The Greatest Commandment

Last week - John 13:34-35 - "Love One Another"  (need, definition, application).  As we explored and defined, passed by Greater Commandment - "Love God"

So, Matt. 22:35-40
--- the background - 248 (thou shalts) + 365 (thou shalt nots) = 613 total laws
--- the question - which is more important
--- the answer = from Deut. 6 and Lev. 19
                         with addition "on these 2" - hinge all the law and prophets

On one hand - pretty straight forward - "Love God"
However, what's that mean?  look like?  work out in everyday life and practice?

So... last week, looked at "Loving One Another" (according to Bible definition)
This week - "Loving God" (as defined in Scripture)

Will look at 4 general ways we are called to:
1) love Him and 2) manifest, express that love

1)  OWN HIM
2)  OBEY HIM
3)  SERVE HIM
4)  CONTINUE IN HIM

According to Scripture the way to love God is to:

I.  OWN HIM - ie:  confess, claim Him as your God
example:  Deut. 6:5  "your" = possessive adjective - My wife, child, church, etc.

We are to "own" Him:
1)  Personally - "the Lord your God" - compare Thomas - John 20:28
2)  Wholly - "all heart..."  whole being  (head, heart, hands)
3)  Exclusively - Ex. 20:1-3 - no other god before me, YHWH period!!
4)  AS HE IS - "the LORD.."  Accept Him as He is.  Not remade into my image, my preference
Example:  I love God But reject the harsh, critical, narrow, judgmental God of the Bible

II.  OBEY HIM - (most often quoted as way to love Him)
Deut. 11:1, 30:16
John 14:15, 23-24
1 John 5:3

Note:  text Deut. 6:5 - "shema" (Heb. meaning = if don't obey, didn't HEAR!)
The idea carries into Greek - aKouo = to hear
                                          - hupaKouo = to obey

Note also:  you cannot obey if don't hear (ie: don't know )
Point = need to know His Word before can do His will!  You must know what the Word says in order to obey Him!!!

III.  SERVE HIM - Josh. 22:5, 24:14-16
Definition = attend to, work for, respond to orders, meet needs of.....

This is more than submit to, but = do for.   I submit on my Knees.  I serve on my feet.
Question:  How to "serve" an Omnipotent God???
               1)  As spokesman, ambassador, representative - examples:  prophets, Apostles, us
Primarily  2) BY SERVING HIS PEOPLE!!!
Matt. 25:31-40  (Jesus to Peter - feed my sheep)
1 John 4:19-21

IV.  CONTINUE IN HIM  (with Him)
Josh 22:5 - hold fast to him
Deut. 30:19-20
God's love toward us is not moody, flighty, wishywashy.  Likewise our love toward Him should be stable, constant, etc.

Objection!!!  I can't always control my feelings!!!
Answer:  Agape love is more than feelings = acting in love IN SPITE of feelings

There is great need to develop our knowledge of God.
However, also great need to develop our Relationship with God!!!

John 17:3 - you express this "knowledge" when you
OWN - OBEY - SERVE - CONTINUE