C of C Lesson -12

Don Parmely

Commands of Christ • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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July 21, 2021 The Commands of Christ - 12

Adult Bible Study

Ice-Breaker:

What types of people do we normally consider blessed or fortunate?

The rich, the beautiful, the powerful, the healthy, the popular

And yet, most, if not all of these, are NOT indicators of a state of true blessedness (happiness - not favor with God)

I have contended for several years now that we cannot, in our own finite ability, very often discern whether the events that happen in our life are a blessing or a curse. SOMETIMES after the events have transpired we can look at the effects and THINK we can label them. But only God can see the long-term consequences AND how they affect others.

I remember telling of an incident in a message I preached many years ago. Originally told by Missionary Danny Hall, he talks about a deacon in his church in Austria. A man who had come to Christ under Missionary Hall’s ministry. Just before he left Austria Brother Hall found out that this deacon had esophogeal cancer. He died 2 weeks later. At the funeral a letter was read from a man who had been in the room where this deacon stayed during treatment. He said:

I first had cancer in 1991, it comes back more frequently now and in different places. It is hard not to despair, not to be bitter, not to be afraid. In August, I shared a room with Dr. Montague-Rock. As you know, we were both under the same specialist and were both taking chemotherapy. At first it was simply pleasant to share a room with such a pleasant and companionable gentleman, friendly, yet considerate. We would hiccup together watching the news. But, then I began to see something more than that. This man did not grumble, he did not get bad tempered and he was much more ill than I was. Yet, he encouraged me! How strong and steady he was. What could this be? His wife, Jenny, came in twice a day for long periods, never gloomy or tired, always beautiful and smiling. Did they know for certain that he was going to get better?

Every evening they went slowly down to the armchairs with two books, then Ian became too weak to do this and they asked me if I mind if they did their evening devotional in the room. Of course not, while I would read my newspaper. But as each day passed I listened more, then I joined them at their invitation. Such tranquillity, such calmness, such quiet strength, such consideration! Always more concerned for me and my wife, when their situation was so much worse. My wife always felt better when she had been with Jenny. Did all this come from believing in God?

When it was time for us to leave, Ian gave me a Bible. I will treasure this gift from this man of dignity and strength. He would say that this strength was not him, and so I look in the Bible and hope to find these qualities that come from God. I have shared a room with many people at the clinic over the years, but none I have wished to go back to visit. I was shocked to find Ian back so soon. When I went to visit them, for Jenny was always there, they were both so welcoming and so attentive and I don't know how to describe the atmosphere around them.

When I called and heard of Ian's death I felt such a sharp feeling of loss, but Jenny was gentle in her comfort of me. I felt deprived of a new friend that I hoped to have for many more years. But I will be careful and diligent with the legacy he left me and will continue to read and search out that Way that he walked so tall and confident.

Missionary Hall goes on to say: We don't know what's going to happen in our lives, what difficulties we'll face. But God has promised that we have everything we need to face those days. He has promised us that he'll never leave us or forsake us. Though in my human view Ian's death was very untimely, he has been promoted to the glory that God had prepared him for. And even in his terribly hard, painful death by cancer, there was a graciousness and a wonder as God took him through the final stages of the process to bring him home to glory. And he was able, by his example, to point another person to Jesus,

We will talk more about the counterintuitive route to TRUE happiness as we discuss The Beatitudes.

We do this as we continue on systematic study of the Commandments of Christ. A study commanded by Jesus.

Recap:

Series Foundational Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 esp. vs.20

As we study the Commands of Christ we are using Tom Blackaby’s approach in his 2012 book, The Commands of Christ. In his book, Blackaby divides the commands of Christ into 6 areas:

1: Coming to God| 2: Christ as Lord | 3: Character 4: Concerning Others |

5: Calling | 6: Cautions

We have covered the commands that relate to coming to God:

Be born again | Repent | Come as a child | Love God with all your being |

Receive the Holy Spirit | Enter through the narrow door | Worship in Spirit and in truth |

(Not only come, but…) Abide in Me

We continue to cover the commands by looking at those that relate to Christ as Lord of our life. Jesus is Lord as we:

We spent 3 months talking about following Jesus. We talked about:

The COST of following Jesus.

The demand of Jesus to follow Him whole-heartedly.

How Jesus calls us to follow Him into a place of greater spiritual maturity.

Following Jesus demands we walk in the Holy Spirit, not according to the flesh.

Following Jesus is like a sports contest — we are running for a prize.m It is a marathon, not a sprint.

Following Jesus means building our lives upon the Rock of Jesus, NOT the sands of this world’s philosophy.

Following Jesus means war. We must gird ourselves with spiritual armor, use spiritual weapons and fight in the Spirit which is most often in the arena of prayer.

Spiritual warfare means warring on behalf of the weak, the lost, the hurting.

We especially talked about fighting FOR our children, the unborn, physical (ours and church’s) and spiritual children (Bro. Adrian talked about having a new child during the pandemic).

Not just fighting for or even caring about children — but TREASURING them (the Lord needs to help us better do that!)

But we are moving on to the commands of Jesus, where He said, “You have heard it said(been taught by the Rabbis, Pharisees, Scribes) … but what they teach is the letter of the law that falls short — my commands EXCEED the letter of the Law to the Spirit of the Law.”

Jesus gives us commands that are impossible to obey apart from the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

The Sermon on the Mount is full of examples where Jesus said: “You have heard it said … but I say to you.” You’ve heard what other people tell you do, how to live — but this is what I command you...

The Beatitudes teach us much about Jesus’ commands. Everybody who has ever heard of Jesus of Nazareth, and knows anything at all of his teaching, must surely be familiar with the beatitudes. Their simplicity of word and profundity of thought have attracted each fresh generation of Christians, and many others besides. The more we explore their implications, the more seems to remain unexplored. Their wealth is inexhaustible. We cannot plumb their depths. Truly, "we are near heaven here." (John Stott)

So, we start a study of the Sermon on the Mount with the beatitudes.

No, Jesus didn’t say, “I command you to… BUT, don’t these statements have the force of commands since they include blessing?:

Be poor in spirit

To mourn

To be gentle

To hunger and thirst for righteousness

To be merciful

To be pure in heart

To be a peacemaker

To GLADLY suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness. Even more, to REJOICE when we suffer for Jesus.

Tuesday, the ministers’ breakfast included discussions about several topics. One of the first subjects concerned PLEASING God.

What do you believe pleases God? Why?

I tend to believe that pleasing God leads to blessings FROM God.

Yes/No?

I believe conversely, that if we are receiving blessings (Beatitudes) from God, that indicates we are pleasing God.

The problem may be in correctly discerning blessings (money, power, etc.?) (trials, difficulties, etc.)

Jesus was blessed by the Father, because He pleased the Father

Matthew 3:17 (NASB 2020) and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

So, if we follow the example of Jesus, we should also live a “Blessed” life — whatever that fully means (it may include things we wouldn’t ask for — things that stretch us, grow us, make us more like Jesus).

I believe Jesus knew the blessings of the Beatitudes because He LIVED the Beatitudes. He lived to please His Father.

Jesus didn’t come to satisfy His own appetites, but the will of the Father. Jesus gives us an example

John 4:31–34 NASB 2020

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.

So let’s look at that: PLEASING GOD. I believe this side-trip is worth the price of admission.

Is pleasing God important? Let’s look at some scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 4:1 NASB 2020

1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more.

James Smith declares:

Heart-Touching Sermon Outlines (23. The Importance of Pleasing God (1 Thessalonians 4:1))

The most important thing in the Christian’s life should be pleasing God. Many who are Christians are not concerned about pleasing God. We know that God wants us to please Him (1 Thess. 4:1), making apparent “The Importance of Pleasing God.”

I. People who are not pleasing God.

A. They live only for themselves;

Romans 15:1–3 (NASB 2020) Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “THE TAUNTS OF THOSE WHO TAUNT YOU HAVE FALLEN ON ME.”

B. They seek to please men

Galatians 1:10 (NASB 2020) For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

C. They desire the things of the flesh

Romans 8:8–9 (NASB 2020) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

D. They have no faith in God

Hebrews 11:6 (NASB95) And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

II. People who are pleasing God.

A. They ask right things from God

1 Kings 3:8–10 (NASB 2020) Solomon said: And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is capable of judging this great people of Yours?” 10 Now it was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.

B. They are separated for God

2 Timothy 2:4 (NASB 2020) No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.

C. They are wholly yielded to God

Hebrews 13:20–21 (NASB 2020) Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

D. They walk with God

Genesis 5:24 (NASB 2020) Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 NASB 2020

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God.

E. They praise God;

Psalm 69:30–31 (NASB 2020) I will praise the name of God with song, And exalt Him with thanksgiving. 31 And it will please the LORD better than an ox Or bull with horns and hoofs.

F. Ministers seek to please God not people

1 Thessalonians 2:3–4 NASB 2020

3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.

III. Promises to those who please God.

A. Their enemies shall be at peace with them

Proverbs 16:7 (NASB95) When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

B. Their prayers shall be answered

1 John 3:22 (NASB95) and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

C. Their name shall be everlasting

Isaiah 56:4–5 (NASB 2020) For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold firmly to My covenant, 5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be eliminated.

Do you believe living according to these beatitudes pleases God?

Why?

Dig:

Read: Matthew 5:1-12

Matthew 5:1–12 NASB 2020

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

EVERYTHING that Jesus says in “Blessed (by God?)” is absolutely opposite of what Conventional Wisdom says.

1. How does our normal description of the blessed or fortunate person compare with those whom Jesus considers blessed (Matthew 5:1-12)?

The Greek word makarios can and does mean "happy." So J. B. Phillips translates the opening words of each beatitude, "How happy are. . . !" And several commentators have explained them as Jesus' prescription for human happiness. Nevertheless, it is seriously misleading to render makarios "happy." For happiness is a subjective state, whereas Jesus is making an objective judgment about these people. He is declaring not what they may feel like ("happy"), but what God thinks of them and what on that account they are—("blessed").

2.To be "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3) is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty, our bankruptcy before God. Why is this an indispensable condition for receiving the Kingdom of heaven?

The poverty and hunger to which Jesus refers in the beatitudes are spiritual states. It is true that the Aramaic word Jesus used may have been simply "poor," as in Luke's version. But then "the poor," God's poor, were already a clearly defined group in the Old Testament, and Matthew will have been correct to translate "poor in spirit." For "the poor" were not so much the poverty stricken as the pious who—partly because they were needy, downtrodden, oppressed or in other ways afflicted—had put their faith and hope in God.

Why is it so difficult for us to admit our spiritual poverty?

4. Why would those who are poor in spirit feel a need to mourn (Matthew 5:4)?

Question 4. One might almost translate this second beatitude "Happy are the unhappy" in order to draw attention to the startling paradox it contains. It is plain from the context that those here promised comfort are not primarily those who mourn the loss of a loved one, but those who mourn the loss of their innocence, their righteousness, their self-respect. It is not the sorrow of bereavement to which Christ refers, but the sorrow of repentance.

5. Those who mourn feel sorrow not only for their own sin but also for the sin they see around them. What have you heard in the news lately that causes you to mourn?

6. How do you think those who mourn will be comforted (Matthew 5:4)?

Question 6. Such mourners, who bewail their own sinfulness, will be comforted by the only comfort which can relieve their distress, namely the free forgiveness of God. According to the Old Testament, Messiah was to be "the Comforter" who would "bind up the brokenhearted" (Isaiah 61:1-3). And Christ does pour oil into our wounds and speak peace to our sore, scarred consciences. Yet we still mourn over the havoc of suffering and death which sin spreads throughout the world. For only in the final state of glory will Christ's comfort be complete; for only then will sin be no more, and "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Rev. 7:17).

7. How would a true estimate of ourselves (Matthew 5:3-4) lead us to be "meek"—to have a humble and gentle attitude to others (Matthew 5:5)?

Question 7. We tend to think of "the meek" as weak and effeminate. Yet the Greek adjective means "gentle," "humble," "considerate" and "courteous." Dr. Lloyd-Jones sums it up admirably: "Meekness is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct with respect to others. . . . The man who is truly meek is the one who is truly amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do" (Studies in the Sermon on the Mount [Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1977], pp. 68-69).

8. From the world's point of view, why is it surprising that the meek will inherit the earth?

9. What has Jesus said so far that might lead us to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6)?

10. Biblical righteousness has three aspects: legal, moral and social. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for each of these?

Question 10. Legal righteousness is justification, a right relationship with God. Moral righteousness is that righteousness of character and conduct which pleases God. Social righteousness, as we learn from the Law and the Prophets, is concerned with seeking humanity's liberation from oppression, together with the promotion of civil rights, justice in the law courts, integrity in business dealings, and honor in home and family affairs.

11. Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6). What can you do cultivate a healthy, hearty spiritual appetite?

12. Ask God to satisfy some of your hunger and thirst as you study the Sermon on the Mount.