Let's Keep It Simple
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Jesus was challenged by religious leaders
Wanted to trick him into saying 1 part of God’s Law (OT) more important than another
Jesus knew what they were trying to do - instead he summarised whole God’s Law
Jesus says if we follow these 2 commands - we’re on our way to following all of God’s Law / bible
If follow these 2 commands we’ll think, act, feel, in ways that will help us be more like Jesus
Love God with Everything You Have
Love God with Everything You Have
First command Jesus gives is our number one rule of life
This was based on the Shema
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
The Jews would recite this verse everyday to remind themselves of what’s important in life
We can see that Jesus version was pretty much the same
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.
In times like these our fear, panic, anxiety seeks to get the better of us...
Our spiritual enemy is seeking to distract us away from focusing in 1 thing that helps us...
Focusing on Jesus
The first thing we MUST do in times of panic, disaster, crisis is to love God with everything
Loving God with everything means our emotions, thoughts, and actions are focused on God
God is the first person we wake up to & the last person we fall asleep with...
He’s always on our mind, he occupies our thoughts...
He guides how we express our feelings & how we act actions
How do we love God with everything we have?
How do we love God with everything we have?
The first things we often stop doing in times of panic, disaster, crisis...
Are the exact things we desperately need TO BE DOING!
READ THE BIBLE!
Read it online, read it in bed, read it on your phone, read any translation, whatever is easiest
Just read it - please!
Through reading bible God speaks to us, helps us, encourages us, let us know he’s near
Reading Bible helps us focus our thoughts & emotions on God
Use this time to read the gospels (Matthew, Mark Luke & John) & Book of Acts
This will help remind you of who Jesus is & how much he loves you
& how important you & your family, & your neighbourhoods are to Him
PRAY
Prayer is just talking to God - that’s all
Tell God about your worries, anxieties, fears, concerns, hopes, desires
Admit to him your failures, weaknesses, sins, ask him to forgive you & help you do better
He wants you to talk to him - he loves you & loves hearing from you, regularly
Get into a routine & make a specific time every day to talk to God
KEEP CONNECTED
I want everyone who can to have joined the online community site
Through the web I can share sermons, devotions, prayers, notices, encouragement
And we can share our prayer requests, have discussions with each other etc
A temporary church website will hopefully be & running too
I’ll be posting videos and audio stuff you will be able to access
Don’t forget to keep in contact with each other vi texts, emails, phone calls
The Church Council Members will also be active keeping in contact with you
I’ll continue to visit people while practicing social distancing for those who want / need it
Love All Others Equally
Love All Others Equally
This is our number two rule of life Jesus gave us
But I want you to notice what Jesus says about this rule or command
The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
Notice Jesus says this rule is like the other one
Or actually that this rule is as important as the other one
So as well as loving God with everything we have, Jesus wants us to love everyone equally
He wants us to think about, consider, have concern for, care for, & love other people
Not like them, love them to the same level you think about, consider, care for love yourself
This isn’t a rule to just love your family & friends, or those who you like & get on well with
Jesus says to love your neighbour - so who counts as my neighbour?
Remember the Pharisee who asked Jesus the same question - what was Jesus answer
Jesus told Pharisee - your neighbour is anyone who needs your help, love, care, concern
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
That includes even those who don’t even like you or actively hate you!
Jesus wants you to equally show those who hate you help, love, care, concern
How do we love everyone equally?
How do we love everyone equally?
Thankfully we have so many technological resources we can access
That gives us many different ways to communicate with our friends, neighbours, work mates
CALL, TEXT, EMAIL, MESSAGE, CALL
Give you friends, neighbours, work mates a call, text, message, email
Or if you are well you could visit maintaining social distancing
You can ask people if they need help getting groceries, contacting loved ones,
Or just have a quick chat & share a word of encouragement to show you care
Be mindful of those people who are living on their own or are isolated from family
Help them feel less isolated & alone & more connected & cared for
PRAY
Pray for your neighbours - for their health, wellbeing, & peace
Pray that God opens up opportunities to communicate why you have hope & peace
Keep things simple - Love God, Love People
Keep things simple - Love God, Love People
keep up the basics, stay connected, & we’ll get through this together