What's Love Got To Do With It? By Phil Chapman (Matthew 22:37-40)
Summary
Love is not a secondhand emotion or a fleeting feeling; it is the very essence of our existence as followers of Christ. In a world where love is often treated as optional or temporary, Jesus teaches us that love is foundational to our faith and life. Reflecting on Matthew 22:37-40, we see that love is not just a part of our lives; it is the core of who we are and how we live. Jesus emphasizes that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This love is not merely an emotion but a commitment that requires action and surrender.
Loving God means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. It is not about rituals or rules but about a deep, consuming love that permeates every aspect of our being. This love demands that we offer our lives in surrender, trusting God's plans over our own. It is a daily choice to submit our desires and plans to Him, recognizing that true worship is about offering our entire lives as a living sacrifice.
Moreover, our love for God naturally overflows into love for others. Jesus makes it clear that we cannot separate our love for God from our love for our neighbors. Loving others is not a suggestion but an essential part of our faith. It means valuing others as we value ourselves, showing grace, forgiveness, and kindness even when it is inconvenient or difficult. This selfless love is the fulfillment of the law, as every commandment is rooted in love.
Ultimately, love is the defining characteristic of a Christian life. It is the hinge upon which all other aspects of our faith rest. Without love, our faith is empty and meaningless. Jesus exemplified this love by sacrificing Himself for us, demonstrating that true love is not just preached but lived out. As His followers, we are called to do the same, allowing love to define us in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Our faith is measured by our love, and it is through love that we truly reflect the heart of Christ to the world.
Key Takeaways
- Love is the foundation of our faith, not just an optional part of it. Jesus teaches that loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind is the greatest commandment, and it should consume every aspect of our lives. This love is not casual but requires a deep commitment and prioritization of our relationship with God above all else. [08:30]
- True love for God is expressed through surrender and obedience. It is not enough to say we love God; we must demonstrate it by offering our lives as a living sacrifice, submitting our desires and plans to His will. This surrender is a daily choice that reflects our devotion to God. [17:27]
- Loving others is an essential part of our faith, inseparable from our love for God. Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, showing grace, forgiveness, and kindness even when it is difficult. This selfless love fulfills the law and reflects the heart of Christ. [24:34]
- Our faith is measured by love, not by knowledge, status, or appearance. Love should define us in every aspect of our lives, from our homes to our workplaces and communities. It is through love that we truly live out the commandments and reflect the heart of Christ to the world. [32:31]
- Jesus exemplified perfect love through His sacrifice, showing that true love is not just preached but lived out. As His followers, we are called to do the same, allowing love to be the defining characteristic of our lives and the measure of our faith. [35:34]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:10] - The Question of Love
- [05:29] - Jesus' Response
- [08:30] - Loving God with All
- [10:51] - Pursuing Love
- [14:03] - Staying Connected
- [17:27] - Surrendering to God
- [19:55] - A Story of Surrender
- [21:52] - Real Love in Action
- [24:34] - Loving Your Neighbor
- [28:22] - The Good Samaritan
- [30:34] - Putting Others First
- [32:31] - Fulfillment of the Law
- [35:34] - Jesus' Example of Love
- [37:31] - Love as Our Measure
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 22:37-40
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Romans 12:1
---
Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus identify as the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-40, and how does it relate to the second commandment? [05:29]
2. How does Pastor Phil describe the difference between casual love for God and a consuming love for God? [08:30]
3. What story does Pastor Phil share to illustrate the concept of surrendering our plans to God, and what was the outcome? [19:55]
4. According to the sermon, how does loving others fulfill the law, and what example from the Bible is used to illustrate this? [28:22]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind challenge the way people typically prioritize their lives? [10:51]
2. In what ways does Pastor Phil suggest that surrendering to God can lead to unexpected blessings or outcomes? [21:52]
3. How does the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 illustrate the command to love your neighbor as yourself, and what does this mean for practical daily living? [28:22]
4. What does Pastor Phil mean when he says that love is the "hinge" upon which all other aspects of faith rest, and how does this impact the way Christians should live? [32:31]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where you are offering Him only your "extras" instead of your first and best? How can you change this in the coming week? [10:51]
2. Pastor Phil shared a personal story about surrendering his plans to God. Is there a situation in your life where you need to let go and trust God's plan? What steps can you take to surrender this to Him? [19:55]
3. Consider someone in your life who is difficult to love. What practical steps can you take this week to show them grace and kindness, even if it feels inconvenient? [24:34]
4. How can you ensure that your love for God is not just an emotional response but a daily commitment that influences your actions and decisions? [14:03]
5. Pastor Phil mentioned the importance of staying connected to God, like a branch to a vine. What are some practical ways you can strengthen your connection to God daily? [14:03]
6. Think about a recent situation where you prioritized your own interests over others. How can you apply Philippians 2:3-4 to put others first in similar situations in the future? [30:34]
7. Reflect on the idea that love is the defining characteristic of a Christian life. How can you make love more central in your interactions at home, work, and in your community this week? [37:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Love as the Core of Our Existence
Love is not a secondhand emotion or a fleeting feeling; it is the very essence of our existence as followers of Christ. In a world where love is often treated as optional or temporary, Jesus teaches us that love is foundational to our faith and life. Reflecting on Matthew 22:37-40, we see that love is not just a part of our lives; it is the core of who we are and how we live. Jesus emphasizes that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This love is not merely an emotion but a commitment that requires action and surrender. [08:30]
1 John 4:7-8 (ESV): "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Reflection: How can you prioritize love as the core of your daily actions and decisions today, especially in situations where it feels optional or inconvenient?
Day 2: Surrender as an Expression of Love
True love for God is expressed through surrender and obedience. It is not enough to say we love God; we must demonstrate it by offering our lives as a living sacrifice, submitting our desires and plans to His will. This surrender is a daily choice that reflects our devotion to God. Loving God means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. It is not about rituals or rules but about a deep, consuming love that permeates every aspect of our being. This love demands that we offer our lives in surrender, trusting God's plans over our own. [17:27]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: Love for Others as a Reflection of God's Love
Loving others is an essential part of our faith, inseparable from our love for God. Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, showing grace, forgiveness, and kindness even when it is difficult. This selfless love fulfills the law and reflects the heart of Christ. Moreover, our love for God naturally overflows into love for others. Jesus makes it clear that we cannot separate our love for God from our love for our neighbors. [24:34]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 4: Love as the Measure of Our Faith
Our faith is measured by love, not by knowledge, status, or appearance. Love should define us in every aspect of our lives, from our homes to our workplaces and communities. It is through love that we truly live out the commandments and reflect the heart of Christ to the world. Without love, our faith is empty and meaningless. Jesus exemplified this love by sacrificing Himself for us, demonstrating that true love is not just preached but lived out. [32:31]
1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV): "And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
Reflection: In what ways can you let love be the defining characteristic of your interactions at work or in your community today?
Day 5: Following Jesus' Example of Sacrificial Love
Jesus exemplified perfect love through His sacrifice, showing that true love is not just preached but lived out. As His followers, we are called to do the same, allowing love to be the defining characteristic of our lives and the measure of our faith. Ultimately, love is the defining characteristic of a Christian life. It is the hinge upon which all other aspects of our faith rest. [35:34]
Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Reflection: How can you imitate Christ's sacrificial love in a specific relationship or situation this week? What practical steps can you take to live out this love?
Quotes
Love, according to Jesus, has everything to do with who we are and how we live. [00:01:18] (6 seconds)
If we truly love God, it means we don't just say it. We actually surrender our lives to him, and that's how we're showing our love. Romans 12 .1 says, many of you have this memorized, I'm sure, present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [00:16:14] (21 seconds)
Surrender is a daily choice. Here's the amazing thing. When we truly love God and surrender to him, that love overflows to those that are around us. You see, loving God is what Jesus is trying to tell us to do. It's that vertical, up and down. Man, I want to praise you, Jesus. I want to praise you. But it's also horizontal. [00:23:27] (20 seconds)
Jesus makes it tremendously clear. He says in Matthew 22, 39, and a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself, making it clear we cannot separate our love for God and our love for others. If I'm a follower of Jesus, I will love the Lord above all. I'll offer my life and surrender, and I'll value my neighbor as myself. [00:23:59] (26 seconds)
Jesus doesn't just say love your neighbor he says love your neighbor as yourself so what does that mean well it's the same intentionality you have for yourself I want to eat okay how are you helping people eat I want shelter is there something you could do to help someone with some shelter I want grace when I'm not doing my best are you offering grace [00:26:35] (31 seconds)
If we live in love, we are living out everything that God wants for us. You know, love isn't just part of the Christian life. It is the Christian life. [00:33:21] (13 seconds)
Jesus, friends, showed us exactly what love was, didn't he? There's this verse that, man, a lot of us know. John 3 .16, for God so loved the world. He loved the world that he gave his only son. Think about that. Jesus showed his love for God by saying, Father, not my will, but your will be done. [00:34:37] (40 seconds)
Our faith is measured by love. It's not measured by how smart we are, the knowledge we have, how much scripture we have memorized. That's not how our faith is measured. It's not measured by our status or our appearance or our bank accounts or how much we give. Our faith is measured by our love. Our obedience is rooted deep in love. [00:36:42] (25 seconds)
Love should define us, not just, in the church. Love should define us in our homes, how we're treating our kids and the people that come into our home. Love should define us at work, in our communities. How are we treating those that we care about? [00:37:14] (20 seconds)