Equally important, he changed the practice from the reading of the law by the minister to the singing of the law by the congregation. The purpose of the Law was, basically, to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). When the Reformers talked about the law, they generally had in mind the Ten Commandments. Under the law, the people’s obedience was required, first, before God could bless them. 13:10). For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Jesus’ perfect example of love is the new standard—the new commandment! In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus also magnified the Sixth Commandment that forbids murder by explaining the spirit of the law. In civic use, the law is a standard for establishing a just social order. The answer was this: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Man’s natural affinity for evil and conflict has been around since the dawn of time – until order was maintained through the introduction of laws. Lecture 4, The Meaning of the Law: The scribes and Pharisees attempted to make God’s law easier by adding to it. All three of these can and should find a place in the worship of the church. The apostle John defines sin as breaking or not keeping the commandments (1 John 3:4). Christians are already forgiven, adopted heirs of Christ. The command to “love your neighbor as yourself” goes all the way back to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 19:18). Paul uses incredibly strong language, stating when you move away from grace you create a different gospel than what Jesus offers. Sermon Illustrations provides sermon illustrations, sermons, eulogies, funeral helps, and counseling aids for ministers. This level of commitment requires an active choice. The law of Moses was a preparatory law to bring men and women to Christ. teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. As the Word is carefully explained, and as it is applied to worshipers’ lives individually and communally, it shapes their minds and hearts to act in accord with God’s will. In this article I will offer some theological reasons why Christian worship should challenge people to hear and obey God’s law and show how the commandments are to work in the Christian life. Christ said, “If you want to enter into [eternal] life, keep the commandments.” He made sure everyone knew He meant the 10 Commandments by naming several of them in this passage of Scripture (Matthew 19:16-19). At the same time, we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). 3. The normative use of God’s law is to provide a guide for Christian living. This practice originally began in the late Middle Ages, when worship services in the vernacular included the reading of the law along with the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer as catechetical devices. I encourage you to take time to read this article, to think it through, and to discuss it with your worship planning group or others in your church community. But, most of A.J. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus explained that the commandments speak to our innermost thoughts in addition to our actions—because thoughts are the doorway to actions. Being convicted of our sin, then, we look for the Savior, Jesus Christ, who can deliver us from our just condemnation. John is teaching that salvation is evidenced by obedience. “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. Your unbelieving, immoral girlfriends have good-looking hunks for boyfriends, while you sit home alone ever since you committed yourself to obey the Lord! 2. Christians should be challenged to live holy and righteous lives, but not in order to earn their salvation. We offer 30,000+ outlines and 10,000+ free sermon illustrations from top Christian pastors and communicators. The subject is gradually worked up to the preceding admonitions in vers. The law is the rule and guide for how true faith works itself out in the life of the Christian. Application to modern life is made. Worship must both tell the story of God’s saving work through Jesus and provide instruction on how to respond to the grace of God with obedient lives. The law perfectly tells us what God expects of us. 1-6). The same is true for us. Peter obeyed what Jesus had commanded the disciples in the great commission: “. Early on in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus Christ said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. Foyt Must Obey The Law (illustration) A.J. Then, in a society that assumed that the scribes and the Pharisees were the epitome of law keeping, Jesus made the even more surprising claim, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (verse 20). Partial obedience is … How Should a Christian Deal With the Coronavirus Pandemic? But we need to be careful that we do not dismiss the law because of its misuse, particularly because the law has several uses. Finally, God’s will for obedient living was also taught in the songs and prayers used in worship. Foyt’s life is not spent at the 500. With a good foundation and understanding of why the law of God ought to be included in worship, we will be better prepared to apply the practical suggestions Van Reken will lay out in RW 84. —JB. Like the Mosaic Law, it marks out the distinctive characteristics of God’s Covenant people: 1. This is an important truth, since the idea of obedience has fallen on particularly hard times in our postmodern setting. Thus it is explained in the third part of the Heidelberg Catechism that deals with our grateful response to the salvation we have in Jesus Christ. Each person needs to repent of sin and follow the words of Jesus Christ. There’s no room for passivity when it comes to obeying the Father. He asserted that not even something as small as an accent mark in the written law would be changed until heaven and earth pass away (verse 18)—and that is a long time! Obedience to the law has no role in justification; God alone justifies. Paul said that having knowledge of the commandments brings an awareness of what sin is (Romans 7:7). No Western country has adopted the Ten Commandments in their entirety as the basis of its civic order, but some, including the founders of the United States, have adapted the second table of the law. In RW 84 I will offer practical suggestions about how to encourage this mindset in worship. This righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. When you put that guy in a racing car on the Indianapolis 500, get out of the way. 7:12), and “Love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. Outlines That You Can Use "Preach The Word" The Benefits of Obedience. Places To Order Good Books. In the past year, how often have the Ten Commandments been included in your church’s worship? This sermon describes what salvation produces. This passage naturally divides into two parts, verses 17-18 and verses 19-20. Without law, the integrity and stability of society would diminish completely. Race Car Driver A.J. How do His comments about God’s law relate to a new commandment? ... he speaks of the sheer stupidity of looking into Scripture but not obeying. The historical practices of churches in the Reformed tradition support the notion that there are good reasons for regularly incorporating God’s law, in one way or another, in weekly worship. What Christians need to work on is sanctification, the outworking of a life of faith in the world, a process that ebbs and flows (Canons of Dort, Fifth Head of Doctrine, Art. Mar 11, 2020. Free Sermon Series for Preaching : In Sermon Series: "obeying-the-law" Basically he expects them to keep on obeying the law of Moses until he dies and is resurrected. The scribes and Pharisees were known for obeying the letter of the law. Many erroneously think that God is like a mean father, who gives us His commandments to spoil our fun. The end of Acts 2 describes the reformed lives of those first Christians: they gathered together; they learned from the apostles; they prayed; they ate together; they shared all things. Text: 1 Sam.15:12-24. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). As Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. What about other calls to obedient living found in Scripture? You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:13-14). In the remainder of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus illuminated the meaning of the law. We’d rather see God as an accepting and understanding friend who offers suggestions or advice from time to time. The idea of reminding God’s people of his law in worship is a very old one. And many still wonder today. 20-23, pointing out that the way of life, the way of safety, is to be secured by obedience to the precepts of parents, whose commandment and law illumine the perilous road of life, and whose reproofs are salutary to the soul. Becoming a Christian takes an act of God called justification. (Read More...) Titus 3:1 - Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, Romans 2:13 - (For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. So, how does one repent? John stated that keeping God’s law is one of the identifying characteristics of a Christian. With a good foundation and understanding of why the law of God ought to be included in worship, we will be better prepared to apply the practical suggestions Van Reken will lay out in. Confusion begins when some conclude that demonstrating love  somehow replaces keeping God’s law. What is the general attitude toward the use of the law in your church’s worship? Most of the Ten Commandments are prohibitions (do not do “X”) which imply positive actions (do “Y”). Now imagine this first church of Jerusalem gathering for weekly worship after Pentecost. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus explained that the commandments speak to our innermost thoughts in addition to our actions—because thoughts are the doorway to actions. A social structure is mandatory for the survival of humans. He had strong words for any who claimed to worship Him and failed to obey God’s commandments, both in the letter and the spirit. There is a righteousness that exist outside of obeying the Law. This morning I want to talk to you about the blessings of obedience. He revealed its spiritual purpose and intent. They are anxious to avoid the error of thinking that obedience to the law in some way contributes to salvation, so they cleanly separate law and gospel. The disciples surely wondered how this could be and what Jesus meant in these teachings about the law. The faith that saves for eternity is a faith that should blossom into ongoing obedience here and now. A number of years ago I was invited by the chief of police in Los Angeles at the time to come down to Parker Center to do a seminar with the police on leadership. Today the law of Christ, which fulfilled the law of Moses, is the fulness of the gospel or “the perfect law of liberty” . Repentance means understanding that we have done wrong and that we are truly sorry for having broken God’s laws. Here is what He said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. He brought forward the teaching of the Old Testament to love Him “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). His disciples should not even harbor hateful attitudes and demeaning thoughts about another person (Matthew 5:21-22). Never miss a post! SERMON POINTS Obedience is doing what God says, when He says it, how He says it, for whatever reason He says it, or with whom He says it. Scripture: 1 … Jack Hendren and his wife, Mary, met at Hanover College in southern Indiana and have been married over 50 years. The scribes and Pharisees were known for obeying the letter of the law. It was a law of restrictions, prescriptions, and ordinances. ... 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Sermon on obedience. But Jesus did expand it with His addition, “As I have love you.” Jesus is love; He demonstrated that great love by laying down His life for us! In preaching this sermon I’m going to make two assumptions. Throughout history, the preaching of the Word has also explained and encouraged obedience to God in worship. When our life is measured by the standard of the perfect holiness and righteousness that God’s law requires, the law shows that we are sinners. When Calvin came into contact with Bucer’s practice in Strasbourg, he changed the position of the reading of the law. Used by permission. He spent seven years in the navy and 25 years in the computer industry. E. “Sometimes” obedience is not really obedience ... James 2:10. How to Use the Law Lawfully to Bear Fruit for God. Thus, Jesus summarized the 10 Commandments under two great summary laws: love God and love your neighbor. In pedagogical use, the law is the teacher of sin. In fact, those who claim righteousness on the basis of their keeping of the Law only think they’re keeping the Law; this was one of Jesus’ main points in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:20–48; see also Luke 18:18–23). The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. For example, in magnifying the Seventh Commandment Jesus stated, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28, emphasis added throughout). So God’s law serves us in three ways: it teaches about sin, it instructs about civil justice, and it describes a righteous life in response to God’s grace. The Importance of Obeying God’s Law ——————— 17 1. John Calvin saw in the commandments a kind of summary of the entire law of God. These people apparently fail to understand that God’s law is a law of love. The way we love God is explained by the first four commandments (Exodus 20:1-11). Bucer placed it between the reading of the epistle and the gospel.  Later he used the law as a call to confession, using it in its capacity as a teacher of sin. Session One – Hearing and Obeying God’s Word Instructor: Bill Patton B. Jesus continued, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (verse 19). 2. For Sermon Building. Righteousness Apart From Obeying The Law Series. The Apostle Peter said in 1 Pet 2:13-17, "Then be obedient to every law of man for the Lord's sake…honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor him who rules." Simply put, the law does not dictate our ethics. Jesus magnified the law in His Sermon on the Mount. James says that the Jews were zealous for keeping the law. But such a perception softens any account of God’s norms for our lives and quiets the call for us to obey them. He expects them to observe the law, and he says it won't pass away until every word is fulfilled, and Christ came to fulfill the law. In RW 84 we’ll look at practical ways to do this. This was an act of thanksgiving for the whole congregation. When Jesus was asked if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar, he answered, "Give to … Thus in his commentary on the first five books of the Bible, Calvin arranges each of the Mosaic laws under one of the ten commandments, as an application of how that commandment was to work in Israel’s life. The law is the rule and guide for … By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Even on that first Pentecost, Peter’s message was not just “repent and be baptized.” Acts 2 continues, “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’” Peter’s very first sermon, his Pentecost sermon, called those first responders not merely to repent and be baptized, but also to reform their lives. The guy at work who is dishonest got the promotion, while you go… Reformed Worship © 2020 by Worship Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church. See “What Is Justification?”). Jesus explained that love can be expressed in two great commandments—love toward God and love toward your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-39). Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to your inbox. Are repenting and believing the first and the last responses to the gospel? Foyt is a remarkable race-car driver. An expository sermon from Deuteronomy 4:1-9 which explores how the Israelites the need to obey the Law of God. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”. Obedience sermon outline by Tom Moore. And, in turn, that obedience contributes to our assurance of salvation. Everyone who desires to have a relationship with Jesus Christ must practice what He taught. Ten Counsels: Richard Foster on Spiritual Formation, Pioneer of Reformed worship: celebrating the 500th anniversary of Martin Bucer, Lectionary Resources for Lent and Holy Week. The Reformers Zwingli and Bucer each included the law in their liturgies, although since they also intended these for catechetical instruction it was at first a matter of some indifference to them at what place in the liturgy the law was to be included. John is not teaching that salvation is conditional on obedience. As Paul says, “The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good” (Rom. Why might some people have thought that Jesus came to abolish the Law and the Prophets (v. 17)? Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts and updates. What Christians need to work on is sanctification, the outworking of a life of faith in the world, a process that ebbs and flows (Canons of Dort, Fifth Head of Doctrine, Art. After Jesus went to the cross, the only requirement to inherit the promises of God was belief, independent of our behavior or self-effort. In his second epistle he summarized it this way: “And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another” (2 John 1:5). Romans 2:13 ESV / 61 helpful votes The most obvious way believers were instructed in the way of obedience in the history of the church was by the reading or singing of the Ten Commandments. Also, we see all of the famous, successful people in the world who disobey God but seem to be having a great life. But Jesus set the example and taught that we must also obey the spirit of the law. . In other words, since heaven and earth continue to exist, the law remains unchanged and will continue to be in effect. Nov 25, 2001. Some Christians object to any liturgical use of God’s law in order to be absolutely clear about the doctrine of salvation by grace alone. (Of course, there is another aspect to this. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus upheld the commandments and magnified their application and intent. . Lectionary Resources for Lent and Holy WeekÂ. In his commentary on Colossians written in 1534, Philip Melancthon was the first to identify that the law has three uses: pedagogical, civic, and normative. Contact Us. All rights reserved. Resources for planning and leading worship, In part one of this two-part article, Calvin Van Reken argues that the church ought to reclaim the practice of calling God’s people to obedient living. Thus Christian worship services should include both the message of the gospel and answers to the question What shall we do? For this they need to be regularly reminded of God’s law. What does each part emphasize? 1-6). The word translated fulfill means to “make full, to fill up and to fill to the full” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon). Faith is not good works; going to church, giving your tithes; making sacrifices. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. In part one of this two-part article, Calvin Van Reken argues that the church ought to reclaim the practice of calling God’s people to obedient living. So we must obey not only the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law. Obeying the covenant is meant to be a source of blessing, prosperity, joy, and health for God’s people. For, by obeying the law of God, he will often overcome every root of wickedness; and it would be a ridiculous thing if he, who is but the production, ... /kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xvii music christmas day.htm. ... Sermon. Didn’t Jesus give a “new commandment”? At the conclusion of Peter’s inspired Pentecost sermon the people “were cut to the heart.” They asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?”(Acts 2:37). The apostle John also talked about this new commandment, but he said it was not really new (1 John 2:7-10). He has to drive a car on city streets and highways just like the rest of us, paying attention to sp … ... We cannot please God if we always do the easy thing, because obeying God sometimes requires the doing of things that are not easy. Even Christians are troubled by the idea of a God who issues commands and calls for our obedience. In their cultural context this was the beginning of their obedient service to God and to others. First, I’m going to assume that most of us on one level truly want to obey God. All rights reserved. An expository sermon from James 1:22-25 which examines the need to examine Scripture very carefully and then obey that same Word. No, Romans 13 is not about obeying the governing authorities “Historically, the most terrible things: war, genocide and slavery, have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience.” - Howard Zinn. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. An expository sermon almost always calls one to both trust and obey. After His death and resurrection, Jesus’ apostles also taught the necessity of keeping the commandments. The way we love our neighbor is explained by the last six commandments (verses 12-17). Has their use or non-use impacted your community’s worship? Comments about the content or usability of this site? Obedience is a sign that we know God, recognizing that God expects his people to live a certain way - … I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). The spirit of the law. Instead of doing away with or replacing God’s laws, Jesus affirmed the law, stated His commitment to it and built His sermon on that foundation. But ever since you started obeying God, life has been one trial after another. The most important use, though, is to guide God’s people so that by knowing what is right and good they can show their gratitude to God by following God’s will more closely. In response to Peter’s altar call several thousand repented and believed. Douglas Moo Mar 11, 2020 3.1K Shares Look at the Book. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe, Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/christian-conversion/the-sermon-on-the-mount/jesus-and-the-law/. SermonSearch.com is an online resource for sermon outlines and preaching ideas. And what does the Sermon on the Mount tell us about Jesus and the law? Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord …’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23). Obeying The Law . Sermon on Obedience and Disobedience 2 years ago admin 1 Samuel 15 Chapter Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now, therefore, hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. Understanding the commandments and obeying them is the basis for a relationship with Christ. I encourage you to take time to read this article, to think it through, and to discuss it with your worship planning group or others in your church community. Since all have sinned, the only way any of us can be righteous at all is to have our sins paid for by Jesus Christ. Later Jesus explained that love can be expressed in two great commandments—love toward God and love toward your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-39). God does. The gospel called them both to saving faith and to faithful living. Are the sermons aimed only at another altar call? Throughout His ministry Jesus taught the importance of God’s commandments. Jesus’ Disciples have new hearts characterized by: a) … Download our free booklet Change Your Life! Calvin placed it after the confession and words of absolution, that is, he used it as a rule of gratitude. Jesus did not teach that the 10 Commandments were done away but that they are grouped under two great laws. He had strong words for any who claimed to worship Him and failed to obey God’s commandments, both in the letter and the spirit.What is clear about Jesus’ teaching is the intensity He gave to loving God. Obedience to the law has no role in justification; God alone justifies. So in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus said that He fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17), what did He mean? In this lesson, Dr. Ferguson explains how Christ corrected their misinterpretations of God’s law and emphasized the Christian life as one shaped by reconciliation and the gospel. Summary Obedience to God is indeed important, but there is a distinction between obedience to the Law of Moses and obedience to the faith. Instead of doing away with or replacing God’s laws, Jesus affirmed the law, stated His commitment to it and built His sermon on that foundation. What did Jesus really say about the law? Scripture: Galatians 6:2, 1 Corinthians 9:19–22. The issue of requiring any law as part of Christian faith, whether from the Old Testament or from the 21st century, is contrary to genuine Christian faith. So we must obey not only the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v. 38). Let’s begin by making clear what we mean when we speak of the law of God. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). My sermon is really about all that stuff that happens after we get out of bed and the struggles we have each day to obey God. In other words, how do you underscore that obedient living isn’t just about what you should. It begins with repentance and accepting Christ as Savior. The Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament) consist of doctrine, You'll write powerful and fresh messages every week with our preparation tools on a number of sermon topics, including expository preaching. By saying this, Jesus magnified the law against adultery—a lingering, lustful thought breaks the commandment as much as the actual act does. God gave commandments to Adam, Gen. 1:28; 2:16–17. How can your worship include both the prohibitions and a call to positive action? Romans 13:1-5 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. The long history of psalm singing in Reformed churches reinforced the call to obedient living since so many of the psalms celebrate and recite parts of God’s law.
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