Apr. 10, 2022

Trying to follow the commands of Christ without a deep love for Christ is legalism. .     

Love is the only power that allows me to obey what Jesus said. 

Revelation 2:4. But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.

 1 John 4:19. We love each other because he loved us first.  

Romans 5:5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Who do I belong to? 

• I belong to God because of Jesus Christ
• I have a heart filled with gratitude because of what Jesus has done for me.

My identity with Christ reminds me of who I am….to whom I belong AND who lives within me. 

Obedience flowing out of love is completely opposite from obedience that comes out of obligation. 

Romans 12:1. And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

If there is a genuine love for the Lord, there will be loving obedience. 

Colossians 2:8. Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

The Commands of Christ

Repent of your sins. Matthew 4:17

Follow Jesus (All In) Matt. 8:22.

Let your good deeds shine Matthew 5:16

Be reconciled  Matthew 5:23–24

Don’t Lust  Matthew 5:27–30

Make no Vows (Oaths) Matthew 5:34, 37

Don’t repay evil with evil Matthew 5:39-42

Love and pray for your enemies  Matthew 5:44–46

Be perfect (in love)  Matthew 5:48

Seek God’s Kingdom first  Matthew 6:33

Don’t Judge   Matthew 7:1

Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Matthew 7:6

Treat people as you want to be treated Matthew 7:12

Enter (heaven) through the narrow gate  Matthew 7:13-14

Beware of false prophets  Matthew 7:15–16 

Ask God to send out workers  Matthew 9:37–38

Don’t fear those who can kill the body  Matthew 10:28

Come to Jesus for rest  Matthew 11:28 

Confront brothers in private first  Matthew 18:15–17

Forgive Seven times Seventy  Matthew 18:21–22

Give to the government is required  Matthew 22:21

Love God and your Neighbor  Matthew 22:38,39

Share with Communion  Matthew 26:26–27 

Keep alert and praying so you don’t give into temptation.  Matthew 26:41

Make Disciples  Matthew 28:19-20

Preach the Gospel  Mark 16:15

Be on guard against greed  Luke 12:15 

Be sensitive to the poor and needy  Luke 14:12–14 

Love one another  John 13:34