The Final Commands “Obey what I command”

How are you with obedience?

God is aware of our shortcomings! Paul: Romans 7:18 - 19 For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.

So we swing the other way! We try to prove our love for God.  Paul: Eph 2: 7 - 9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Final commands of Jesus What is it that Jesus wants us to hear?

John 14: 15 – 21 (and John: 16: 5 – 15)

15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command 15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:15 - 21

18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them is the one who loves me 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys 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.”

Obedience sandwich If you love me you will obey what I command. v15 The filling in the sandwich is the Holy Spirit. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. v21

What does the Holy Spirit teach us? He comes to reveal the truth. …the Spirit of truth 14:17 He brings direction. When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you in all truth 16:13 He is the connection between obedience and love. His work in us is a profound discipling issue.

What does the Holy Spirit teach us? When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. 16:8-11 He shines the light of truth into the world.

About sin… About sin, because people do not believe in me 16:9 Without the holy Spirit we don’t see our sin. The world is appalled by the church talking about sin 14:17 We are set free by it. Rom 6:23

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Condemnation slimes us. Conviction is different and frees us. The Holy Spirit allows us to robustly confront our own sin. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Cor 7:10

About righteousness… About righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer 16:10 Jesus was going away… The Bible - inspired word of God.

But you will see me.. 14:19 The Holy Spirit continues to reveal Jesus. Discernment – is it God? Check the Bible: HS speaks what the Father saying 16:13 Recognise the check in our spirit – God is in us 14:20 Does it bring us closer to Jesus? Are we self justifying?

About judgement… About judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. v11 The Holy Spirit tells us: The theology of the Kingdom of God. The world is on a trajectory that will come to its final conclusion.

“Obey what I command” Why?

“Obey what I command” The Holy Spirit is an everlasting gift 14:16 He connects us with the truth. 14:17 We are not left as orphans. 14:18 He brings life 14:19 He brings unity between us and God. 14:20 He brings deeper revelation of God 14:21

“Obey what I command”