series artseries art

Am I Becoming a Person of Love?

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” MATTHEW 22:34-40 NLT

AM I BECOMING A PERSON OF LOVE?

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. DEUTERONOMY 6:4-6 NLT

“‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight. 14 “‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord. 15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. 16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord. 17 “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. 18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. LEVITICUS 19:13-18 NIV

“Loving people well is the defining characteristic of a mature Christian.” Pete Scazerro

MY LOVE FOR GOD IS PROVEN BY MY OBEDIENCE TO HIM

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. PSALM 86:11-13 NIV

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. JOHN 14:23-24 NIV

MY LOVE FOR MY NEIGHBOR IS PROVEN BY SACRIFICIALLY SERVING THEM

Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. 2 JOHN 1:6 NLT

We love because He first loved us. 1 JOHN 4:19 NIV

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: How does the world define love?
  2. START HERE: Who do you know that genuinely loves people well? What about them makes that notable?
  3. START HERE: Describe what it might look like when someone is becoming a more mature follower of Jesus.
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 22:34-40 NLT. Why do you think Jesus reduces everything down to love? What does that tell you about what matters to God?
  5. KEEP GOING: Jesus says loving God and loving people are inseparable. Why do those two commands belong together?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Deuteronomy 6:4-6 NLT. In an ordinary week, what does it look like for you to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read Psalm 86:11-13 NIV. What are some everyday things that compete for your attention or devotion to God?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read Leviticus 19:13-18 NIV. In what ways do your words or actions not align with the kind of love God calls us to show?
  9. KEEP GOING: Read 2 John 1:6 NLT. What makes it difficult for you to show love to someone? What might you need to confess or let go of in order to love them as you love yourself?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Read John 14:23-24 NIV. How might God be inviting you to move from being careful to intentionally obeying Him?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: Ask God to show you one “neighbor” you could notice, serve, or care for this week. What’s a practical way you can do that?