1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3 Burdensome, heavy, Distressing, unreasonable

“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Matt. 23:4  Commandments of the Pharisees  They did not even observe them

I. Many have thought God’s Commands Were Grievous  People in Noah’s Day  Naaman the leper  Israelites~  Take the land  Death of Korah  Rich young Ruler  King Agrippa  Felix

II. Why some think the Commands of God are Grievous  They don’t understand them  Isa. 55:8-9  Don’t see any sense in commands  Jer. 10:23  Demand they give up their sins  1 Cor. 6:9-11  They demand 100% perfection  2 Pet. 1:5-7

III. Some Commands that people Today find Grievous Deny Self – Mt. 16:24 Love enemies – Mt.5:44 Worship in Spirit and Truth – Jn.4:24 Assemble Sing Role of Women

III. Some Commands that people Today find Grievous Live a godly life – Gal. 5:19-21 Submit to oversight of elders– Heb.13:7 Control our tongue - Jas. 3:2-12 Love one another – 1 Jn. 4:19-21 “Let brotherly love continue.” “Let brotherly love continue.” Heb.13:1

IV. Why the Commandments of God Are not Grievous 1.Given by God “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Jas. 1:17 NKJV

IV. Why the Commandments of God Are not Grievous 2. Given for our Personal Good “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Tim. 4:8 NKJV

IV. Why the Commandments of God Are not Grievous 3. Help prepare us for Heaven “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14 NKJV

IV. Why the Commandments of God Are not Grievous 4. They are the standard of Judgment “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48

IV. Why the Commandments of God Are not Grievous 5. They are the Words of Life “But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68 NKJV

1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3 Obedience is the only proof of love

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” 24 “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

“Were we perfect, we should not find them commands at all, for they would be our natural impulses. The more sincerely we love God, the more enjoyment we shall desire from obeying him.”

1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning Mar. 16, 2008