The Greatest Commandment

Mark 12:28-34 (NIV)

28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

I. Introduction

II. Join The Quest for Excellence (v. 28)

A. Looking To The One Who Has the Answers

B. Looking For The Most Important Answers

III. Hear The Law of Love (vv. 29-31)

A. Love Owed to God

1. Love For God that is Undivided

2. Love For God That Is Unreserved

a) Loving God With All You Are

b) Loving God All You Can

B. Love Owed to Men

1. Like The First

2. Like Ourselves

IV. Confirm The Superiority of Love (vv. 32-33)

A. No Greater Obligation Than Love

B. No Greater Offering Than Love

V. Demonstrate The Wisdom of Understanding (v. 34)