Because You Say So – Novation Church

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.” Mark 12:28-31 NIV

1.     What is love?

–       To define agape love, we must begin with God

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 NIV

–       Agape love is an attitude and an action

Agape love is an others-centered, loyal, and sacrificial commitment to the ultimate good of another, even at personal cost.

 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

2.     Who is my neighbor?

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37 NIV

–       The scope is unlimited

–       Our specific response is determined by proximity and opportunity

Your neighbor is anyone whose path crosses yours—regardless of their background, beliefs, lifestyle, politics, or status

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus…We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:17,19-21 NIV

“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall 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, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 NASB 95

1. How can I love God with all my heart?

• Value Him above all else

The essence of worship is value

“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21 NLT

The chief way to worship & value God is to pursue joy & satisfaction in Him.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Psalm 37:4 NIV

1. How can I love God with all my mind?

• Think about God often

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer

1. How can I love God with all my strength?

• Love your neighbor as yourself.

“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31 NLT

1. How can I love God with all my soul?

• Live like you are dying.

“…death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2 NIV

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Matthew 16:26 NIV

Because You Say So I Will Choose to Serve the Lord                                    

 “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and do away with the gods which your fathers served beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 NASB

The CHOICE

“choose for yourselves today whom you will serve”

The CHALLENGE

“choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living;”

The COMMITMENT

“but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

• David-Commitment (2 Samuel 8:15, 1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22)
• Solomon-Compromise (1 Kings 11)
• Rehoboam-Corruption (1 Kings 14:21-31)

How is my house? (Ephesians 5:33-6:9)

• How am I treating my spouse?

Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

• Am I honoring my parents?

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.

• How am I treating my children?

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

• What kind of employee am I?

Slaves (Servants, employees) be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With goodwill render service, as to the Lord, and not to people, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

• How am I doing as a employer, boss, or leader?

 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”  Ephesians 5:33-6:9 NASB

• Am I loving the household of Christ?

“So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,” Ephesians 2:19 NASB

Because You Say So I Will Choose Integrity

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one looking.

Reputation is who others think I am. Integrity is who I really am in private.

Integrity is a choice to do what is right even when it is difficult.

“Lord, who may reside in Your tent? Who may settle on Your holy hill? One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor do evil to his neighbor, nor bring shame on his friend; a despicable person is despised in his eyes, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change; he does not lend his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. One who does these things will never be shaken.” Psalm 15:1-5 NASB

“Lord, who may reside in Your tent? Who may settle on Your holy hill? One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness,”

“One who… speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue,”

“Nor do evil to his neighbor, nor bring shame on his friend; a despicable person is despised in his eyes, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change; he does not lend his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. One who does these things will never be shaken.”

Who may settle on Your holy hill?

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22 NASB

Because You Say So I Will Choose the Fear of The Lord

Walking in the fear of the Lord is…

• Having a healthy respect for what God calls right & wrong, and good & evil.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7 NASB

• Living in reverence and awe of Who God is

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.” Psalm 19:9 NASB

Walking in the fear of the Lord brings…

• Accountability of the highest order

“The fear of man brings a snare, But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected.” Proverbs 29:25 NASB

“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also well known in your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 NASB

• Blessings of the highest measure

“Blessed is a person who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1 NASB

We will walk in the fear of the Lord when we…

• Believe that God is good and all wise

“You are good and You do good; Teach me Your statutes.” Psalm 119:68 NASB

• Follow the Rabbi

“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And He will delight in the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:1-3 NASB

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble at heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NASB

Because You Say So I Will Choose Obedience

“Why do you call Me Lord and not do what I say?” Luke 6:46

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:1-11 NIV

Because who says so?

Doing what Jesus tells us to do doesn’t always make sense to us

Because You Say So I will pursue love (Agape) as the goal of my life

“So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.” John 13:34-35 TPT (See also Matthew 22:37-39)

Because You Say So I will forgive others as I have been forgiven

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (See also Colossians 3:13)

Because You Say So I will take courage that You have overcome the world

“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB (See also James 1:2)

Because You Say So I will strive for unity with my fellow believers

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21 NLT

Because You Say So – I Will Choose Life

“Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm 1:1-6 NASB

“The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NASB

“See, I have placed before you today life and happiness, and death and adversity, in that I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, so that you may live and become numerous, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but allow yourself to be led astray and you worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you will certainly perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and take possession of it. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:15-20 NASB

Will I choose eternal life?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NASB

Will I daily choose the abundant life? 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 NASB

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NASB