Before we close tonight, I would like to reflect on the question posed by the Pharisees and Jesus’ response in Matthew 22:36-38.
Matthew 22:36-38 --
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law. 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment.
What exactly does that mean? How do we love with all our heart, soul, and mind? Jesus states in John 14:15
John 14:15 --
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
What is commanded of us? First we are commanded to hear the word.
Acts 15:7 --
7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Second, we must believe the gospel which we have heard.
Mark 16:15-16 --
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned.
Next we must take action by repenting and turning away from our sinful past.
Acts 17:30 --
30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Then we must make the confession in our hearts, to God, and to all the world that Jesus is the Christ, the true and living son of God.
Matthew 10:32-33 --
32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Upon this confession, baptism for the remission of sins is commanded.
Acts 2:38 --
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This is not the end of his commandments, but rather the beginning of our salvation. After baptism we are commanded to live faithful to God.
Revelation 2:10 --
10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulatin ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Remember, we love him and follow his commands because he loved us first.
Romans 5:8 --
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
If there are those of an accountable age here that have not obeyed His commandments, that have not put on Christ in baptism, please take t
