​Introduction:
1. This morning we studied Psalm 111 in which emphasis is placed on the fact that "the Lord is to be
praised."
2. The last verse (vs.10) touches on how to be in good standing with the Lord.
a. One requirement is "fearing the Lord" ["the beginning of wisdom"].
b. Another requirement is "doing the Lord's commandments" [those who do so have "a good
understanding"].
3. In our lesson we are studying passages that show how "the Lord blesses those who do His
commandments."
Discussion:
I. "OBEYING THE LORD'S COMMANDMENTS" WAS EMPHASIZED THROUGHOUT THE OLD
TESTAMENT
A. God required His people to obey Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
1. In this passage Solomon revealed "the conclusion of the whole matter."
2. Keeping God's commandments is part of "the whole duty of man."
B. God blessed those who obeyed Him (Deuteronomy 28).
1. In vs.1-2 God promised to bless the Israelites if they would obey Him.
2. He showed in vs.3-14 how abundantly He would bless His people.
C. The Old Testament also revealed the consequences of disobedience.
1. God punished Adam and Eve for disobeying Him (Genesis 3).
2. In Deuteronomy 28:15 God said He would curse the Israelites if they disobeyed Him, and He gave the
details of how He would curse them in vs.16-68.
3. King Saul illustrates the folly of disobeying God (1 Samuel 15:3, 9, 22-23).
II. "OBEYING THE LORD'S COMMANDMENTS" IS ALSO EMPHASIZED THROUGHOUT THE NEW
TESTAMENT
A. The Lord requires His people to obey Him.
1. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus said that doing the Father's will is a requirement for entering the kingdom.
2. In 1 John 5:3 "the love of God" is associated with keeping His commandments.
B. The Lord blesses those who obey Him.
1. By obeying God we can know that we know Him (1 John 2:3, 5).
2. Those who hear and obey the Lord's words will persevere (Matthew 7:24-25).
C. The New Testament also reveals the consequences of disobedience.
1. Those who do not obey the Lord will not persevere (Matthew 7:26-27).
2. Judgment is in store for those who reject the Lord's words (John 12:48).
3. According to 1 John 2:4, those who do not keep God's commandments do not truly know Him.
III. SALVATION INVOLVES OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST'S COMMANDMENTS
A. We learn from Ephesians 2:8 that salvation is a gift that God provides through His grace.
B. However, the Bible also teaches that we must comply with the Lord's instructions to be saved.
1. We learn from Hebrews 5:9 that Christ is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him."
2. According to Romans 6:17-18, we are made free from sin when we obey from the heart the form of
doctrine that has been delivered.
C. A strong warning is given in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 -- those who do not obey the Gospel will be punished
when Jesus returns.
D. A powerful message of encouragement is given to God's faithful servants in Revelation 14:13.
Conclusion:
1. Psalm 111 teaches us about offering praise to the Lord.
2. It also teaches us that "the Lord blesses those who do His commandments."