1. Matthew 22:34-40 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

2. 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:34-40

3. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40

4. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40

5. God’s Plan: The Big Picture God’s Plan: First-Order Approximation ()

6. Point 1 The Bible is the inspired word of God. Rudy Brooks II Tim 3:16-17 II Peter 1:20-21 I Thess 2:13

7. Point 2 The Old Testament: Obeying God’s Laws The ten commandments (Deuteronomy 5:7-21) You shall have no other gods before me You shall not make for yourself an idol You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy Honor your father and your mother You shall not murder You shall not commit adultery You shall not steal You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, house, land …

8. Taking care of the poor among the Israelites (Deuteronomy 15:1-11) Freely lend them whatever they need Do not charge them any interest (Deut 23:19-20) Cancel debts at the end of every seven years Handling a rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) Take him to the elders All the men of the town shall stone him to death

9. Sin: The Israelites could not keep God’s laws. Saul, David, Solomon, Judah, … could not even keep the basic ten commandments Sin Offerings: Multiple offerings of sacrifices for specific and unknown sins of the Israelites

10. Point 3 The New Testament: Love (+ Grace) The love for God and our brother/neighbor/enemy Matt 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.‘ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

11. Paul (Rom: 13:9): The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Peter (I Peter 1:22): Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. John (I John 4:20-21): If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

12. James (James: 1:12): Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13. Is loving God and our brothers/neighbors all we have to do? What about the “thou shall”s and the “thou shall not”s ? What about the examples and teachings of the apostles given through the inspired Word ?

14. Implications of Our Love I John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome II John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. I John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

15. Sin: Christians do not exhibit love as completely as they have been instructed Sacrifice of His Son: Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection provides immediate and permanent forgiveness for the penitent God’s Grace:

16. our accumulated love “actions” God’s Grace Heaven Our Lifetime our accumulated love “actions” God’s Grace Heaven Our Lifetime Love + Grace = Eternity with God

17. God’s Plan for Christians His plan is simple.  Become a Christian Hear, Believe, Confess, Repent, Baptize  Love God & our brothers/neighbors Live a life motivated by this love (study His Word to know His commands/teachings) Grace covers our shortcomings We make it difficult or complicated  Focus on self  Focus on difficult, non-specified points

18. Application to Hardin Valley Church We are to keep God’s stated commands and teachings In areas not definitive, God’s expectation is that whatever we do, we do out of love for Him and for each other