DUMC Sermon Video | August 25, 2024

Love Begins with God: Love is not just an emotion but a divine command and covenant that originates from God. We are called to love because God first loved us, and this love forms the foundation of our relationship with Him and with others.

The Greatest Commandment: The command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is central to our faith. This total devotion to God naturally extends to loving our neighbors as ourselves, making these two commandments inseparable.

The Power of Self-Love and Neighborly Love: Recognizing our own worth as beloved children of God empowers us to love others. True love for our neighbors requires that we first understand and embrace our own value in God’s eyes, which enables us to love fully and selflessly.

Speaker: Rev. Meredith Hinton

August 25, 2024

Rev. Meredith Hinton

Next Generation Ministry Architect and Pastor of Youth

Sermon Notes

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Follow Along with the Message

I. Introduction

  • A. Opening Greeting and Prayer
    • Invocation of the Holy Spirit for renewal.
    • Collective prayer for a blessed day.
  • B. Reference to Elvis Presley’s Lyrics
    • "Like a river flows surely to the sea, darling, so it goes."
    • Introduction to the theme of love and its enduring impact.

II. The Nature of Love

  • A. Love as a Transformative Force
    • Love described as the only force capable of altering anything’s course.
    • Reference to Elvis Presley’s impactful words.
  • B. Definition and Essence of Love
    • Love as a choice, commitment, and covenant, not just a feeling.
    • Universal longing for love across all creation.

III. The Call to Love

  • A. Divine Calling to Love
    • Love as what we are called to do.
    • Emphasis that love originates from God, not from ourselves.
  • B. Invitation to Reflect on Scripture
    • Encouragement to revisit and deeply understand three key Bible verses.
    • Belief that experiencing God’s love leads to loving others.

IV. Parsing the Greatest Commandment

  • A. Word-by-Word Analysis
    1. "The Lord" or "Yahweh"
      • Love begins with God’s initiative.
      • God as the creator and first source of love.
      • Introduction to the Hebrew concept of hesed (loving-kindness).
    2. "Your" – "The Lord your God"
      • God’s personal relationship with individuals.
      • God’s actions: creation, sacrifice for salvation, sanctification.
      • Assurance of God’s presence and support during trials.
    3. "God"
      • God as the creator, sustainer, and personal savior.
      • God’s intimate involvement in individual lives.
      • Assurance of God’s eternal presence and unwavering love.

V. Responding to God’s Goodness

  • A. Loving God with All Aspects of Being
    1. Heart
      • Emotional engagement and passion.
    2. Soul
      • Total devotion and existence dedicated to God.
      • Reference to Psalm 42:1.
    3. Mind
      • Intellectual pursuit and curiosity about God and creation.
    4. Strength
      • Physical devotion and the importance of rest (Sabbath).
      • Personal anecdote on the benefits of Sabbath rest.
  • B. The Reciprocal Nature of Love
    • Giving all to God leads to receiving God fully.
    • Reference to Sam Wells on God’s promise of infinite return.

VI. The Role of Grace

  • A. Provenient Grace
    • Definition: God’s initial work enabling us to love.
    • Reference to 1 John 4:19: “We love because God first loved us.”

VII. Loving Neighbor

  • A. Starting with Self-Love
    • Acknowledgment of being fearfully and wonderfully made.
    • Recognition of inherent worth and purpose.
  • B. Extending Love to Others
    • Recognizing everyone as loved and cherished by God.
    • Overcoming personal barriers to love due to self-worth issues.
  • C. Example from "Tattoos on the Heart" by Father Gregory Boyle
    • Story of Caesar and Father Greg
      • Caesar’s transformation and need for a father figure.
      • Symbolic relationship and realization of being valued.
      • Emotional connection and affirmation of worthiness.

VIII. Practical Applications of Love

  • A. Self-Reflection on Daily Interactions
    • Evaluating how we prioritize love in relationships, marriage, work, and home.
    • Examples: serving, thanking, encouraging, nurturing versus seeking personal gain.
  • B. Jewish Practice Example: Mezuzah
    • Explanation of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5.
    • Daily rituals involving the mezuzah to reinforce loving God with heart, mind, soul, and strength.
    • Personal anecdote of imparting love through daily practices.

IX. The Gospel in Love

  • A. Jesus’ Response as the Gospel
    • Love God and love neighbor encapsulate the entire gospel message.
    • Inseparability of loving God and loving others.
  • B. Comprehensive List of Loving Actions
    • Serve One Another
    • Accept One Another
    • Strengthen One Another
    • Help One Another
    • Encourage One Another
    • Care for One Another
    • Forgive One Another
    • Commit to One Another
    • Build Trust with One Another
    • Be Devoted to One Another
    • Be Patient with One Another
    • Be Interested in One Another
    • Be Accountable to One Another
    • Confess to One Another
    • Live in Harmony with One Another
    • Avoid Conceit, Judgment, and Slander
    • Instruct and Greet One Another
    • Admonish and Spur One Another On
    • Meet and Agree with One Another
    • Be Concerned and of the Same Mind with One Another
    • Be Humble and Compassionate with One Another
    • Avoid Being Consumed, Angry, or Lying to One Another
    • Comfort and Be Kind to One Another
    • Carry Each Other’s Burdens and Love One Another

X. Conclusion

  • A. Encouragement to Experience and Grow in God’s Love
    • Continual growth in loving God and others.
  • B. Call to Action
    • Love self, God, and neighbors through practical actions and attitudes.
  • C. Closing Reference to Elvis’s Lyrics
    • “Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can't help falling in love with you.”
  • D. Final Prayer
    • Invocation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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