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All I Have Commanded, Chapter 10
by Dan Bentley and E. Jay O'Keefe
Important Note: The “one-liners” for each command are provided in order to get a quick grasp of the entire category of commands. They can be read at a single sitting, which we recommend doing. But they are not a substitute for the full text, which we suggest you read from the
Scriptures in its full context.
FROM JESUS
MATTHEW
16:24-26 Whoever wishes to become my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.
20:26-28 Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.
JOHN
13:14-15 If I, the Lord, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. Follow my example.
FROM THE APOSTLES
ACTS
4:34-35 Those with a surplus share with those in need that the work may go forward.
6:1-4 Devote yourselves continually to prayer.
6:1-4 Select deacons for personal ministries, so we leaders may give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.
10:34-35 Understand God does not show partiality, but the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.
20:35 Work hard, helping the weak, remembering Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
1 CORINTHIANS
4:16, 11:1 Be imitators of Paul.
12:25, 14:1 Earnestly desire the greater gifts.
14:1-40 Exercise the gifts in an orderly manner, in a way which will result in maximum edification to the congregation.
2 CORINTHIANS
1:4-5 Comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we are comforted by God.
GALATIANS
5:13 Don’t turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
6:10 Do good to all men, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
EPHESIANS
4:11-16 Don’t be as children, tossed about by every wind of doctrine and deceit of men, rather speak the truth in love.
4:28 Don’t steal any more, rather labor to perform what is good, so you can share with those in need.
6:5-8 Employees, be obedient to your employers, as unto Christ, knowing that you will receive back from the Lord.
6:9 Employers, treat well your employees, knowing their Master and yours is in heaven, and He is impartial.
PHILIPPIANS
2:5-11 Have the same mind Christ had when He left heaven, humbled Himself, became a man and died for our sins.
2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, to prove yourselves blameless and innocent children of God.
COL0SSIANS
3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.
4:1 Employers, give your employees justice and fairness, knowing you too have a Master in heaven.
2 THESSALONIANS
3:13 Do not grow weary of doing good.
1 TIMOTHY
3:8-10 Deacons must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not fond of sordid gain.
3:8-10 Deacons must hold the faith with a clear conscience. Let them first be tested, then serve if beyond reproach.
3:11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
3:12-13 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and households.
5:3-7 Honor widows, but if she has children or grandchildren, let them first care for her.
5:8 Whoever has failed to provide for his own family has denied the faith.
5:9-10 To qualify for help, a widow must be 60, the wife of one man, and have devoted herself to every good work.
5:16 If a believing woman has dependent widows, let her assist them.
6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich not to fix their hope on their riches, but on God who gives all things to enjoy.
6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
2 TIMOTHY
2:3-4 Suffer hardship with your fellow believers as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2:3-4 As a soldier of Jesus Christ, don’t entangle yourself in the affairs of everyday life, so you may please Christ.
JAMES
1:26-27 Pure and undefiled religion is to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and keep unstained by the world.
3:13-4:6 Show that you are wise and understanding by performing good deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
1 PETER
4:10 As each has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the grace of God.
4:11 Whoever speaks, speak God’s truth. Whoever serves, serve in God’s strength, that in all, God will be glorified.
1 JOHN
3:16-18 Whoever sees his brother in need and closes his heart to him, how does the love of God abide in him?
3 JOHN
1:5-8 You do well to minister to the brethren, especially strangers, and send them out in a manner worthy of God.
NOTES AND COMMENTS
1 Peter 4:10 is the benchmark of this category, after the words of Jesus directly. The motivation for service is the realization that grace is wonderfully contagious, and it therefore requires a response. Grace dictates a response. Grace received expresses itself in the response to it. Service is the privilege of those affected by abundant grace. How foolish to neglect the gift from God in serving others while attempting to satisfy self. Giving up self and serving satisfies the emotions of God, and is rewarding to the servant now and in the future. Self isolates. Loving the object of your service insures reward for your labors. You know that when you serve, it is really Him you serve. (Dan)
Jesus says to be like Him, who didn’t come to be served, but to serve. If you want to know what being like Jesus is, then serve. Serve your spouse. Serve your boss. Serve your church. Serve especially those who can never return the favor. Keep your eyes open for abundant service. Deacon is, in the church, the office of service. The purpose of the deacon is to allow the apostle and elder to spend time in the Word and prayer. Those in need are to go to him with their problems. Service to widows in your own family is especially emphasized. Denial of self means nothing without replacing that denial with service. (Dan)
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