The First Commandment

In this message, the core concept of loving God is explored through Mark 12:28-33, where Jesus identifies the first and greatest commandment. The sermon begins by challenging the common misconception of love as an uncontrollable emotion, asserting that true love for God is a conscious act of will, commanded by God, implying it is something within our control. The origin of this love is rooted in God's prior love for humanity, as highlighted in scriptures like 1 John 4:19 and Romans 5:8, where Christ died for us while we were still sinners.This message emphasizes that the strength of our love for God is directly proportional to our understanding of the depth of Christ's love for us and how much we have been forgiven. Using the narrative of the sinful woman anointing Jesus' feet in Luke 7, the sermon illustrates that those who realize they have been forgiven much will love much, contrasting this with those who, like Simon the Pharisee, believe they have little to be forgiven for. Furthermore, the substantiation of our love for God is shown through our attitude toward His commandments; if we truly love God, His commandments will not be burdensome, but rather a delight to obey. The sermon addresses the tragic reality of love subsiding, as seen in the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:4). Factors like routine, rationalization of our sinfulness, and misplaced devotion due to worldly riches can diminish our fervent love for God. To counteract this, the message urges believers to recognize the importance of loving God, remember their lost state and salvation, reflect on God's constant care and goodness, and crucially, to repent and return to their first works, actively seeking to learn about and enjoy God's presence as they did when they first believed.