Commands of Jesus Christ

The Great Comission

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in

heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go

therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to

observe all that I have commanded you. And

behold, I am with you always, to the end of the

age."

(Matthew 28:18-20)

Command

“to order, command to be done, enjoin”

From a primary word τελλω tello (to set out for a

definite point or goal);

properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by

implication) the conclusion of an act or state

(termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely],

result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose);

specifically an impost or levy (as paid):

Jesus gives commands

While in the Synoptics they are referred to in a

more abstract and distant way, in both the

Gospel and the Epistles of John their relation

to Jesus is most prominent. They are “my

commandments” (Joh_14:15, Joh_14:21;

Joh_15:10, Joh_15:12); “my Father's”

(Joh_10:18; Joh_15:10); or, many times

throughout the epp., “his (i.e. Christ's)

commandments.”

Samples

Joh 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My

commandments.

Joh 14:21 "He who has My commandments

and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and

he who loves Me will be loved by My Father,

and I will love him and will disclose Myself to

him."

Joh 15:10 "If you keep My commandments,

you will abide in My love; just as I have kept

My Father's commandments and abide in His

love.

Questions

Is there enough weight in Scripture to cause me

to seek to obey all the commands of Jesus

Christ?

Am I secure by “believing in God?” Is there a

need to obey His teachings?

Is obeying the commands of Jesus Christ

optional? Do I loose my salvation if I do not obey

His commands?

Commands is relationship to the

Lord’s Prayer

"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in

heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 'Your kingdom

come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in

heaven. 'Give us this day our daily bread. 'And

forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our

debtors. 'And do not lead us into temptation, but

deliver us from evil.

(Matthew 6:9-13)

Commands in relationship to

community

Sin is decreasing

Righteousness in increasing

Hope is progressing

Personal fulfillment is developing

Transformation is occurring

The KoG is coming

Commands in relationship to John

14-17

John 14-17 posted for Study

The links between

Knowing god

Abiding in God

Encountering the Love of God

Being fruitful in your life

Matthew 5:23-24

"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the

altar, and there remember that your brother has

something against you, leave your offering there

before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your

brother, and then come and present your offering.

(Matthew 5:23-24)

Ingredients in this command

The Gift – sacrifice, offering, devotion

The Alter – place of public expression of worship

to God

The Brotherhood – any man, especially fellow-

worshippers

Reconciliation – paid debt, settled difficulty,

confession, pardon, explanation, restitution.

Context and Setting

Anger has just be discussed

Imprisonment (loss of freedom) is about to be

discussed

Presenting your offering is now more than a

religious act, it is your life

Transition from OT to NT

Religious rituals are replaced with a religious life

Anger and justice are integrated into the practical

lifestyle of the follower of Jesus.

Theological Implications

God is not appeased by sacrifice

God does not except any and all offerings

Peace with God is through efforts of peace with

others

Outward acts and inward conditions are to be

harmonious (with all your heart)

Reconciliation is to be sought out, not waited for

“To obey is better than sacrifice,” 1Sa_15:22.

Spiritual Discipleship

1. Allow God to tear open the veil, to transition

from private Christianity to public follower of

Jesus Christ.

2. Seek to Love the Lord your God with all your

heart, committing to do all that He asks of you.

3. Obey the Lord as soon as possible.

Spiritual Discipleship

4. Relate to people in such a way as to have

“koinonia” (Biblical Fellowship)

5. Pray the Lord’s prayer with the intent purpose of

doing His will through your personal lifestyle.

6. Study and meditate on John 14-17. Integrate this

text into your prayer life. Spend time in isolation

listening to God about this passage.

Spiritual Discipline for Matt 5:23

Don’t waist time being angry

Be aggressive and seek out restoration

Do not believe turning to God repairs

relationships

Use your freedom to restore relationships.

Do this on a personal level

Avoid gossip and slander

Be prepared for un-restored relationships to

imprison you, costing you the full measure of

pain, suffering and earthly justice.