SF263 - THE GREATEST OF THE GREATEST (Matthew 22 36-40)
Matthew 22:34-40; 28:18-20
INTRODUCTION
It was Passover week, and Jesus was teaching in the Temple, which He had violently cleansed the day before. He had just finished telling and explaining three judgment parables against unbelieving Israel, particularly directed against the Temple rulers who had challenged His authority (21:23).
The religious leaders resented Jesus because He exposed their pride, hypocrisy, and self-righteousness.
They envied His great popularity with the people, especially in light of the fact that He had never sought or received official Sanhedrin certification as a rabbi.
Most of all, they were incensed at His claim to be the Messiah and the Son of God, a claim which in their eyes was blatant blasphemy
Third in three attempts by the Jewish leadership to trap Jesus.
Ø The Pharisees and Herodians on the matter of taxes (22:15-22)
Ø The Sadducees on the matter of the resurrection (22:23-33)
Ø The Pharisees on the matter of the commandments (22:34-40)
The Lord masterfully answers their question and in so doing instructs us concerning our service to Him. This passage linked with Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission we have a definitive guide to living the Christina life.
We exist to…
1A. CELEBRATE GOD’S PRESENCE - WORSHIP (Matthew 22:37)
1B. Our Task: Exalt our Master
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalm 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
2B. How we are to Worship (Hebrew 10:19-21)
We come to church primarily to meet the Lord!
Worship is coming into God's Presence through Jesus Christ!
The Temple Pictures How This Works...
Ø The Holy of Holies represented God's presence
Ø The curtain (veil) represents Jesus Christ
White linen: purity; Crimson: humanity/sacrifice; Blue: deity; Purple: Royalty
3B. Why we are to Worship
Because He is worthy
Revelation 5:12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
Because you become like what you worship
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Worship always precedes service!
4B. Our Goal: To magnify the Lord with our lips and our lives!
2A. DEMONSTRATE GOD’S LOVE - MINISTRY (Matthew 22:39)
1B. Our Task: Express God’s Love through ministry
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Ministry is something you do - Not something you receive.
2B. Our Goal: To minister to others in the love of Christ.
3A. COMMUNICATE GOD’S WORD - EVANGELISM (Matthew 28:19a)
1B. Our Task: Evangelize our mission field
Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
2B. The People are the Evangelist (Acts 1:8a)
2B. The Power to Evangelize (Acts 1:8b)
John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
3B. The Promise to the Evangelist (Acts 1:8c)
Ø God has told us that we will be witnesses!
4B. The Place of Evangelism (Acts 1:8d)
Evangelism must begin at home.
5B. Our Goal: To proclaim the gospel to every creature.
4A. ASSOCIATE WITH GOD’S FAMILY – FELLOWSHIP (Matthew 28:b)
1B. Our Task: Edify other believers
1 Thessalonians 3:2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
2B. Our Goal: To incorporate others into Christ’s family as members
5A. EDUCATE GOD’S PEOPLE – DISCIPLESHIP (Matthew 28:20a)
1B. Our Task: Educate for spiritual maturity
Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
2B. Our Goal: To grow to spiritual maturity and help others grow!
APPLICATION
Will You Be Part of the Dream?
It is all about Commitment
We Believe That a Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will Grow a GREAT CHURCH!!!!
Four Commitments...
1. Commitment to Church Membership
2. Commitment to Spiritual Maturity
3. Commitment to Ministry
4. Commitment to your Life Mission
One Conclusion
To Magnify the Lord!
Matthew 22:36-40; 28:18-20
1A. _________________________ GOD’S PRESENCE (WORSHIP) - “Love the Lord...”
Our Task: __________________ our Master
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalm 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Our Goal: To magnify the Lord with our lips and our lives!
2A. ____________________________ GOD’S LOVE (MINISTRY) - “Love your neighbor...”
Our Task: Express God’s Love through ministry
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Our Goal: To ____________ to others in the love of Christ.
3A. ________________________________ GOD’S WORD (EVANGELISM) - “Go and make disciples...”
Our Task: _______________________ our mission field
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Our Goal: To proclaim the gospel to every creature.
4A. __________________________ WITH GOD’S FAMILY (FELLOWSHIP) - “Baptizing them...”
Our Task: ______________________ other believers
1 Thessalonians 3:2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Our Goal: To incorporate others into Christ’s family as members
5A. _______________________________ GOD’S PEOPLE (DISCIPLESHIP) - “Teaching them to obey...”
Our Task: Educate for spiritual maturity
Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Our Goal: To grow to spiritual maturity and help others grow!
APPLICATION
It is all about Commitment
We Believe That a Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will Grow a GREAT CHURCH!!!!