Love God and Neighbour
Preach the Gospel and Make Disciples
Mercy Triumphs over Judgment

Love God and Neighbour

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Preach the Gospel and Make Disciples

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Mercy Triumphs over Judgment

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:12-13

But What Does It Mean?

Love God

• Obedience over material sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)
• Follow what God said (Exodus 20)
• Do the Will of God (Matthew 12:48-50, Matthew 6)

Love Neighbour

• Do not take vengeance, do not bear a grudge, love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18)
• Love your enemy (Matthew 5:44)
• Do good to them (Luke 6:35)
• Lend and expect nothing in return (Luke 6:35)
• Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19 )

Preach the Gospel

• Tell others the gospel/good news/the way of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20, John 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:2, Romans 1:16, 1 John 2:2, Ephesians 2:8, 1 John 5:1, Matthew 24:14)

Make Disciples

• Teach others the gospel and obedience (Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:8, Romans 10:14-15, 2 Timothy 2:2, Mark 16:15, 2 Timothy 3:16)

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

• Show mercy (Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:7, Hosea 6:6)
• Judge with mercy (James 2:12-13, Luke 6:36-37)
• Show mercy not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13, Micah 6:8)
• Obey but not without mercy (Matthew 23:23)

But How Does It Play Out?

• You may have thought you needed to obey the Ten Commandments and maybe some other ‘nice to have’ rules from the New Testament
• But what about moral quandaries that violate one of the rules? Like lying to protect someone from harm or killing in war

But Can It Be That Simple?

• When Jesus gave the Greatest Commandment (Love God and Neighbour) he made it “simple” but it was backed up by the scripture it referenced and what God had communicated to us
• ‘You will understand the truth and the truth will set you free’

Featured Image by Jens Johnsson from Pexels