Milk & Meat John 4:31-34 June 12, 2005 Milk = the Good News is that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ took away the curse of the law. Hebrews 6:1-3 Implies that milk is the basic Gospel message. 1 Peter 2:2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Meat = the Good News continues that although Jesus Christ took away the curse of the law, He did not take away the blessings associated with obedience to God's commands. Meat is not some deeper understanding of the Scriptures only available to some priestly cast or select few who have the time to spend years studying out the "mysteries." This is one of the ways cults get started. Meat is for everyone. God is no respecter of persons. Meat is obeying God's commands John 4:31-41 Meat is obeying God's commands. Obeying God's commands leads to blessings Leviticus 26:3-5 Obedience to God's commands is rewarded by blessings. Matthew 5:19 Our standing in Heaven will be proportional to our obedience of Him here on earth. Matthew 7:24-27 Obedience to God's commands is rewarded by blessings. Hebrews 6:10-12 God will not forget our obedience to Him. I John 2:3-6 Those who know God keep his commandments. Obedience to God's commands is rewarded by blessings. I John 3:22-24 Obedience to God's commands is rewarded by answered prayer and other blessings. Revelation 22:14 Obedience to God's commands is rewarded by blessings. What does God expect us to do? Hebrews 5:12-14 Milk is for babes in Christ, meat is for the mature. God expects us to become mature. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 Milk is for babes in Christ, meat is for the mature. God expects us to become mature. Ephesians 4:11-32 A purpose of the Church is to help us attain complete maturity. Put on the new man in righteousness and true holiness. Sin no more. Love your neighbor. Romans 12:1-2 God expects us to obey him completely. Obedience begins in the mind. Those who truly love God obey him John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments…" John 14:21 Those who love God obey Him. Obedience to God's commands is rewarded by blessings. John 14:23 Those who love God obey Him. Obedience to God's commands is rewarded by blessings. Hebrews 11:1-40 Faith is demonstrated in actions that are pleasing to God. I John 5:2-3 Those that love God's children obey Him. His commandments are not too difficult. II John 1:6 Loving God is obeying God. How can we obey Him? Hebrews 5:8-11 Jesus knows by personal experience what it takes to be obedient. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Obedience not built on faith in Jesus Christ is dead works and a waste of time. John 6:26-29 Meat (obeying God's commands) is not by our will, but a gift from God. How do we know which commands to obey? Are we supposed to sacrifice animals and worship in the temple? Are we not supposed to eat pork? Come back tonight for Part II - Grace & Law.