Momentum Church
FOG
FOG, Part 2 | Pastor Ross Wiseman
Locations & Times
Momentum Church
659 Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock, GA 30188, USA
Sunday 9:15 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
When you are looking through fog:
It's hard to see everything clearly...so everything you see isn't everything there is.
Obligation can have a positive aspect, but when it becomes burdensome, Obligation can lead to stress, resentment, or even spiritual struggles.
Positive Obligation comes from an innate sense of community responsibility.
Negative Obligation is a sense of overt obligation that can have a way of motivating us to do things beyond what actually serves to help us thrive.
It's hard to see everything clearly...so everything you see isn't everything there is.
Obligation can have a positive aspect, but when it becomes burdensome, Obligation can lead to stress, resentment, or even spiritual struggles.
Positive Obligation comes from an innate sense of community responsibility.
Negative Obligation is a sense of overt obligation that can have a way of motivating us to do things beyond what actually serves to help us thrive.
Negative aspects of obligation:
1. Loss of Freedom of Choice
2. Emotional Burdens
3. Relational Resentment
4. Moral Dilemmas
5. Burnout
1. Loss of Freedom of Choice
2. Emotional Burdens
3. Relational Resentment
4. Moral Dilemmas
5. Burnout
What does the Bible says about obligation:
1. Obligation Can Lead to Legalism
Matthew 23:4 (ESV)
They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”
Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly,To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
2. Obligation Without Love Is Meaningless
Romans 13:8 (ESV)
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
3. Obligation Can Cause Burnout and Resentment
Matthew 11:28-30 28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
1. Obligation Can Lead to Legalism
Matthew 23:4 (ESV)
They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”
Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly,To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
2. Obligation Without Love Is Meaningless
Romans 13:8 (ESV)
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
3. Obligation Can Cause Burnout and Resentment
Matthew 11:28-30 28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
How to Recognize Negative Obligation:
1. There is a feeling of action that’s demanded.
- A feeling that you "must" do something.
- Nobody is a true friend who demands a "yes" from you 100% of the time.
- Don't sustain any situation or relationship where you do not have the option to say "no" where it is reasonable to do so.
2. There is a feeling of action that’s owed
The Emotional blackmailer exploits their target’s sense of obligation by overemphasizing how much a person owes them, how much they have given up and how much they have done for them.
1. There is a feeling of action that’s demanded.
- A feeling that you "must" do something.
- Nobody is a true friend who demands a "yes" from you 100% of the time.
- Don't sustain any situation or relationship where you do not have the option to say "no" where it is reasonable to do so.
2. There is a feeling of action that’s owed
The Emotional blackmailer exploits their target’s sense of obligation by overemphasizing how much a person owes them, how much they have given up and how much they have done for them.
How to Resist Negative Obligation:
1. Love like God loves
Romans 13:8-11 (ESV)
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
-Don’t do for another what they aren’t willing to do for themselves.
-This creates a burden for you and lack of growth and development for them.
2. Ask yourself: “Do you feel trapped or treasured?”
Obligation handcuffs us to someone else’s timetable, someone else’s will.
1. Love like God loves
Romans 13:8-11 (ESV)
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
-Don’t do for another what they aren’t willing to do for themselves.
-This creates a burden for you and lack of growth and development for them.
2. Ask yourself: “Do you feel trapped or treasured?”
Obligation handcuffs us to someone else’s timetable, someone else’s will.