The Greatest Commandment

Introduction.  Read: Matthew 22:34-40.  Note: The first and greatest commandment.  Most of us would not feel comfortable with the idea of being commanded to have to love some one else. We usually like love to be a choice of our own initiative.  But because of the nature of who God is, such a command is not only reasonable but the only rational course available to us.

            Read: Romans 5:6-8.  You see God demonstrated love toward us when we did not deserve it nor could we do anything to merit that love.  That demands the kind of love in return which Matthew 22 commands.

            This morning I’d like for us to remind ourselves some truths about what the law of God calls us to do in return.  We will talk about the love of God towards man, and in return the love of man towards God.  Finally, we will discuss the dangers of misguided love.

I.  The Love of God For Mankind.

A.  God is Love (1 John 4:7-11).

·         Love is a mark of “knowing God.”

·         The love of God has given the opportunity to live.

·         His love preceded our ability to love.

·         This love demands love for others.

B.  Qualities of God’s Love

1.  Merciful (Eph. 2:1-5).

2.  Powerful. 

·         It brings salvation and holiness (Titus 2:11-13).

·         It creates conquerors (Romans 8:37-39).  This is a different kind of motivation than we often see.  According to history, the Carthaginian general Hannibal was motivated by his own father’s hatred to generate his own hatred for Rome.  

II.  The Love of Man Towards God.

1. Must surpass all else (1 John 2:15). “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Note: Things of the world and things in the world.  What does that leave?  Nothing!

Note: If we fail to do so, “the love of the Father is not in us.”

Could mean both…

·         We do not show a godly love.

·         We are not abiding in a condition that avails itself o God’s love.

2. Comes from Thankfulness (Luke 7:42, 47).  The example of the sinful woman forgiven.
3. Is Obedient (John 14:21-24). Note: The one who has, and keeps—loves me.

III.  Love Can Be Misguided.

1. Love of Self (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Note: First on the list and others in some ways tie to this.

Two specific: Of money (divided affections) and of pleasure (sensualism/materialism rather than spiritualism).

1.      Love os self also is tied to: Boasting, pride, disobedience to parents, unthankfulness, unlovingness, etc.

2. Love of Men’s Praise (John 12:42-43).
3. Love of Darkness (John 3:18-21).

Invitation.  “Let us love God…for God is love.”