The Greatest Of These
Gtcotr/ss020104
Today marks the one year anniversary since the tragic loss of the Colombia Space Shuttle and its seven member crew. When in pursuit of worthy goals, lives are lost, we are best served to remember that they gave their all for a cause which demanded nothing less. Today these seven live on: In memory; in history, and in eternity.
Let us pray for the families, friends and all who share in the grief and loss of that tragic day.
Won’t you turn in your bibles to Matthew, Chapter 17
Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The Old Testament is divided into three basic ideas represented by three main characters.
* First there is: The Law - Moses
The Law established firm guidelines concerning life and death, blessing and cursing.
* Next there are: The Prophets - Elijah
The Prophets allow us to witness God in action and catch a glimpse of His plan for the future. From deliverance to judgment, the power of God is manifested through the Old Testament prophets.
* And then we see: A Relationship With God - David
The Psalms and various other OT books such as Kings, Ester, Ruth, Song Of Solomon and Samuel, show us how God feels, His merciful and loving grace and His firm, yet forgiving nature. These show men and women in a real relationship with God.
David represents relationship because he was a man after God’s own heart … Acts 13:22
Jesus is even referred to as The Son of David Matthew 1:1
We see these three perspectives carrying over into the New Testament and, they are still evident in our day.
Understanding these three central ideas can help us today.
> As far as the law goes:
There are still some do’s and don’ts we should be paying attention to
* Not so that we will be saved
* But because we have been saved
* Each Christian should possess a strong conviction of right & wrong, sin & what is pleasing to God, acceptable & unacceptable conversation, thought and behavior.
> As far as the prophets go:
God still wants to intervene in our every day lives and give us hope and direction for our future.
* He is still a God of miracles
* He is still a God who has a plan for our future
* We should be keyed into this plan
* We should be experiencing His superintending hand in our lives.
> How about relationship?
Even more than the do‘s and don’ts,
Even more than the healings, miracles, visions and dreams
* God’s greatest desire is to have a loving relationship with His children.
* An intimate friendship
* A Father-son, Father-daughter relationship
For comparison sake, let’s look at these three evident divisions of the Old Testament.
The Law, The Prophets and A Relationship With God
The Law
Moses
A Staff of Authority
Exodus 4 - Numbers 20
The Word Of God
The Prophets
Elijah
A Mantle Of Miracles
2 Kings 2
The Holy Spirit
Relationship
David
A Heart Like God’s Heart
1 Samuel 13:14
Love God More Than Himself
Love Others As Much As Himself
Have you found Matthew 17
Matthew 17 (NKJV)
1 ¶ Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
Jesus is our relationship with God
Jesus is the love of God - Listen to Him!
What would love tell you to do?
Forgive; say I’m sorry; go; give; pray; touch; submit?
We should thank God for:
* The Word of God which gives us guidelines and authority
* The Holy Spirit who intervenes in our lives and gives us power
But you know what we should be really grateful for?
* Luke 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Thank God for the Authority & the Power, … but … come on now … Thank God that your names are written in the Lamb’s book of life and that you have an eternal relationship with God!
* You have a family relationship with the Creator of the universe.
* And what He really requires from you is simply two things
> These two things will fulfill all of the law and the prophets and please your Heavenly Father
> What are these two things? Just what we have been talking about:
Matthew 22
37 Jesus said to him, "‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 "This is the first and great commandment.
39 "And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Two Things
1. Love God More Than You Love Yourself
2. Love Others As Much As You Love Yourself
This is a demonstrated love! Not one that says be warmed & filled but does not do anything about warming & filling James 2:16
You might say how? I’m glad you asked.
Matthew 7:12 ¶ So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Need More Practical Info? How do you want people to treat you?
1 Corinthians 13
4 ¶ Love suffers long and is kind; (Are patient and kind people better than impatient and unkind people - do you want to be treated kindly and with respect? Well then?) love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, (Just a word here about selfishness - I believe that it is the one source of all sin and is the mother of most every work of the flesh) (love) is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 ¶ Love never fails. (Love won’t let you down and therefore you should not fail the people you love, and if you do, repent and don’t make it a habit or make excuses for your behavior)
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
In closing allow me to challenge you:
* Make it your daily goal to:
1. Learn God’s Word
2. Expect God’s Intervention In Your Life
