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
- Listen
- Downloads
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)
More in CBC's Mission
February 11, 2018
The Mission of CBC: Proclaiming God's Word (Part 5)January 28, 2018
The Mission of CBC: Proclaiming God's Word (Part 3)January 21, 2018
The Mission of CBC: Proclaiming God's Word (Part 2)