Turn with me again to the book of Acts chapter 2…
- I know we studied this in an earlier lesson – but let’s revisit this—
- Looking again at the church there, vibrant, with purpose, under the guidance for the apostles, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. . .
- Notice in verse 40 Peter says, “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’” (Acts 2:40)
- That is the purpose we must persue. . . that is what cause the growth of the Vital church—then and will do the same for the church today. . .
Notice Acts 2 and verse 42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [c]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
- We noted before that verse 42 refers to the church, the Ecclesia, and the breaking of the bread here is the Lord’s Supper. . .
- The writer is picturing what the early church did—in service to God—in the worship of God
- This is one way that the church observes and keeps the divine command, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37)
- These are not just “rote” actions—not just mimumum required acts—fulfilling commands without involving the heart.
- Remember these words of Jesus, “If you love Me, [a]keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
- The CSB reads, “If you love me, you will keep my commands”
- Loving the Lord your God with ALL your heart, mind and soul—demands obedience.
- Not – I love God – but I want to live the way I want to live
- It is – a life style of loving God, serving God, doing the will of God with all your heart, mind and soul. . .
Look to John 15 and verse 9. . .
Jesus continues in verse 10 and says, “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.”
Something special about the commands of God—they are not hard to obey.
- 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
- Why did the Holy Spirit have John say that?
- Why was it important to say, “NOT BURDENSOME”
- I submit that there are too many who feel worship is a burden. . .
- I have to give of my means—I have to assemble—I have to pray—I have to sing—I have to give. . .
- I have to do these things because if I don’t – – I am afrad. . .
But here John is helping us to transform our minds from I have to to I love to. . .
- Read with me the first four verses. . . READ 1 John 5:1-4
- We worship God—not because He is the all powerful God—and if we get it wrong He will crush us by a single word. . .
- We worship God—because we love God—because He loves us—and now it is an honor and a privilege to worship and serve our heavenly Father – to be called His child—with gladness – NOT BURDENSOME
WHEN YOU LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEAR, MIND AND SOUL KEEPING THE COMMANDS ARE – NOT BURDENSOME: Then—as for the rest Paul wrote, “For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” [b]“You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” – Romans 13:9-10.
- IF I LOVE THE LORD MY GOD WITH ALL MY HEART-MIND AND SOUL—THESE ARE THINGS I DON’T RESTLE WITH—Not a burden
- LOVING GOD IN THIS WAY MAKES THE DISCISION EASYER. . .
- Listen—every time we struggle with our time—things we want to do—having friends over—should I leave them and come to worship.
- Every time there is a temptation to stay home to watch a game – or just to relax.
- Every time we struggle—should I go to the study—should I go to that gospel meeting—should I go to the fellowship meeting.
If you love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your soul – then what you should do it is already decided… THEN IT’S NEVER BURDENSOME TO ALWAYS PUT GOD FIRST, TO ALWAYS PUT JESUS FIRST, ALWAYS PUT THE CHURCH FIRST, and ALWAYS PUT THE NEEDS OF OTHERS FIRST.