Commands of Christ -11g

June 9, 2021 Building on the Words of Jesus: A Prayer Guide

Introduction:

Based on Matthew 28:20, we are continuing to systematically study the Commands of Christ for the purpose of knowing them, obeying them and teaching others to know and obey.

The group of commands that we are studying emphasize that Jesus is Lord of our Lives.

Building on Christ

Matthew 7:24–25 (NASB95)“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

Luke 6:46–49 (NASB95)“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47“Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49“But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Last week we seem to believe that even though Jesus didn’t phrase this as a command, it is nevertheless a command to HEAR and acts on the words of Jesus. To build our lives here upon what Jesus said.

· We could restrict them to the Sermon on the Mount (where they come at the end)

· We could expand them to include ALL the Words of Jesus that we have (don’t forget there are some in places other than the Gospels — most notable in Revelation)

o This is what we should do — ALL the words of Jesus — but the Sermon would be a huge thing to know and obey

o Just the Beatitudes are probably more than most will ever do

I want to give us an approach that uses words from the Gospel of John.

The Gospel of John

John’s gospel account is built on _7__ miracles and _7___ “I Am” statements of Jesus so that: (John 20:30-31)

John 20:30–31 (NASB95)Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:31 (NASB) … you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

So what do these particular miracles show us that would help us believe?

Miracle 1: Water Into Wine (John 2:1-11)

Miracle 1 shows He came to take us from the stone cold and empty way of man’s religion into a living and joyful relationship with Him.

Miracle 2: Healing the Official’s Son (John 4:43-54)

Miracle 2 shows we are saved by grace through faith.

Miracle 3: The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9)

Miracle 3 shows our own futile works are insufficient to save ourselves. We need Him to save us.

Miracle 4: The Feeding of the 5000 (John 6:1-5)

Miracle 4 is a demonstration of His supernatural care and provision for those who seek Him.

Miracle 5: Walking on the Water (John 6:16-25)

Miracle 5 shows that because of His miraculous power, we can easily accomplish things through Him that would be all but impossible on our own.

Miracle 6: Healing The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)

Miracle 6 reveals that if we’ll allow it, He can cause even the lowliest person born spiritually blind to see and believe, and

Miracle 7: Raising Lazarus From The Dead (John 11:1-44)

Miracle 7 is a promise that all who believe in Him will live even though they die, and those who live and believe will never die.

The 7 “I Am” Statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John

Tyndale Bible Dictionary: When Moses was called[to lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery], he asked God to identify himself in such a way that Moses might gain acceptance from the Hebrew people. God revealed himself to Moses as the great “I Am.” Moses was to tell the Israelites that “I Am sent me to you” (Ex 3:13–14).

Exodus 3:13–14 (NASB95) Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

From this “I Am” the name Yahweh is derived. Many believe that Jesus used this same formula from the OT to relate his deity. The “I am” statements in John’s Gospel help the reader identify Jesus as divine, as God.

The “I am” statements found in the Gospel of John are:

The bread of life or the living bread (6:35, 48, 51),

John 6:35, 48, 51 (NASB95) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 48 “I am the bread of life. 51 “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

Statement 1 tells us that Jesus is the One who spiritually sustains us.

How might we use this foundation to “build” a prayer?

The light of the world (8:12; see also 9:5),

John 8:12 (NASB95) Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 9:5 (NASB95) “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

In statement 2 we learn that through Him we gain spiritual understanding and wisdom for living.

How might we use this foundation to “build” a prayer?

The gate (door) (10:7, 9),

John 10:7–9 (NASB95) So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Statement 3 explains that He has given us free and unlimited access to His Kingdom.

How might we use this foundation to “build” a prayer?

The good shepherd (10:11, 14)

John 10:11 (NASB95)“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:14 (NASB95)“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

2 Timothy 2:19 (NASB95)Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

Goes with John 10:14 He knows us and we obey Him by abstaining from wickedness).

Statement 4 shows how He did this by paying our entrance fee with His life AND, as the Good Shepherd, HE KNOWS Us and if we are His sheep we will know His voice

How might we use this foundation to “build” a prayer?

The resurrection and the life (11:25),

John 11:25–26 (NASB95)Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

In statement 5 we learn that whether we die before the rapture or are taken live in it, He has guaranteed our eternal life with God.

How might we use this foundation to “build” a prayer?

The way, the truth and the life (14:6).

John 14:5–6 (NASB95)Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Statement 6 explains that He is the only one who can do this for us, and

How might we use this foundation to “build” a prayer?

The vine (15:1, 5).

John 15:1 (NASB95) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

John 15:5 (NASB95) “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Statement 7 reveals that for the balance of our life on Earth, the things we do in His strength, out of gratitude for what He’s done for us, are the only things that matter.

How might we use this foundation to “build” a prayer?

In summary, let’s put each of these seven “I am” statements in capsule form.

(Each included in the “I Am” statement.)

The Foundation for Building the Church

Matthew 16:15-19

Jesus very clearly tells us, that as the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:15-18) He commands the church to be built upon the “rock” of who He is (1 Peter 2:6-8).

Matthew 16:15–19 (NASB95)He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Colossians 1:15–18 (NKJV)He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

1 Peter 2:4–8 (NASB95)And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

THE SEVEN MIRACLES IN JOHN

By Jack Kelley Wednesday June 12th, 2019

The Seven Miracles In John – Grace thru faith