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The Great Commandment (Matt. 22:34-40) January 27, 2019


If someone asked you what's the main purpose of the Bible what would you say?

The Sadducces read the Bible for knowledge but they had a missing link.

The purpose of Scripture is to make us more like Jesus.

The purpose of Scripture isn't just to know things, but to be transformed, to be more like Jesus.

                        34But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 

The Pharisees saw Jesus shut down the Sadducces in our scripture passage last week.  
Pharisees had 631 commandments they followed and they were all ranked in order of importance!
We don't rank Scripture but we do talk a lot about who's the greatest athlete, sports team, etc...
But, there's always someone else who has a different opinion who thinks differently than you.
So, what's the most important thing?

You were created to love God. = The most important thing.

                        37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 

Notice there's a list here: heart, soul and mind.  This is to say we are to love God with all we are.   The central point here is to give all to God, all we are.  This isn't a new command for us.  Do you love God with all you are? Loving God with all you are is of the greatest importance.

All religions are based on a set of rules to make God happy, but Christianity is based on love.  God demonstrated His love for us and He calls us to love Him.

What's it mean for something to be first in your life?  
Children know this well.  We have a longing to be first place.

What is of central importance?  To love God.

How do we know we love God?

You are most like Jesus when you love other people.

                        39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Summary of The Bible: Love God and Love People.

Love your neighbor as yourself.  We generally think of neglecting ourselves and putting others first, but here, He says, "as yourself."  Self-Care is important!

The reason we need worship is for ourselves.  We need to nourish our souls so we can do what we are called to do.  Nobody else will care for your soul.  It's your own responsibility.

Luke 10 - When a lawyer heard this message he comes to Jesus and asks what must he do to have eternal life.  Jesus answered him as was written in the law to love God and your neighbor as yourself.  

"Who is my neighbor?" the lawyer asked.

Jesus answered his question with a story:  The Good Samaritan

Which one was his neighbor of those who passed by?  Answer: The one who crossed over the boundaries.  

We all have people we don't love.  You know how I know this?  There are some people you don't even know yet, so they aren't loved.  

Get to know people, love them and share the Gospel with them.

Love means crossing boundaries.
Love God and Love Others.
Do you love God?

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