Two Greatest Commandments

Mark 12:28-34

Introduction

1.      One of my privileges is deciding each week what I will share with you on Sunday morning

2.      Today:  the most important of all God’s commandments

3.      There is perhaps no other part of the Bible to which people give more “lip” service and less “heart” service than these two commandments  

Discussion

1.      Love God

a.       This is love from our whole being, heart, soul, mind, strength  

b.      It includes affection for His word – Psalm 119:97-104  

c.       It includes affection for His commandments – 1 John 5:3  

d.      It includes affection for His Son – 2 Cor 5:14  

e.       It includes affection for His church – Eph 5:25 – we should love the church because Jesus died for the church  

f.       It includes a desire to worship Him – John 4:23  

g.       It includes everything about Him – Oprah changed her thinking about God when she learned that He is a jealous god – people make their own gods when they reject the God of the Bible  

h.      If I can reject God because there is something about Him that I do not like, then I can reject my neighbor if there is something about him that I do not like  

2.      Love your neighbor

a.       The parable of the Good Samaritan – the question is not “Who is my neighbor?” but, “To whom should I be a neighbor?” – Answer:  the person who is in need  

b.      Love:  active good-will toward a person who is in need

                                                            i.      For example:  food or clothing - James 2:15-16

                                                          ii.      The Macedonian call – Acts 16:9-10

                                                        iii.      First century Christians had no New Testament yet they made known the gospel – we have the privilege of reading the story with our neighbors, family and friends – we need to fill Torrington with small groups of people who are reading together the story of Jesus  

c.       What happens when our love is not returned? – the command is not to love your neighbor who loves you  

d.      Love is the distinguishing characteristic of a disciple of Jesus – John 13:34-35  

Conclusion

1.       You do not have the option of deciding what kind of God you will love

2.      You do not have the option of deciding what kind of neighbor you will love

3.      Heaven is for those who keep God’s commands – John 14:15

4.      Mark 16:15-16