AUTHORITY | GOD'S COMMANDS (1)
a) The Bible tells the story of how God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — loves us and wants us to love Him, despite our brokenness and tendency to go our own way (Isaiah 53:6). This relationship is the “main thing” about the Bible and it’s the “main thing” to keep focused on.
b) God's Word is fully sufficient to prepare us for everything the Bible commands us to do. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to transform us into Christ-likeness.
c) We study to understand God's character and attributes. Study the Bible anytime, anywhere. Each topic is ideal for personal learning but may also be adapted for a group as well.
2. Authority: God's Commands
a) God's commands are in His word; His word cannot be changed (cf. Rev. 22:18-19).
i) Deuteronomy 4:2
2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
ii) Revelation 22:18-19
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
b) God has spoken through Jesus. Jesus commissioned the apostles.
i) Hebrews 1:1-2
1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
ii) Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
c) The apostles were ambassadors for Christ; God spoke through them. God gave commands through the apostles.
i) 2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
ii) 1 Corinthians 14:37
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
d) God commands all men to repent. No one is excused from obeying God.
i) Acts 17:30
30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent.
e) We keep God's commandments because we love Him (1 Jn. 5:3).
i) 1 John 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
f) We learn about keeping God's commandments in the Old Testament.
i) Romans 15:4
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
a) God's commands are in His word; His word cannot be changed (cf. Rev. 22:18-19).
i) Deuteronomy 4:2
2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
ii) Revelation 22:18-19
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
b) God has spoken through Jesus. Jesus commissioned the apostles.
i) Hebrews 1:1-2
1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
ii) Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
c) The apostles were ambassadors for Christ; God spoke through them. God gave commands through the apostles.
i) 2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
ii) 1 Corinthians 14:37
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
d) God commands all men to repent. No one is excused from obeying God.
i) Acts 17:30
30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent.
e) We keep God's commandments because we love Him (1 Jn. 5:3).
i) 1 John 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
f) We learn about keeping God's commandments in the Old Testament.
i) Romans 15:4
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
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