Living like you mean it
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Obedience
Obedience
I have had the image of the Woman at the feet of Jesus all week as she weaped and worshiped Jesus
Obeying Every Single Command?
3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
If we are like children should we not have respect have reverence a healthy fear of our father
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Question 1: Does God want me to obey every single command in the Bible?
This leads me to Simon from last week it seems as though he had little fear or respect of God or of Jesus. His actions showed his heart.
Most of us dont like Rules we dont like being told what to do or when to do it. WE like to be independent and make our own choices. WE make ourselves believe we know whats best.
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction goes astray.
Question 1: Does God want me to obey every single command in the Bible?
That is a good but difficult question to answer. Let me first start by saying that there are many commands in the Bible, especially the Old Testament, that you are not asked to obey. We as born-again believers are no longer under the Older Mosaic Covenant and as such are not bound to obey the “letter” of its laws. In his letter to the church of Rome Paul wrote that since no one could follow the law in its entirety, the law only points out a person’s sin whose wages is death. (). Christ bore the punishment for our sins upon the cross () so that we might be forgiven and need not to offer any more sacrifices (). Christ fulfilled the Old Testament law and ushered in a new stage in God’s plan of salvation which was based not on works but on faith in a risen Savior! Those choose to put themselves back under the Mosaic Law are “foolish” for to do so would mean that Christ’s death meant nothing ()!
Question 2: Does this mean that I don’t have to obey any of the Old Testament laws?
At the council of Jerusalem, it was decided that the only things Christians should obey from the Old Testament is to “abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood”
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
The moment Peter was commanded in his vision to get up kill and eat four-footed animals, as well as birds and reptiles that were according to the Old Testament “unclean,” () meant that the dietary laws were no longer to be obeyed. This means that eating rabbits, pigs, bears, boars or catfish, shark, swordfish, crab, lobster, and shrimp is no longer forbidden by the Bible. Also at this council it was decided that while physical circumcision was no longer required (), Christians were to have their hearts circumcised by the Spirit (Galatians 2:29) and as such would no longer see the commands as burdensome but instruction on holy living ().
The moment Peter was commanded in his vision to get up kill and eat four-footed animals, as well as birds and reptiles that were according to the Old Testament “unclean,” () meant that the dietary laws were no longer to be obeyed. This means that eating rabbits, pigs, bears, boars or catfish, shark, swordfish, crab, lobster, and shrimp is no longer forbidden by the Bible. Also at this council it was decided that while physical circumcision was no longer required (), Christians were to have their hearts circumcised by the Spirit (Galatians 2:29) and as such would no longer see the commands as burdensome but instruction on holy living ().
Question 3: Does this mean that out of the roughly 613 commands of the Old Testament there are only four that a Christian must follow?
While Christians are not required to follow the ceremonial and civil laws this does not mean that that Old Testament laws have been abolished. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
). While this might appear to be a contradiction to the prior answer it is the “letter” of the law and not the “intent” that is has been fulfilled and changed. Jesus came to actualize the Scripture and take us to a deeper understanding of why the commands were given. Jesus gave us some examples of this deeper meaning during the Sermon on the Mount. For instance, the deeper meaning or intent of the commandment “do not murder” was to teach humanity it was wrong to be angry, hate or hold grudges against one other (5:21-26). The deeper meaning or intent of the commandment “do not commit adultery” was to keep the marriage bed pure by forbidding lustfully looking upon others (5:27-30). While Christians are no longer required to follow the ceremonial and civil laws, they are still required to follow the intent of these laws: to be set apart as distinct () and separate from the world () for God. When it comes to the moral laws of the Old Testament, they are to be obeyed in their entirety.
While this might appear to be a contradiction to the prior answer it is the “letter” of the law and not the “intent” that is has been fulfilled and changed. Jesus came to actualize the Scripture and take us to a deeper understanding of why the commands were given. Jesus gave us some examples of this deeper meaning during the Sermon on the Mount. For instance, the deeper meaning or intent of the commandment “do not murder” was to teach humanity it was wrong to be angry, hate or hold grudges against one other (5:21-26). The deeper meaning or intent of the commandment “do not commit adultery” was to keep the marriage bed pure by forbidding lustfully looking upon others (5:27-30). While Christians are no longer required to follow the ceremonial and civil laws, they are still required to follow the intent of these laws: to be set apart as distinct () and separate from the world () for God. When it comes to the moral laws of the Old Testament, they are to be obeyed in their entirety.
Question 4: Are we to obey every single command of the New Testament?
Very good question for the most part the answer is yes! There are some verses in the New Testament that scholars suggest no longer need to be obeyed because the culture they addressed no longer exists. For example, when Paul said, for slaves to obey their masters (whom in turn were to submit to the authority of Christ) is no longer in effect due to the abolishment of slavery in this part of the world. Paul’s suggestion to Philemon to grant freedom to his slave was not only counter cultural but clearly demonstrated his disapproval of this societal norm. There are very few commands in the New Testament that could be deemed culturally specific and when in doubt ask the Spirit and He will point them out to you
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
).
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Cultural Influences
Question 5: Do most Christians accept and obey the Bible?
While most Christians say they believe the Bible is 100% true and therefore should be obeyed in its entirety, there are many topics in the Bible that have become at best “debatable” and for some outright rejected. For example, since approximately 80 % of unmarried evangelical young adults have had sex; sex before marriage is now a controversial topic within our churches. Since more and more countries have legalized and are promoting same-sex marriage, it is now “taboo” to share what the Bible says on this topic. Since almost one in two Christians will get divorced in their lifetime most pastors dare not even mention what the Bible says about this topic lest they be ushered the door. Since one in four women will get an abortion in their lifetime, preaching the sanctity of life is now a controversial topic for a lot of Christians. Due to the influence of this “ME” generation that believes in no restrictions, some Christians now reject any notion that spiritual gifting assigns divine roles within the church while others outright reject the necessity to ask for forgiveness of sins once one becomes a believer!
Question 6: Does the culture we live in affect our interpretation of God’s word?
The answer to this question is the main reason why we are having this discussion. The culture in which we live has a dramatic affect on how we interpret Scripture. The more society moves away from and outright rejects God’s word as being true, the more Christians will “tear out” pages of Scripture to make it more palatable to their culture. The more Christians participate in the sins of their culture the less likely God’s word will have an authoritative position in their lives! How hard would it have been to be Noah (), Lot () or Moses () to remain faithful and obedient to God while everyone else was feasting on their sinful desires or their hearts ()? Instead of accepting the “foolishness” of this world () we as Christians should bow our knees and unquestionably accept the authority of God’s word to teach us how to live holy lives
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
! To do this we must reject any temptation to interpret God’s word through “worldly eyes” but instead through the eyes of the Holy Spirit whose timeless truths never change
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
).
Question 7: What can one do to keep one’s ways pure?
To finish off today’s discussion I want to give you one final piece of advice: “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (). Hide the word of God in your heart so that you might not sin against Him
) and through prayer and thanksgiving draw nearer to Him and He will draw nearer to you (). In the end one must choose what will be the compass for living one’s life. If you allow your culture to dictate your beliefs, then while that broad path will be pleasurable it will not lead you closer to God. If you accept and allow His word to be the authority in your life, then you will be blessed and will one day hear the words “good and faithful servant.” The choice is yours to make: to whom do you want to be your master?
9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
through prayer and thanksgiving draw nearer to Him and He will draw nearer to you
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
). In the end one must choose what will be the compass for living one’s life. If you allow your culture to dictate your beliefs, then while that broad path will be pleasurable it will not lead you closer to God. If you accept and allow His word to be the authority in your life, then you will be blessed and will one day hear the words “good and faithful servant.” The choice is yours to make: to whom do you want to be your master?
In the end one must choose what will be the compass for living one’s life. If you allow your culture to dictate your beliefs, then while that broad path will be pleasurable it will not lead you closer to God. If you accept and allow His word to be the authority in your life, then you will be blessed and will one day hear the words “good and faithful servant.” The choice is yours to make: to whom do you want to be your master?