- Jesus is questioned about the most important commandment, and replies that the greatest is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. All of God's law and prophets are based on these two commandments. - Loving others is a sign that we love God, as God loved us first. Anyone who says they love God but hates other Christians is a liar. We cannot love God whom we cannot see if we do not love others we can see.

2. Matthew 22:34-40Matthew 22:34-40 - But when- But when
the Pharisees heard that he hadthe Pharisees heard that he had
silenced the Sadducees withsilenced the Sadducees with
his reply, they met together tohis reply, they met together to
question him again.question him again. 3535
One ofOne of
them, an expert in religious law,them, an expert in religious law,
tried to trap him with thistried to trap him with this
question:question:

3. 3636
“Teacher, which is the most“Teacher, which is the most
important commandment in theimportant commandment in the
law of Moses?”law of Moses?” 3737
Jesus replied,Jesus replied,
“‘You must love the Lord your“‘You must love the Lord your
God with all your heart, all yourGod with all your heart, all your
soul, and all your mind.’soul, and all your mind.’ 3838
ThisThis
is the first and greatestis the first and greatest
commandment.commandment.

4. 3939
A second isA second is equallyequally important:important:
‘‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’Love your neighbor as yourself.’

5. 4040
The entire law and all theThe entire law and all the
demands of the prophets are baseddemands of the prophets are based
on these two commandments.on these two commandments.““ NLTNLT

6. 1 John 4:191 John 4:19 - We love each other- We love each other
because he loved us first.because he loved us first. NLTNLT

7. 1 John 4:201 John 4:20 - If someone says,- If someone says,
“I love God,” but hates a“I love God,” but hates a
Christian brother or sister, thatChristian brother or sister, that
person is a liar;person is a liar;

8. for if we don’t love people wefor if we don’t love people we
can see, how can we love God,can see, how can we love God,
whom we have not seen?whom we have not seen? NLTNLT

9. Agape love requiresAgape love requires
dependence upon Goddependence upon God

10. JOYJOY

11. JYOJYO

12. 1 Timothy 4:71 Timothy 4:7 – ..., discipline– ..., discipline
yourself for the purpose ofyourself for the purpose of
godliness;godliness; NASBNASB

13. 1 Corinthians 9:24-271 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Do you– Do you
not know that those who run innot know that those who run in
a race all run, but only onea race all run, but only one
receives the prize? Run in suchreceives the prize? Run in such
a way that you may win.a way that you may win.

14. 2525
Everyone who competes inEveryone who competes in
the games exercises self-the games exercises self-
control in all things. They thencontrol in all things. They then
do it to receive a perishabledo it to receive a perishable
wreath, but we an imperishable.wreath, but we an imperishable.

15. 2626
Therefore I run in such a way,Therefore I run in such a way,
as not without aim; I box inas not without aim; I box in
such a way, as not beating thesuch a way, as not beating the
air;air; 2727
but I discipline my bodybut I discipline my body
and make it my slave, so that,and make it my slave, so that,
after I have preached to others,after I have preached to others,
I myself will not be disqualified.I myself will not be disqualified.
NASBNASB

16. ReligionReligion

DisciplineDiscipline

FleshFlesh
RelationshipRelationship

DependenceDependence

SpiritSpirit
VS.VS.
Copyright, Michael F. Sabo
What Is Your Focus?What Is Your Focus?

17. DisciplineDiscipline
in thein the FleshFlesh

18. DependenceDependence
on theon the SpiritSpirit

19. Discipline that grows outDiscipline that grows out
of beingof being
Fully KnownFully Known
andand
Fully LovedFully Loved..

20. John 15:5John 15:5 – without me you can– without me you can
do nothingdo nothing NLTNLT

21. Applying theApplying the
SecondSecond
Great CommandmentGreat Commandment

22. If people could read your mindIf people could read your mind
would they conclude that youwould they conclude that you
love Christians here atlove Christians here at
Black Forest Chapel?Black Forest Chapel?

23. 1 John 4:201 John 4:20 - If someone says,- If someone says,
“I love God,” but hates a“I love God,” but hates a
Christian brother or sister,Christian brother or sister, thatthat
person is a liarperson is a liar; for if we don’t; for if we don’t
love people we can see, howlove people we can see, how
can we love God, whom wecan we love God, whom we
have not seen?have not seen? NLTNLT

24. Humble yourselfHumble yourself
and show yourand show your
Love for GodLove for God
by being reconciled withby being reconciled with
your brother or sisteryour brother or sister
in Christ.in Christ.