Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

As an active member or regular attender of Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, I am sure that you have heard the truths of God in his word, and particularly how God’s Word reveals who God is.

I am also sure that if I were to ask by a show of hands this morning, “Who here loves God?”, most if not all of you would raise your hands.

But how do we/I know we/I truly love God?

Is there some way to measure our love for him, or even if we truly love him at all?

For wether we realize it or not, church attendance, worship, giving, teaching Sunday School, or even preaching can be be done in a superficial, half hearted, or in a divided-hearted way.

In fact, many times our business is a cover-up for our lack of love.

I am reminded of how the apostle John described the Church at Ephesus in :

Rev 2:1-5

So if busy Christian activity does not prove we love God, what does?

I believe the answer lies in Moses’ pre-promise-land takeover instruction book called, Deuteronomy.

One month or so before Joshua led the Children of Israel into the promise land, just prior to Moses’ death, Moses gives them the most important instructions they will need to carry out the conquering of Canaan.

Without a doubt, these same instructions are meant for us, and will help us determine how much we love our God.

Text: , page 151 (pew bibles)

Main Idea: “If we claim that God is our God, then our love for Him must be displayed exclusively in every area of our lives.”

1. Loving God Begins With Knowing God (vs.

4)

Verses 1-3, is the prologue to this section.

duet 6:4

A. Knowing God as the eternal covenant keeper

LORD - (Yahweh), the self existing one (I am), who keeps his covenant with His people.

B. Knowing God as the Ruler and sustainer of all things

God - (Elohim), creator, ruler, sustainer of all things.

C. Knowing God as the unified one

LORD is one - Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone

Let there be no mistake, we are talking about the only True God, and Jesus His son who perfectly reveals and shows us the Father.

ps 86:11

2. Loving God Involves Total Abandonment of Self (v. 5)

Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone

deut 6:5

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016).

A. Abandoning our emotions and affections to God

All your heart - the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) understood as the heart.

the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) understood as the heart.

B. Abandoning our character and will to God

All your soul - the part of a person (or animal) that thinks, feels, wills, and desires; perhaps an extension of the literal meaning throat.

the part of a person (or animal) that thinks, feels, wills, and desires; perhaps an extension of the literal meaning throat.

C. Abandoning of physical activities to God

All your might - the property of being physically or mentally strong.

the property of being physically or mentally strong.

This idea of abandonment of self is wrapped up in the phrase “bondslave” (doulos), which is used 36 x in the NT to identify one who has given up his rights to freedom for the sake of lovingly committing his life to his master.

()

(Exodus 21:5-6)

3. Loving God Means Cherishing His Word (vv.

6-9)

Deut 6:

There is a direct link between loving God with all our heart, and having God’s word in our heart.

Since God is to be exclusive, His Word is naturally included with Him.

Therefore, we cannot love God and not cherish His Word.

A. Cherishing the Word means teaching it diligently to our children (vs.

7)

B. Cherishing the Word means inclusion of the Word in the normal things of life (vs.

7)

C. Cherishing the Word means allowing the Word to control my behavior and guide my home.

(vss.

8-9)

john 14:

1jo

4. Loving God Necessitates His Rightful, Exclusive Place as God (vv.

10-15)

Deut

A. God is God even when it seems we don’t need him anymore (vss.

10-13)

B. God is God alone and will not tolerate idolatry (vss.

14-15)

20:5 jealous.

When used of God, this word describes His passion for His holy name, a zeal that demands the exclusive devotion of His people.

It is employed when that claim is threatened by other deities (Deut.

6:15; Josh.

24:19).

God has no rival, no competing power, no equal, and therefore, he will not tolerate us thinking that he does!

Jealous (vs.

15) - When used of God, this word describes His passion for His holy name, a zeal that demands the exclusive devotion of His people.

It is employed when that claim is threatened by other deities (; ).

When used of God, this word describes His passion for His holy name, a zeal that demands the exclusive devotion of His people.

It is employed when that claim is threatened by other deities (; ).

Note: We cannot say that we love God and disregard Jesus, His son, for Jesus is the eternal God, the 2nd person of the trinity and cannot be separated from the Father and the Spirit.

R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 121.

John 14

So What?

Do I know God through the intimate time spent with him?

Do I spend more time following my heart and my dreams and the magnifying of me?

Do I understand the necessity of the word of God in everything I do?

Have I learned to think biblically in all areas of my life?

Where is the eternal God in my life…are there other gods of my choosing that are in his rightful place?

If so, what will I do about it