Love over Duty
The Gospel for Christians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The Core of the Gospel
The Core of the Gospel
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Grace over performance
Forgiveness over guilt
The Motivation of the Pharisees
The Motivation of the Pharisees
The Pharisees obeyed strict religious rules - Mark 7:3-9
The Pharisees obeyed strict religious rules - Mark 7:3-9
(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.
When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”
He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
An example of rules over what is right - Mark 7:10-13
An example of rules over what is right - Mark 7:10-13
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’
But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—
then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.
Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Jesus condemned this Hypocrisy - Matthew 23:2-4; 23-24
Jesus condemned this Hypocrisy - Matthew 23:2-4; 23-24
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
The Motivation of Love
The Motivation of Love
We are commanded to love God and others - Mark 12:28–31
We are commanded to love God and others - Mark 12:28–31
One 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?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Love is the motivation for obedience - John 14:21
Love is the motivation for obedience - John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Jesus demonstrated His love for us
Jesus demonstrated His love for us
Jesus showed Compassion for the helpless - Matthew 9:35-36
Jesus showed Compassion for the helpless - Matthew 9:35-36
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus Died for us - Romans 5:8
Jesus Died for us - Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Why is Love over Duty Essential?
Why is Love over Duty Essential?
Duty fails as a motivator
It is hard to maintain
It fails when we think we can cheat
Duty robs our joy
