It is worse to say we love Christ and yet do not obey Him
What example does this show to unbelievers?
Jesus is not a hard task master
He wants joy (John 15:11)
He wants our joy
Example
It is not simply about following the Ten Commandments
We must give our lives to God and then live in obedience
Joy will then flow - John 15:10
We will abide in Jesus' love
As Jesus was obedient to the Father, we must be obedient
Quote from song 'Trust and obey'
Looking at v15
Who is speaking?
What does He command?
What are the blessings for those who obey?
Who is speaking?
The one who loves them
Remember that Jesus is Lord and Master, but acted as a Servant
He would love them to the end
He demonstrated His love for them at the Cross
The one who loves them so much
Jesus commands are not burdensome - 1 John 5:3
The Royal Commandment - to love God and our neighbour
The Sovereign Lord, ruler and maker of the universe
Examples
Our Saviour has the right to expect us to obey His commands
Do we call Jesus Lord? Do we obey Him?
Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:21
The Lord - who loves us and is Master over us
What does He command?
Jesus gave many commands throughout His ministry
All commands are from Him - as we have one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Salvation
"Come, follow Me"
Have you obeyed this call?
"Come to me all who are wearied and heavy burdened and I will give you rest"
Have you obeyed this call?
If you are troubled and weary - are you going to Jesus?
To call sinners to salvation
Invitations, warnings, direct
"God commands all men everywhere to repent" - Acts 17:30
If you do not believe - obey this command
Enmity and unforgiveness
There is to be limitless forgiveness
Matthew 5:23-24
We must forgive and be reconciled
Do not worry
If you are overly fretting and anxious
There is so much trouble today
Trust God today and leave tomorrow for Jeus
The accumulation of wealth
Matthew 6:19-20
Where is your heart?
Is your treasure in heaven?
Prayer
"Ask and receive"
Luke 11:10
The Great Commission - Mark 16:15
We can support missionaries
Example
General and direct commands
Is there something that God is speaking to you?
Example of Abraham and Isaac
We cannot be perfect but God is calling us to a life of holiness
Follow in Jesus footsteps - 'be Holy as He is Holy'
What about in this discourse?
Love
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
Jesus has shown His love towards us - examples
We are called to love our enemies, sacrificially and the brethren
This should be visible to others
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." John 15:12-14
We are Jesus' friends - if we obey Him
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." 1 John 5:1
"These things I command you, that you love one another." John 15:17
"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." 1 John 2:9-11
What are the blessings for those who obey?
The Holy Spirit
v15-18
He gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him - Acts 5:32
What a blessing!
v21
Jesus will manifest Himself to those who obey Him
Not perfect obedience - for this can never be the case
But a changed direction of life - you are now following God and want to honour Him
v23
We must keep His word
There is no such thing as a carnal Christian!
God will make His home with and in us - what a blessing
John 15:10
Abiding in His love - what a blessing
Full assurance of Faith
Deep assurance when we are obedient
1 John 2:3 - "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him."
That you love the brethren, keep His commandments
1 John 3:14 - "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death."
1 John 3:18-19 - "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him."
1 John 4:12 - "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us"
1 John 4:17-18 - "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear"
There are so many blessings attached to obedience
It is easy to obey - God loves us
It was easy for the disciples to listen to Jesus - because they had seen His love
We are in a covenant bond with God
To keep His commands
To love God and your neighbour
Example of YouTube video 'The things I command you'
