Let us pray: Father, coming as humbly as we know how…I have heard your voice speaking to me and Lord I ask that you grant me utterance now to speak your word. Create in your children clean hearts that they may have planted in their soil…seeds this day…that will grow high and bear great fruits. I ask this in the name of your precious son: Jesus. Amen
In the name of Jesus who loves me and who I love; I say to my brothers and sisters this day “God is Good” and “All the time my God is Good” Now, now, now we can say it louder than that church!!!
Maybe just maybe: I’m the only one: in here this day who knows that God will be there.
Maybe: I’m the only one that experienced some trial and tribulations in life.
Maybe: I’m the only one that knows that I can call him in the morning, at noontime, and at the midnight hour.
Maybe: I’m the only one: who knows that him as my bright and your morning star
who knows him as my Lilly in the valley and that he has made a way for me when I thought there was no way. Do you love him??? Huh??
So I say again…as our parents use to say with fire shut up in my bones: In the name of Jesus who loves me and who I love; I say to my brothers and sisters this day “God is Good” and “All the time my God is Good” Give God a handclap of praise….isn’t he worthy…huh?
Our focus text for this morning comes from the second book of the New Testament…a book containing 16 Chapters and 678 verses. Go with me to the gospel of Mark 12: 29 – 31. We will visit several scriptures to day from Mark, John, Matt, 1 and 2 John, Malachi, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, the Psalms, and the book of Hebrews. Again of focus text is Mark 12: 29-31. Now let me set the scene for you of what was happening at the this time in the beginning of Mark 12 prior to our focus text. Mark 12 finds Jesus speeking the parable of the vineyard and the people and they sought to lay hands on Him, but they…the word says that multitude feared, for they knew He (being Jesus) had spoken the parable against them .. in the parable of the vineyard. So they left Him and sent to Him some of the Pharisees and others to catch Him in His words. So they tried to use scripture to trick Jesus. They tried to trick him with the principle of paying taxes to ceasar. After a little bit of discussion Jesus said not being fooled, “Why do you test Me? “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Then they tried to trick him with a riddle of shorts. Dealing with the teachings of Moses and resurrection when a husband dies and leaves a wife with no children. So they try to trick Jesus with a story of seven brothers and one wife. Again after a little bit of discussion Jesus sets the record straight by answering in part to them, 27He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
Which brings us to our text. I am reading from the King James version as you are hearing the words being spoken.
29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
I came here this day to ask a question? Do you love our heavenly father…do you love him…do you love God? Lets go to school this day and ask ourselves this question. I remember as a child I would play the word game that my dad is better than your dad. Y’all remember. It didn’t take much to start it but it would go back and forth between children then and still today. My dad is better than your dad..nu uh..my dad is better than yours…well my dada is taller…mine is larger…mine is smarter…and the list goes on and on. Now why did I engage in this argument of who’s father was best? In part, because of my love for my father….and that love was so profound that even the mention that someone else’s father was equal or better would start a war. When was the last time you stood up for your heavenly…..the eternally merciful….the one who allows grace to run like rivers over your life? Huh!! After walking with God on this topic…that this is a question that we must all answer individually and collectively as Christian brothers and sisters….Do you love our heavenly father?
It is an appropriate question for if you notice in the word…the bible talks about us loving our neighbors as ourselves…now before we can do this we must first be committed to loving God…y’all didn’t hear that. Now lets be honest. There are some neighbors in our lives…some coworkers…and it’s sad to say but if we are honest even some church members who if we are to love them as ourselves…we certainly need the power of Jesus…so in order to do this we must be committed to loving God. Why?!! Why preacher. Why must be committed to living God. For it is in loving God that we have the capacity love others….but more than that the capacity to love ourselves.
There are people setting in here right now that don’t love themselves. Am I right about. I’m not smart enough, I’m not pretty enough, I’m not connected enough…in essence they are saying I’m not blessed enough…but the word tells me in the book of Pslams..that blessed in the man that walks in the counsel of the lord. And when God blesses you…let me tell you you are blessed. Instead of saying I’m not smart of enough…you’ll have wisdom…instead of being self conscience about your appearance…you’ll know that you have the look of royalty of the kingdom of God…and instead of thinking that you don’t have the right connections in this world…you will know that you have the connection which caused the connection to be. But you must first love God.
So let’s take a test. Right now…right now. I want you to ask yourself and without speaking out…I want you to answer. All over this place..from the pulpit to the choir stands to the last wall in the sanctuary. I want you to ask yourself this…say self “Do you love our heavenly father” Rev Bryant “Do you love God” How many of you asked yourself that question? How many know what your answer is?? Now you may be thinking. What do you mean how many of us know what our answer is…
Now Paul writing to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthian 8 – 8 he challenged them to prove the sincerity of their love. So here is the next question. How do you know …..how do you know that you love God our heavenly father. Now most of you probably said…I love God. So turn with me if you will to John chapter 14. You know as God was working with me on this lesson he had me to ask my oldest son this same question. You know he and I were at home watching television alone sharing some man time as he is a half grown man at the age of 14 now. And I asked my son…I said BJ do you love me…now first I said BJ I love you…and he said without hesitation…I love you too dad. So then I said to him “How do you know??” So he started to mumble and fumble around and got deep on me and said because you are a leader of men and women with honor and integrity.
So I said OK…beyond that..I have integrity and honor…but what else How do you know…and he said because if I need you you’ll help me. OK well I said in other words I’ll be there for you…and how else do you know…and he said cause I know…and I know you are thinking: How do I know that I love God. And some may say because I know..I get this feeling..this warm feeling inside when I think about God. Well, let’s work with that for a bit.
Are you ready for this?!! This is gonna mess with some today….but isn’t that what we want from a sermon sometime?? For it to strengthen us by forcing to take inventory of our relationship with God…
So you say that you know that you love God because you get this warm feeling when you think about Jesus. To love Jesus is not a feeling. It’s not an emotion. It’s not a feeling…you see feelings come and go. Am I right about it??? Listen to this now. What are feelings. Feelings are based upon your thought life primarily. What you feel at this moment…their based on what is happening in your life..your circumstances…your surroundings…so feelings come and go. So if that’s your answer..that I get this feeling…then you’re not there yet.
Some of you may say…well Rev I know that I love him..I don’t know what I would do without him. No you see…we have moved into another area…that’s need. There is a difference between needing someone and loving someone. You know even in our spousal relationships of matromony..you can need someone and not love them….some folks just want a place to stay…Just because you need someone doesn’t mean you love them. Am I making sense to anyone this day.?!
Well by this point in the message God told me that some of you would get religious on me on the issue of how do you know that you love God….and would say Rev…I know I love tha Lord….because he heard my cry. We’ll now we have moved to yet another area. The area of gratitude. The fact that you know that you were in a situation and you cried out to God and it was he that came to your rescue…that’s wonderful..you give thanks for that…but that’s not what we are talking about. For how many of you know…tell me if I’m wrong. That you can be thankful for what someone has done for you and not love them. Am I right about it.?! You don’t love bagger at the grocery store, or the man with manners who opened the door so that you could enter the building first do you??
So you may be saying…OK preacher. You asked us…to ask ourselves..self do you love God. Then you threw us a curve and asked a seemingly simple question in “How do we know..that we love God” So…how do we know that love God. Lets see what Jesus says. Earlier I asked that you go to John chapter 14. Now lets look at the word stating at verse 21. Do you have it??
Lets see what Jesus tells us…..Jesus says in verse 21…John 14
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
Now lets look at verse 23 and read and
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Now it doesn’t stop there….
Now it doesn’t stop there….I came to show someone something today…for in 1 John 5 verse 3 says it also like this:
3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: (STOP HERE) and his commandments are not grievous. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Can you see it now…can you see…and his word continues as seen and read and understood in
2 John 1 verse 6:
3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
So in three separate instances the word tells us and you heard it…not the preacher said…but the word of God said that to love him is to obey. Say this…all over this place: To love our heavenly father is to obey him.
So my brothers and sisters If you love him you would obey that. You can’t say you love God and not be a giver. Because the word tells us to give in
Malachi 3:10 When it says to us:
0Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
You may have an emotional feeling…but do you truly love him….
When was the last time you told someone about what God has done for you?? You should be like the people on the Price is Right. Before they even know what they will when or if they will when…Just by simply hearing their named called to come on down Your’s the next contestant on the price is Right. The loose their mind, regardsless of gender or age…they come running and shouting at just the mention of their name.
So should we…we like to say that an angel in heaven done signed my name and I know I’ve been changed. So when God tells us or just simply hints at what he will do for us we should be telling the world what he has done for us…huh. That is if we love him. For to love him is to obey right? So when the word says in two places:
Matt 28: 19
9Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
And in:
Mark 16: 15-20
5Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
If you love him you would obey that. You have neighbors, friends, and relatives. Oh we will burn up the phone after church to spread the gossip. But when was the last time that you ran to the phone to call someone and tell the the gossip of what the lord had done for you….instead of just acting religious. Many of us have bibles with so much highlight in them that they look like a coloring book…but can’t open that same bible and share a word with someone in need.
So I still ask you: do you love the lord…how do you know. Was it love that had you talking about the misfortunes of someone yesterday or even earlier today as you entered this place….or did you obey the word of
Ephesians 4: 29
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto hearers.
What grace was manifested in what you have said this day? I know you may not like this…but sometimes God sends preachers to make us feel good and sometimes it’s a message to make us think. And sometimes we don’t like to be made to think too much.
We want a song, a little scripture…but make us think and we may not come back for a while. But is that loving God. To not attend church because you didn’t like what the preacher said or how it seemed like he was talking straight to you last week?? Huh…
Hebrews 10:25
25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together
If we love God…truly love him…despite all we would obey that…and would we come to church whenever possible. But I know I love the lord….I get this feeling. Remember when you were in the world. Remember that song that would come on the radio…like the one when the man said “turn off the lights…light a candle” We must know before we go on to glory that it’s not a feeling, or gratitude, or to need something its much more. Let me start to close by giving you an anointed and inspired statement that God gave to me for you this day.
What does it mean to love God or how do I know that I love God?
Consider this statement into your hearts:
To choose continually to obey God’s word or his will for your life and not your own thoughts, emotions, and desires that are prompting you to go in the opposite direction.
(lets say that again)
To choose continually to obey (watch this now what we are to obey) God’s word or his will for your life and not (what) your own thoughts, emotions, and desires that are prompting you to go in the opposite direction.
Have you ever felt like this…God told you to do something and you thought this ain’t gonna work. Remember when God told you to forgive so and so…and you though..this ain’t gonna work. Remember when God said to give that thing away and you thought “how is that gonna pay my bills” Sometimes obeying God will go against our want to’s.
Can I talk to you for a second…you know sometimes God tells me to do things..and I don’t want to do them…now y’all are looking at me with your holy self…but you know I’m telling the truth. There are times that God tells me to do something that I don’t want to do…and instead of playing games with God…I just tell him I don’t want to. I tell the lord I don’t want to…now by doing so..go can help me with my what??? With my want to’s.
Isn’t God alright. Isn’t he alright this day. How many know that God can help you with your want to’s. So….as ….I get ready…to….sit down. I… came here… this day. To ask….a simple question. Do you…I said…. do you…. Love…. God?? It is more to love the lord…than a feeling. It is more to love the lord than an emotion. It is…when…. you choose… the hard right… over….the easy wrong. That’s when….you know…that you know..that you know…that you love God. At times…it may…get hard. But…how many know…that…in loving God. In obeying God. You will find protection. It’s like…insurance from heaven. State farm may say that they are like a good neighbor. But if you love God. He will be you friend who will be what? Closer than a brother. If…you love God. Met life may say to get met it pays.
But if you love God. He will supply all your needs and his blessings will be exceedingly and abundantly. If you love God. Prudential….may say…that they are a Piece of the rock. But if you love God. The word says that the LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Do you love God? Do you choose continually to obey (watch this now what we are to obey) God’s word or his will for your life and not (what) your own thoughts, emotions, and desires that are prompting you to go in the opposite direction.
Now we close as we started with Mark 12: 29 – 31.
29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
This word..if you let it get inside of you will make things happen….for if you truly love the God…means that you will stay in the lord…for is you you stay in the Lord: there is Life in the Lord, love, peace, joy, strength, happiness, grace, and mercy
Adlib closing and song.
