Friday, August 11, 2023
Speaker:
Ben Snyder, Lead Pastor
Series Tag:
The paradox of the greatest commandment
Theme Verse to Memorize:
1 John 4:10-11 (NLT)
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other
Key Passage:
Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
"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."
Trap #1: Loving God means doing more for him.
Trap #2: Thinking God loves us the way we love.
We love what "feels good". God loved us when we weren’t good. (Romans 5:8)
We love what has value. God’s love is what makes us valuable. (Psalm 139:17-18)
Bottom Line:
Loving God is OUR RESPONSE to HIS LOVE toward us.
Love is not something God does; it is WHO HE IS.
1 John 4:8-10 (NLT)
...for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
When we SEE his love, we respond by loving God with our:
- HEART—Treasure. What is most important to you? (Matthew 6:21)
- SOUL—Feelings. What is really going on in your life? (Psalm 51:17)
- MIND—Decisions. What next step is God inviting you to take? (John 15:1-8)
Additional Links/Resources:
What is God’s Love like? - The Bible Project
Does God love me? - Craig Groeschel
How do I know God loves me (even when its hard) - Robert Morris
Song Links:
Gone:
King of Kings:
I Am Loved:
Discussion Questions:
Icebreaker: What is your favorite Christian curse word to say when you are frustrated?
Why do you think some people equate loving God with working hard for him?
Read 1 John 4:9-10. What do you learn about God’s love for us in these verses?
What are some ways you can love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, and mind in response to his love (Matthew 22:37-38)?
What is one thing you can do this week to love others as God has loved you (John 15:12)?