Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
“Heartless”
Have a Heart
“Black-hearted”
“Hearts of Gold”
“Brave Hearted”
“Brokenhearted”
“Heart to heart”
“My heart’s just not in it”
“Heartaches”
“With all our hearts”
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
- So first is our Heart
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”
how WE feel toward God
“As the deer pants for water so my soul pants for You.” Psalm 42:1
“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2
“I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” Psalm 143:6
“I REMEMBER the days of long ago; I MEDITATE on all your works and CONSIDER what your hands have done.” Psalm 143:5
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
In our prayers, we need to learn to deliberately set aside time to come into God’s presence – not asking favors – but bringing the gift of grateful heart. That’s what it means to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts.
- Second is our Soul
“… I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing…” 2 Samuel 24:24
“A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”
III. Third is our Strength
When I love with all of my heart (that’s my emotions) that kind of love leads me to love God with all of my soul – to make an emotional commitment to please God.
AND if I love God with all of my heart… and all my soul… then I will be lead to want to love Him with all of my Strength.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“…whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17
“Slaves (employees) obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.”
Ephesians 6:5-6
- Lastly is Mind
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”
“Teacher (he says) what’s the greatest commandment in the Law?”
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength” (Deuteronomy 6)
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18)
“When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘you are not far from the kingdom of God…’” Mark 12:34
This was a God who wasn’t impressed with people who just wanted to know God’s word, but rather a God who wanted His people to love Him passionately.
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…” Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Who are you going to love?
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