring in you today?
A difficult conversation?
Repenting from a hidden sin?
Starting a new spiritual habit?
Saying “yes” to a call that feels overwhelming?
Whatever it is, take the step. On the other side of the obstacle of obedience lies joy, freedom, and the presence of God in ways you’ve never experienced before.