"God So Loved" - 10-24-21
Introduction
Imagine a world without love. It would be a dark, cold, and cruel place to live. Nobody would care for one another. Trust and fellowship would be broken. Everyone’s motives would be selfish and self-serving. Marriages would surely fail, and families would be torn apart. Sadly, for many people, this description has been an unfortunate reality. In contrast to the world, Jesus Christ has called us, even commanded us, to love one another. In today’s lesson, we will explore what it means to “love one’s neighbor.”
Key Verse
“And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mk. 12:31).
Lesson Summary
When Jesus was asked, “Which is the first (or great) commandment?” (Mk. 12:28), he answered, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mk. 12:30). Then Jesus added, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (v. 31). First and foremost, Jesus commanded us to love God with everything within us, but then he quickly added another cardinal rule – to love your neighbor as yourself (Mt. 22:39). Although these two commandments are not the same, the two are so closely related in the mind of Christ that they cannot be separated from one another. The love of God and love of neighbor get to the very heart and soul of what it truly means to be a Christian, a disciple and follower of Christ. Jesus said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Mt. 22:40). Certainly, the first command (to love God) requires the second (to love neighbor); and the second command depends on the first (1 Jn. 2:9-10; 3:23; 4:7, 11, 20-21). Therefore, anytime the Scriptures speak of loving God, loving one’s neighbor is understood; and anytime the Scriptures speak of loving one’s neighbor, loving God is likewise intended. In the epistle of James, loving one’s neighbor is called the “royal law” (Ja. 2:8). In regard to the royal law of love, James admonished the saints to treat others with utmost respect without showing partiality and “respect of persons” (Ja. 2:1-9). When Jesus taught us to love one another, he did not want us to place qualifiers on his commandment (Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12, 17). On one occasion, a lawyer desired to excuse himself in regard to loving his neighbor, asking Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Lu. 10:25-29). Jesus told him the story of the “Good Samaritan.” A man going from Jerusalem to Jericho was robbed, beaten up, and left for dead. A priest came along but kept on going; he wouldn’t go near the man. A Levite also passed by but did nothing to help. When finally a Samaritan, an outcast, came along and saw him, having pity on the poor soul. He bandaged his wounds and took him to an inn to care for him. When he departed the next day on his journey, he left some money with the innkeeper to care for the injured man, and even promised to pay all his expenses while he recovered (vv. 30-35). After sharing this story, Jesus then asked the lawyer, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?” (v. 36). The lawyer replied, “He that shewed mercy on him” (v. 37). Jesus said, “Go, and do thou likewise” (v. 37). When it comes to loving one’s neighbor, the real issue is not, “Who is being a neighbor to me,” but rather, “To whom am I being a neighbor?” As true believers who are born of the Spirit, the love of God compels us to love and to be a good neighbor to our fellow man.
Scripture Study
Love your neighbor – Mk. 12:28-31; Mt. 22:39-40; 1 Jn. 2:9-10; 3:23; 4:7, 11, 20-21; Ja. 2:8
Who is your neighbor? – Ja. 2:1-9; Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Lu. 10:25-37
Conclusion
The Lord has called and commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is a tall order. It is a chief commandment of God, the royal law of the Scriptures. When we put this commandment into operation, we should be careful to love as Jesus loved without showing partiality and placing limitations on his commandment.
Introduction
Imagine a world without love. It would be a dark, cold, and cruel place to live. Nobody would care for one another. Trust and fellowship would be broken. Everyone’s motives would be selfish and self-serving. Marriages would surely fail, and families would be torn apart. Sadly, for many people, this description has been an unfortunate reality. In contrast to the world, Jesus Christ has called us, even commanded us, to love one another. In today’s lesson, we will explore what it means to “love one’s neighbor.”
Key Verse
“And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mk. 12:31).
Lesson Summary
When Jesus was asked, “Which is the first (or great) commandment?” (Mk. 12:28), he answered, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mk. 12:30). Then Jesus added, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (v. 31). First and foremost, Jesus commanded us to love God with everything within us, but then he quickly added another cardinal rule – to love your neighbor as yourself (Mt. 22:39). Although these two commandments are not the same, the two are so closely related in the mind of Christ that they cannot be separated from one another. The love of God and love of neighbor get to the very heart and soul of what it truly means to be a Christian, a disciple and follower of Christ. Jesus said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Mt. 22:40). Certainly, the first command (to love God) requires the second (to love neighbor); and the second command depends on the first (1 Jn. 2:9-10; 3:23; 4:7, 11, 20-21). Therefore, anytime the Scriptures speak of loving God, loving one’s neighbor is understood; and anytime the Scriptures speak of loving one’s neighbor, loving God is likewise intended. In the epistle of James, loving one’s neighbor is called the “royal law” (Ja. 2:8). In regard to the royal law of love, James admonished the saints to treat others with utmost respect without showing partiality and “respect of persons” (Ja. 2:1-9). When Jesus taught us to love one another, he did not want us to place qualifiers on his commandment (Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12, 17). On one occasion, a lawyer desired to excuse himself in regard to loving his neighbor, asking Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Lu. 10:25-29). Jesus told him the story of the “Good Samaritan.” A man going from Jerusalem to Jericho was robbed, beaten up, and left for dead. A priest came along but kept on going; he wouldn’t go near the man. A Levite also passed by but did nothing to help. When finally a Samaritan, an outcast, came along and saw him, having pity on the poor soul. He bandaged his wounds and took him to an inn to care for him. When he departed the next day on his journey, he left some money with the innkeeper to care for the injured man, and even promised to pay all his expenses while he recovered (vv. 30-35). After sharing this story, Jesus then asked the lawyer, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?” (v. 36). The lawyer replied, “He that shewed mercy on him” (v. 37). Jesus said, “Go, and do thou likewise” (v. 37). When it comes to loving one’s neighbor, the real issue is not, “Who is being a neighbor to me,” but rather, “To whom am I being a neighbor?” As true believers who are born of the Spirit, the love of God compels us to love and to be a good neighbor to our fellow man.
Scripture Study
Love your neighbor – Mk. 12:28-31; Mt. 22:39-40; 1 Jn. 2:9-10; 3:23; 4:7, 11, 20-21; Ja. 2:8
Who is your neighbor? – Ja. 2:1-9; Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Lu. 10:25-37
Conclusion
The Lord has called and commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is a tall order. It is a chief commandment of God, the royal law of the Scriptures. When we put this commandment into operation, we should be careful to love as Jesus loved without showing partiality and placing limitations on his commandment.
Sunday School Lessons
October 2021
ADULT - English
ADULT - English
| adult_english_ss_-_october_2021.zip |
ADULT - Spanish
| adult_spanish_ss_-_october_2021.zip |
Children - English
| children_english_ss_-_october_2021.zip |
Teen - English
| teen_english_ss_-_october_2021.zip |