COMMANDS
1. According to Lk. 22:19 Jesus took bread.
2. He gave thanks for it, broke it, and then distributed it to the disciples.
3. Jesus told His disciples, “This is my body which is given for you.”
4.
Lk.
WHY DO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN WHAT WE CALL THE LORD’S SUPPER?
A. Why do we take the time to fill little cups with juice and pass out some bread?
B. The answer is found in the word command.
C. In our world we have a variety of techniques to help us know what is right.
D. We have examples.
E. We need examples to show us what should and should not be done.
F. In the Bible there are examples that we must follow.
G. Last week we learned about inferences.
H. An inference takes facts and draws conclusions.
I. We use inferences on a regular basis.
J. The Bible uses inferences to tell us how to worship and live.
K. In addition to inferences and examples the Bible uses commands.
L. As we prepare to explore this type of authority I want to make an important point.
M. The three forms of authority I just described all carry an equal amount of weight.
N. An inference is of the same value as a command.
O. A Bible example has the same value as an inference.
P. Sometimes people prefer or even elevate one type of authority above another.
Q. If we have an inference some are not satisfied unless they can find a command.
R. Some have an example but they want an inference.
S. Commands, inferences, and examples, all have an equal amount of weight.
2. We know this because of what Luke recorded in Acts 15.
3. Acts 15 contains an inference, an example, and a command.
4. The inference is found in the first eleven verses.
5. The text begins by noting that some claimed that new Christians had be circumcised (verse 1).
6. Some Pharisees (verse 5) said that the new converts needed to keep the Law of Moses.
7. Notice how Peter responded to these allegations – verses 7-11.
A. God wanted the Gentiles to “hear the gospel and believe” (7b).
B. God gave these “believers” the “Holy Spirit” (verse 8).
C. God made “no distinction” between the Jews and Gentiles (verse 9).
D. These were the facts.
E. What was the conclusion? What was the inference?
F. All this material should cause people to believe what truth?
G. The inference was that circumcision was not necessary.
H. Keeping the Old Testament law was and is unnecessary.
I. In case these people missed this point Peter specifically stated it.
J. Verse 11.
8. Acts 15 uses inference to show that circumcision is not necessary.
9. This chapter also demonstrates this point with an example.
A. This example is found in verse 12.
B. God had performed signs among the Gentiles.
C. God paid attention the Gentiles.
D. God did good things for the Gentiles.
E. God wanted the Gentiles to be saved.
F. God’s dealings with the Gentiles were an example.
G. This example was to be followed.
10. Acts 15 shows that scripture uses both inferences and examples.
11. This chapter also shows that the Bible uses commands.
A. Notice verse 15.
B. James said, “It is written.”
C. In other words, “This is an instruction. This is a command. This is a directive. This is a decree.”
D. God’s word contains commands.
E. We
have heard of the “Ten Commandments” that were given to
F. In addition to inferences and examples the Bible has commands.
12. Today we want to look at some Bible commands.
13. Commands are a type authority that is familiar to each one of us.
14. Commands are certainly familiar to those who read the Bible.
15. Scripture is filled with commands.
16. In
Acts
17. This is a command. It is a directive that we are to follow.
A. Another command is found in 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
B. Paul said “on the first day of the week lay aside some money.”
C. There is a sense in which this is an example.
D. This is also a command.
E. This was something that these Christians were to do.
F. This was a weekly obligation.
G. In the New Testament people were commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:48).
H. Paul and Barnabas were commanded to teach the Gentiles (Acts 13:47).
18. As Christians there are commands that must obey.
A. When John the Baptist spoke to people about the coming Messiah he said,
B. “Bring forth fruit worthy of repentance” (Mt. 3:8). This was a command.
C. Jesus said to enter in by the narrow way that few find (Mt. 7:13-14).
D. This was not a suggestion.
E. The Lord said to fear Him who can destroy the body and soul (Mt. 10:28).
F. We surely remember what the Lord said in Mt. 22:21.
G. Give to Caesar what belongs to him (it) and give to God what belongs to Him.
H. We are commanded to watch and be ready for we do not know when Jesus will return.
I. We are commanded to seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33).
J. We are commanded to be born again (Jn. 3:3, 5).
K. We are ordered to worship God in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24).
L. If forced to choose between obeying God and man we are commanded to obey God (Acts 5:29).
M. Rom. 6:11 commands us to count ourselves as dead to sin and alive to Jesus Christ.
N. Later in this book Paul commanded God’s people to present their bodies as a living sacrifice (12:1).
O. We are ordered to glorify God in our bodies and with our spirit (1 Cor. 6:20).
P. In 1 Cor. 16:13 we are told to stand fast in this faith; this is a command.
Q. We can list command after command.
i). Do not grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:30).
ii). Pray in the spirit (according to God’s will, Eph. 6:18).
iii). Rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 3:1).
iv). Set our affections on Christ, not the things of the earth (Col. 3:1-2).
v). Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16).
vi). Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).
vii). In everything give thanks (1 Thess. 5:18).
viii). Lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12).
ix). Labor to enter into God’s rest (Heb. 4:11).
x). Hold fast the profession of our faith (Heb. 10:23).
xi). Offer a sacrifice to God by using our lips (Heb. 13:15).
xii). Receive God’s word (Jas. 1:21).
xiii). Fear God (1 Pet. 2:17).
xiv). Sanctify Christ in our hearts and be prepared to defend the faith (1 Pet. 3:15).
xv). Cast our cares upon God (1 Pet. 5:7).
19. Commands permeate the Bible.
20. In looking at these commands we must remember that the lack of a command is also important.
21. This is indicated by Acts 15.24.
22. There are some religious commands that are not from God.
A. This was true in the first century.
B. It is certainly true at the present time.
C. When we think about Christianity and authority Acts 15:24 provides us with an example.
D. When we see religious practices we can and we should ask this question:
E. Where is the religious authority for what people do?
F. Are the religious practices that people engage in “from God?”
G. This question is not designed to be mean spirited.
H. Neither is this being legalistic and judgmental.
I. Some say that what we do doesn’t need to be authorized by God.
J. This is not what the apostles believed and taught.
K. The apostles knew of some people who were religious teachers.
L. What these people taught was not in God’s “commandments.”
i). These people had no authority for their teachings.
ii). The apostles said this was wrong.
iii). When men had no Bible inferences, examples, or commands they were marked.
M. In life we often stress authority.
N. A man once said to his friend, “Who is the boss in your house?”
O. The friend said, “My wife assumes command of the children, the servants, and the dog.”
P. “She is also over the parakeet.”
Q. “I say pretty much what I please to the goldfish.”
R. Authority is in the home. It is in the work place.
S. It is in our government. We see it in our schools. It is found at sporting events.
T. It is no surprise that it is also found in the church.
U. As we think about the authority which comes from commands we may ask this question:
V. Are we obeying the commands that are found in God’s word?
W. The Bible commands those who believe to repent and be baptized.
X. Have we done these things?
Y. Are we following the other commands found in scripture?