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The Mission of CBC: Proclaiming God's Word (Part 4)

February 4, 2018 Speaker: Michael Knight Series: CBC's Mission

Topic: CBC's Mission Passage: Matthew 22:34–40

This part of the CBC mission focuses on the greatest commandment, to love God, and the second greatest commandment, to love one another.

The Question of the Great Commandment

  • The man asking the question in this passage was a lawyer or scribe—very educated, an expert in the Law, and skilled in debate.
  • It was asked respectfully. (Mark 12:28, 34)
  • It was asked in an attempt to expose Jesus as an apostate.
  • It was a legitimate question.
    - Jesus didn’t rebuke him. He answered it.

The Answer of the Great Commandment

  • Jesus quoted from the Pentateuch.
    - Written by Moses (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
  • Jesus quoted from the Shema.
    - The Shema is the Jewish confession of faith.
    - It was the most familiar, quoted Scripture in Judaism in Christ’s day. It was recited twice a day.
  • Jesus summed up the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments).
    - The first four are God-relational commandments.
    - The last six deal with our interaction with others.
    * It’s all about loving God & then loving others.

The Meaning of the Great Commandment

  • Love God with every part of your being.
    - It’s unconditional; it’s an act of committed love; we are to love God supremely.
  • Love others as you love yourself.
    - It’s the same “love” as the love for God. (Ephesians 5;29 - no one ever hated himself; Philippians 2:4)
    - Get your eyes off of your circumstances and focus on God.

The Application of the Great Commandment

  • How can I love God?
    - By understanding & accepting His gift of love, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:8)
    - When God saves you, He changes your “wanter.” (1 John 4:7)
    - The only way to love God is to know the God of love.
  • How do you know if you know/love God?
    - You keep His commandments.
    (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 John 2:3-5, 3:7)
    • Am I committed to keeping His commandments? Am I living for God?
    - Do you love others? (John 13: 35; 1 John 4:13)