The Law of Love

Text: Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV)

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’a 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’b 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”[1]

I. Introduction:

II. Expose the Rules (an Abstract Reflection) of Law as a Matter of Controversy: Exploiting the Law for Strategic Ambition

A. The Law Used to Prick the Competition: Dividing factions

B. The Law Used to Put People in their Place: Discrediting Others

C. The Law Used to Point out Morality: Dissecting Scripture

III. Explore the Relationship (An Active Expression) of Law as a Matter of the Heart: Expressing the Law in Strong Affection

A. The Law of Love Relating to God: The Primary Law Encompassing All of Self

B. The Law of Love Relating to Others: The Complementary Law Encompassing All of Humanity

C. The Law of Love Relating to Scripture: The Summary Law Encompassing All of the Bible

IV. Conclusion:

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a Deut. 6:5

b Lev. 19:18

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.