Go! And Obey Jesus’ Commands
Introduction:
Jesus said in John 14:15 (NLT), "If you love me, obey my commandments." His commands are not burdensome but life-giving, guiding us to live in alignment with God’s will. Today, we will explore ten key commands of Jesus and how they shape our daily walk of faith.
1. Love Unconditionally
Matthew 5:44 (NLT) - "But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!"
Jesus calls us to a radical kind of love that goes beyond human inclination. The Greek word agape refers to a selfless, unconditional love that mirrors God’s love for us.
1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) - "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
Are we loving others—even our enemies—the way Christ loves us? True Christian love is not based on emotions but on obedience to God’s command.
Imagine a parent loving a rebellious child despite their actions. That’s the kind of love Jesus commands us to have.
"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." – C.S. Lewis
2. Disciple Personally
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT) - "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you."
Jesus didn’t just call pastors to disciple—He called all believers. The Greek word mathetes means learner or follower. Making disciples is an ongoing process of teaching and mentoring others in their faith.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT) - "You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others."
Who are you discipling outside your family? True discipleship is intentional and relational.
"Discipleship is not an option. Jesus says that if anyone would come after me, he must follow me." – Tim Keller
3. Rejoice Irrationally
Philippians 4:4 (NLT) - "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!"
Joy in trials seems irrational, but Jesus teaches that our joy comes from God, not circumstances.
James 1:2-3 (NLT) - "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."
Do we rejoice in hardships, trusting that God is working all things for our good?
Paul and Silas worshipping in prison (Acts 16:25) exemplifies rejoicing irrationally.
"Joy is the serious business of heaven." – C.S. Lewis
4. Abide Dependently
John 15:5 (NLT) - "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
Jesus commands us to abide in Him, fully dependent on His strength. The Greek word meno means to remain or dwell.
Psalm 46:10 (NLT) - "Be still, and know that I am God!"
Are we resting in Christ’s finished work or striving in our own strength?
"The closer you walk with God, the less room for anything to come between." – A.W. Tozer
5. Repent Humbly
Matthew 4:17 (NLT) - "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."
Repentance isn’t just regret but a complete turning to God. The Greek word metanoia means a change of mind leading to transformation.
1 John 1:9 (NLT) - "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."
Do we quickly repent, or do we justify our sins?
"True repentance is not just a change of mind; it’s a change of heart that leads to a change of action." – John MacArthur
6. Pray Unceasingly
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) - "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Jesus commands us to have a continuous, personal conversation with God.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT) - "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."
Is our prayer life sporadic and ritualistic, or constant and heartfelt?
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." – Martin Luther
7. Forgive Frequently
Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT) - "Then Peter came to him and asked, 'Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?' 'No, not seven times,' Jesus replied, 'but seventy times seven!'"
Jesus commands us to forgive as we have been forgiven. The Greek word aphesis means to release or let go completely, just as God releases us from the debt of our sins.
Colossians 3:13 (NLT) - "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."
Do we hold grudges, or do we freely forgive as Jesus does? Forgiveness is not about excusing sin but about releasing the burden of bitterness.
Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, forgave her Nazi captors. She said, "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."
"Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies." – Anne Lamott
8. Serve Compassionately
Mark 10:45 (NLT) - "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Jesus redefined greatness as servanthood. The Greek word diakoneo means to wait on or minister to others.
Galatians 5:13 (NLT) - "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."
Do we serve only when convenient, or do we seek out those in need, even beyond our usual circles?
Mother Teresa served the poor and sick in Calcutta because she saw Christ in the least of these.
"The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves." – D.L. Moody
9. Give Generously
Luke 6:38 (NLT) - "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
Jesus teaches that giving reflects the heart of God. The Greek word doreo means to grant freely.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT) - "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.'"
Is our giving sacrificial or merely surplus? Do we trust God’s economy over the world’s economy?
The widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-44 showed how giving from the heart matters more than the amount.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill
10. Die Daily
Luke 9:23 (NLT) - "Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'"
Following Jesus requires daily surrender. The Greek word aparnesastho means to utterly deny oneself.
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) - "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
What are we still holding back from Jesus? True discipleship means surrendering our desires to His will.
Jim Elliot, the missionary martyred for the gospel, famously said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
"Jesus is not interested in halfhearted followers. He wants your whole life." – Francis Chan
Conclusion & Call to Action
Jesus’ commands are not optional—they define what it means to be His disciple. Today, we have examined ten key commands. Are we willing to obey them wholeheartedly?
Love Unconditionally
Disciple Personally
Rejoice Irrationally
Abide Dependently
Repent Humbly
Pray Unceasingly
Forgive Frequently
Serve Compassionately
Give Generously
Die Daily
Jesus calls us to Go! And Obey!
Invitation to Faith:
If you have never fully surrendered to Jesus, today is the day. He invites you to experience His love, grace, and salvation.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) says, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Will you choose to obey His call today? Surrender your heart and follow Him!
May God bless us as we go forth and obey His commands!
