Through the last few weeks God has been speaking to our church about the value of His Word in our lives. Our challenge is to convince our own generation of the benefits of “keeping His Word”, and to demonstrate a lifestyle that preserves the precepts of Christ Jesus in a practical way.Keeping His Word
Apostle Aje Pelser
Preached at Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town.
Sunday 08h00, 21st May 2006.

Introduction:
Since the ascension of Christ, disciples have faithfully kept His Words, His commandments. Some Christians kept His Word to the point of martyrdom, refusing to renounce their faith in Christ Jesus. Others consecrated their whole lives to the Word of God, writing manuscripts in monasteries, preserving the Word in the Dark Ages. In the age of reformation, people like Martin Luther preserved the New Testament in the language of his people so that they could understand and hear Jesus teachings and believe. In the Modern era, God has raised up mighty preachers and teachers who have published and proclaimed the anointed Word. Never before have so many people heard the Gospel, through the various forms of media, in campaigns, rallies, in churches across the world, in homes and public places. Our challenge is to convince our own generation of the benefits of “keeping His Word”, and to demonstrate a lifestyle that preserves the precepts of Christ Jesus in a practical way.

Scripture Reading:
Notes on the form of the Gospel of John:
(1) There is a prologue, consisting of Jn 1:1-18
(2) There is a series of scenes and discourses from the life of Jesus, descriptive of Himself and His work, and marking the gradual development of faith and unbelief in His hearers and in the nation (1:19 through 12:50).
(3) There is a more detailed account of the closing events of the Passion Week – of His farewell intercourse with His disciples (Jn 13 through 17), of His arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, and burial (Jn 18 through 19).
(4) There are the resurrection, and the manifestations of the risen Lord to His disciples on the resurrection day, and on another occasion eight days after (20:1-29). This is followed by a paragraph which describes the purpose of the Gospel, and the reason why it was written (Joh_20:30, Joh_20:31).
(5) Finally, there is a supplementary chapter (Joh_21:1), which has all the characteristic marks of the Gospel as a whole, and which probably, therefore, proceeds from the same pen

The reading for today is from section 3 – Jesus’ farewell discussions and instructions for His disciples.
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 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.
Joh 14:24 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.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Word Study
This passage encourages us to “have” and to “keep” His “commandments”.

Word for “hath”
G2192
ἔχω
echō
Thayer Definition:
1) to have, i.e. to hold
1a) to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold as
2) to have, i.e. own, possess
2a) external things such as pertain to property or riches or furniture or utensils or goods or food etc.
2b) used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc, of attendance or companionship
3) to hold one’s self or find one’s self so and so, to be in such or such a condition
4) to hold one’s self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to
4a) to be closely joined to a person or a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: including an alternate form scheo, used in certain tenses only), a primary verb

Word for “Keep”:
G5083
τηρέω
tēreō
Thayer Definition:
1) to attend to carefully, take care of
1a) to guard
1b) metaphorically to keep, one in the state in which he is
1c) to observe
1d) to reserve: to undergo something
Part of Speech: verb

The word for “Commandments” is:
G1785
entolē
en-tol-ay'
From G1781; injunction, that is, an authoritative prescription: – commandment, precept.

Thayer Definition:
1) an order, command, charge, precept, injunction
1a) that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office
2) a commandment
2a) a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done
2a1) a precept relating to lineage, of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood
2a2) ethically used of the commandments in the Mosaic law or Jewish tradition

When Jesus says encourages us to have and keep His commandments He implies:
Verb: “to have” Verb: “to keep” “Commandments”
Hold
Wear
Possess
Be involved
Joined: In the sense of marriage; friendship; duty; law; attendance; companionship
Lay hold (of)
Adhere
Cling (Closely) Attend
Take care (of)
Guard
Keep (in a state)
Observe
Reserve
Undergo (something)
Jesus had just given a “new commandment” to love one another – John 13:34

Prescription
Commandment
Precept
Order
Charge (Paul charges Timothy 1Tim 6:13 – G3853 – paragello – transmit message one – another.)

How to keep His Word
There are indeed many ways and methods to keep His Words and commandments that may be explored. Here are a few ways which we are taught from this small passage of Scripture. The Holy Spirit helps us throughout our lifetime on earth, to keep Jesus’ Word alive and working through us. He employs too many means to mention in his short and simple sermon.
The Holy Spirit helps us to “keep His Words”
The good news is that we have the Holy Spirit to help us “have” & “keep” the Word as He reminds of all that Jesus said, that is His role. Holy Spirit teach us to adhere to and guard Jesus’ words in our hearts. John 14:26

God inscribes His laws on our hearts and minds
In addition, God now writes His laws on our hearts and our minds.