The Pharisees questioned Jesus about the most important commandment in the law of Moses. Jesus replied that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This encompasses loving God with your entire being, not just parts of yourself. Loving God in this way is identified as the most important commandment.

1. Matthew 22:34-38Matthew 22:34-38

2. Matthew 22:34-38Matthew 22:34-38 - But when the- But when the
Pharisees heard that he had silencedPharisees heard that he had silenced
the Sadducees with his reply, they metthe Sadducees with his reply, they met
together to question him again.together to question him again.

3. 3535
One of them, an expert in religiousOne of them, an expert in religious
law, tried to trap him with thislaw, tried to trap him with this
question:question: 3636
“Teacher, which is the“Teacher, which is the
most important commandment in themost important commandment in the
law of Moses?”law of Moses?”

4. 3737
Jesus replied,Jesus replied, “‘You must love the“‘You must love the
Lord your God with all your heart, allLord your God with all your heart, all
your soul, and all your mind.’your soul, and all your mind.’3838
This isThis is
the first and greatest commandment.the first and greatest commandment.
NLTNLT

5. PhariseesPharisees
Prominent religious party whoProminent religious party who
prided themselves on theirprided themselves on their
strictstrict outwardoutward following offollowing of
God's law.God's law.

6. SadduceesSadducees
Jewish political and religiousJewish political and religious
party who didn't believe in theparty who didn't believe in the
resurrection.resurrection.

7. LoveLove
(agape)(agape)
The Divine loveThe Divine love
defined in 1 Corinthians 13.defined in 1 Corinthians 13.

8. ShemaShema
(Hear – Deut. 6:4-9)(Hear – Deut. 6:4-9)
The foundational statementThe foundational statement
of Jewish law.of Jewish law.

9. TheThe WholeWhole PersonPerson
Not PartsNot Parts

10. The Love of GodThe Love of God
Bernard of Clairvaux

11. First Degree of LoveFirst Degree of Love
Love of SelfLove of Self forfor Self’sSelf’s SakeSake

12. 2 Tim 3:1-22 Tim 3:1-2 - You should know this,- You should know this,
Timothy, that in the last days there willTimothy, that in the last days there will
be very difficult times.be very difficult times. 22
For people willFor people will
love only themselveslove only themselves and their money.and their money.

13. They will be boastful and proud,They will be boastful and proud,
scoffing at God, disobedient to theirscoffing at God, disobedient to their
parents, and ungrateful. They willparents, and ungrateful. They will
consider nothing sacred.consider nothing sacred. NLTNLT

14. Second Degree of LoveSecond Degree of Love
Love of GodLove of God forfor Self’sSelf’s SakeSake

15. Psalm 116:1Psalm 116:1 - I love the Lord- I love the Lord becausebecause
he hears my voice and my prayer forhe hears my voice and my prayer for
mercy.mercy. NLTNLT

16. Love of SelfLove of Self forfor Self’sSelf’s SakeSake
Love of GodLove of God forfor Self’sSelf’s SakeSake

17. Third Degree of LoveThird Degree of Love
Love of GodLove of God forfor God’sGod’s SakeSake

18. Psalm 34:8Psalm 34:8 - Taste and see that the- Taste and see that the
Lord is good. Oh, the joys of thoseLord is good. Oh, the joys of those
who take refuge in him!who take refuge in him! NLTNLT

19. Psalm 142:5Psalm 142:5 - Then I pray to you, O- Then I pray to you, O
Lord. I say,Lord. I say, “You are my place of“You are my place of
refuge.refuge. You are all I really want in lifeYou are all I really want in life..
NLTNLT

20. Love of SelfLove of Self forfor Self’s SakeSelf’s Sake
Love of GodLove of God forfor Self’s SakeSelf’s Sake
Love of GodLove of God forfor God’s SakeGod’s Sake

21. Fourth Degree of LoveFourth Degree of Love
Love of SelfLove of Self forfor God’sGod’s SakeSake

22. Galatians 2:20 -Galatians 2:20 - My old self has beenMy old self has been
crucified with Christ. It is no longer Icrucified with Christ. It is no longer I
who live, but Christ lives in me. So Iwho live, but Christ lives in me. So I
live in this earthly body by trusting inlive in this earthly body by trusting in
the Son of God, who loved me andthe Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me.gave himself for me. NLTNLT

23. John 14:23-24 -John 14:23-24 - Jesus replied, “AllJesus replied, “All
who love me will do what I say. Mywho love me will do what I say. My
Father will love them, and we willFather will love them, and we will
come and make our home with eachcome and make our home with each
of them.of them.

24. 2424
Anyone who doesn’t love me will notAnyone who doesn’t love me will not
obey me. And remember, my wordsobey me. And remember, my words
are not my own. What I am telling youare not my own. What I am telling you
is from the Father who sent me.is from the Father who sent me. NLTNLT

25. Which of the 4 LovesWhich of the 4 Loves
best representsbest represents
your love for God?your love for God?

26. Love of SelfLove of Self forfor Self’sSelf’s SakeSake
Love of GodLove of God forfor Self’sSelf’s SakeSake
Love of GodLove of God forfor God’sGod’s SakeSake
Love of SelfLove of Self forfor God’sGod’s SakeSake

27. How can you grow more in aHow can you grow more in a
Holistic LoveHolistic Love
for God?for God?

28. Matthew 22:34-38Matthew 22:34-38