FULL SERVICE: See SERMON ONLY below
SERMON ONLY:
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Questions Sermon 33: Love, the Ultimate Testimony of a Christian
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 22:34-40)
- These two passages of Scripture (Matt. 7:12 & Matt. 22:34-40) are linked by Jesus proclaiming they fulfil the Law & the Prophets (Our OT). In Matthew 7, Jesus is talking about the second tablet of the Law (loving the neighbour). Why must our love for God be first? Also, if I love the Lord with “all” my mind, heart, soul, would there not be nothing left for others? How does that work?
- I said that the most important things for us to understand this single passage rightly have to do with the word “therefore” and that “this is the Law & the Prophets. A huge statement! But we are just talking about the therefore. I said it points to the context of three things: One, in the light of who God is as our Father. Second, we can only do this because of His Grace toward and through us. Lastly, the “therefore” actually is a conclusion: that our supreme testimony is love. Why is context so important in this verse?
- So, if we are laying out the essence of this passage it would entail 6 elements:
Do to others all that I have said to you.
Do it first.
Do it without stopping.
This is – God’s Reign in the heart.
This is – The Kingdom lived out loud, long, and deep.
This is – The Righteousness that surpasses the righteousness of legalistic boundaries.
These elements are the laying out of the verse, “In everything, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” What does that mean in your relationships at home, work and church?
- In practice, this verse encourages us to ask the question, “How do you want people to see you, or think about you, or act towards you, or feel towards you or deal with you?” Jesus said, treat them like that first. And always. Does this not feel impossible? But, why can the Christian do it? And what happens when we fail to do it?
- Warren Wiersbe’s quote is excellent, and sobering – “Practicing the Golden Rule means paying a price. If we want God’s best for ourselves and others, but others resist God’s will, then they Will oppose us.” “We are salt, and salt stings the open wound.” “We are light, and light exposes dirt.” What other verses in this Sermon of the Mount emphasize this?
- Romans 13:8 tells me that we owe one another something. What is it? How are you going to obey that today?
