Life Principles For Living Out the Greatest Commandment

It began with a question. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record that one day, as Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He was approached by a Scribe, who asked Him which commandment was the greatest. You might think his question was a simple one; however, there were over 600 written and oral laws that the people of Israel were required to keep, if they wanted to be right with God. Yet, Jesus was quick to respond; “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Jesus took all of the laws–everything that the religion of the day required–and summarized them into two: Love God and love your neighbour. Jesus doesn’t tell us to love God with some of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, but with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.” These 4 words encompass our entire being–all that we are. And the great thing is, when we truly love God this way–with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength–and when we seek to love our neighbour as ourselves; we fulfill all the commandments–everything that God calls us to do.

This is our greatest priority in life and nothing we do is more important than loving God and neighbour. This five-week series will look at principles that can help us to live this commandment out more fully in our everyday lives.

SERMONS

Sermon: Loving God With All Our Heart

Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering

Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Handout: Heart.HO