The Greatest Commandment Bible Study #5

We have seen so far in this study

The Greatest Commandment - Loving GodThe Demand, Declaration, and Demonstration of God's LoveToday I want to talk about - What it is to Love God - Which is: To commit oneself in a self-sacrificial mannerTo Delight in HimTo Continually Desire to Please HimTo Rejoice in Serving HimTo Find One's True Happiness in HimTo Thirst day and night for a fuller enjoyment of Him. Today I want to move to the next part of Jesus' answer on what the greatest commandment is - Loving Others!

(Reread the passage***)

The young scribe seems to get far more than what he bargained for. Perhaps this was is in his mind and he didn't have the nerve to ask for whatever reason - Jesus answers the "Greatest Commandment" question then he goes on and gives an unsolicited "Second greatest commandment"

Matthew 22:39-40 (KJV)

Mt 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Christ puts a direct correlation between loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself - "It is like unto it" - The word "Like" in the English language has two main meanings - 1. Something you have a slight affection for i.e. I really like ice-cream. 2. Something very similar or same as something else. i.e. You look just like your father.

It's usage in this passage reflects more of the latter definition but in the Greek it goes even beyond just a similarity -

Like: ὁμοία - homoios - hom'-oy-os - adjective normal nominative feminine singular no degree (Matt. 22:39 UBS5)of equal value, just as great (MT 22.39); (Friberg) In Mt. 22:39 the command to love one's neighbor is of the same importance and validity as the command to love God. (TDNT)

Jesus is subscribing as much importance to Loving God as Loving Others -

Who are these others?

Jesus uses the word Neighbors -

What does the term - "Neighbor" mean?

Loving your neighbor includes:

Loving Your Brother (Which we will deal with today)Loving Others (Neighbors) tomorrow we will explore this in greater detail Love of the brother: Jesus and the disciples are at the last Passover or the Last Supper. He has already made known the fact that he was going to be betrayed, Judas has already been given the sop and left the groupAnd Jesus wanting to get one major truth in before the crucifixion looks at them and says John 13:33-35 (KJV)

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Now Jesus had already given the greatest commandment - To love God with all that we are and to love our neighbor as ourselves. So love was not the new commandment - but rather the extent of that love for one another - As Christ loved you. How did Christ love us? - By example - His love for the disciples especially His love for Judas His love for Peter Paul expounds on this in Romans

Romans 5:6-8 (KJV) 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ showed his love by dying for us - by taking our place. He wanted us to have the same kind of love for the brethren.

Brother David in his book, "Project Pearl" which chronicles the successful smuggling of 1 million Bibles into China tells an amazing story I want to share.

"Long after Project Pearl was completed we received a remarkable testimony from an elderly Chinese pastor named John, who had already spent many years in prison for the sake of the gospel.

Pastor John, who was in his seventies, agreed to receive a consignment of 10,000 Bibles on the day following the Pearl delivery. He was thrilled and overflowing with joy to participate in this way, and he looked forward to distributing the Bibles among the many needy believers in his area. When the consignment of Bibles arrives at his home, John wept and hugged them with pure joy, thanking God for allowing them to have so many copies of His precious Word at one time.

After the authorities were notified of the Bible delivery and launched a thorough investigation, the situation became so tense that John decided it was prudent to store the 10,000 Bibles until the pressure eased. The weeks passed but the situation remained tense so he asked a Christian farmer to hide the Bibles under his barn. The authorities were sure John was one of the main participants in the project, so they arrested him and took him to the local prison, even though there was no evidence of his involvement. John realized how serious the situation was when he saw that his interrogators were not local policemen, but special investigators who had flown in from Beijing to deal with the incident.

The infuriated interrogators shouted questions and abused the venerable man of God, who just closed his eyes and prayed silently. They wanted names of the leaders of Project Pearl, but there was no way John would betray his brothers and sisters in such a way. His refusal to answer enraged the men even more, so they dragged him from the interrogation room into the prison courtyard where they made him stand on a wooden box, about four feet high and less than a foot wide.

Seeing that the old man would not bow to their intimidation the guards bound John's hands behind his back and placed a noose around his neck. A man climbed up on the roof of an adjacent building and fastened the rope to a beam. "Now, lets see how calm you are, old man!" they sneered. "The moment you grow tired you will fall off the box and die! This is all your own doing. Get ready to meet your God!"

Two guards remained behind to witness the faithful pastor's death, while the others walked off, mocking John's faith and laughing at his predicament. Instead of stumbling, however, the humble pastor felt a surge of power enter his body. His legs seemed to strengthen, and he boldly proclaimed the gospel to the two guards. When the sun went down, the guards were surprised that the old man had not yet collapsed.

The following day dawned to find John still standing on the small box. His throat was dry, but a shower of rain refreshed him. The guards resumed their positions, sure that any minute the Christian prisoner would collapse and hang himself. The hours passed, and the only sound heard in the courtyard was that of John preaching the gospel in a loud voice. He told the guards that He was not afraid of death because Jesus Christ had already made a place for him in heaven. One of the men laughed and replied, "Old man, if I get to be your age and look as unhealthy as you do I won't be afraid to die either!"

The bored guards turned their attention on gambling with each other. This greatly encouraged John as he thought about the similarities with the Roman guards gambling for Jesus' clothing as He hung on the cross.

Incredibly, the second day ended, and the pastor remained standing.

The same happened on the third day, then the fourth, fifth, and sixth! The other guards heard that the old man was still alive and they came to see for themselves. Other prisoners heard of the incredible miracle and gave glory to God. The longer John remained standing on the box without food or rest, the more the fear of God began to grip all who witnessed the extraordinary event.

As each day passed, John's physical condition worsened. His legs swelled up to twice their normal size and at times they shook uncontrollably from cramp. On the 11th day John started to feel weak and was close to collapse. The Holy Spirit sustained him, however and he carried on. John had now become something of a spectacle, and news of the miracle had reached outside the prison walls. Some of the leading officials and men of the town came to see it for themselves.

On the 13th day a strong storm swept in and heavy rain lashed John's body, soaking him to the skin. As the box beneath his foot shook from the wind, John realized that he could hold out no longer. Every sinew in his body had been strained beyond endurance. His limbs were numb, and his torso ached for a moment's respite.

John closed his eyes and his legs gave way, and the beloved pastor fell unconscious as the noose tightened around his neck.

About ten minutes later John opened his eyes to find himself stretched out on the prison floor, His whole body was in excruciating pain, especially his arms which had been tied behind his back for almost two weeks. Now that the ropes had been loosened, the blood rushed to his limbs and caused overwhelming pain. Not knowing what was going on, John finally became aware that someone was trying to help him sit up, and a bottle of water was being pressed against his chapped lips. A few minutes more passed before he was able to make out that the person helping him was one of the guards who had been assigned to watch him die. The second guard was standing nearby.

"Please don't die! We want to know your Jesus !"

"Why?" John asked in a faint whisper.

They explained to John that when his legs had finally collapsed in the midst of the storm, his body hung in the air, swinging back and forth from the overhead beam. Then, a moment later, a bolt of lightning suddenly illuminated the courtyard, cutting the rope just above his head and causing him to fall to the ground. Shaking with fear, the two guards dragged the unconscious prisoner inside and tried to revive him.

Pastor John gradually regained his strength and led the two desperate men to faith in Jesus Christ. Dozens of other guards and prisoners who heard what happened also repented of their sins and placed their trust in God. Realizing that they risked the wrath of God if they continued to persecute the elderly Christian, the authorities released him form prison. John returned home, and later dug up the 10,000 Bibles and distributed them among the believers. We may never be called to pay such a price - but we need to have a love that would lay down its life for the brother.

(Jesus made the love of the brother proof of three things - 1. proof of Christianity 2. Proof of Generosity 3. Proof of Comradery …) Proof of Christianity - Jesus says - by this (your love) will all men know that ye are my disciples - A disciple is a learner a follower - Now Jesus doesn't say that loving one another as Christ loved us makes us a disciple - Jesus had already explained the route to become a disciple

Luke 14:26 (KJV)

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 (KJV)

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 (KJV)

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

John 8:31 (KJV)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John 15:8 (KJV)

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

But Jesus does say it is proof of your discipleship - by your love for the brethren the world will know you are my disciple It was to be a distinctive mark, a form of identity. In fact an ancient times a Greek Christian author, who wrote an Apology to the Roman emperor Hadrian, in order to counter the popular notion that Christians were nothing but a sect of erring troublemakers, and the persecution that came with it. told the emperor of all the things they did and didn't do had quite a list but then comes down to one point and says, " "Behold! How they love one another." John takes this even farther in his first epistle -

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Not only was this love a proof of their Christianity It was a proof of their generosity - to the brotherhood. The Apostle John, who spares no one writes:1 John 3:16-18

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Not in word but in deed - There is a good saying in Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 145, 4, on this point: "If love consisted in word only, then love ceaseth as soon as the word is pronounced. Such was the love between Balak and Balaam. But if love consisteth not in word, it cannot be dissolved; such was the love of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the rest of the patriarchs which were before them." Another apostle, James in his typical loving but scathing manner exhorts strongly on the "Royal Law" James 2:14-18

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Not only was this love to be a proof of their Christianity and a proof of their generosity toward the brotherhood, but THIS LOVE WAS TO BE A PROOF OF THE COMRADERIE OF THE BROTHERHOOD!!! What do I mean by the term "Comradery" I mean unity! What do I mean by "unity"

Used to signify a oneness of sentiment, affection, or behavior, such as should exist among the people of God (Psalm 133:1).

Merrill Unger, The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1957), s.v. “,” WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

Ephesians 4:1-4 (KJV)

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One has written: To dwell above with saints we loved, O that will be glory But to dwell below with saints we know-- Well, that's a different story.

1 Peter 3:8 (KJV)

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

lists "unity of spirit" (Gk. homόphrōn, lit. "of the same mind"; AV "of one mind"; NEB "one in thought") as the first of five essential qualities that should mark the Christian community.

Geoffrey W. Bromiley, ed., International Standard BIble Encyclopedia, Revised Edition – Volume Four: Q-Z, (Chicago, IL: Howard-Severance Company, 1915; repr., Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1979), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "UNITY".

Things that divide? -

Judging, passing sentence upon one another, losing respect and confidence in one another by picking and criticizing one anotherQuestioning the character and salvation of your brothers and sisters

Things that unite -

Having one focus - The Lord Jesus Christ & Building His KingdomWorking together not against each otherFellowshipEsteeming the other greater that you (find verse)Love one toward another (bear ye one another's burdens/ have love among yourselves/ be longsuffering find all of these verses)

Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

1 Peter 4:8 (KJV)

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Galatians 5:13-15 (KJV)

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

“Unity is necessary to the outpouring of the Spirit of God. If you have 120 volts of electricity coming into your house but you have broken wiring, you may turn on the switch, but nothing works – no lights come on, the stove doesn’t warm, the radio doesn’t turn on. Why? Because you have broken wiring. The power is ready to do its work…, but where there is broken wiring, there is no power. Unity is necessary among the children of God if we are going to know the flow of power…to see God do His wonders.” ~ A. W. Tozer

I truly believe until the world sees a revival of the love among the church for its own, it will never fully experience the love of us for them.

Romans 12:10

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Ephesians 4:2

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

1 Thessalonians 3:12

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in loveone toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

The saving of a church - There were issues that arose in a little church in the North MO area about 70 some years ago. It was pretty tense and getting worse. People were getting ready to split and even go to court.

A young man at the time and i knew this person well a godly man felt God put on his heart a scripture:

1 Corinthians 6:6-8 (KJV)

6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

He came to church that night - they didn't have a regular preacher but had a band leader and the church might not know who was going to preach each service until the band leader called them out and they happened to call on this young man.

He began to quote this verse and expound on it and the Power of God fell and brought a unity and a togetherness that I experienced even in my life time.

That's the little church I grew up in - and I experienced some of the greatest love from the people of God in that place than anywhere else.

Jesus says - the most important thing in this world is to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself.

I want to remind you your Christian brother is included in that word Neighbor - God fill our churches with Love.