The Most Important Commandment of God -- Zac Poonen -- September 12, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-most-important-commandment-of-god River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The most important commandment is to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind, which supersedes all other religious observances. The speaker argues that true Christian life requires prioritizing God above all else, noting that worldly tensions often stem from failing to love God completely. This principle should guide everything from marriage to parenting.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why priorities matter in the Christian lifeIn worldly matters and family life, we understand the importance of priorities and knowing what comes first. We must recognize the same principle in our Christian life rather than just coming to church for the wrong reasons.
Why do you come to church?Many people attend church solely to listen to a good preacher or a favorite speaker, having zero interest in true fellowship or building the body of Christ. Jesus did not come simply to provide good sermons.
The greatest commandment in the lawWhen an expert in the law asked Jesus about the most important thing in life, Jesus stated that we must love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, leaving nothing out for anything else.Matthew 22:35
Loving God solves human tensionsWhen a person loves God with all their heart, human conflicts and tensions in marriages and church fellowship disappear because God is placed above everything else.
Is it possible to be free from anxiety?While concern for responsibilities like family and health is right, anxiety reveals a misplaced relationship with God. Jesus repeatedly tells His followers not to worry.
Seek first His kingdom and governmentThe ultimate solution to anxiety is to let God govern your life as King and put His kingdom first above food, clothing, and shelter.
Walking as Jesus walkedThe one who says he abides in Christ must walk as Jesus walked, living completely free from anxiety with the Father as number one in every situation.1 John 2:6
When human interests clash with God'sJesus rebuked Peter strongly when Peter's mind was set on man's interests rather than God's. Genuine love from God sometimes involves loving rebukes.
Imagining the judgment seat of christReflecting on standing before the judgment seat of Christ helps believers see the tragedy of pursuing self-will instead of God's perfect plan.
God restores the wasted yearsGod does not torture believers over past wrong decisions, but lovingly promises to restore the years eaten by locusts and wasted follies if we yield to Him today.
A call to come up higherGod overlooks past ignorance and calls believers to leave low earthly levels, get their priorities right, and turn around to love Him with all their heart.Revelation 4:1
Being saved from the love of moneyThe speaker shares personal testimony of how God used financial loss to root out the cancer of the love of money and teach him total dependence.
Doing earthly work better through loving GodLoving God with all your heart enables you to perform ordinary earthly jobs and responsibilities with greater excellence and integrity.
Never being ashamed of Jesus ChristBecause Jesus was willing to suffer naked on a cross for us, believers should never be ashamed to acknowledge Him as Savior in the face of mockery or opposition.
Turning from the past to shine as a lightThough we cannot change yesterday, we can decide from today onward to let our lives shine quietly and brightly for God.
