Love the Lord Your God…With All Your Strength

Love the Lord Your God…
With All Your Strength
Mark 12:28-34
Meaning of life?
Jesus asked question..
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

Jesus debating..
31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, .. and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Jesus debating..
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.
Using all your strength..
We’re made to love God
Loving God is the most important thing we do..
2 Tim 3:4 last days men will be.. lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God
1 Cor 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed
God measures our love for Him..
Deut 13:1-3 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

God measures our love for Him..
John 21:15-17 Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me more than these?... Do you love me? Do you love me?”
John 21:17 “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you”

Means we can hardly wait for His return..
2 Tim 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Demonstrating our love..
Rom 5:8 God demonstrates His own love for us in that He gave His own Son ..
Matt 10:37 Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Saying we love Him..
Psalm 18:1 I love you, Lord, my strength
“I love you, Lord. I love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I love you more than anyone or anything in this world. I love you with an imperfect love for I am an imperfect person, but nevertheless I love you, Lord, and I love you with all my strength.”
By acknowledging Him publicly..
“I have decided to follow Jesus”.. No turning back, no turning back
Though none go with me, I still will follow.. No turning back, no turning back
My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus.. No turning back, I’ll follow Him..
By loving His word.. Psalm 119
97 Oh how I love you law! It is my meditation all the day
127 I love your commands more than gold
140 Your promise have been thoroughly tested and your servant loves them
163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law
165 Great peace have those who love your law and nothing can make them stumble
By obeying Him
John 14:15,21 If you love me, keep my commandments. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.
Love the Lord Your God…
With All Your Strength
Mark 12:28-34