“Walking With God Begins in the Heart”
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 | Matthew 22:37–38
Stand with me and hold your Bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I have what it says I have.
I can do what it says I can do.
Today I will be taught the Word of God.
I boldly confess:
My mind is alert.
My heart is receptive.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus’ name—Amen.
ONE STORY, ONE MESSAGE
When we hold the Bible in our hands, we are not holding two books.
We are holding one story in two parts.
The Old Testament is not “God back then” and the New Testament “God now.”
It is the same God, revealing Himself, guiding His people, speaking one unified truth through thousands of years:
“Love Me first.”
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture repeats this theme:
Adam walked with God before sin entered.
Enoch walked with God and was taken.
Noah walked with God when everyone else walked away.
Abraham walked with God by faith, not sight.
Israel walked with God through wilderness and promise.
David walked with God with a heart of worship.
The prophets cried out, “Return to Me!”
The disciples walked with Jesus Himself.
The early church walked with the Holy Spirit.
One message…
Walking with God begins in your heart.
God wants first place, not second.
Love is the foundation of that walk.
I. THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT BEGAN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Turn with me to Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and say, "Amen when you are there.
— The Shema
Moses stands before a nation about to enter the land of promise.
Before they fight a battle, build a home, or raise a family,
God gives them a foundational truth:
“Hear, O Israel… the LORD is one.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”
This was not merely a command —
it was a covenant.
A declaration of identity.
A pledge of loyalty.
The meaning is deep:
Heart (lev) — your mind, will, decisions
God says: “Let Me shape what you think and choose.”
Soul (nephesh) — your breath, your life, your identity
God says: “Let My presence define you.”
Strength (meod) — your resources, energy, wealth
God says: “Let your love show up in how you live and what you give.”
The Shema was recited every morning and evening.
Parents taught it to children.
It was written on doorposts.
It was tied to hands and foreheads.
WHY?
Because everything flows from this truth:
If God does not have your heart, He will not have your life.
II. JESUS CONFIRMS THE SAME TRUTH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Turn to Matthew 22:37–38 and say, "Amen" when you are there.
The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus:
“What is the greatest commandment?”
Jesus does not answer with anything new.
He reaches back 1,500 years to Moses and says:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Jesus is showing us:
The Bible is perfectly united.
The Old and New Testaments preach the same message:
God first.
Love first.
Heart first.
Jesus is not changing the law —
He is revealing the heart behind the law.
III. WHAT DOES “WALKING WITH GOD” MEAN?
Walking with God means:
1. Daily relationship, not occasional contact
God wants to walk with you Monday through Saturday, not just Sunday.
2. Consistent obedience, not convenience
When God is first, obedience is not a burden — it is joy.
3. Loving God more than anything else
More than:
our phones
our comfort
our plans
our emotions
our pride
our distractions
4. Letting God lead your steps, thoughts, and desires
God is not looking for part-time believers
but full-time sons and daughters.
A Christian counselor once said this:
“Most people don’t reject God.
They simply fill their lives so full that God becomes one voice among many.”
A divided heart is not a rebellious heart —
it’s a distracted heart.
And God says:
“I want your full attention.
I want your first love.
I want your whole heart.”
A wealthy young man bought an old home he wanted restored.
He hired an elderly Christian carpenter named Samuel.
Every day, Samuel arrived early, smiling warmly as he set up his tools.
He worked with joy.
He rarely complained.
He sang old hymns while he worked.
One morning, instead of working, Samuel sat quietly on the front porch with his Bible.
The young man noticed and said:
“Samuel, why are you so peaceful?
Why does nothing seem to shake you?”
Samuel closed his Bible and answered:
“Young man, I learned long ago that if God doesn’t have your first hour,
He won’t have your day.
If He doesn’t have your heart,
He won’t have your life.
I start every morning by giving God first place.
Because when God is first, everything else falls where it belongs.”
The young man said,
“He remodeled my house — but God remodeled my priorities.”
VI. APPLICATION: HOW TO PUT GOD FIRST
1. Give God the first part of your day.
5 minutes with God is better than a day without Him.
2. Give God the first part of your decisions.
Ask Him before you act — not after.
3. Give God the first part of your finances.
Tithing isn’t losing — it’s trusting.
4. Give God the first place in your relationships.
Choose people who push you toward God, not away.
5. Give God the first place in your desires.
Let Him shape what you hunger for.
“Today, God is calling some of you back to your first love.
Not to religion.
Not to rules.
But to relationship.”
This is for those who feel distant
those who have been distracted
those who feel their hearts have grown cold
those who want to say,
“Lord, take all of me again.”
“Step out of your seat and come.
This is your moment to put God first again.”
Pray this with me.
“Lord, I return to You with my whole heart.
I lay down my idols, my distractions, and my divided affections.
I surrender fully.
Take first place again.
Make my heart burn with first love.”
Then pray over them:
“Holy Spirit, touch every heart at this altar.
Revive what has grown cold.
Strengthen what has become weak.
Restore what has been lost.
Fill them with fresh fire.
In Jesus’ name… Amen.”
