Sermons on Matthew 22:37-39

Matthew 22:37-39 Interpretation:

Understanding God's Love: The Path to True Self-Love (Notre Dame Parish) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the importance of ordered self-love as a prerequisite for loving God and others. The sermon draws on St. Thomas Aquinas' distinction between ordered and disordered self-love, suggesting that properly ordered self-love leads to communion with God and others, while disordered self-love results in isolation and sorrow. The sermon uses the analogy of a tripod to describe the interconnectedness of love for God, neighbor, and self, suggesting that all three are necessary for a balanced and fulfilling life.

Embodying Christ's Radical Love: A Call to Action (BibleProject) offers a linguistic analysis of the word "love" in Matthew 22:37-39, tracing its translation from Hebrew ("ahavah") to Aramaic ("rakhmah") to Greek ("agape"). The sermon highlights that for Jesus, love is an action and a choice to seek the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. It emphasizes that loving God and loving one's neighbor are inseparable and are two sides of the same coin.

Aligning Life with God's Word and Will (FGA Melbourne) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 as the greatest commandment that encapsulates the general will of God. The sermon suggests that if one follows this commandment, they are already fulfilling God's general will, as it guides how to relate to God and others. The sermon emphasizes that the rest of the Bible unpacks this commandment in detail.

Judgment, Love, and Accountability in Christian Faith (Oxford Church of the Nazarene) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the importance of love as a foundational principle in the Christian faith. The sermon uses the story of Obadiah to illustrate how the failure to love others, as commanded by Jesus, leads to judgment. The preacher highlights that Jesus' command to love God and love others is central to the message of the prophets and the law, and that this love should be evident in how we treat others, including our enemies.

Embracing Love and Redemption: The Message of Christmas (One Church NJ) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by focusing on the transformative power of love as taught by Jesus. The sermon uses the analogy of the song "Oh Holy Night" to illustrate how Jesus' appearance brought worth to our souls, emphasizing that love is the law and the gospel is peace. The preacher highlights that loving God and loving others are the greatest commandments, and that this love should extend across all barriers, including political, religious, and ethnic differences.

Embracing Divine Love: A Call to Action (Unity of Chicago South) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the concept of divine love, or "agape," as an impartial, non-personal love that flows through individuals. The sermon suggests that this love is not based on emotions or personal sentiments but is a decision of the will to allow God's love to flow through oneself to others. The speaker highlights the importance of moving beyond personal love, which is selective, to divine love, which is universal and impartial. This interpretation is unique in its focus on the action of divine love as a verb, "agapa," rather than just a noun, "agape."

Foundations of Faith: Word, Love, Praise, and Unity (Encounter Church Fort Worth) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the equality of the two commandments. The sermon highlights that in the original language, the commandments to love God and love your neighbor are equal, not separate. This interpretation suggests that true love for God naturally results in love for others, as one cannot claim to love God without loving their neighbor. The sermon uses the analogy of a fur coat to illustrate how people often equate love with material gifts, but God equates love with obedience.

Prioritizing Jesus: A Call to Prayer and Action (Jorge Pina) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 as a call to deepen one's love for God and others through prayer. The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving God with all aspects of one's being—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and extends this love to neighbors. The speaker encourages practical expressions of love and suggests that this love should be a response to the radical love God has shown us.

Motivated by Love: The True Path to Holiness (Connect Church) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 as the foundation for Christian holiness. The sermon suggests that true holiness is motivated by love for God and others, rather than legalistic adherence to rules. The speaker uses the analogy of love languages to explain that God's love language is obedience, which is demonstrated through loving actions towards God and others.

Intentional Love: Building Connections with Our Neighbors (The District Church) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the literal interpretation of "neighbor" as those who live physically close to us. The sermon suggests that Jesus' command to love our neighbors means to love our actual next-door neighbors, challenging the congregation to build genuine relationships with those in their immediate vicinity. The sermon uses the Greek word "placeon," meaning near or nearby, to reinforce this interpretation, suggesting that Jesus calls us to prioritize those who are physically close to us in our acts of love.

Embracing Our Legacy: A Vision for the Future (South Lake Nazarene) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the dual commandment as foundational for the church's future. The sermon suggests that the longevity and impact of the church are directly tied to how well it loves God and its neighbors. The interpretation highlights that loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind leads to transformation and blessings, while loving one's neighbor as oneself is essential for living like Christ and demonstrating God's love to the world.

Transformative Journey: Emotionally Healthy Mission and Spiritual Growth (Hope Midtown) offers a unique interpretation by connecting the passage to the concept of emotional health and self-love. The sermon suggests that loving others as oneself presupposes a healthy self-love, which is necessary for genuine love towards others. This interpretation emphasizes the importance of personal well-being and character as foundational to fulfilling the commandment to love others.

Prioritizing God and Spouse in Relationships (Journey Church Fremont) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the order of priorities in a Christian's life. The sermon suggests that God should be the first priority, followed by one's spouse, and then other aspects of life. The pastor uses the analogy of a trapeze artist letting go of one bar to grab another to explain the Hebrew word "azab," which means to leave or let go in order to commit to something new. This interpretation highlights the need to reorganize priorities, especially in the context of marriage, where God is the ultimate priority, and the spouse is secondary.

Embracing Our Identity: The Gospel of Strangers (Crossroads Church) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the dual axes of the gospel: the vertical axis (our relationship with God) and the horizontal axis (our relationship with others). The sermon uses the analogy of a cross to illustrate this duality, suggesting that both axes are essential for a complete understanding of the gospel. The sermon also delves into the original Hebrew and Greek words for "stranger" and "foreigner," highlighting the cultural and linguistic context of the terms to deepen the understanding of loving one's neighbor.

Embracing Christ's Command to Love Unconditionally (Reach City Church Cleveland) offers a unique perspective by comparing the command to love one's neighbor as oneself with the new commandment to love as Jesus loved. The sermon suggests that this represents a higher quality of love, akin to upgrading from a low-quality tire to a high-quality one, emphasizing the sacrificial and selfless nature of Christ's love as the standard.

Living Out Love: The Essence of Discipleship (Kuna United Methodist Church) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the dual command to love God and love people as the core of Christian discipleship. The sermon uses the analogy of a heart to illustrate how these commandments are interconnected, suggesting that loving God and loving others are not separate actions but part of a unified command. This interpretation highlights the non-optional nature of these commandments, framing them as essential practices for Christian living.

Finding Balance in Christian Living: The Walk (Kuna United Methodist Church) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by using the analogy of the Celtic cross to illustrate the balance between loving God and loving others. The vertical axis represents loving God, while the horizontal axis represents loving others. This sermon emphasizes the importance of balance in Christian living, suggesting that loving God and others should be in harmony, much like the structure of the cross.

Aligning Our Priorities: Loving God First (Compass City Church) interprets the passage by breaking down the components of loving God with heart, soul, and mind. The sermon highlights that each person may naturally lean towards one aspect (heart, soul, or mind) but is called to love God with all three. It emphasizes that prioritizing God in these areas naturally leads to loving others effectively.

Transforming Communities Through Neighborly Love in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the incarnational aspect of Jesus' teachings. The sermon suggests that loving one's neighbor is not just a command but a practical, incarnational act that involves "skin on skin contact" and face-to-face relationships. This interpretation highlights the idea that the love Jesus speaks of is meant to be lived out in tangible, personal interactions, reflecting God's presence in the world through human actions.

Discerning God's Voice: Humility and Love in Faith (Dallas Willard Ministries) offers a unique perspective by linking the ability to love one's neighbor with living in a conversational relationship with God. The sermon suggests that understanding how to love one's neighbor, especially when they are an enemy, requires divine guidance and teaching, which can only be achieved through a close relationship with God.

Aligning Life's Order: God First, Love Always (Dallas Willard Ministries) interprets the passage by focusing on the concept of agape love as the essence of being a truly good person. The sermon emphasizes that loving God and neighbor is about acting for the good of what is loved, and this love should permeate all dimensions of life, including heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Transforming Hearts: Embracing the Overflowing Life in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 as a description of life as it was meant to be, rather than a commandment to be followed. The sermon emphasizes that loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength is not just a duty but a pathway to living a blessed life. The speaker uses the analogy of drinking from a "great spiritual fire hose" to describe the reciprocal nature of love between God and individuals, suggesting that this divine love enables one to love their neighbor as themselves. The sermon also highlights the importance of the heart as the executive center of the self, drawing from the original Greek understanding of the heart as the center of one's personality and decision-making.

Aligning Worship with God's Desires and Love (Crazy Love) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the depth of love required for God and others. The sermon highlights the Greek word "phileo" used in Matthew 10:37, which indicates a passionate, affectionate love, rather than just a dutiful or agape love. This interpretation suggests that the love for God should be as intense and passionate as the love one might have for family or close friends. The sermon uses the analogy of being "crazy about someone" to describe the level of affection and passion that should characterize one's love for God.

Rekindling Love: Embracing God, Neighbors, and the Holy Spirit (Crazy Love) interprets the passage by focusing on the relational aspect of love. The sermon emphasizes that loving God and neighbors is not about following rules but about being in a genuine love relationship. It challenges the congregation to evaluate whether they are truly in love with God, describing this love as waking up eager to speak to Him and thinking about Him throughout the day.

Integrity: Beyond Goodness to Genuine Service (Andy Stanley) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the inseparability of loving God and loving one's neighbor. Stanley argues that true integrity and love for God are demonstrated through active love and service to others, not merely through personal piety or adherence to rules. He uses the analogy of the Pharisees, who were technically blameless but practically worthless, to illustrate that loving God genuinely means extending that love to others. He also highlights that Jesus' command to love one's neighbor is not secondary but equal in importance to loving God, challenging the notion of being good for goodness' sake.

Reflecting God's Character Through the Ten Commandments (Open the Bible) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by linking the Ten Commandments to the love of God and neighbor. The sermon suggests that the commandments are a reflection of God's character and that loving God and neighbor is the essence of the law. The analogy of the Ten Commandments as a mirror reflecting God's glory is used to explain that loving God involves living a life that mirrors His character, and loving one's neighbor is an extension of that divine love.

Heartfelt Faith: Loving God with All We Are (GF.Church) interprets Matthew 22:37-39 by emphasizing the holistic nature of loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength. The sermon uses the analogy of an engine with pistons to describe how each aspect of love (heart, soul, mind, strength) must work together harmoniously. The pastor explains that loving God with all your heart involves aligning your desires with God's will, loving God with all your soul means trusting God's truth over your emotions, loving God with all your mind involves controlling your thoughts and focusing on God's truth, and loving God with all your strength means using your abilities and opportunities to honor God.

Matthew 22:37-39 Theological Themes:

Understanding God's Love: The Path to True Self-Love (Notre Dame Parish) presents the theme of ordered versus disordered self-love, emphasizing that true self-love aligns with God's love and leads to communion with others. The sermon suggests that receiving God's love is a prerequisite for loving oneself and others properly.

Embodying Christ's Radical Love: A Call to Action (BibleProject) introduces the theme of love as an action rather than a feeling, highlighting that genuine love for God and others involves seeking the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. The sermon emphasizes that this kind of love reflects the character of God and is central to Christian faith.

Aligning Life with God's Word and Will (FGA Melbourne) discusses the theme of the greatest commandment as a summary of God's general will, suggesting that living according to this commandment fulfills God's expectations for how to relate to Him and others.

Judgment, Love, and Accountability in Christian Faith (Oxford Church of the Nazarene) presents the theme that love is not just a feeling but an action that reflects our relationship with God. The sermon emphasizes that how we treat others is a direct reflection of our love for God, and that we will be held accountable for our actions.

Embracing Love and Redemption: The Message of Christmas (One Church NJ) introduces the theme of love as a unifying force that transcends all divisions. The sermon highlights that Jesus' command to love God and love others is not just a suggestion but a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith that should guide our interactions with others.

Embracing Divine Love: A Call to Action (Unity of Chicago South) presents the theme of divine love as an impartial force that requires individuals to act as vessels for God's love, allowing it to flow through them to others without partiality. This theme emphasizes the transformative power of divine love in overcoming personal biases and prejudices.

Transformative Power of Unconditional Love in Community (Bishop Gary Oliver Encounter Church Fort Worth) introduces the theme of love as a foundational element of Christian community, emphasizing that love should transcend cultural, social, and racial boundaries. The sermon highlights the importance of love as a unifying force that brings people together despite differences.

Transforming Relationships Through the Power of Love (Fairlawn Family Church) explores the theme of love as a transformative force in relationships, particularly in challenging situations. The sermon emphasizes the importance of identifying barriers to love, such as personal biases, and actively working to overcome them through prayer, kindness, and reconciliation.

Foundations of Faith: Word, Love, Praise, and Unity (Encounter Church Fort Worth) presents the theme that love is the root of every evil, particularly when love is misdirected towards money or material possessions rather than God and others. The sermon emphasizes that true love is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments and loving others as oneself.

Prioritizing Jesus: A Call to Prayer and Action (Jorge Pina) presents the theme of love as a transformative force in the Christian life. The sermon emphasizes that loving God and others is not just a command but a way to experience and reflect God's love in practical ways.

Motivated by Love: The True Path to Holiness (Connect Church) introduces the theme of love as the driving force behind holiness. The sermon argues that love for God and others should be the primary motivation for living a holy life, rather than fear or obligation.

Intentional Love: Building Connections with Our Neighbors (The District Church) presents a theme of balancing love for God and love for neighbor, emphasizing that these two commandments are inseparable. The sermon critiques both progressive and conservative tendencies to separate these commands, arguing that true discipleship requires holding them together. It warns against the dangers of humanism, which centers humanity without reference to God, and mysticism, which withdraws from the world, advocating instead for a holistic approach that integrates both love for God and neighbor.

Embracing Our Legacy: A Vision for the Future (South Lake Nazarene) presents the theme that the church's effectiveness and future depend on its adherence to the commandments of loving God and others. It suggests that this love leads to transformation, healing, and blessings, and is a measure of the church's success.

Transformative Journey: Emotionally Healthy Mission and Spiritual Growth (Hope Midtown) introduces the theme that emotional health and self-love are prerequisites for loving others effectively. The sermon emphasizes that one's ability to love others is contingent upon a healthy relationship with oneself, which aligns with the commandment to love others as oneself.

Prioritizing God and Spouse in Relationships (Journey Church Fremont) presents the theme of the "Promise of Priority," which is the commitment to place God first and one's spouse second. This theme is distinct in its application to both married and single individuals, suggesting that singles should prepare for future relationships by making God their primary focus. The sermon also addresses the misconception that placing God first is egotistical, arguing instead that it aligns with the natural order of creation and leads to a more fulfilling life.

Embracing Our Identity: The Gospel of Strangers (Crossroads Church) presents the theme of identifying as strangers and exiles in the world, drawing from biblical narratives to emphasize empathy and love for strangers. This theme is distinct in its focus on the identity of believers as outsiders in earthly kingdoms, looking forward to a heavenly country.

Embracing Christ's Command to Love Unconditionally (Reach City Church Cleveland) introduces the theme of love as a higher quality, based on Christ's sacrificial love. This theme challenges believers to elevate their love for others to the standard set by Jesus, emphasizing the transformative power of such love within the Christian community.

Living Out Love: The Essence of Discipleship (Kuna United Methodist Church) presents the theme of love as a command rather than a suggestion, emphasizing that loving God and others is an identifying mark of discipleship. The sermon suggests that this love is both a vocation and a method for living a Christian life, leading to unity with God and others.

Finding Balance in Christian Living: The Walk (Kuna United Methodist Church) presents the theme of balance in Christian life, suggesting that loving God and others should be a balanced act, much like the structure of the Celtic cross. This balance is essential for achieving unity with God and others.

Aligning Our Priorities: Loving God First (Compass City Church) introduces the theme of holistic love for God, emphasizing that loving God with heart, soul, and mind leads to a natural outflow of love for others. This theme suggests that a comprehensive love for God is foundational for fulfilling the commandment to love one's neighbor.

Transforming Communities Through Neighborly Love in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) presents the theme of incarnational ministry, suggesting that the church's role is to embody Christ's love in practical ways within communities. This theme emphasizes the church as the source of God's presence in the world, tasked with addressing social issues through personal relationships and acts of love.

Discerning God's Voice: Humility and Love in Faith (Dallas Willard Ministries) introduces the theme of divine guidance in loving one's neighbor. The sermon suggests that true neighborly love, especially towards enemies, requires instruction from God, highlighting the necessity of a conversational relationship with God to understand and enact this love.

Aligning Life's Order: God First, Love Always (Dallas Willard Ministries) explores the theme of agape love as the foundation of moral goodness. The sermon emphasizes that loving God and neighbor is the path to a blessed life, and this love should be integrated into every aspect of one's being and actions.

Transforming Hearts: Embracing the Overflowing Life in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) presents the theme that the commandments to love God and neighbor are not burdensome laws but descriptions of a life aligned with God's kingdom. The sermon introduces the idea that loving God is akin to receiving from a cosmic source of love, which then empowers individuals to love others. This perspective shifts the focus from obligation to transformation, where the commandments are seen as a natural outcome of a life lived in communion with God.

Aligning Worship with God's Desires and Love (Crazy Love) presents the theme of sacrificial love, drawing a parallel between the love Jesus commands and the love He demonstrated. The sermon emphasizes that loving others as Christ loved us involves a willingness to sacrifice and serve others selflessly, even to the point of laying down one's life.

Rekindling Love: Embracing God, Neighbors, and the Holy Spirit (Crazy Love) introduces the theme of love as the foundation of all commandments. It stresses that all religious practices and beliefs should be rooted in love for God and others, and without this love, other religious activities are meaningless.

Integrity: Beyond Goodness to Genuine Service (Andy Stanley) presents the theme that true love for God is demonstrated through love for others. Stanley emphasizes that integrity and righteousness are not about personal moral superiority but about how one's actions impact and serve others. He introduces the idea that loving one's neighbor is a direct expression of loving God, challenging the audience to move beyond self-centered goodness to genuine service.

Reflecting God's Character Through the Ten Commandments (Open the Bible) introduces the theme that the Ten Commandments are a guide to living a life of love. The sermon suggests that the commandments are not just rules but a reflection of God's character, and living by them is an expression of love for God and neighbor. This perspective adds a fresh angle by connecting the commandments to the concept of love, rather than mere obedience.

Heartfelt Faith: Loving God with All We Are (GF.Church) presents the theme that loving God is not just about obedience but about aligning one's entire being with God's will. The sermon emphasizes that obedience to God is a reflection of one's love for Him, and if there is a struggle with obedience, it is likely a love problem rather than an obedience problem. This perspective shifts the focus from mere rule-following to a deeper relational commitment to God.

Matthew 22:37-39 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Embodying Christ's Radical Love: A Call to Action (BibleProject) provides historical and linguistic context by explaining the translation of the word "love" from Hebrew to Aramaic to Greek, highlighting how early Christians redefined "agape" love based on Jesus' teachings and life.

Judgment, Love, and Accountability in Christian Faith (Oxford Church of the Nazarene) provides historical context by explaining the animosity between the descendants of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel) and how this historical conflict is used to illustrate the importance of loving others as commanded by Jesus.

Embracing Divine Love: A Call to Action (Unity of Chicago South) provides historical context by referencing the Old Testament, specifically Deuteronomy, to illustrate the concept of divine love as a blessing bestowed upon individuals regardless of their greatness. This context highlights the continuity of the theme of divine love from the Old Testament to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament.

Motivated by Love: The True Path to Holiness (Connect Church) provides historical context by discussing the Jewish understanding of the commandments and how Jesus summarized them into two overarching principles of love. The sermon explains that the first four commandments focus on loving God, while the last six focus on loving others, reflecting the cultural and religious norms of the time.

Intentional Love: Building Connections with Our Neighbors (The District Church) provides historical context by discussing the cultural and social dynamics of Washington, D.C., highlighting the city's contradictions, such as its affluence alongside high poverty rates. The sermon uses this context to illustrate the challenges and opportunities of neighboring in an urban environment, emphasizing the importance of being versatile and relational in diverse settings.

Embracing Our Legacy: A Vision for the Future (South Lake Nazarene) provides historical context by referencing the Great Commission and the church's mission to make disciples. It highlights the importance of the church's role in continuing the work of Jesus and the early church in spreading the gospel and loving others.

Prioritizing God and Spouse in Relationships (Journey Church Fremont) provides historical context by explaining the complexity of the Jewish law during Jesus' time, with 613 commandments and additional rabbinical interpretations. This context helps to understand why the question of the greatest commandment was significant and how Jesus' response simplified the law by focusing on love for God and neighbor.

Embracing Our Identity: The Gospel of Strangers (Crossroads Church) provides historical context by discussing the cultural norms of strangers and foreigners in biblical times, using Hebrew and Greek terms to explain the societal roles and perceptions of these groups. The sermon also references the Israelites' identity as strangers in Egypt and their continued identification as foreigners even in the Promised Land.

Living Out Love: The Essence of Discipleship (Kuna United Methodist Church) provides historical context by explaining that Jesus summarized the Jewish commandments, which included 613 rules, into the simpler yet profound command to love God and love others. This simplification is presented as a way to bring followers closer to God, contrasting with the more complex Jewish legal system.

Transforming Communities Through Neighborly Love in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) provides historical context by discussing the cultural shift in cities where neighbors have become distant and isolated. The sermon highlights the challenge of identifying and connecting with neighbors in modern urban settings, contrasting it with the biblical understanding of neighborly relationships.

Transforming Hearts: Embracing the Overflowing Life in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) provides insight into the Jewish understanding of the Torah as more than a set of laws but as a teaching about God. The sermon explains that the question posed to Jesus about the greatest commandment was a common one among teachers in Israel, reflecting a cultural context where the law was seen as a guide to understanding God rather than merely a list of rules to follow.

Aligning Worship with God's Desires and Love (Crazy Love) provides historical context by referencing the early church's practices and Jesus' teachings in the book of Revelation. The sermon discusses how early Christians were warned about losing their first love and the importance of repentance to maintain a genuine relationship with God.

Integrity: Beyond Goodness to Genuine Service (Andy Stanley) provides historical context by discussing the Pharisees' focus on legalistic righteousness and how Jesus challenged their understanding by emphasizing love and service to others. Stanley explains that the Pharisees were concerned with maintaining their status and power, which led them to neglect the true essence of the law—loving God and neighbor.

Reflecting God's Character Through the Ten Commandments (Open the Bible) offers historical insights into the cultural understanding of the Ten Commandments as a reflection of God's character. The sermon explains that the commandments were given to the Israelites as a guide to living a life that reflects God's nature, emphasizing faithfulness, trustworthiness, and truth.

Heartfelt Faith: Loving God with All We Are (GF.Church) provides historical context by explaining the Shema, a traditional Jewish prayer from Deuteronomy 6, which Jesus quotes in Matthew 22:37. The sermon explains that the Shema was recited by Jewish people every morning and evening, emphasizing the importance of listening and obeying God's commandments as a central part of Jewish life.

Matthew 22:37-39 Cross-References in the Bible:

Understanding God's Love: The Path to True Self-Love (Notre Dame Parish) references 1 John 4:19, which states, "We love because he first loved us," to emphasize that receiving God's love is essential for loving God and others properly.

Embodying Christ's Radical Love: A Call to Action (BibleProject) references the Shema from the Torah, which Jesus quotes in Matthew 22:37, to highlight the importance of loving God with all one's heart. The sermon also references Jesus' teaching to love one's enemies, illustrating the radical nature of "agape" love.

Aligning Life with God's Word and Will (FGA Melbourne) references the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, connecting it to the greatest commandment and emphasizing the importance of making disciples as part of fulfilling God's will.

Judgment, Love, and Accountability in Christian Faith (Oxford Church of the Nazarene) references Matthew 25, where Jesus speaks about the final judgment and how people will be judged based on how they treated "the least of these." This passage is used to support the idea that love for others is a critical component of the Christian faith and will be a basis for judgment.

Embracing Love and Redemption: The Message of Christmas (One Church NJ) references 1 John 4:8, which states that God is love, to support the idea that love is central to the Christian faith. The sermon also references John 17, where Jesus prays for unity among believers, emphasizing that love should be the foundation of our relationships with others.

Embracing Divine Love: A Call to Action (Unity of Chicago South) references Deuteronomy 7:7-8 to illustrate the concept of divine love as an impartial blessing. The sermon uses this passage to support the idea that God's love is given to individuals not because of their greatness but because of God's love for them.

Transformative Power of Unconditional Love in Community (Bishop Gary Oliver Encounter Church Fort Worth) references several Bible passages, including 1 John 4:20, which states that one cannot love God and hate their brother. The sermon uses this passage to emphasize the importance of love as a fundamental Christian value that transcends personal biases and divisions.

Transforming Relationships Through the Power of Love (Fairlawn Family Church) references Matthew 22:37-39 to emphasize the importance of love as the foundation of Christian life. The sermon uses this passage to highlight the dual commandment to love God and love others as oneself, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these two forms of love.

Foundations of Faith: Word, Love, Praise, and Unity (Encounter Church Fort Worth) references 1 John 4:20, which states that one cannot love God, whom they have not seen, if they do not love their brother, whom they have seen. This passage is used to support the idea that loving God and loving one's neighbor are inseparable and that true love for God is evidenced by love for others.

Prioritizing Jesus: A Call to Prayer and Action (Jorge Pina) references John 3:30, emphasizing the need for Jesus to increase in one's life, which aligns with the call to love God fully. The sermon also mentions Luke 10:2, encouraging prayer for laborers in the harvest, which connects to loving one's neighbor by spreading the gospel.

Motivated by Love: The True Path to Holiness (Connect Church) references 1 John 4:19, which states that we love because God first loved us. This passage supports the sermon’s emphasis on love as the foundation for holiness and obedience.

Intentional Love: Building Connections with Our Neighbors (The District Church) references 1 John 4, which discusses the inseparability of loving God and loving one's brother. The sermon uses this passage to support the idea that love for God and neighbor are interconnected and that one cannot claim to love God while hating their brother. It emphasizes that true love casts out fear and that loving one's neighbor is a reflection of God's love for us.

Embracing Our Legacy: A Vision for the Future (South Lake Nazarene) references the Great Commission in Matthew 28, connecting it to the commandment to love God and others. The sermon uses this cross-reference to emphasize the church's mission to make disciples and demonstrate God's love.

Transformative Journey: Emotionally Healthy Mission and Spiritual Growth (Hope Midtown) references Matthew 5, where Jesus expands on the commandment to love one's neighbor by instructing to love one's enemies. This cross-reference is used to highlight the radical nature of Jesus' command to love and the importance of character and well-being in fulfilling this command.

Prioritizing God and Spouse in Relationships (Journey Church Fremont) references Genesis 2:24 to support the idea of leaving one's parents to prioritize a spouse, using the Hebrew word "azab" to illustrate the concept of letting go to commit to something new. This cross-reference is used to emphasize the biblical foundation for prioritizing relationships in the order of God first, spouse second.

Embracing Our Identity: The Gospel of Strangers (Crossroads Church) references Leviticus 19:18 and Leviticus 19:33-34 to highlight the biblical mandate to love strangers and foreigners. The sermon also cites 1 Peter 2 and Hebrews 11 to support the idea of believers as strangers and exiles on earth, looking forward to a heavenly kingdom.

Embracing Christ's Command to Love Unconditionally (Reach City Church Cleveland) references John 13:34-35 to emphasize the new commandment to love one another as Jesus loved. The sermon also cites 1 John 4:7-12 to reinforce the idea that love is the defining characteristic of a true disciple of Christ.

Living Out Love: The Essence of Discipleship (Kuna United Methodist Church) references multiple Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to show the consistency of the command to love God and love others across the New Testament. The sermon highlights how this command is central to Jesus' teachings and is reiterated in different contexts, such as the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke and the new commandment to love one another in John.

Transformative Discipleship: Becoming Like Jesus Together (RiverBend Church) references Ephesians 4:11-16 to support the idea of growing into the fullness of Christ, which aligns with the command to love God and others. The passage emphasizes unity and maturity in the faith, which are outcomes of following the greatest commandments.

Aligning Our Priorities: Loving God First (Compass City Church) references the simplicity of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:37-39, highlighting that all the law and prophets hang on these two commandments. This cross-reference underscores the foundational nature of these commandments in the broader biblical narrative.

Transforming Communities Through Neighborly Love in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) references John 13:34, where Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another as He has loved us. This passage is used to emphasize that the mark of Jesus' disciples is their love for one another, which is foundational to the concept of neighborly love.

Aligning Life's Order: God First, Love Always (Dallas Willard Ministries) references Romans 8:28, which speaks about all things working together for good for those who love God. This passage is used to support the idea that living in the kingdom of God ensures that one is well-off and blessed, reinforcing the importance of loving God and neighbor.

Transforming Hearts: Embracing the Overflowing Life in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) references Romans 7, where Paul discusses the struggle of doing what one intends to do, illustrating the brokenness of the human soul. This passage is used to highlight the need for transformation through love, as described in Matthew 22:37-39. The sermon also references Proverbs 4:23, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life," to emphasize the importance of the heart in living a life aligned with God's commandments.

Aligning Worship with God's Desires and Love (Crazy Love) references several biblical passages to expand on Matthew 22:37-39. It cites Matthew 10:37 to discuss the depth of love required for God, emphasizing that loving family more than God makes one unworthy of Him. The sermon also references John 15:9-12, where Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them, highlighting the sacrificial nature of this love. Additionally, John 13:34-35 is mentioned to emphasize that love for one another is the distinguishing mark of Jesus' disciples.

Rekindling Love: Embracing God, Neighbors, and the Holy Spirit (Crazy Love) references Ezekiel 16:49 to illustrate the sin of Sodom as being arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned for the poor and needy. This cross-reference is used to challenge the congregation to avoid these sins by actively loving and caring for others.

Integrity: Beyond Goodness to Genuine Service (Andy Stanley) references the story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) to illustrate the idea that being good is not enough if it is not accompanied by love and service to others. Stanley uses this story to show that Jesus challenged the young ruler to go beyond personal righteousness and to demonstrate love through action.

Reflecting God's Character Through the Ten Commandments (Open the Bible) references Romans 3:23 to highlight that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, connecting this to the idea that the commandments reflect God's character. The sermon also references Psalm 119 to emphasize the psalmist's love for God's law as an expression of love for God.

Heartfelt Faith: Loving God with All We Are (GF.Church) references Deuteronomy 6, where the Shema is found, to highlight the continuity between the Old Testament command to love God and Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:37-39. The sermon also references Proverbs 4:23 to emphasize the importance of guarding one's heart, as it determines the course of one's life. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 10:5 is cited to illustrate the need to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.

Matthew 22:37-39 Christian References outside the Bible:

Understanding God's Love: The Path to True Self-Love (Notre Dame Parish) references St. Thomas Aquinas' distinction between ordered and disordered self-love, using it to explain how self-love can either lead to communion with God and others or result in isolation and sorrow. The sermon also cites contemporary author Father Jack Philippe, who describes love for God, neighbor, and self as interdependent, like the legs of a tripod.

Embracing Love and Redemption: The Message of Christmas (One Church NJ) references the abolitionist John Sullivan Dwight, who was drawn to the message of love and equality in the song "Oh Holy Night." The sermon uses Dwight's story to illustrate how the message of love and redemption can transcend cultural and historical barriers.

Transformative Power of Unconditional Love in Community (Bishop Gary Oliver Encounter Church Fort Worth) references the teachings of John 13:34-35, where Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another as He has loved us. The sermon uses this reference to emphasize the importance of love as a distinguishing mark of Jesus' disciples.

Foundations of Faith: Word, Love, Praise, and Unity (Encounter Church Fort Worth) references Paul, who advises believers to restore a brother caught in a fault with a spirit of meekness, considering their own vulnerability to sin. This reference is used to emphasize the importance of love and humility in relationships with others.

Motivated by Love: The True Path to Holiness (Connect Church) references the concept of love languages, popularized by Gary Chapman, to illustrate how different expressions of love can be understood and appreciated. This analogy is used to explain how obedience to God’s commandments is an expression of love.

Intentional Love: Building Connections with Our Neighbors (The District Church) references Dietrich Bonhoeffer, highlighting his quote that when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. This reference is used to emphasize the sacrificial nature of Christian love and the call to die to self in order to truly love God and neighbor.

Transformative Journey: Emotionally Healthy Mission and Spiritual Growth (Hope Midtown) references Aristotle's rhetorical triangle (ethos, pathos, logos) to emphasize the importance of character (ethos) in the Christian witness. The sermon uses this reference to highlight the significance of character and credibility in fulfilling the commandment to love others.

Prioritizing God and Spouse in Relationships (Journey Church Fremont) references Paul Tripp, who is quoted as saying, "You never get your capacity to love from the person you're called to love." This quote is used to support the idea that God should be the primary source of love and fulfillment, rather than one's spouse, to prevent unrealistic expectations in marriage.

Embracing Christ's Command to Love Unconditionally (Reach City Church Cleveland) references the Bible and Honor's Commentary, which discusses the special love for other believers based on the sacrificial love of Jesus. This commentary is used to emphasize the new quality of love that Jesus commands.

Living Out Love: The Essence of Discipleship (Kuna United Methodist Church) references the work of Larry Duggins and Mike Breen in their book "Simple Harmony and Building a Discipling Culture" to support the use of shapes as a language for discipleship. This reference is used to help the congregation visualize and understand the core messages of Christian living.

Transformative Discipleship: Becoming Like Jesus Together (RiverBend Church) references Dallas Willard, who describes discipleship in Jesus' time as a close association with a rabbi, emphasizing imitation and service. This reference highlights the historical context of discipleship and its connection to loving God and others.

Discerning God's Voice: Humility and Love in Faith (Dallas Willard Ministries) references Peter Wagner's book "How to Have a Healing Ministry Without Making Your Church Sick," which discusses the challenges of spiritual gifts and the importance of fruit in making gifts good and tolerable. This reference is used to highlight the importance of humility and the right use of spiritual gifts in the context of loving one's neighbor.

Transforming Hearts: Embracing the Overflowing Life in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) references C.S. Lewis's concept of the "abolition of man" to illustrate the dangers of living according to human desires rather than divine love. The sermon uses Lewis's insights to underscore the transformative power of love as described in Matthew 22:37-39, suggesting that true human flourishing comes from aligning one's life with God's love.

Aligning Worship with God's Desires and Love (Crazy Love) references historical Christian figures and their writings, such as Jonathan Edwards, to illustrate the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. The sermon uses Edwards' vivid imagery of hell to emphasize the urgency of living a life pleasing to God.

Integrity: Beyond Goodness to Genuine Service (Andy Stanley) references the Apostle Paul, particularly his teachings on love and service in Galatians 5:13-14, to support the idea that loving one's neighbor is the fulfillment of the law. Stanley uses Paul's teachings to emphasize that love for others is a direct expression of love for God.

Heartfelt Faith: Loving God with All We Are (GF.Church) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians when discussing Matthew 22:37-39.

Matthew 22:37-39 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Understanding God's Love: The Path to True Self-Love (Notre Dame Parish) uses a Time magazine article titled "Self-Love is Making Us Lonely" to illustrate the distinction between ordered and disordered self-love. The article suggests that modern self-love has been co-opted by consumerism and leads to isolation rather than connection. The sermon also references Miley Cyrus' song "Flowers" as an example of disordered self-love, highlighting the themes of self-isolation and sorrow in the song's lyrics.

Embracing Love and Redemption: The Message of Christmas (One Church NJ) uses the story of the song "Oh Holy Night" and its historical context to illustrate the power of love and redemption. The sermon explains how the song was initially banned by the French Catholic Church due to the backgrounds of its creators but later became a symbol of hope and unity during the Franco-Prussian War, leading to a temporary ceasefire as soldiers from opposing sides sang the song together.

Transforming Relationships Through the Power of Love (Fairlawn Family Church) uses a personal story about working with teenagers in a youth group to illustrate the challenges and rewards of loving difficult individuals. The speaker shares how initial frustration with the teenagers turned into a transformative experience through prayer, kindness, and building relationships, ultimately leading to positive changes in the teenagers' behavior and engagement with the church.

Foundations of Faith: Word, Love, Praise, and Unity (Encounter Church Fort Worth) uses the analogy of a diverse crowd in a church to illustrate the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. The sermon emphasizes that God's presence welcomes everyone, regardless of their appearance or background, and that true love for others involves accepting and honoring them as they are.

Motivated by Love: The True Path to Holiness (Connect Church) uses the analogy of love languages, a concept from popular psychology, to explain the importance of expressing love in ways that are meaningful to the recipient. This analogy helps illustrate the idea that obedience to God is a way of expressing love for Him.

Intentional Love: Building Connections with Our Neighbors (The District Church) uses the example of yard signs in D.C. as a metaphor for superficial expressions of love and inclusivity. The sermon critiques these signs as rooted in a secular worldview that lacks the depth of agape love, contrasting them with the deeper, sacrificial love that Jesus calls for.

Transformative Journey: Emotionally Healthy Mission and Spiritual Growth (Hope Midtown) uses the analogy of an airplane safety instruction to illustrate the importance of self-care. The sermon explains that just as one must put on their own oxygen mask before helping others, one must ensure their own well-being to effectively love others. This analogy is used to emphasize the necessity of self-love and emotional health in fulfilling the commandment to love others.

Prioritizing God and Spouse in Relationships (Journey Church Fremont) uses the analogy of a trapeze artist to illustrate the concept of "azab," or leaving one thing to commit to another. This secular illustration helps to convey the idea of reordering priorities in a relatable and visual manner.

Embracing Our Identity: The Gospel of Strangers (Crossroads Church) uses a humorous analogy involving millennials' irrational fears, such as quicksand and strangers in white vans, to illustrate the concept of stranger danger and the historical perception of strangers as threats. This analogy serves to contrast cultural fears with the biblical call to love strangers.

Embracing Christ's Command to Love Unconditionally (Reach City Church Cleveland) uses the analogy of upgrading from low-quality tires to high-quality ones to illustrate the difference between loving one's neighbor as oneself and loving as Jesus loved. This secular analogy helps convey the idea of a higher standard of love.

Living Out Love: The Essence of Discipleship (Kuna United Methodist Church) uses the analogy of baking to illustrate the process of Christian living. The pastor compares learning to recognize when a recipe "looks right" to understanding when one's life aligns with the Gospel, suggesting that both require practice and experience. This metaphor helps convey the idea that living a Christian life involves ongoing growth and adjustment.

Aligning Our Priorities: Loving God First (Compass City Church) uses the analogy of a lamp to illustrate the concept of the soul leaving the body, emphasizing the importance of the soul in loving God. This illustration helps convey the idea of the soul's significance in the holistic love for God.

Transforming Character: The True Measure of Success (Dallas Willard Ministries) uses the example of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics rivalry, specifically mentioning Bill Russell's strategy of staying within five points to win games. This sports analogy illustrates the concept of discipline and doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done, paralleling the disciplined love for God and neighbor.

Intentional Journey Towards Authentic Moral Goodness (Dallas Willard Ministries) references the philosophical ideas of Husserl and phenomenology, discussing concepts like authentic intentionality and value consciousness. These philosophical insights are used to explore the depth of moral goodness and the intentionality required to love God and neighbor authentically.

Transforming Hearts: Embracing the Overflowing Life in Christ (Dallas Willard Ministries) uses the Beatles song "Eleanor Rigby" to illustrate the theme of rejection and withdrawal in human relationships. The sermon suggests that the loneliness described in the song is a result of living without the love of God and neighbor, as prescribed in Matthew 22:37-39. This secular reference is used to highlight the transformative power of divine love in overcoming social fears and isolation.

Aligning Worship with God's Desires and Love (Crazy Love) uses the analogy of a birthday party to illustrate the difference between genuine love and superficial attraction. The sermon describes a scenario where people attend a party not for the person being celebrated but for the entertainment provided, drawing a parallel to how people might approach worship and church gatherings for personal enjoyment rather than genuine love for God.

Rekindling Love: Embracing God, Neighbors, and the Holy Spirit (Crazy Love) uses the example of a man choosing to donate money instead of buying an Xbox game to illustrate sacrificial love and prioritizing the needs of others over personal desires. This story is used to challenge the congregation to consider how they can love their neighbors as themselves by making similar sacrifices.

Reflecting God's Character Through the Ten Commandments (Open the Bible) uses the Beatles' song "All You Need Is Love" as an illustration to discuss the cultural misunderstanding of love. The sermon contrasts the song's message with the biblical definition of love, emphasizing that true love is defined by God's commandments and character.

Heartfelt Faith: Loving God with All We Are (GF.Church) uses the analogy of a football game, specifically the Super Bowl, to illustrate the concept of having a clear goal and strategy. The sermon compares the goal of winning a football game to the goal of being faithful to God, emphasizing that just as football teams have a game plan, Christians should have a strategy for loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. The pastor also uses a personal story about attempting to jump across a creek as a child to illustrate how uncorrected thoughts can lead to failure, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's thoughts.