The Greatest Command But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:34-40)

The Greatest Command A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:13)

Objects of Our Love God – Matt. 22:37  How Do I Test My Love For God?  We like to hear from those we love!  How much do we read and study God’s Word?  We like to talk to those we love.  How often do we talk to God in prayer?  Do we keep His commandments? For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

Objects of Our Love Jesus – 1 Cor. 16:22  How Do I Test My Love For Jesus?  We like to be with those we love!  How often do we assemble (Matt. 18:20)?  Do we keep His commandments? If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14:15) If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

Objects of Our Love The Brethren – Jn. 13:34-35  How Do I Test My Love For My Brethren?  Do I Forgive Them (Eph. 4:32)?  Do I help them in time of need (Jas. 2:14-17)?  Am I longsuffering with them (1 Cor. 13:4)?  Is my love genuine, sincere (1 Pet. 1:22)?  Do I think good of them (1 Cor. 13:5)?  Cannot hate brother and love God (1 Jn. 4:20-21).

Objects of Our Love My Neighbor – Matt. 22:39  Who Is My Neighbor (Lk. 10:29)?  Anyone I can help: “Go and do likewise.”  Love does no ill to a neighbor (Rom. 13:10).  Always seek his good: physical or spiritual.

Objects of Our Love My Enemies – Matt. 5:44  Do good to your enemy: Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:20-21)  God did good for us: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

Misconceptions of Love Love nullifies strict obedience  Learned from denominationalist, not the Bible:  False implications:  Those who teach strict obedience = Pharisees.  Spirit of Christ preaching means speaking more on mercy and less on obedience.  Saved by Mercy & Obedience (Eph. 2:8; Heb. 5:9) as well as faith, hope, grace…  Pharisees condemned for going beyond God’s law, not for keeping it (Mk. 7:7-9; Matt. 23:23).  Obedience = Proof of love (1 Jn. 5:3; Jn. 14:15).

Misconceptions of Love Love will not chastise or discipline  Sometimes preachers & elders accused of lacking love because they rebuke and chasten.  True love necessitates discipline (Heb. 12:6; Prov. 13:24).  “Reprove, Rebuke, and exhort…” (2 Tim. 4:1-3).  “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).  The flatterer & compromiser are the ones who lack true love.

Love Can Be Misplaced Love of self (2 Tim. 3:2)  Selfish, self-pleasing, conceited  Will not deny self and follow Christ Lovers of pleasure  Recreation, boats, hunting, shopping…  What Jesus predicted (Luke 8:14) Love of money (2 Tim. 6:10) Love of the world (2 Tim. 4:10; 1 Jn. 2:15-17) Love preeminence (3 John 9 Love preeminence (3 John 9) Love the praise of men (Jn. 12:42-43)

Conditions of Salvation Hear – Rom. 10:17 Believe – Jn. 8:24 Repent – Lk. 13:3 Confess – Matt. 10:32 Baptized – Mk. 16:16 Salvation