The Second Greatest Commandment
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TITLE: The Second Greatest Command
SUBJECT: Love, Obedience
PROPOSITION: What does it mean to love my neighbor as myself? How do I practice it? Where do I start?
OBJECTIVE: That each would understand more about the second command and how to live it.
AIM: To encourage everyone to practice the second command.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Matthew 22:36-40
2. About the Text:
1) There were many other occasions where Jesus was asked what the greatest command was.
2) This was a popular question in the rabbinical world of the day and hotly disputed.
3) There are over 600 commands in the Old Testament.
4) Some had said that it was the command to perform sacrifice.
5) Others had said it was the command to observe the great feasts.
6) They hoped that Jesus would side with one school of thought or another.
7) Jesus response to this question was without dispute.
8) But He also gave the second greatest command.
9) Leviticus 19:18 says, “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
10) Many give lip service to loving their neighbor, but fail to put it into practice.
11) Many don’t know what it means to love their neighbor.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION:
I. Who is my neighbor?
1. In Luke 10:29, a lawyer, after understanding the first and second command, asked “Who is my neighbor?”
2. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-35 (Read)
3. Jesus asked him, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?”
4. He answered, “He that showed mercy on him.”
5. A neighbor isn’t just someone next door.
6. A neighbor is anyone who helps in time of need.
7. If we want to have neighbors, we need to be a neighbor.
II. What does it mean to love?
1. Today many people define love solely on the grounds of emotions.
2. How does the Bible define love?
3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 teaches us what it means to love. (Read)
4. Love, then, is not merely having emotions for someone, but seeking their highest good.
5. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
6. Do we have this kind of love toward our neighbor?
III. When should I love my neighbor?
1. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times….”
2. However, love acts!
3. When do we act upon our love for our neighbor?
4. When we have the opportunity. Galatians 6:10 says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
5. When we know to do good. James 4:17 states, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
6. When there is a need. Acts 2:45 says, “And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
IV. Where should I love my neighbor?
1. Loving our neighbor begins at home.
1) There is the temptation to think that when I am home, I may do what I wish.
2) Husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25).
3) Wives are to love their husbands (Titus 2:4).
4) Parents are to love their children (Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:4).
5) Children are to love their parents (Ephesians 6:1-2).
6) There is a great dearth of loving our neighbor in our homes.
2. At work.
1) Our co-workers are our neighbors.
2) This includes bosses, subordinates, and peers.
3) John 13:35 says, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
3. During recreation.
1) It is tempting when we go on vacation or engage in recreation to be selfish.
2) Psychologists talk about “me time.”
3) There is no such exclusive time with the Christian.
4) Philippians 2:3 states, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
4. In public. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).
5. Wherever we may be that is the place to love our neighbor.
V. How do I love my neighbor?
1. The parable of the Good Samaritan gives us one answer – by showing mercy.
2. Paul tells us that keeping God’s commandments shows love for our neighbor, “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:9-10).
3. Love compels us to tell others about the gospel.
4. Love compelled God! (John 3:16).
5. If we love our neighbor we will respect God’s commands and teach them about salvation.
VI. Why ought I to love my neighbor?
1. Because God commands it. James says it is the “royal law”, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8).
2. Because it is the natural result of practicing the golden rule. Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…” (Matthew 7:12).
3. Because it promotes peace and harmony among men. Romans 12:18 teaches, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
4. Because it is simply the right thing to do.
CONCLUSION:
1. We have answered several questions about the second command today.
2. Have you been practicing the second command in your life?
3. I exhort you to start doing that.
4. If you need regular encouragement to do just that, then we would be happy to help you.
5. Invitation