Becoming a Stronger Disciple

(Mark 12:28-34) One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.  Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  “Well said, Teacher,” the man replied.  “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but Him.  To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask Him any more questions.

 

WHY A DISCIPLE LOVES

 

A profound love for God is the most important thing in my life.

 

 

1.         God is LOVEABLE

 

            A.            God is a worthy recipient of my love.

 

            B.            God is a loveable Person.

 

                        1)            He has the original personality:

 

(Genesis 2:27) God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 

 

                        2)            God has an emotional personality.

 

                        3)            God has a reasonable personality.

 

(Isaiah 1:18) “Come, let us reason together.”

 

                        4)            God has a loving personality.

 

(Jeremiah 31:3) “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

 

(John 3:16) God so loved the world. 

 

(Romans 5:8) God demonstrates His own love for us.

 

(1 John 3:1) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us.

 

 

2.         I am CAPABLE

 

            A.            It is possible for me to profoundly love God.

 

(Romans 8:5, 7, 8) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires;... The sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 

 

            B.            It is profitable for me to profoundly love God.

 

(Matthew 6:33) “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

 

 

3.         Life is CHANGEABLE

 

            A.            The more I fall in love with God, the more my life changes.

 

            B.            As I learn to love God:

 

·         I begin to live life, and live it to the fullest (John 10:10)

·         I begin to cheer up knowing that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

·         I begin to let the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)

·         I begin to cast all my anxiety on Him because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)

·         I become able to do everything through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)