Sermons From First Corinthians - Keeping The Commandments Of God (7:19)

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                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                 Keeping The Commandments Of God (7:19)

INTRODUCTION

1. The idea of "commandment-keeping" is not a popular one among many
   people today...
   a. Some equate it with what they call "legalism"
   b. Others look at keeping any kind of commandment as an unpleasant
      task
      1) Perhaps a carry-over from childhood?
      2) Where they feel like they were constantly being "commanded" to
         do things?

2. Yet keeping the commandments of God should not be looked upon by
   Christians in this way...

   "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping
   the commandments of God is what matters." (1Co 7:19)

[In this lesson, I want us to consider some things about keeping the
commandments of God, which I hope will change any adverse feelings we
may have towards doing so...]

I. WHAT IS THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD COMMANDMENT-KEEPING?

   A. IT SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF "LEGALISM"...
      1. Legalism is that idea that one earns or merits salvation by
         their obedience
      2. Such an attitude would be wrong on the part of Christians - Ti
         3:3-7
      3. Unfortunately, many react to legalism by going to the extreme
         of saying keeping commandments is not important
      4. Yet Paul, whom none could accuse of being a legalist, penned
         the words of our text!

   [Here is a different perspective, based on two verses that start out
   like our text, but end differently...]

   B. THINK OF IT AS "FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE"...
      1. Compare 1Co 7:19 with Ga 5:6
      2. Cannot keeping the commandments of God be an expression of
         "faith working love"?
         a. By keeping the commandments I demonstrate my faith - Jm 2:
            14-18
         b. By keeping the commandments I show my love
            1) To Jesus - Jn 14:15; 15:14
            2) To God - 1Jn 5:3
            3) To the children of God - 1Jn 5:2
      3. Thought of in this way, keeping the commandments of God is very
         important!

   C. THINK OF IT AS PRODUCING "A NEW CREATION"...
      1. Compare 1Co 7:19 with Ga 6:15
      2. Cannot keeping the commandments be thought of as helping to
         produce a "new creation"?
         a. Becoming a new creation is a blessing we enjoy by being in
            Christ - 2Co 5:17
         b. But to enjoy this blessing involves keeping certain
            commandments...
            1) For example, baptism to receive Christ - cf. Ga 3:27
            2) Also, putting off and putting on qualities to become like
               Christ - cf. Col 3:5-17
      3. Again, when we think of keeping the commandments of God as
         necessary to become a new creation in Christ, then it becomes
         very important!

[This I believe is the proper attitude toward "commandment-keeping":

* A demonstration of our faith and love!

* Part of the process by which we can become a new creation in Christ!

But is "commandment-keeping" hard, laborious?  Is it something
unpleasant...?]

II. IS COMMANDMENT-KEEPING A DIFFICULT TASK?

   A. NOT ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT LONGEST...!
      1. Like the apostle John - 1Jn 5:3
      2. I strongly suspect that if you were to ask some of our elderly
         saints, that they would concur with both John and the psalmist
         - Ps 119:129-136

   B. THE HARDEST PART IS DECIDING TO DO IT...!
      1. Laboring over whether to make a decision is often harder than
         carrying it out
      2. For example, keeping commandments given by parents to children
         a. E.g., to clean the room, take out the garbage
         b. The hardest part is making the decision to do it willingly
         c. Once that is done, the "chore" really isn't one!
      3. The same is true with keeping the commandments of God (e.g.,
         baptism)

   C. IT IS MADE EASY FOR US WITH THE HELP OF GOD AND CHRIST...!
      1. God will protect and provide as we try to keep His commandments
         - 1Co 10:13
         a. Protect you from what you are unable to overcome
         b. Provide you with ways of escape for that which you do face
      2. Yes, we are not alone as we try to keep the commandments of God
         - Php 2:12-13; 4:13
      3. Even if forsaken by all others in times of greatest need, God
         is still there! - 2Ti 4:16-18

CONCLUSION

1. But such blessings, and such assurance of faith, comes only to those
   who like Paul live as though "keeping the commandments of God is what
   matters"!

2. How important is keeping the commandments of God...?
   a. It is essential to receiving mercy from God - Ps 103:15-18; Mt 7:
      21-23
   b. It is essential to receiving the love and the abiding presence of
      God - Jn 14:21,23
   c. It is essential to having our prayers answered - 1Jn 3:22

Dear friends and brethren, are you keeping the commandments of God?
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