A Question of Priority

Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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From authority to priority, what is your priority in life?

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Day of questioning continues

Passion week continues and a new face comes on the scene. This time the questioning is not to trap or trip up Jesus but a question from the heart and there is much we can learn from it.
Previously:
He silenced the chief priests, scribes and the elders of the people regarding authority
They questioned where His authority came from and who gave it to Him
Then he tripped up some Pharisees and Herodians when they thought they had Him trapped
Are we to align and pay taxes to Caesar or not?
We know how He answered, render unto Caesar what is his and unto God what is His.
Then the ones who thought they were superior, the Sadducees thought they would bring division by their question, just brought more questions and teachings by Jesus.
Resurrection, is there really one, and if so, what about marriage
Jesus brings in some good teaching on this and understanding of scripture and they went away, but there was still someone there who was listening and it brings us to our passage today
Mark 12:28–29 NASB95
28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord;
Mark 12:30–31 NASB95
30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:32–33 NASB95
32 The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; 33 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Mark 12:34 NASB95
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Having already silenced all the others Jesus is approached by this scribe who had a question (v.28); Jesus answered not with one but two commandments (v.29-30) and that brought about a response from the scribe about Jesus wisdom (vv.32-33) and then a bold statement by Jesus what we should not miss out on (v.34).
So the thing for us to ponder on today as we look at this passage is do we love God and our neighbor? Do we understand the depth of that statement? Both are commands so we will look at both this morning.
Before getting there want to give a little more information so you can see the significance of this scribe asking the question in the first place.
Scribes were the interpreters of the law and its many rules and regulations. This has to do with both the written and the oral law
613 precepts given to Moses; 365 negative and 248 positive
That is a lot to remember, and there was much debate and discussion on what is the greatest of these divine commandments. 613, that is a lot, but check this out.
Law, commandments, oral and written
David took 613 and reduced to 11 (Psm15)
Isaiah took it further to 6 (Isa33:15)
Micah cut down to 3 (Mic6:8)
Isaiah then brought it down one more to 2 (Isa56:1)
Finally, Habakkuk, reduced it to 1 (Hab2:4)
Maybe we better take a few minutes and look at these so again we can understand the significance of the scribe and his response to Jesus.
So see if you can pick out the 11 here in
Psalm 15:1–2 NASB95
1 O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? 2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.
Psalm 15:3–4 NASB95
3 He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
Psalm 15:5 NASB95
5 He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Ps15:50
Walks with integrity (v.2); Works righteously (v.2); Speaks truth from heart (v.2)
Works righteously (v.2)
Speaks truth from heart (v.2)
Does not slander (v.3); does no evil (v.3); does not reproach against neighbor (v.3)
Hates evil or evil ones (v.4); honors those who fear the Lord (v.4); does not change his own heart (v.4)
Does not put out money, loan money with interest (v.5); and finally does not take a bribe (v.5)
Those who do those things will not, will never be shaken.
Now how about the Isaiah passage let me give that to you
Isaiah 33:15 NASB95
15 He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil;
Walk righteously; speak sincerely; despises unjust gain (oppression)
shakes hand so holds no bribe; controls what he hears, controls what he sees
Then Micah
Micah 6:8 NASB95
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly
Isaiah very similare to Micah says
Isaiah 56:1 NASB95
1 Thus says the Lord, “Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed.
Preserve (do) justice; do rigtheousness
And Habakkauk says
Habakkuk 2:4 NASB95
4 “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.
live by faith if you are righteous (my phraseology here)
So what were they to do, what ones were they to apply, in what order, what is the greatest? Questions and they all did not agree on it. The Sadducees did not believe in the oral law only the written law; some of the teachers agreed on some but not others, there were many points of view, so the question of Jesus is a good one, an important one, but as we look at this today may we look at the two commands and see what we can learn by reflection on them.

The command to love

The command to love found in the Old Testament in the Shema and the New Testament by Jesus quoting the Old Testament So may we look at under the old covenant and then how we are to love today; and how we can grow in love today.
Under the old covenant (Deu6:4-5; Lev19:18)
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 NASB95
4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
and add more
Leviticus 19:18 NASB95
18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
Questions to ask:
Who are they to love?
Why are they to love?
Why are they to love?
How are they to love?
Emotionally, physically, intellectually, with all their being
As compared to someone who loves emotionally while committing intellectual suicide as Mark Copeland says.
Or serving intellectually but with no emotion
Or even servingemothionally and intellectually, but not obediently, meaning go
So, how are we to love today?
_____________________________________________
With all our heart (1Cor16:22)
with all our soul, that is body and mind; (Rom12:1-2)
with all our strength (Heb10:36)
And with all our mind (CO3:1; Php4:8)
Then you see it demonstrated (1Jn5:3) and evidenced (Jn14:15)
___________________________________________
With all our heart (1Cor16:22)
1 Corinthians 16:22 NKJV
22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!
Love with all your heart for the lord is the discerner of the heart and He is coming (maranatha) and you cannot fake Him out, it has to be true
with all our strength (Heb10:36)
With all our heart (1Cor16:22)
And with all our mind (CO3:1; Php4:8)
Then you see it demonstrated (1Jn5:3) and evidenced (Jn14:15)
with all our soul, that is body and mind; (Rom12:1-2)
Romans 12:1–2 NLT
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
With all our heart (1Cor16:22)
with all our soul, that is body and mind; (Rom12:1-2)
with all our strength (Heb10:36)
And with all our mind (CO3:1; Php4:8)
Then you see it demonstrated (1Jn5:3) and evidenced (Jn14:15)
And with all our mind (CO3:1; Php4:8)
Hebrews 10:36 ESV
36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Then you see it demonstrated (1Jn5:3) and evidenced (Jn14:15)
With all our heart (1Cor16:22)
with all our soul, that is body and mind; (Rom12:1-2)
with all our strength (Heb10:36)
And with all our mind (CO3:1; Php4:8)
Colossians 3:1 NASB95
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
and having heart, our mind, our body seeking the things above here is another verse you should know by now
Philippians 4:8 NASB95
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
With all our heart (1Cor16:22)
with all our soul, that is body and mind; (Rom12:1-2)
with all our strength (Heb10:36)
And with all our mind (CO3:1; Php4:8)
Then you see it demonstrated (1Jn5:3) and evidenced (Jn14:15)
1 John 5:3 NASB95
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
Keep his commandments, they are not burdensome
John 14:15 NASB95
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
your love is demonstrated when you keep His commandments
How can we grow in our love for God?
_______________________________________________
By letting Gods love for us move in us and through us (1Jn4:9-10; Rom5:8)
By asking God to help us grow (2The3:5)
Through prayer and application (Ps116:1-2)
And, yes by obedience, keeping the word (1Jn2:5)
________________________________________________
By letting Gods love for us move in us and through us (1Jn4:9-10; Rom5:8)
1 John 4:9–10 NASB95
9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
And add from Romans, but hey, you cannot go wrong with Romans, lol
Romans 5:8 NASB95
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Through prayer and application (Ps116:1-2)
By letting Gods love for us move in us and through us (1Jn4:9-10; Rom5:8)
And, yes by obedience, keeping the word (1Jn2:5)
By asking God to help us grow (2The3:5)
2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV
5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Through prayer and application (Ps116:1-2)
By letting Gods love for us move in us and through us (1Jn4:9-10; Rom5:8)
And, yes by obedience, keeping the word (1Jn2:5)
By asking God to help us grow (2The3:5)
Through prayer and application (Ps116:1-2)
Psalm 116:1–2 NASB95
1 I love the Lord, because He hears My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
And, yes by obedience, keeping the word (1Jn2:5)
And then
By letting Gods love for us move in us and through us (1Jn4:9-10; Rom5:8)
By asking God to help us grow (2The3:5)
Through prayer and application (Ps116:1-2)
And, yes by obedience, keeping the word (1Jn2:5)
1 John 2:5 NASB95
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
A question was posed to me when discussing this message with a friend, Do you love God any less than that which was expected of Israel? Had to think about that for natural answer would be of course not, but then have to think about the depth of that question, heaven know have more reasons to love because of the grace of God that had been poured out and the gift of Holy Spirit.
Now onto next point

The command to love our neighbor

There are many things in the scripture that should be gleaned from. Loving our neighbor is expanded more in the New Testament, it still had it’s Old Testament roots (Lev19:18) as mentioned before. So may we expound on the command.
It is enjoined upon Christians
Love our neighbor, we owe that (Rom13:8)
Love is fulfillment of law (Rom13:8-10)
The commandments, 6-10 all are about love for, by not doing ill, to our fellow man.
let me give you the Romans passage and you can look up the commandments in Exo20.
Romans 13:8–9 NASB95
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Romans 13:10 NASB95
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
ROm13:10-
Enhanced by a new command
Jesus taught it (Jn13:34-35)
John 13:34–35 NASB95
34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We are to love one another as Christ loved us
2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB95
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
2Cor8:9
This is more than loving one another as we love ourselves
Experienced when we are obedient to God’s command
We demonstrate it by keeping the commands (2Jn1:5-6)
2 John 5–6 NASB95
5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
It is known by our love for one another (1Jn5:2)
1 John 5:2 NASB95
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
1 John 5:2 NASB95
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
This is more than words
It is words and actions that demonstrate our love and our faith.
May we be a people who set an example of having the right priorities of loving God and neighbor, but still a little more to go
Educated, given knowledge and application by example of God
For we are taught by God (1The4:9-10)
1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 NASB95
9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
The church at Thessalonica had been taught by God to love one another and they were commended for their example, commended and commanded to excel still more.
Jesus example of love (1Jn3:16-18)
1 John 3:16–17 NASB95
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:18 NASB95
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1Jn3:18
So in summary, the scripture tells us
Mark 12:31 NASB95
31 “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
and just a little later it says
Mk12:34
Mark 12:34 NASB95
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.
And on these it leads towards eternal life
We have seen a scribe, who was a Pharisee come and ask the question and his response to Jesus answer revealed some of his heart
Luke 10:28 NASB95
28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
Mark 12:32–33 NASB95
32 The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; 33 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
May w
He knew that the depth of Jesus answer was more than just the traditions and the law that they were keeping it was more than the sacrifices they were offering. and in turn Jesus said he was close to the kingdom (v.34)
May our heart not be close to the kingdom, but in the kingdom by our giving it all to the Lord, mind, will, emotions.
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