Start Here

Me, Zach Collins, His young brother - Constant competition - who was the greatest - Wrestling, Motorcycles, bike jumps, video games.

People want to know the GREATEST - not the 5th greatest.

The greatest is most entertaining, its most exciting

START HERE - Its not just an idea - Its how we treat and approach people

Before we decide who’s right, who’s out, or who’s worthy of our time...

Before the opinions, or the assumptions...

We start with a conversation.

We start with value.

We start with what Jesus did.

Why? Because as Christians, we should love Jesus greatest of all and live our lives to be more like him.

Dont know him? You should, but if not you still understand, what you love shapes your life.

Sports, games, school work, family friends - the list goes on.

We love the things that have the greatest value to us.

But have we thought about what should be the greatest over all of those?

lives are busy - we are constantly making a choice of who or what gets our attention.

Live like we have too many apps open.

Whatever we put in that #1 spot influences everything else - workout analogy

Today - Where does God say we should Start?

Why did God send Jesus? Many reasons, but…

Main reason - to show himself in human form

If you want valid answers about God - Jesus shows us what God is like.

Not everyone accepted Jesus even though he never sinned, and only cared for everyone.

Why?

He claimed to be God - Fair - Think of today

Jesus challenged the law

It was hard for people to decipher if he was a good teacher, or a crazy man sent to destroy the law.

At one point one of the religious leaders says

Matthew 22:36 ““Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?””

There were alot of laws - like 613 or so

• Like, return lost property to its owner.

• Or don’t mistreat strangers.

• Or only eat certain foods prepared certain ways.

Ten commandments

This leader was asking Jesus which was greatest

He did this to test Jesus’ understanding of—and commitment to—the religious law.

What do WE think is a big deal to God? Can we be like that religious leader?

Im gonna read this list, give me a thumbs up or thumb down if you think its the greatest:

WHITEBOARD

We are trying to get to the bottom - Whats really the greatest? People really want/wanted to know.

Matthew 22:37–38 “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.”

Not shocking, but Jesus Goes on…

Matthew 22:39 “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Why add a second? Because Jesus knew that Loving God leads (or should lead) to loving others.

When you study the Gospels, and Jesus, youll notice:

According to Jesus, the most important thing about us is who and what we love the most.

People asked questions about what Jesus thought about certain groups of people who . . .

• Were a different ethnicity.

• Were a different gender.

• Were very old or very young.

• Had a lot of power or none at all.

• Came from a different religious background or a non-religious background.

• Made different behavioral choices.

• Had nothing good to offer anyone.

And if you study those interactions alongside Jesus’ actions, you’ll notice something else:

Most of Jesus’ controversy revolved around the people He loved and advocated for.

Why do we need to love God first? - Because it shapes everything else we do.

Loving God first transforms how we treat other people, how we make decisions, how we handle stress, and even how we view ourselves.

He doesn't stop at loving God, he wants us to love others too.

The Greatest thing to Jesus is WHO and WHAT we love.

APPLY

Whether you think God could never love you, or know that he’s loved you since you were born, try these two things

spending intentional time with God each day. - QT app

if you're not into a bible time or devotion yet, simply start with this verse:

Matthew 22:37–39 “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.’”

Memorize it, write it down, read it, recite it - Make this verse one the most important verses you know.

Next, pay attention to who you love and who you need to start loving.

When God is our priority, it should naturally flow into how we interact with others.

You don’t have to write it down or say it out loud, but when you hear about . . .

• A person in your school and something bad they’ve done

• A group of people and what they represent

• Someone who thinks or believes differently than you

. . . Or anybody else that makes you think something along the lines of “I just took a stand or built a case against them in my mind that made me think less of them.”

Become aware of it, and pay attention. 

Then, ask God to help you see them the way He does.

Here’s the big idea for today: You can start with loving God, because God loved you first.

Not earning it, just honoring it, and returning the love the best we can.

He could've said all the things we should or shouldn't do, but he didn't.

He started with Love.

Loving God first changes everything.

“How would it change my approach to God if I truly believed that He is the first and foremost priority for me?”