The Kingdom of God #7The Laws of the

Kingdom

Key Question:

What does it mean when we obey Christ’s commands?

1 Corinthians 9:2121 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from

God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not

having the law.

I. We prove we truly love God

• John 14:21, 23“ 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them... 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

I. We prove we truly love God

1 John 5:33 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome

I. We prove we truly love God

1. The greatest proof that we truly love Good is not our feelings but our initiative to obey Him.

2. We therefore need to know he commands of Christ.

3. How do we measure our love for God?• by our feelings• by what we choose to do for God

II. We prove that we are God’s friends• John 15:14

14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

II. We prove that we are God’s friends1. The proof that we are God’s friends

is that we follow His commands.2. Those who do evil are enemies of

God• Romans 5:88 But God demonstrates his own love for

us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

III. We prove that God’s presence is in us• 1 John 3:24

24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

III. We prove that God’s presence is in us1. Every act of obedience is

accompanied by God’s presence.• It is God’s grace and presence that

enables us to do God’s will.• Doing God’s will is not always pleasing

to the eyes of unbelievers. You may be criticized or persecuted for it.

IV. We prove that God is truly our Lord• Luke 6:46-47

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.

IV. We prove that God is truly our Lord• Matthew 7:12-23

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 

IV. We prove that God is truly our Lord• Matthew 7:12-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day,‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!

IV. We prove that God is truly our Lord1. The practice of calling Jesus “Lord”

is not enough evidence of our submission. He is convinced when we obey His commands.

IV. We prove that God is truly our Lord2. Calling Jesus “Lord” yet not delighting in

putting His Word into practice offends Him• Remember, we were saved by confessing

Jesus is our LordRomans 10:9-10: 9 If you declare with your

mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

V. Our prayers are answered

• 1 John 3:2222 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.

V. Our prayers are answered

1. God answers our prayers instantly if we are obedient.

• He delights to hear the prayers of His children.

2. Satan will have no grounds to hinder the answer to our prayer.

VI. God reveals Himself to us

• John 14:2121 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

• 1 John 3:2424 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

VI. God reveals Himself to us

1. Every time we obey the Lord by His word, He reveals more of Himself to us.

2. Signs accompany those who believe• Mark 16:17: 17 And these signs will

accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

• Obedience is a sign of faith. Through faith, God can do great things.

VII. We truly have eternal life

• John 12:5050 I know that his command leads to

eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

VII. We truly have eternal life

1. Those who obey God prove the reality of eternal life in them.

2. It is doubtful for a person to be a true Christian who doesn’t follow God’s commands.

ConclusionWhen we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, we received God’s Spirit. By the Spirit, we can know, learn, and obey Jesus’ commands. Obeying Christ’s commands does not only bring God’s blessings. It also protects us from the attacks of Satan.

Challenge• Are you learning Christ’s

commands?• Do you delight in putting Christ’s

commands into practice?