Anatomy of a Command
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION: Read Gal. 6:10
1. Many in the world and in the church are confused by how the Bible authorizes actions.
2. Because of this confusion many:
1) loose where God has not loosed.
2) bind where God has not bound.
3. God is not pleased by either of these options. Deuteronomy 4:2 is representative of God’s attitude here. see also Proverbs 30:5-6
4. This hour we are going to look at an ANATOMY OF A COMMAND.
5. I hope, in some small way, to give you information on how to avoid…
1) loosing where God has not loosed.
2) binding where God has not bound.
DISCUSSION
I. A COMMAND IS BINDING.
1. OT Principle. Deuteronomy 4:2; 6:1, 2.
2. NT Principle. John 14:15; 1 John 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
II. A COMMAND IS ELABORATED BY ITS IMPLICATIONS.
1. A command to perform a duty implies (for one thing) that one must learn how to perform that duty.
2. Illus. “Write a book on motorcycles.”
1) Must know or learn how to compose.
2) Must know or learn how to employ a writing instrument.
3) Must gather necessary paper and other supplies.
4) Must know or learn something about motorcycles.
III. A COMMAND CAN BE GENERAL OR SPECIFIC.
1. Coffee
1) Buy a can of coffee.
2) Buy a 3lb. can of Folgers coffee.
2. Ark
1) Did God simply say build an ark?
2) Specific design. Gopher wood, etc.
IV. A COMMAND IS ILLUSTRATED BY EXAMPLES.
1. A father teaches his son to “Be Kind.”
2. The son sees the father:
1) help mom with the dishes.
2) comfort the baby when she’s crying.
3) give food to those in need.
3. This son has examples of how the command to “Be Kind” is to be carried out.
4. That son is authorized to be kind in all of those ways, but,
5. He is not limited to those ways.
V. GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47.
1. Implications.
1) It is binding on us today. Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 2:2.
2) We must study. We cannot teach what we have not learned. 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2.
3) “Every creature” does not mean literally “every.”
a. Only those creatures that are able to believe, repent and submit to baptism.
b. This excludes babies and small children.
c. This excludes some mentally retarded.
d. This excludes the beast of the field.
2. Examples of “Go.”
1) Walking. Luke 9:5
2) By ship. Acts 27:1
3) Swimming. 2 Corinthians 11:25
4) By chariot. Acts 8:29-31
5) Carried by the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:39
6) These examples authorize us to go in these ways.
7) These examples do not limit us from going by any expedient way. By car, bus, train, jet, space shuttle, etc.
VI. DO GOOD TO ALL MEN. Gal. 6:10; James 1:27; Matthew 25:34ff; 1 John 3:17-19; 1 Corinthians 9:4-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18
1. Let us note that this was a command to the churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:2).
2. Let us also note that churches are made up of individuals. The letter is addressed from Paul “and all the brethren which are with me.” Paul said, “let US do good.”
3. Implications.
1) For churches.
a. Requires preparedness, i.e., a collection. 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2.
b. Requires purpose to give to those in need.
2) For individuals.
a. Purposing to contribute in the assembly.
b. Purposing to give to individuals.
4. Examples.
1) Churches sending to Judea (Acts 11:27-30; 1 Corinthians 16).
2) Support was sent from a church to an evangelist (Philippians 4:15, 16).
3) An evangelist was sent from one church to another (Acts 11:22ff).
4) Scripture was sent from one church to another (Acts 15:22-31).
5. Let us not make the mistake that these examples and others are the only ways we can do good. Examples authorize but do not exclude.
6. Let those who argue that examples exclude give up their automobiles, trains, jets, etc. in preaching and teaching the gospel.
7. We are authorized to “do good” whether by the church or by the individual using any authorized and expedient means at our disposal.
CONCLUSION:
1. Brethren, we must not…
1) loose where God has not loosed.
2) bind where God has not bound.
2. Doing either of these will cause the work of the church and the Christian to grind to a screeching halt.
3. It will put us in the position of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9