A Three Way Love Story

A THREE WAY LOVE STORY

SCRIPTURE:           Matthew 22:34-40

I.      GOD

        Love is the first and great thing that God demands from us, and, therefore, the first and great thing that we should devote to Him.

        A.     Love God as Ours

                1.     Thou shalt have no other Gods.  Exodus 20:3

                2.     He is our Creator, Owner and Ruler.  John 1:1-5

        B.     Love Him With All Our Heart, Soul and Mind

                1.     Sincere--not just in word and tongue

                2.     Strong--to most intense degree

                3.     Singular and superlative--more than anything else

II.     NEIGHBOR:  Who is my neighbor?  Luke 10:29

        A.     Honor and Esteem All Men

                1.     All created in image of God

                2.     All equal in God's eyes--He wants none to perish.                                    Matthew 18:14

        B.     Do Good to All Men--Good Samaritan.  Luke 10:30

                1.     Love is action

                2.     Christ's example

III.    SELF

        A.     Due Concern for Welfare of Our Own Soul

                1.     Is Christ your Savior?

                2.     Is Christ your Lord?

        B.     Due Concern for Welfare of Our Own Body

                Temple of the Holy Spirit.  I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20.

        C.     Self-Concept--Your Own Worth and Dignity.

        "We must love our neighbor as ourselves, as truly and sincerely as we love ourselves, and in the same instances; ney, in many cases we must deny ourselves for the good of our neighbor, and must make ourselves servants to the true welfare of others, and be willing to spend and be spent for them, to lay down our lives for the brethren."  Matthew Henry.