The Greatest Commandment. Loving God With All That We Are. Matthew 22:37

The Greatest Commandment-Loving God with All That We Are. Matthew 22:37

Good Morning

Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.

This is my Bible.

I am what it says I am.

I can do what it says I can do.

I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.

Today I will learn more of the word of God.

The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.

I will never be the same.

I will never be the same.

In Jesus Name

Amen?

Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.

The Greatest Commandment – Loving God with All That We Are

Turn in your Bibles to Matthew 22:37 and say, “Amen” when you are there.

_"Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’"_

What Does It Mean to Truly Love God?

Today, we’ll reflect on a verse that is both familiar and foundational to our faith. When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, His response was not about rituals or sacrifices. Instead,

He pointed to love—the deepest kind of love.

This commandment calls us to a relationship so rich and so consuming that it changes every part of who we are.

But what does it really mean to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind?

How do we live this out in a world filled with distractions and challenges?

Let’s explore this commandment together.

1. Love God with All Your Heart: Affections and Desires

The heart in Scripture often represents our emotions, passions, and devotion. To love God with all your heart means He is the center of your affections—the One you treasure most.

What Does This Look Like?

- When you wake up, is He the first thought on your mind?

- Do you long to spend time with Him in prayer and worship?

- Is your love for Him evident in your actions, especially in how you treat others?

King David was described as a man after God’s own heart. He loved God with passion and fervor, writing, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1). David’s life was far from perfect, but his love for God was genuine and all-encompassing.

1. Set aside daily time for worship and thanksgiving.

2. Guard your heart against idols—anything that takes God’s place in your affections.

3. Examine your priorities: Are you giving God the best of your time, energy, and focus?

2. Love God with All Your Soul: Surrender and Identity

The soul represents the core of who you are—your will, emotions, and spiritual connection. To love God with all your soul means surrendering every part of your life to Him. It’s about aligning your identity with His purpose for you.

What Does This Look Like?

- Loving God with your soul means trusting Him in times of uncertainty and obeying His commands even when it’s hard.

- It involves choosing His ways over your desires and making Him the anchor of your identity.

Jesus Himself showed us what it means to love God with all the soul. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). His ultimate surrender was an act of love and obedience to the Father.

1. Surrender your dreams, ambitions, and fears to God.

2. Spend intentional time in His presence, allowing Him to shape your identity.

3. Participate in spiritual practices like fasting and worship that draw your soul closer to Him.

3. Love God with All Your Mind: Understanding and Thought Life

The mind encompasses your thoughts, intellect, and beliefs. To love God with all your mind means actively filling it with His truth and aligning your thinking with His Word.

What Does This Look Like?

- Loving God with your mind means rejecting the lies of the enemy and the world.

- It means thinking deeply about God’s character, studying His Word, and making Him the foundation of your worldview.

Paul challenges us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). A renewed mind allows us to love God fully and discern His will.

1. Make Bible study a daily habit, not just for knowledge but for transformation.

2. Practice taking every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

3. Engage in conversations and activities that honor God and deepen your understanding of Him.

Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind is not just a one-time decision—it’s a daily journey. As you go into this week, let your life reflect this love. Let it guide your relationships, your decisions, and your worship.

Let me share a story about a man named Joshua. Joshua grew up in a tough neighborhood where gang violence and hopelessness seemed to dominate every corner. By the time he was 17, he had been arrested multiple times and felt like his life was going nowhere.