Jeremiah 20:9; John 6:69
Introduction:
1. Many activities require much poking and prodding to keep us motivated.
2. Unless our hearts are fully invested, we cannot endure if an endeavor gets difficult.
3. We must cultivate a love for God from which wild horses couldn’t drag us away.
Discussion:
I. The Greatest Commands
A. A scribe tested Jesus, asking Him to grade God’s commandments (Matthew 22:34-36).
B. Jesus refused the bait and condensed the whole thing in two commands (Matthew 22:37-40).
C. If we internalize these, the rest will fall in place.
II. Powerful Examples
A. Scripture is full of God’s indomitable servants.
B. Love for Him empowered remarkable feats:
1. Moses endured massive troubles in service.
2. Though on the verge of quitting, Jeremiah couldn’t walk away (Jeremiah 20:9).
3. Daniel never swerved in Babylon/Persia.
4. Most apostles died for Him rather than defect from Him (cf. John 6:69).
5. Jesus is the greatest example (John 2:13-22; Matthew 26:36-46, 59-61).
C. The point is people will do anything for love.
III. The Only Reasonable Response
A. Jesus repeatedly connected loving God with the natural outworking of that love (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10, 14; 1 John 5:13; 2 John 6).
B. To this day, those who truly live the love for God and neighbor hold fast to Him.
Conclusion:
1. How do we do a love check in our own hearts?
2. Its pretty simple really; if we can imagine life apart from the Lord and out of His service, we desperately need to reorient our hearts towards Him.
3. Wild horses couldn’t drag those who truly love the Lord away from Him.