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Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah

David Jeremiah - Fully Engaged with God

January 17, 2026 | 57:29

David Jeremiah - Fully Engaged with God
Entering into a life that is fully engaged with God, we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).
#Focus #Dedication/Devotion #Commitment #Jesus #WalkwithGod #SeekGod #Love #LoveofGod #Heart #Soul #Strength #Purpose #Lord #Commandment #DavidJeremiah

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Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - Fully Engaged with God | January 17, 2026
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.374
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:01.841 --> 00:00:04.744
  • Male announcer: passionate, courageous,
  • 00:00:04.844 --> 00:00:08.882
  • Bold, resolute.
  • 00:00:08.982 --> 00:00:13.053
  • All around us, people live fully engaged.
  • 00:00:13.186 --> 00:00:17.424
  • We witness in real time as athletes push the boundaries
  • 00:00:17.557 --> 00:00:18.591
  • Of their physical ability,
  • 00:00:20.560 --> 00:00:23.797
  • Entrepreneurs drive industry forward,
  • 00:00:23.797 --> 00:00:27.233
  • And creatives explore the potentials of art
  • 00:00:27.233 --> 00:00:30.370
  • And performance.
  • 00:00:30.370 --> 00:00:33.139
  • Ours is a life best lived fully engaged.
  • 00:00:33.139 --> 00:00:37.243
  • But what if we did the same with our faith?
  • 00:00:37.243 --> 00:00:40.947
  • What if we took our faith to more
  • 00:00:40.947 --> 00:00:42.916
  • Than we thought it could be?
  • 00:00:42.916 --> 00:00:45.585
  • If we, as believers, lived fully engaged?
  • 00:00:45.585 --> 00:00:50.056
  • Be undeniably dedicated, utterly committed.
  • 00:00:50.056 --> 00:00:55.628
  • Even you might be surprised by who you can be
  • 00:00:55.628 --> 00:00:58.932
  • Through the power of god.
  • 00:00:58.932 --> 00:01:02.402
  • You are unlimited when you are fully engaged.
  • 00:01:02.402 --> 00:01:07.841
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:07.841 --> 00:01:13.413
  • And now, here is your host, dr. david jeremiah.
  • 00:01:13.413 --> 00:01:16.983
  • Dr. david jeremiah: football coaches yell,
  • 00:01:16.983 --> 00:01:18.351
  • "put your shoulder into it."
  • 00:01:18.351 --> 00:01:20.220
  • And construction foremen say, "put your back into it."
  • 00:01:20.220 --> 00:01:24.224
  • Chemistry teachers beg, "put your brain into it."
  • 00:01:24.224 --> 00:01:28.461
  • But guess what jesus said?
  • 00:01:28.461 --> 00:01:30.830
  • He said, "put your heart, your soul, your strength,
  • 00:01:30.830 --> 00:01:34.334
  • And your mind into it."
  • 00:01:34.334 --> 00:01:36.903
  • What was he talking about?
  • 00:01:36.903 --> 00:01:38.605
  • Well, he was talking about loving god,
  • 00:01:38.605 --> 00:01:40.840
  • About knowing god, and pursuing god.
  • 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:43.343
  • He was talking about being fully engaged with god.
  • 00:01:43.343 --> 00:01:47.547
  • That's the title of my message today,
  • 00:01:47.547 --> 00:01:50.116
  • "fully engaged with god."
  • 00:01:50.116 --> 00:01:52.418
  • Whether it's football, hard labor, or schoolwork,
  • 00:01:52.418 --> 00:01:55.688
  • Life returns our investment.
  • 00:01:55.688 --> 00:01:58.758
  • And the same goes for our relationship with god.
  • 00:01:58.758 --> 00:02:01.961
  • When we seek god with our whole life,
  • 00:02:01.961 --> 00:02:04.831
  • Every part of our life benefits.
  • 00:02:04.831 --> 00:02:07.233
  • Our joy, our wisdom, our decision-making,
  • 00:02:07.233 --> 00:02:10.770
  • And our direction in life.
  • 00:02:10.770 --> 00:02:12.705
  • Everything is impacted when we are fully engaged with god.
  • 00:02:12.705 --> 00:02:18.778
  • So please join me for today's edition of "turning point."
  • 00:02:18.778 --> 00:02:23.149
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:02:23.149 --> 00:04:17.063
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:04:20.667 --> 00:04:25.204
  • Announcer: what if five minutes could change
  • 00:04:28.241 --> 00:04:29.809
  • Your whole day?
  • 00:04:29.809 --> 00:04:31.244
  • What if in that time god's word could speak
  • 00:04:31.244 --> 00:04:33.313
  • Directly to your heart,
  • 00:04:33.313 --> 00:04:34.947
  • Transforming your walk with jesus and your entire year?
  • 00:04:34.947 --> 00:04:39.085
  • Introducing "a closer walk with jesus,"
  • 00:04:39.085 --> 00:04:41.788
  • Dr. david jeremiah's brand-new 365-day devotional
  • 00:04:41.788 --> 00:04:45.391
  • That will deepen your time with your savior.
  • 00:04:45.391 --> 00:04:47.593
  • This devotional is a beautiful, convenient,
  • 00:04:47.593 --> 00:04:49.662
  • Powerful way to discover daily insights
  • 00:04:49.662 --> 00:04:51.998
  • From god's word that will challenge
  • 00:04:51.998 --> 00:04:54.000
  • And inspire you, breathing new life
  • 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:56.002
  • Into your daily appointment with god.
  • 00:04:56.002 --> 00:04:58.137
  • Each day's short reading brings you a focused thought,
  • 00:04:58.137 --> 00:05:00.840
  • Life-giving scripture, and practical wisdom
  • 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:02.909
  • From dr. jeremiah to strengthen your walk
  • 00:05:02.909 --> 00:05:05.011
  • With christ.
  • 00:05:05.011 --> 00:05:06.579
  • With its gorgeous silver embossed cover,
  • 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:08.481
  • Gilded pages, and illustrated interior,
  • 00:05:08.481 --> 00:05:11.017
  • You'll treasure this leather devotional
  • 00:05:11.017 --> 00:05:12.652
  • By your side all year long.
  • 00:05:12.652 --> 00:05:14.454
  • It's the perfect companion to read alongside your bible
  • 00:05:14.454 --> 00:05:16.923
  • At home or to take with you wherever your day may lead,
  • 00:05:16.923 --> 00:05:20.093
  • Whenever you need to connect with the lord.
  • 00:05:20.093 --> 00:05:22.395
  • "a closer walk with jesus" is yours when you give a gift
  • 00:05:22.395 --> 00:05:24.864
  • Of any amount in support of this program.
  • 00:05:24.864 --> 00:05:26.899
  • It also makes the perfect gift for friends, family,
  • 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:29.736
  • Your bible study group, or new believers
  • 00:05:29.736 --> 00:05:31.738
  • At your church,
  • 00:05:31.738 --> 00:05:33.306
  • Allowing you to grow closer to jesus not just personally,
  • 00:05:33.306 --> 00:05:35.708
  • But with others.
  • 00:05:35.708 --> 00:05:37.443
  • Request 4 copies to share with loved ones
  • 00:05:37.443 --> 00:05:39.612
  • When you give $120 or more.
  • 00:05:39.612 --> 00:05:42.014
  • Make jesus your ever-present companion,
  • 00:05:42.014 --> 00:05:44.450
  • Closer than a brother.
  • 00:05:44.450 --> 00:05:46.018
  • Don't let a day pass in the new year
  • 00:05:46.018 --> 00:05:47.620
  • Without drawing closer to him.
  • 00:05:47.620 --> 00:05:49.822
  • Request "a closer walk with jesus"
  • 00:05:49.822 --> 00:05:51.858
  • From "turning point" today.
  • 00:05:51.858 --> 00:09:30.476
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:38.818
  • Announcer: david jeremiah and turning point are making
  • 00:09:40.052 --> 00:09:42.355
  • A global impact for the kingdom of god,
  • 00:09:42.355 --> 00:09:44.023
  • But we can't do it alone.
  • 00:09:44.023 --> 00:09:46.359
  • That's where bible strong partners come in.
  • 00:09:46.359 --> 00:09:48.761
  • Bible strong partners form the foundation of turning point,
  • 00:09:48.761 --> 00:09:51.797
  • Allowing dr. jeremiah to reach the world with the gospel
  • 00:09:51.797 --> 00:09:54.934
  • And enabling you to share in the eternal impact
  • 00:09:54.934 --> 00:09:57.536
  • Of the ministry.
  • 00:09:57.536 --> 00:09:58.871
  • In return, we want to support your faith
  • 00:09:58.871 --> 00:10:00.673
  • With special and exclusive resources.
  • 00:10:00.673 --> 00:10:02.708
  • To become a bible strong partner,
  • 00:10:02.708 --> 00:10:04.810
  • Go to davidjeremiah.org /biblestrong today.
  • 00:10:04.810 --> 00:10:08.648
  • Announcer: turningpoint+ is a bible-strong library
  • 00:10:12.785 --> 00:10:15.254
  • Of on-demand teaching from dr. david jeremiah,
  • 00:10:15.254 --> 00:10:19.158
  • Over 40 years of bible-strong teaching
  • 00:10:19.158 --> 00:10:21.360
  • And more, available on all your favorite devices.
  • 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:26.098
  • Watch the "turning point" series you love at any time, plus,
  • 00:10:26.098 --> 00:10:30.369
  • Discover new, never-before-seen collections today.
  • 00:10:30.369 --> 00:10:33.939
  • Visit turningpointplus.org to get started.
  • 00:10:33.939 --> 00:11:43.676
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:50.649
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:11:52.118 --> 00:12:03.829
  • ♪ jesus, you're the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:11:57.123 --> 00:12:13.806
  • ♪ all that's good and perfect comes from you ♪
  • 00:12:15.741 --> 00:12:24.583
  • ♪ you're the heart of my contentment ♪
  • 00:12:28.053 --> 00:12:33.759
  • ♪ hope for all i do ♪
  • 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:38.764
  • ♪ jesus, you're the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:12:39.698 --> 00:12:49.375
  • ♪ when i've lost my direction ♪
  • 00:12:53.112 --> 00:12:57.116
  • ♪ you're the compass for my way ♪
  • 00:12:58.217 --> 00:13:02.454
  • ♪ you're the firelight ♪
  • 00:13:03.122 --> 00:13:06.492
  • ♪ when the nights are long and cold ♪
  • 00:13:06.492 --> 00:13:12.998
  • ♪ in sadness, you are the laughter ♪
  • 00:13:15.534 --> 00:13:22.474
  • ♪ that shatters all my fears ♪
  • 00:13:22.474 --> 00:13:28.180
  • ♪ when i'm all alone ♪
  • 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:31.283
  • ♪ your hand is there to hold ♪
  • 00:13:31.283 --> 00:13:39.558
  • ♪ jesus, you're the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:13:39.625 --> 00:13:49.668
  • ♪ all that's good and perfect ♪
  • 00:13:51.770 --> 00:13:56.408
  • ♪ comes from you ♪
  • 00:13:56.408 --> 00:14:00.846
  • ♪ you're the heart of my contentment ♪
  • 00:14:03.816 --> 00:14:09.889
  • ♪ hope for all i do ♪
  • 00:14:09.889 --> 00:14:15.761
  • ♪ jesus, you're the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:14:15.828 --> 00:14:25.337
  • ♪ you are why i find pleasure ♪
  • 00:14:29.108 --> 00:14:34.346
  • ♪ in the simple things in life ♪
  • 00:14:34.346 --> 00:14:39.285
  • ♪ you're the music in the meadows ♪
  • 00:14:39.285 --> 00:14:44.823
  • ♪ and the streams ♪
  • 00:14:44.823 --> 00:14:49.161
  • ♪ you're in the voices of the children ♪
  • 00:14:51.430 --> 00:14:57.036
  • ♪ you're in my family and my home ♪
  • 00:14:57.036 --> 00:15:03.075
  • ♪ you are the source and the finish ♪
  • 00:15:03.075 --> 00:15:06.378
  • ♪ of my highest dreams ♪
  • 00:15:06.378 --> 00:15:12.551
  • ♪ oh-oh! ♪
  • 00:15:12.551 --> 00:15:15.921
  • ♪ jesus, you're the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:15:15.921 --> 00:15:25.965
  • ♪ all that's good and perfect ♪
  • 00:15:28.033 --> 00:15:32.371
  • ♪ comes from you ♪
  • 00:15:32.371 --> 00:15:37.309
  • ♪ you're the heart of my contentment ♪
  • 00:15:39.878 --> 00:15:45.818
  • ♪ hope for all i do ♪
  • 00:15:45.818 --> 00:15:50.556
  • ♪ jesus, you are ♪
  • 00:15:51.890 --> 00:15:56.362
  • ♪ you're the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:15:57.496 --> 00:16:02.768
  • ♪ jesus, you are ♪
  • 00:16:03.836 --> 00:16:09.608
  • ♪ you're the center, the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:16:09.608 --> 00:16:15.581
  • ♪ you are everything ♪
  • 00:16:15.581 --> 00:16:18.751
  • ♪ you're everything ♪
  • 00:16:18.751 --> 00:16:21.220
  • ♪ lord, you give everything ♪
  • 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:23.922
  • ♪ lord, you're my everything ♪
  • 00:16:23.922 --> 00:16:27.860
  • ♪ you are joy ♪
  • 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.862
  • ♪ you are joy in my sorrow ♪
  • 00:16:29.862 --> 00:16:33.232
  • ♪ lord, you are my hope ♪
  • 00:16:33.232 --> 00:16:35.768
  • ♪ you're my hope for tomorrow ♪
  • 00:16:35.768 --> 00:16:38.704
  • ♪ oh, lord, when i'm lonely ♪
  • 00:16:38.704 --> 00:16:41.673
  • ♪ i know that i'm feeling shame ♪
  • 00:16:41.673 --> 00:16:45.044
  • ♪ lord, you are the lifter, the lifter of my head ♪
  • 00:16:45.044 --> 00:16:49.948
  • ♪ oh, god, i know that i know the lord ♪
  • 00:16:49.948 --> 00:16:54.086
  • ♪ i know that i need the lord ♪
  • 00:16:54.086 --> 00:16:56.989
  • ♪ oh, god, i thank you, lord ♪
  • 00:16:56.989 --> 00:16:58.991
  • ♪ i thank you, lord ♪
  • 00:16:58.991 --> 00:17:00.392
  • ♪ i thank you, lord, i praise you, lord ♪
  • 00:17:00.392 --> 00:17:03.662
  • ♪ and jesus, you're the center of my joy ♪
  • 00:17:03.662 --> 00:17:12.004
  • ♪ ah-ah-ah! ♪
  • 00:17:12.004 --> 00:17:18.977
  • ♪ my joy! ♪♪
  • 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:27.686
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:17:27.686 --> 00:17:33.725
  • Announcer: what if five minutes could change
  • 00:17:37.029 --> 00:17:38.597
  • Your whole day?
  • 00:17:38.597 --> 00:17:40.032
  • What if in that time god's word could speak
  • 00:17:40.032 --> 00:17:42.101
  • Directly to your heart,
  • 00:17:42.101 --> 00:17:43.735
  • Transforming your walk with jesus and your entire year?
  • 00:17:43.735 --> 00:17:47.873
  • Introducing "a closer walk with jesus,"
  • 00:17:47.873 --> 00:17:50.576
  • Dr. david jeremiah's brand-new 365-day devotional
  • 00:17:50.576 --> 00:17:54.179
  • That will deepen your time with your savior.
  • 00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:56.381
  • This devotional is a beautiful, convenient,
  • 00:17:56.381 --> 00:17:58.450
  • Powerful way to discover daily insights
  • 00:17:58.450 --> 00:18:00.786
  • From god's word that will challenge
  • 00:18:00.786 --> 00:18:02.788
  • And inspire you, breathing new life
  • 00:18:02.788 --> 00:18:04.790
  • Into your daily appointment with god.
  • 00:18:04.790 --> 00:18:06.925
  • Each day's short reading brings you a focused thought,
  • 00:18:06.925 --> 00:18:09.628
  • Life-giving scripture, and practical wisdom
  • 00:18:09.628 --> 00:18:11.697
  • From dr. jeremiah to strengthen your walk
  • 00:18:11.697 --> 00:18:13.799
  • With christ.
  • 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:15.367
  • With its gorgeous silver embossed cover,
  • 00:18:15.367 --> 00:18:17.269
  • Gilded pages, and illustrated interior,
  • 00:18:17.269 --> 00:18:19.805
  • You'll treasure this leather devotional
  • 00:18:19.805 --> 00:18:21.440
  • By your side all year long.
  • 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.408
  • "a closer walk with jesus" is yours when you give a gift
  • 00:18:23.408 --> 00:18:25.777
  • Of any amount in support of this program.
  • 00:18:25.777 --> 00:18:27.980
  • It also makes the perfect gift for friends, family,
  • 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:30.816
  • Your bible study group, or new believers
  • 00:18:30.816 --> 00:18:32.851
  • At your church,
  • 00:18:32.851 --> 00:18:34.386
  • Allowing you to grow closer to jesus not just personally,
  • 00:18:34.386 --> 00:18:36.822
  • But with others.
  • 00:18:36.822 --> 00:18:38.524
  • Request 4 copies to share with loved ones
  • 00:18:38.524 --> 00:18:40.626
  • When you give $120 or more.
  • 00:18:40.626 --> 00:18:43.095
  • Make jesus your ever-present companion,
  • 00:18:43.095 --> 00:18:45.531
  • Closer than a brother.
  • 00:18:45.531 --> 00:18:47.032
  • Don't let a day pass in the new year
  • 00:18:47.032 --> 00:18:48.734
  • Without drawing closer to him.
  • 00:18:48.734 --> 00:18:51.036
  • Request "a closer walk with jesus"
  • 00:18:51.036 --> 00:18:53.105
  • From "turning point" today.
  • 00:18:53.105 --> 00:18:55.140
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:18:58.277 --> 00:19:06.451
  • Dr. jeremiah: today i'm gonna talk about
  • 00:19:06.451 --> 00:19:07.786
  • How to be fully engaged with god.
  • 00:19:07.786 --> 00:19:09.821
  • And since this message is about love,
  • 00:19:09.821 --> 00:19:11.557
  • I wanna tell you a little story i read this week
  • 00:19:11.557 --> 00:19:14.259
  • About a little girl who regretted
  • 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.727
  • Breaking her engagement, and she wrote this letter.
  • 00:19:15.727 --> 00:19:19.464
  • "dearest tommy, no words could ever express
  • 00:19:19.464 --> 00:19:21.900
  • The great unhappiness i've felt since breaking our engagement.
  • 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:25.804
  • Please say you'll take me back.
  • 00:19:25.804 --> 00:19:27.773
  • No one could ever take your place in my heart,
  • 00:19:27.773 --> 00:19:30.175
  • So please forgive me.
  • 00:19:30.175 --> 00:19:31.677
  • I love you, i love you, i love you, i love you.
  • 00:19:31.677 --> 00:19:34.546
  • Yours forever, marie.
  • 00:19:34.546 --> 00:19:36.248
  • P.s. and congratulations on winning the state lottery."
  • 00:19:36.248 --> 00:19:40.152
  • [congregation laughing]
  • 00:19:40.152 --> 00:19:43.322
  • Dr. jeremiah: i don't know what that means,
  • 00:19:43.322 --> 00:19:44.790
  • I just thought that was a funny story.
  • 00:19:44.790 --> 00:19:46.124
  • So i thought i'd share that with you.
  • 00:19:46.124 --> 00:19:49.061
  • As you get older, people always have interesting things
  • 00:19:49.061 --> 00:19:52.030
  • To say to you about getting older.
  • 00:19:52.030 --> 00:19:55.634
  • And i've had people ask me what the advantages are
  • 00:19:55.634 --> 00:19:58.136
  • To getting older, like we had a choice.
  • 00:19:58.136 --> 00:20:02.241
  • Getting older gives you perspective,
  • 00:20:04.276 --> 00:20:06.111
  • And i think that's one of the great things.
  • 00:20:06.111 --> 00:20:07.446
  • You know, you can look back and--over your life,
  • 00:20:07.446 --> 00:20:09.915
  • And you can see things as they've happened,
  • 00:20:09.915 --> 00:20:13.352
  • And it gives you a sense of, "oh, so that's how that works."
  • 00:20:13.352 --> 00:20:17.289
  • I have the distinct advantage to have grown up in ministry
  • 00:20:17.289 --> 00:20:21.927
  • During the time when the issue of how we worship the lord
  • 00:20:21.927 --> 00:20:26.231
  • And what kind of music we use has been at the forefront.
  • 00:20:26.231 --> 00:20:29.801
  • Some people have called it the worship wars.
  • 00:20:29.801 --> 00:20:33.105
  • I started out in a pastor's home,
  • 00:20:33.105 --> 00:20:34.940
  • In a very fundamental, strict church,
  • 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:38.076
  • And we sang only the old hymns.
  • 00:20:38.076 --> 00:20:42.147
  • All of the verses of the old hymns.
  • 00:20:42.147 --> 00:20:46.318
  • And we stood up for every hymn we sang.
  • 00:20:46.318 --> 00:20:49.087
  • Some songs had five, i remember one song had seven verses.
  • 00:20:49.087 --> 00:20:53.592
  • We sang them all.
  • 00:20:53.592 --> 00:20:55.961
  • You know, the bible says we're to worship the lord in psalms
  • 00:20:55.961 --> 00:20:58.430
  • And hymns and spiritual songs.
  • 00:20:58.430 --> 00:21:00.699
  • We started with the psalms, and then we went to the hymns,
  • 00:21:00.699 --> 00:21:03.335
  • And the hymns were like the new music that was then introduced
  • 00:21:03.335 --> 00:21:07.506
  • And started with a man by the name of ira sankey,
  • 00:21:07.506 --> 00:21:10.375
  • Who led music for dwight l. moody
  • 00:21:10.375 --> 00:21:12.277
  • And began with songs like "blessed assurance"
  • 00:21:12.277 --> 00:21:14.780
  • And like that.
  • 00:21:14.780 --> 00:21:17.316
  • And then in the early '70s, late '60s,
  • 00:21:17.316 --> 00:21:20.152
  • The new music started, the contemporary music,
  • 00:21:20.152 --> 00:21:23.422
  • The praise and worship music, and you cannot imagine
  • 00:21:23.422 --> 00:21:26.391
  • The challenges that created for so many people.
  • 00:21:26.391 --> 00:21:28.760
  • Many churches thought that that was certainly
  • 00:21:28.760 --> 00:21:31.063
  • Not something you should ever allow.
  • 00:21:31.063 --> 00:21:33.532
  • And they would say that the words weren't meaningful.
  • 00:21:33.532 --> 00:21:36.101
  • I always like to remind them of some of the songs
  • 00:21:36.101 --> 00:21:38.070
  • They sang growing up, like, "deep and wide,"
  • 00:21:38.070 --> 00:21:41.807
  • And "do lord, oh, do lord, oh, do remember me."
  • 00:21:41.807 --> 00:21:46.611
  • Remember that one?
  • 00:21:46.611 --> 00:21:48.146
  • I mean, their words weren't any more ridiculous
  • 00:21:48.146 --> 00:21:50.749
  • Than some of the words we sang when we were growing up,
  • 00:21:50.749 --> 00:21:53.352
  • But it was new and different, and that's always tough.
  • 00:21:53.352 --> 00:21:56.855
  • You know, i love music, and i love all of the music.
  • 00:21:56.855 --> 00:21:59.091
  • I love the hymns.
  • 00:21:59.091 --> 00:22:00.592
  • I love the gospel songs.
  • 00:22:00.592 --> 00:22:01.927
  • I love the praise and worship music.
  • 00:22:01.927 --> 00:22:03.362
  • I love it all.
  • 00:22:03.362 --> 00:22:04.696
  • We do it all here.
  • 00:22:04.696 --> 00:22:06.098
  • We try to make sure that whatever we do,
  • 00:22:06.098 --> 00:22:07.432
  • We do it with excellence,
  • 00:22:07.432 --> 00:22:08.767
  • Because we have an excellent god,
  • 00:22:08.767 --> 00:22:10.168
  • And he deserves our best.
  • 00:22:10.168 --> 00:22:11.670
  • But i must tell you that over the years,
  • 00:22:11.670 --> 00:22:13.105
  • I began to change my mind about a couple of things.
  • 00:22:13.105 --> 00:22:15.540
  • They used to say that the worship wars
  • 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:17.409
  • Were all about style and not about substance.
  • 00:22:17.409 --> 00:22:22.114
  • That the words were okay, but it was the style,
  • 00:22:22.114 --> 00:22:24.416
  • And of course, it was the beat and all of that,
  • 00:22:24.416 --> 00:22:26.518
  • And everybody had their ideas about it.
  • 00:22:26.518 --> 00:22:28.653
  • But i do need to tell you that one of the things
  • 00:22:28.653 --> 00:22:30.856
  • We should be careful about is substance.
  • 00:22:30.856 --> 00:22:34.092
  • I don't think it's so much the style.
  • 00:22:34.092 --> 00:22:36.261
  • It's what we say in our songs, what our words are.
  • 00:22:36.261 --> 00:22:41.099
  • And i'm gonna tell you something.
  • 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.467
  • I love all of the music that we sing,
  • 00:22:42.467 --> 00:22:43.935
  • But once in a while i get a little bit uncomfortable,
  • 00:22:43.935 --> 00:22:46.371
  • Because it sounds like some of our music
  • 00:22:46.371 --> 00:22:50.142
  • That we're singing to god is frank sinatra singing
  • 00:22:50.142 --> 00:22:53.211
  • A song to his lover.
  • 00:22:53.211 --> 00:22:56.648
  • The words, even sometimes the style.
  • 00:22:56.648 --> 00:23:00.952
  • And i wonder, is that the way we should be expressing
  • 00:23:00.952 --> 00:23:04.189
  • Our worship to god?
  • 00:23:04.189 --> 00:23:06.558
  • I mean, what if some of the old hymn writers
  • 00:23:06.558 --> 00:23:10.562
  • Were less emotional but more theological?
  • 00:23:10.562 --> 00:23:13.832
  • When they wrote their lyrics, maybe the argument was more,
  • 00:23:13.832 --> 00:23:17.936
  • To them, about what the lyrics said
  • 00:23:17.936 --> 00:23:20.105
  • Than how they were expressed in music.
  • 00:23:20.105 --> 00:23:23.708
  • So what does it really mean to be fully engaged with god?
  • 00:23:23.708 --> 00:23:27.145
  • How do we even talk with him?
  • 00:23:27.145 --> 00:23:29.080
  • How do we love god?
  • 00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:30.816
  • How do we engage with god?
  • 00:23:30.816 --> 00:23:33.084
  • I mean, god is spirit.
  • 00:23:33.084 --> 00:23:35.387
  • I'm flesh and blood.
  • 00:23:35.387 --> 00:23:36.922
  • I can't give him a hug.
  • 00:23:36.922 --> 00:23:39.324
  • What do i do to love god?
  • 00:23:39.324 --> 00:23:42.727
  • And how can i express that love to him as i worship him?
  • 00:23:42.727 --> 00:23:48.366
  • That's what i want to talk with you about today,
  • 00:23:48.366 --> 00:23:50.335
  • In these moments that we have.
  • 00:23:50.335 --> 00:23:52.704
  • Actually, the story begins in the old testament,
  • 00:23:52.704 --> 00:23:56.641
  • Primarily in the book of deuteronomy,
  • 00:23:56.641 --> 00:23:58.543
  • But even earlier than that.
  • 00:23:58.543 --> 00:24:00.479
  • Let me set the stage.
  • 00:24:00.479 --> 00:24:02.747
  • As you know, the children of israel
  • 00:24:02.747 --> 00:24:04.416
  • Were in bondage in egypt for 400 years.
  • 00:24:04.416 --> 00:24:07.819
  • And when they came out of egypt, it was called the exodus,
  • 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:13.124
  • And we have a book in our bible called exodus,
  • 00:24:13.124 --> 00:24:15.293
  • And it's a story of the people of israel
  • 00:24:15.293 --> 00:24:18.430
  • Coming out of egypt, their exodus.
  • 00:24:18.430 --> 00:24:21.466
  • When they came out of egypt,
  • 00:24:21.466 --> 00:24:23.034
  • They were gonna be away from any central place.
  • 00:24:23.034 --> 00:24:26.137
  • They needed some information about how to worship.
  • 00:24:26.137 --> 00:24:29.174
  • So the book of leviticus is ours to tell us
  • 00:24:29.174 --> 00:24:31.843
  • How they were instructed to worship the lord.
  • 00:24:31.843 --> 00:24:34.145
  • All the ceremonies, all the feast days,
  • 00:24:34.145 --> 00:24:36.248
  • All of the ins and outs of the tabernacle
  • 00:24:36.248 --> 00:24:38.984
  • In the book of leviticus.
  • 00:24:38.984 --> 00:24:41.653
  • Then you get to the book of numbers,
  • 00:24:41.653 --> 00:24:43.421
  • And it's a sad story, because the children of israel
  • 00:24:43.421 --> 00:24:45.790
  • Have come to the place where they're about to enter
  • 00:24:45.790 --> 00:24:48.627
  • Into the promised land,
  • 00:24:48.627 --> 00:24:50.562
  • But they send spies into the land to check it out,
  • 00:24:50.562 --> 00:24:53.465
  • And ten of the spies come back and say,
  • 00:24:53.465 --> 00:24:55.967
  • "we are not able to go in and take this land."
  • 00:24:55.967 --> 00:24:58.870
  • And in their disbelief of god, the whole nation was punished.
  • 00:24:58.870 --> 00:25:03.108
  • You remember what the punishment was?
  • 00:25:03.108 --> 00:25:05.076
  • No one in that generation would be allowed to go
  • 00:25:05.076 --> 00:25:07.779
  • Into the promised land.
  • 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:09.414
  • Everybody in the generation that refused to obey god had to die,
  • 00:25:09.414 --> 00:25:14.352
  • And the only people out of that generation
  • 00:25:14.352 --> 00:25:16.688
  • Who entered the promised land were joshua and caleb.
  • 00:25:16.688 --> 00:25:20.559
  • So in the book of numbers, what you have
  • 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.427
  • Is you have an obituary column on steroids.
  • 00:25:22.427 --> 00:25:26.231
  • Everybody dying.
  • 00:25:26.231 --> 00:25:28.900
  • Then you come to the book of deuteronomy.
  • 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:32.070
  • I love that book.
  • 00:25:32.070 --> 00:25:33.538
  • It means the second time.
  • 00:25:33.538 --> 00:25:35.407
  • Deuteronomy, the second time.
  • 00:25:35.407 --> 00:25:36.942
  • That's kind of the meaning of the word.
  • 00:25:36.942 --> 00:25:39.444
  • Once again, the people of israel are on the verge
  • 00:25:39.444 --> 00:25:42.948
  • Of going into the promised land.
  • 00:25:42.948 --> 00:25:44.683
  • They've come out of moab.
  • 00:25:44.683 --> 00:25:46.284
  • They've camped on the plains of moab.
  • 00:25:46.284 --> 00:25:47.819
  • They're about to cross over the jordan
  • 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:49.521
  • And conquer the promised land.
  • 00:25:49.521 --> 00:25:51.756
  • And at this critical stage in their history,
  • 00:25:51.756 --> 00:25:54.225
  • God inspires moses to deliver several speeches
  • 00:25:54.225 --> 00:25:58.063
  • To the israelites,
  • 00:25:58.063 --> 00:25:59.531
  • In essence renewing their relationship with god
  • 00:25:59.531 --> 00:26:02.033
  • And defining the terms by which they will be able
  • 00:26:02.033 --> 00:26:05.170
  • To live in the promised land with god as their god.
  • 00:26:05.170 --> 00:26:10.775
  • On the brink of the promised land,
  • 00:26:10.775 --> 00:26:12.744
  • Moses reminds the people of israel
  • 00:26:12.744 --> 00:26:15.080
  • Of the ten commandments.
  • 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:17.082
  • And then he pauses to focus on
  • 00:26:17.082 --> 00:26:20.285
  • The most important commandment that god ever gave.
  • 00:26:20.285 --> 00:26:25.156
  • And the introduction to loving god
  • 00:26:25.156 --> 00:26:27.359
  • Is found in deuteronomy 6:4-5 in a passage called the shema,
  • 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:32.564
  • Or the shema.
  • 00:26:32.564 --> 00:26:34.733
  • Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says, "hear, o israel:
  • 00:26:34.733 --> 00:26:37.936
  • The lord our god, the lord is one!
  • 00:26:37.936 --> 00:26:40.939
  • You shall love the lord your god with all your heart,
  • 00:26:40.939 --> 00:26:43.642
  • With all your soul, and with all your strength."
  • 00:26:43.642 --> 00:26:47.979
  • These two verses are called the shema,
  • 00:26:47.979 --> 00:26:49.748
  • Because shema is the first word, hear.
  • 00:26:49.748 --> 00:26:53.885
  • And it is the central prayer to jewish prayer books.
  • 00:26:53.885 --> 00:26:59.391
  • It is often the first section of scripture
  • 00:26:59.391 --> 00:27:02.460
  • That a jewish child will learn.
  • 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:05.096
  • Orthodox jews pronounce each word very carefully,
  • 00:27:05.096 --> 00:27:08.933
  • And they cover their eyes with their right hand.
  • 00:27:08.933 --> 00:27:12.003
  • Many jewish people recite the shema twice a day,
  • 00:27:12.003 --> 00:27:15.640
  • Once in the morning and once in the evening.
  • 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:18.977
  • It has been called the fundamental truth
  • 00:27:18.977 --> 00:27:21.312
  • Of israel's religion
  • 00:27:21.312 --> 00:27:22.981
  • And israel's pledge of allegiance, the shema.
  • 00:27:22.981 --> 00:27:27.519
  • Once again, "hear, o israel: the lord, our lord is one!
  • 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:33.191
  • You shall love the lord your god with all your heart,
  • 00:27:33.191 --> 00:27:35.527
  • With all your soul, with all your strength."
  • 00:27:35.527 --> 00:27:38.830
  • Now, before we dig into this and how it teaches us
  • 00:27:38.830 --> 00:27:41.866
  • To be fully engaged with god, there are three things
  • 00:27:41.866 --> 00:27:45.103
  • We should note about this little passage.
  • 00:27:45.103 --> 00:27:48.440
  • First of all, the priority of god.
  • 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:51.843
  • The purpose of the shema was to impress
  • 00:27:51.843 --> 00:27:54.179
  • Upon the people of israel the privilege
  • 00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:56.681
  • And the sheer grace of their relationship with god.
  • 00:27:56.681 --> 00:28:01.720
  • The injunction to love god was based on the precedent
  • 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:05.390
  • That god had already loved them.
  • 00:28:05.390 --> 00:28:07.992
  • He had shown his love to the israelites
  • 00:28:07.992 --> 00:28:10.662
  • Through the exodus and through their wilderness wanderings
  • 00:28:10.662 --> 00:28:14.032
  • And through the second opportunity
  • 00:28:14.032 --> 00:28:15.734
  • To come to this place in the promised land.
  • 00:28:15.734 --> 00:28:18.937
  • In other words, they were to love god because god had,
  • 00:28:18.937 --> 00:28:22.807
  • First of all, shown his love to them.
  • 00:28:22.807 --> 00:28:25.276
  • It's in the very same way that we read in the new testament,
  • 00:28:25.276 --> 00:28:28.747
  • "in this is love, not that we loved god,
  • 00:28:28.747 --> 00:28:31.583
  • But that he loved us and sent his son
  • 00:28:31.583 --> 00:28:33.852
  • To be the propitiation for our sins.
  • 00:28:33.852 --> 00:28:36.988
  • We love him because he loved us."
  • 00:28:36.988 --> 00:28:42.093
  • The priority of god.
  • 00:28:42.093 --> 00:28:44.329
  • The second point has a very interesting word,
  • 00:28:44.329 --> 00:28:46.765
  • The particularity of god.
  • 00:28:46.765 --> 00:28:48.833
  • Here we read, "the lord our god, the lord is one!"
  • 00:28:48.833 --> 00:28:52.937
  • What in the world does that mean?
  • 00:28:52.937 --> 00:28:55.440
  • Here are some of the ways it is translated
  • 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:57.308
  • In other paraphrases and versions.
  • 00:28:57.308 --> 00:29:00.478
  • "the lord our god, the lord is one!"
  • 00:29:00.478 --> 00:29:04.349
  • "the lord our god, the lord alone."
  • 00:29:04.349 --> 00:29:06.684
  • "god, our god! god the one and only!"
  • 00:29:06.684 --> 00:29:10.054
  • "the lord our god is one lord!"
  • 00:29:10.054 --> 00:29:12.857
  • "the lord is our god, the lord is one!"
  • 00:29:12.857 --> 00:29:15.360
  • Now, in order to understand the meaning of this,
  • 00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:17.462
  • You have to see it against the backdrop
  • 00:29:17.462 --> 00:29:19.297
  • Of where the israelites have come from
  • 00:29:19.297 --> 00:29:21.733
  • And where they're going.
  • 00:29:21.733 --> 00:29:23.434
  • For instance, they've just come out of egypt,
  • 00:29:23.434 --> 00:29:25.303
  • A land full of idolatry.
  • 00:29:25.303 --> 00:29:28.072
  • They had been exposed for all those years
  • 00:29:28.072 --> 00:29:29.974
  • To the idolatry of the egyptian nation.
  • 00:29:29.974 --> 00:29:32.977
  • And where are they headed?
  • 00:29:32.977 --> 00:29:34.445
  • They're headed toward the most wicked, polytheistic,
  • 00:29:34.445 --> 00:29:38.817
  • Idolatrous nation that ever had any space
  • 00:29:38.817 --> 00:29:41.753
  • On this earth, the canaanites.
  • 00:29:41.753 --> 00:29:44.522
  • And so in these messages that moses preached
  • 00:29:44.522 --> 00:29:46.991
  • To the jewish people in the book of deuteronomy,
  • 00:29:46.991 --> 00:29:49.360
  • As he's preparing them to go into the land,
  • 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:51.563
  • One of the main key things is that they understand
  • 00:29:51.563 --> 00:29:54.199
  • They are not to get caught up in this idolatry.
  • 00:29:54.199 --> 00:29:56.968
  • Their lord is one.
  • 00:29:56.968 --> 00:29:58.803
  • They have one god and one god alone.
  • 00:29:58.803 --> 00:30:00.939
  • There are not many gods.
  • 00:30:00.939 --> 00:30:02.507
  • There are not some gods.
  • 00:30:02.507 --> 00:30:03.975
  • There is one god.
  • 00:30:03.975 --> 00:30:05.310
  • Our god is yahweh.
  • 00:30:05.310 --> 00:30:07.011
  • Yahweh alone is our god.
  • 00:30:07.011 --> 00:30:10.748
  • That's what the shema was communicating to them
  • 00:30:10.748 --> 00:30:13.952
  • And why it was so critical that they repeat that often
  • 00:30:13.952 --> 00:30:17.589
  • And never forget they had one god, not many.
  • 00:30:17.589 --> 00:30:23.161
  • And then there was the purpose of god.
  • 00:30:23.161 --> 00:30:26.564
  • The purpose of god is found in the last part of the verse,
  • 00:30:26.564 --> 00:30:28.967
  • "you shall love the lord your god."
  • 00:30:28.967 --> 00:30:32.904
  • Now, on the surface, that sounds very simple
  • 00:30:32.904 --> 00:30:35.240
  • And not very hard to understand, but it's profound.
  • 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:38.643
  • First of all, how can you command somebody to love?
  • 00:30:38.643 --> 00:30:42.981
  • Love is not something you do by virtue of a command,
  • 00:30:42.981 --> 00:30:46.951
  • At least not the way we think of it.
  • 00:30:46.951 --> 00:30:48.686
  • In our culture today, love is an emotion.
  • 00:30:48.686 --> 00:30:50.421
  • Love is a feeling.
  • 00:30:50.421 --> 00:30:51.890
  • Love is something right in here
  • 00:30:51.890 --> 00:30:53.358
  • When you're near the person that's special to you.
  • 00:30:53.358 --> 00:30:54.993
  • Love is more something you feel than anything that you do.
  • 00:30:54.993 --> 00:30:59.597
  • I have a little note in the jeremiah study bible
  • 00:30:59.597 --> 00:31:02.033
  • That says, "how can love be commanded?"
  • 00:31:02.033 --> 00:31:06.704
  • And it cannot be understood
  • 00:31:06.704 --> 00:31:08.439
  • Apart from the fact that the love as it is described
  • 00:31:08.439 --> 00:31:11.209
  • In the old and new testament is far different
  • 00:31:11.209 --> 00:31:13.278
  • Than anything we know about love, at least normally.
  • 00:31:13.278 --> 00:31:17.649
  • You see, biblical love is not merely an emotion.
  • 00:31:17.649 --> 00:31:21.519
  • It's not just a pleasant disposition
  • 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:23.554
  • Toward somebody else, but it is a commitment
  • 00:31:23.554 --> 00:31:26.791
  • That is demonstrated by your action.
  • 00:31:26.791 --> 00:31:30.895
  • The simple fact that deuteronomy's love
  • 00:31:30.895 --> 00:31:33.264
  • Is a love that can be commanded
  • 00:31:33.264 --> 00:31:35.233
  • Shows that it's not merely an emotion,
  • 00:31:35.233 --> 00:31:38.503
  • It's a commitment to god.
  • 00:31:38.503 --> 00:31:41.139
  • It is expressed in loyalty and in service.
  • 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:44.609
  • And one of the things that's most amazing
  • 00:31:44.609 --> 00:31:46.244
  • About the book of deuteronomy, as i mentioned to you,
  • 00:31:46.244 --> 00:31:49.147
  • These are the thoughts that were in all of the messages
  • 00:31:49.147 --> 00:31:52.350
  • That moses preached as they were getting ready
  • 00:31:52.350 --> 00:31:55.186
  • To go into the promised land.
  • 00:31:55.186 --> 00:31:56.988
  • I went back through the book of deuteronomy,
  • 00:31:56.988 --> 00:31:59.057
  • And i was astounded at how many times
  • 00:31:59.057 --> 00:32:03.494
  • The people of israel were told what the definition
  • 00:32:03.494 --> 00:32:07.198
  • Of love really was.
  • 00:32:07.198 --> 00:32:10.034
  • I can't give you even many of these verses,
  • 00:32:10.034 --> 00:32:13.237
  • But i can give you enough so that you can see
  • 00:32:13.237 --> 00:32:15.773
  • What i'm talking about.
  • 00:32:15.773 --> 00:32:17.275
  • I'm not gonna ask you to follow me in your bibles this time,
  • 00:32:17.275 --> 00:32:19.644
  • But on the screen, i'm gonna go through these verses
  • 00:32:19.644 --> 00:32:22.113
  • As fast as i can, but i want you to see
  • 00:32:22.113 --> 00:32:24.682
  • As you watch them on the screen
  • 00:32:24.682 --> 00:32:26.784
  • The connection between loving god and being obedient to god.
  • 00:32:26.784 --> 00:32:30.922
  • Are you ready? here we go.
  • 00:32:30.922 --> 00:32:32.724
  • "and now, israel,
  • 00:32:32.724 --> 00:32:34.058
  • What does the lord your god require of you,
  • 00:32:34.058 --> 00:32:36.194
  • But to fear the lord your god,
  • 00:32:36.194 --> 00:32:38.296
  • To walk in all of his ways and to love him?"
  • 00:32:38.296 --> 00:32:42.300
  • "therefore, you shall love the lord your god,
  • 00:32:43.868 --> 00:32:46.371
  • And keep his charge and his statutes,
  • 00:32:46.371 --> 00:32:49.107
  • His judgments and his commandments always."
  • 00:32:49.107 --> 00:32:52.810
  • "and it shall be that if you earnestly obey my commandments,
  • 00:32:52.877 --> 00:32:55.580
  • Which i command you today, to love the lord your god."
  • 00:32:55.580 --> 00:32:59.917
  • Serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
  • 00:32:59.984 --> 00:33:03.254
  • "if you carefully keep all these commandments
  • 00:33:03.254 --> 00:33:05.356
  • Which i command you to do-- to love the lord your god."
  • 00:33:05.356 --> 00:33:10.028
  • "and if you keep all these commandments and do them,
  • 00:33:10.028 --> 00:33:12.130
  • Which i command you today, to love the lord your god."
  • 00:33:12.130 --> 00:33:15.433
  • "in that i command you today to love the lord your god,
  • 00:33:17.702 --> 00:33:20.405
  • And walk in his ways and keep his commandments
  • 00:33:20.405 --> 00:33:22.540
  • And his statutes and his judgments."
  • 00:33:22.540 --> 00:33:25.176
  • Just a few, a smattering of the verses
  • 00:33:25.176 --> 00:33:27.445
  • That are scattered throughout all these messages
  • 00:33:27.445 --> 00:33:29.280
  • That moses was preaching to the israelites.
  • 00:33:29.280 --> 00:33:31.416
  • What was he saying to them?
  • 00:33:31.416 --> 00:33:32.750
  • He was saying to them,
  • 00:33:32.750 --> 00:33:34.085
  • "don't give me your empty words about how much you love god.
  • 00:33:34.085 --> 00:33:35.887
  • I want you to demonstrate your love for god
  • 00:33:35.887 --> 00:33:37.889
  • By doing what god asked you to do,
  • 00:33:37.889 --> 00:33:40.358
  • By following his instruction."
  • 00:33:40.358 --> 00:33:42.460
  • You say, "well, dr. jeremiah, that's great,
  • 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:44.128
  • But that's old testament theology."
  • 00:33:44.128 --> 00:33:46.097
  • Oh, no, it isn't.
  • 00:33:46.097 --> 00:33:47.899
  • It's new testament theology.
  • 00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:49.767
  • Have you never read john 14:15?
  • 00:33:49.767 --> 00:33:53.371
  • "if you love me, keep my commandments."
  • 00:33:53.371 --> 00:33:58.076
  • John 14:21, "he who has my commandments
  • 00:33:59.577 --> 00:34:02.280
  • And keeps them, it is he who loves me."
  • 00:34:02.280 --> 00:34:06.951
  • Wow.
  • 00:34:06.951 --> 00:34:08.453
  • John 14:23, "jesus answered and said to him,
  • 00:34:08.453 --> 00:34:11.422
  • 'if anyone loves me, he will keep my word.'"
  • 00:34:11.422 --> 00:34:15.460
  • First john 5:3, "and this is the love of god,
  • 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:19.497
  • That we keep his commandments.
  • 00:34:19.497 --> 00:34:22.767
  • And his commandments are not burdensome."
  • 00:34:22.767 --> 00:34:27.105
  • The introduction to loving god is simply a reminder to us
  • 00:34:27.105 --> 00:34:31.008
  • That as important it is that we express
  • 00:34:31.008 --> 00:34:33.311
  • Our love to god verbally,
  • 00:34:33.311 --> 00:34:35.680
  • That isn't really the essence of loving god.
  • 00:34:35.680 --> 00:34:39.450
  • How many of you know you can go out into the world
  • 00:34:39.450 --> 00:34:42.186
  • And live like the rest of the world
  • 00:34:42.186 --> 00:34:44.088
  • Without any knowledge or reference to god all week,
  • 00:34:44.088 --> 00:34:47.458
  • Come to church on sunday, and stand up and sing
  • 00:34:47.458 --> 00:34:50.228
  • How much you love god, but how empty is that?
  • 00:34:50.228 --> 00:34:54.632
  • Our words should be expressed, absolutely,
  • 00:34:54.632 --> 00:34:57.768
  • But not without content.
  • 00:34:57.768 --> 00:35:00.037
  • And the content of loving god is obedience.
  • 00:35:00.037 --> 00:35:03.975
  • And that's just true.
  • 00:35:03.975 --> 00:35:05.409
  • I mean, i can't tell you that any clearer
  • 00:35:05.409 --> 00:35:07.311
  • Than i have today.
  • 00:35:07.311 --> 00:35:08.746
  • I'm not telling you-- this is my opinion.
  • 00:35:08.746 --> 00:35:10.114
  • I've read to you all these verses
  • 00:35:10.114 --> 00:35:11.649
  • From the old testament,
  • 00:35:11.649 --> 00:35:13.017
  • All these verses from the new testament.
  • 00:35:13.017 --> 00:35:14.719
  • It's wrapped up in that one phrase,
  • 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:16.854
  • "if you love me, keep my commandments."
  • 00:35:16.854 --> 00:35:19.757
  • Do what i tell you to do.
  • 00:35:19.757 --> 00:35:21.592
  • Now, don't we say that to our kids,
  • 00:35:21.592 --> 00:35:23.628
  • In so many words?
  • 00:35:23.628 --> 00:35:26.130
  • So now we come to the interpretation
  • 00:35:26.130 --> 00:35:27.865
  • Of loving god.
  • 00:35:27.865 --> 00:35:29.267
  • That's the introduction to it.
  • 00:35:29.267 --> 00:35:30.635
  • When you get to the new testament,
  • 00:35:30.635 --> 00:35:31.969
  • An amazing thing happens.
  • 00:35:31.969 --> 00:35:33.337
  • The lord jesus gives a little sermon on this text.
  • 00:35:33.337 --> 00:35:36.274
  • One day a lawyer comes to jesus, and he says,
  • 00:35:36.274 --> 00:35:38.276
  • "lord jesus, what's the greatest commandment in the bible?"
  • 00:35:38.276 --> 00:35:43.347
  • And the lord jesus just grabbed hold of the question.
  • 00:35:43.347 --> 00:35:46.250
  • He said, "the greatest commandment
  • 00:35:46.250 --> 00:35:47.785
  • Is to love the lord your god
  • 00:35:47.785 --> 00:35:49.287
  • With all your heart, soul, and mind.
  • 00:35:49.287 --> 00:35:51.689
  • And the second is like unto it,
  • 00:35:51.689 --> 00:35:53.391
  • You should love your neighbor as yourself."
  • 00:35:53.391 --> 00:35:57.495
  • When jesus was asked about the one greatest commandment,
  • 00:35:57.495 --> 00:36:00.398
  • He answered by giving them two.
  • 00:36:00.398 --> 00:36:03.434
  • To the shema, he added the command
  • 00:36:03.434 --> 00:36:05.603
  • To love your neighbor as yourself.
  • 00:36:05.603 --> 00:36:08.839
  • And he lists two commandments, but he only lists one command,
  • 00:36:08.839 --> 00:36:11.709
  • And that is the command to love.
  • 00:36:11.709 --> 00:36:14.278
  • And by making love of your neighbor part of loving god,
  • 00:36:14.278 --> 00:36:18.816
  • He's simply saying,
  • 00:36:18.816 --> 00:36:20.351
  • "if you love me, keep my commandments,
  • 00:36:20.351 --> 00:36:22.386
  • Because i've commanded you to love one another.
  • 00:36:22.386 --> 00:36:24.488
  • So when you love one another, what are you doing?
  • 00:36:24.488 --> 00:36:26.390
  • You're loving one another, and you're loving me."
  • 00:36:26.390 --> 00:36:29.760
  • In his letter to the romans,
  • 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:31.095
  • Paul summarizes the last five of the commandments.
  • 00:36:31.095 --> 00:36:34.932
  • How many of you know
  • 00:36:34.932 --> 00:36:36.467
  • The first five of the commandments
  • 00:36:36.467 --> 00:36:37.835
  • Have to do with our relationship with god,
  • 00:36:37.835 --> 00:36:39.437
  • The last five have to do with our relationship
  • 00:36:39.437 --> 00:36:41.138
  • With each other?
  • 00:36:41.138 --> 00:36:42.773
  • I don't know if you've ever seen this commentary
  • 00:36:42.773 --> 00:36:44.308
  • In the book of romans chapter 13,
  • 00:36:44.308 --> 00:36:46.143
  • But i'm gonna read it to you, and you absorb this.
  • 00:36:46.143 --> 00:36:48.679
  • This is one of those passages
  • 00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:50.114
  • You wanna underline in your bible.
  • 00:36:50.114 --> 00:36:52.683
  • "owe no one anything except to love one another,
  • 00:36:52.683 --> 00:36:55.586
  • For he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
  • 00:36:55.586 --> 00:36:59.290
  • For the commandment, 'you shall not commit adultery,'
  • 00:36:59.290 --> 00:37:01.759
  • 'you shall not murder,' 'you shall not steal,'
  • 00:37:01.759 --> 00:37:04.495
  • 'you shall not bear false witness,'
  • 00:37:04.495 --> 00:37:06.297
  • 'you shall not covet,'
  • 00:37:06.297 --> 00:37:07.698
  • And if there is any other commandment,
  • 00:37:07.698 --> 00:37:09.800
  • Are all summed up in this one saying, namely,
  • 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:13.671
  • 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
  • 00:37:13.671 --> 00:37:16.040
  • Love does no harm to a neighbor,
  • 00:37:16.040 --> 00:37:17.808
  • Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
  • 00:37:17.808 --> 00:37:21.078
  • Here paul says that if you want a good summary
  • 00:37:21.078 --> 00:37:23.614
  • Of the importance of the law
  • 00:37:23.614 --> 00:37:25.116
  • And how it relates to loving god, this is it.
  • 00:37:25.116 --> 00:37:28.019
  • If you love your neighbor, you're loving god,
  • 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:30.855
  • Because when you love your neighbor,
  • 00:37:30.855 --> 00:37:32.356
  • You don't steal his wife, you don't steal his goods,
  • 00:37:32.356 --> 00:37:35.092
  • You don't lie about him, you don't covet his stuff,
  • 00:37:35.092 --> 00:37:37.628
  • You don't do things to hurt your neighbor.
  • 00:37:37.628 --> 00:37:39.297
  • You love your neighbor.
  • 00:37:39.297 --> 00:37:40.731
  • Keeping the last five commandments
  • 00:37:40.731 --> 00:37:42.433
  • Is just a way to express your love for others.
  • 00:37:42.433 --> 00:37:47.038
  • But the key issue in our message today
  • 00:37:47.038 --> 00:37:49.106
  • Is that this whole discussion of love
  • 00:37:49.106 --> 00:37:51.542
  • Has nothing really to do with emotion until it,
  • 00:37:51.542 --> 00:37:55.313
  • First of all, has something to do with obedience.
  • 00:37:55.313 --> 00:38:00.151
  • The introduction to loving god, jesus said,
  • 00:38:00.151 --> 00:38:03.354
  • "here is the greatest commandment,
  • 00:38:03.354 --> 00:38:04.955
  • Love the lord your god with all your heart,
  • 00:38:04.955 --> 00:38:07.191
  • Soul, and mind,
  • 00:38:07.191 --> 00:38:08.559
  • And love your neighbor as yourself,
  • 00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:10.461
  • Because that illustrates how much you love god."
  • 00:38:10.461 --> 00:38:15.499
  • There is a real sense, men and women,
  • 00:38:15.499 --> 00:38:17.601
  • In that we cannot love god unless we love others.
  • 00:38:17.601 --> 00:38:21.472
  • And jesus himself said on one occasion,
  • 00:38:21.472 --> 00:38:24.075
  • "if you do it unto one of the least of these,
  • 00:38:24.075 --> 00:38:26.577
  • My brethren," what's the rest of it, class?
  • 00:38:26.577 --> 00:38:28.646
  • "you have done it unto me."
  • 00:38:28.646 --> 00:38:31.482
  • How we treat others usually is a pretty good illustration
  • 00:38:31.482 --> 00:38:38.789
  • Of how we treat god.
  • 00:38:38.789 --> 00:38:42.026
  • The fully-engaged part of this message
  • 00:38:42.026 --> 00:38:43.728
  • Is caught up in one little word in deuteronomy 6:5,
  • 00:38:43.728 --> 00:38:47.498
  • And it's the word all.
  • 00:38:47.498 --> 00:38:50.501
  • "you shall love the lord your god with all your heart,"
  • 00:38:50.501 --> 00:38:53.738
  • Fully engaged.
  • 00:38:53.738 --> 00:38:55.806
  • "you shall love the lord your god with all your soul,"
  • 00:38:55.806 --> 00:38:58.843
  • Fully engaged.
  • 00:38:58.843 --> 00:39:00.578
  • "you shall love the lord your god with all your strength,"
  • 00:39:00.578 --> 00:39:03.814
  • Fully engaged.
  • 00:39:03.814 --> 00:39:06.817
  • There's no room here for divided affection.
  • 00:39:06.817 --> 00:39:09.854
  • No one can serve two masters.
  • 00:39:09.854 --> 00:39:13.357
  • If you know the lord and you love the lord,
  • 00:39:13.357 --> 00:39:15.393
  • You serve him with all your heart.
  • 00:39:15.393 --> 00:39:18.829
  • Notice in this text, there are three things we're
  • 00:39:18.829 --> 00:39:21.132
  • Told that are a part of our loving god,
  • 00:39:21.132 --> 00:39:23.634
  • Loving god with all of our heart.
  • 00:39:23.634 --> 00:39:25.703
  • Now, here's a revelation for some of you.
  • 00:39:25.703 --> 00:39:27.905
  • In the bible, your heart is not a pumping station.
  • 00:39:27.905 --> 00:39:31.842
  • How many of you know, kids, you ask them, "where is jesus?"
  • 00:39:31.842 --> 00:39:34.211
  • And they say, "jesus is in my heart,"
  • 00:39:34.211 --> 00:39:36.313
  • And they point right here.
  • 00:39:36.313 --> 00:39:38.082
  • And they really believe that he lives there,
  • 00:39:38.082 --> 00:39:39.984
  • In that little space in their heart.
  • 00:39:39.984 --> 00:39:41.919
  • And i'm okay with that,
  • 00:39:41.919 --> 00:39:43.320
  • Because they learn better later on.
  • 00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:45.089
  • But the heart in the new testament
  • 00:39:45.089 --> 00:39:46.690
  • And in the old testament wasn't necessarily
  • 00:39:46.690 --> 00:39:48.826
  • What we think of as the heart.
  • 00:39:48.826 --> 00:39:50.628
  • The heart represented the center of command in your life,
  • 00:39:50.628 --> 00:39:54.498
  • Where decisions were made, where plans are hatched.
  • 00:39:54.498 --> 00:39:57.802
  • It is the control center of the inner being.
  • 00:39:57.802 --> 00:40:01.238
  • It controls your feelings, your emotions, your desires,
  • 00:40:01.238 --> 00:40:04.508
  • And your passions.
  • 00:40:04.508 --> 00:40:06.143
  • And so what we're told to do here
  • 00:40:06.143 --> 00:40:08.279
  • Is to love our god with all of our thoughts
  • 00:40:08.279 --> 00:40:11.615
  • And with all of our choices and with all of our decisions.
  • 00:40:11.615 --> 00:40:15.319
  • "love the lord your god with all your heart."
  • 00:40:15.319 --> 00:40:17.955
  • And then he says, "with all your soul."
  • 00:40:17.955 --> 00:40:21.692
  • What does that mean?
  • 00:40:21.692 --> 00:40:23.060
  • Well, the word soul is a word for who we are as a person,
  • 00:40:23.060 --> 00:40:25.963
  • Including body and spirit and all that.
  • 00:40:25.963 --> 00:40:27.865
  • Have you ever heard somebody say,
  • 00:40:27.865 --> 00:40:29.433
  • "well, that poor soul."?
  • 00:40:29.433 --> 00:40:32.203
  • That poor soul.
  • 00:40:32.203 --> 00:40:33.704
  • What they mean is that poor person.
  • 00:40:33.704 --> 00:40:35.906
  • So, your soul is the life that you live.
  • 00:40:35.906 --> 00:40:40.144
  • It is used to express the self with all of its emotion, desire,
  • 00:40:40.144 --> 00:40:44.315
  • The personal characteristics that make you who you are.
  • 00:40:44.315 --> 00:40:48.252
  • When you die, your soul goes to heaven.
  • 00:40:48.252 --> 00:40:51.622
  • "bless the lord, o my soul;
  • 00:40:51.622 --> 00:40:54.892
  • And all that is within me, bless his holy name!"
  • 00:40:54.892 --> 00:40:59.029
  • So your soul is who you are.
  • 00:40:59.029 --> 00:41:00.631
  • Now, watch what's happening.
  • 00:41:00.631 --> 00:41:01.966
  • The lord says, "love the lord your god
  • 00:41:01.966 --> 00:41:03.601
  • With everything that's inside of you.
  • 00:41:03.601 --> 00:41:06.637
  • Love the lord god
  • 00:41:06.637 --> 00:41:08.105
  • With everything that's part of you."
  • 00:41:08.105 --> 00:41:09.907
  • And then he says, "with all of your strength."
  • 00:41:09.907 --> 00:41:14.245
  • Oh, what does that mean?
  • 00:41:14.245 --> 00:41:16.547
  • This is not simply a term for people who work out,
  • 00:41:16.547 --> 00:41:21.185
  • Although it could include that.
  • 00:41:21.185 --> 00:41:23.754
  • Literally, the hebrew word for strength is this.
  • 00:41:23.754 --> 00:41:28.759
  • It's the word "very-muchness."
  • 00:41:28.759 --> 00:41:32.596
  • "love the lord with all your very-muchness."
  • 00:41:32.596 --> 00:41:36.667
  • And it's so wonderful word.
  • 00:41:36.667 --> 00:41:38.736
  • It's a call to love god not only with our physical muscle,
  • 00:41:38.736 --> 00:41:42.273
  • But with everything we have available for honoring god,
  • 00:41:42.273 --> 00:41:46.243
  • Our very-muchness, which includes our spouse
  • 00:41:46.243 --> 00:41:49.013
  • And our children and our house or our dorm room,
  • 00:41:49.013 --> 00:41:51.749
  • Our pets and our wardrobe and our tools
  • 00:41:51.749 --> 00:41:54.184
  • And our cell phones and our movies
  • 00:41:54.184 --> 00:41:55.853
  • And our music and our computers and our time.
  • 00:41:55.853 --> 00:41:58.355
  • All of our very-muchness, we're to bring to the way
  • 00:41:58.355 --> 00:42:02.259
  • We love the lord.
  • 00:42:02.259 --> 00:42:04.929
  • Now, in the shema, there's only three categories,
  • 00:42:04.929 --> 00:42:07.598
  • But if you've read carefully, you know that when jesus
  • 00:42:07.598 --> 00:42:09.700
  • Got ahold of this passage, he added a fourth one.
  • 00:42:09.700 --> 00:42:12.636
  • He says, "you're to love the lord your god
  • 00:42:12.636 --> 00:42:14.238
  • With all of your mind."
  • 00:42:14.238 --> 00:42:15.873
  • That's not in the deuteronomy passage,
  • 00:42:15.873 --> 00:42:17.775
  • But it's in the passages in the new testament.
  • 00:42:17.775 --> 00:42:20.511
  • And i think that was put in there
  • 00:42:20.511 --> 00:42:22.479
  • Maybe even for such a time as this.
  • 00:42:22.479 --> 00:42:25.282
  • Have you ever heard the term "mindless christianity?"
  • 00:42:25.282 --> 00:42:29.687
  • In fact, there are some versions of quote-unquote "christianity"
  • 00:42:29.687 --> 00:42:33.524
  • Where they actually tell you to divorce your mind
  • 00:42:33.524 --> 00:42:37.161
  • From whatever you're doing
  • 00:42:37.161 --> 00:42:38.729
  • And to get in kind of a free space
  • 00:42:38.729 --> 00:42:40.297
  • Where your mind isn't working at all,
  • 00:42:40.297 --> 00:42:41.899
  • And that's when you can worship god the most.
  • 00:42:41.899 --> 00:42:44.535
  • If you ever hear that, that is jumbo gibberish.
  • 00:42:44.535 --> 00:42:47.671
  • Don't ever listen to it.
  • 00:42:47.671 --> 00:42:49.640
  • It's crazy, and it has nothing to do with the word of god.
  • 00:42:49.640 --> 00:42:53.544
  • The word of god tells us that we're to love
  • 00:42:53.544 --> 00:42:55.613
  • The lord our god with all of our minds.
  • 00:42:55.613 --> 00:42:58.582
  • How many of you know we could stand a little more dedication
  • 00:42:58.582 --> 00:43:01.352
  • To the thinking process among evangelicals today?
  • 00:43:01.352 --> 00:43:05.055
  • We need some people to think with their minds,
  • 00:43:05.055 --> 00:43:07.491
  • Give their minds to god.
  • 00:43:07.491 --> 00:43:09.760
  • So, here we are
  • 00:43:09.760 --> 00:43:11.261
  • With the implications of loving god.
  • 00:43:11.261 --> 00:43:13.864
  • We're to love him with all of our heart
  • 00:43:13.864 --> 00:43:15.466
  • And our soul and our strength,
  • 00:43:15.466 --> 00:43:18.302
  • Our very-muchness, and our mind.
  • 00:43:18.302 --> 00:43:21.805
  • We look at that, and we say,
  • 00:43:21.805 --> 00:43:23.607
  • "wow, has anybody ever done that?"
  • 00:43:23.607 --> 00:43:26.877
  • Well, you know the lord jesus did that
  • 00:43:26.877 --> 00:43:28.312
  • When he was here on this earth.
  • 00:43:28.312 --> 00:43:30.080
  • He did always those things that pleased the father.
  • 00:43:30.080 --> 00:43:33.484
  • He came to live completely under the complete control
  • 00:43:33.484 --> 00:43:37.021
  • Of the father.
  • 00:43:37.021 --> 00:43:38.355
  • He never sinned.
  • 00:43:38.355 --> 00:43:39.690
  • He walked perfectly on this earth.
  • 00:43:39.690 --> 00:43:41.025
  • So the lord jesus christ is a great example,
  • 00:43:41.025 --> 00:43:42.559
  • But i don't want to put him on the table
  • 00:43:42.559 --> 00:43:44.628
  • And leave him there alone,
  • 00:43:44.628 --> 00:43:45.963
  • Because we aren't jesus christ, and we're not in his category.
  • 00:43:45.963 --> 00:43:49.833
  • Was there anybody else who loved the lord like this?
  • 00:43:49.833 --> 00:43:51.935
  • I just want to give you a couple examples
  • 00:43:51.935 --> 00:43:53.570
  • That have touched my heart.
  • 00:43:53.570 --> 00:43:54.905
  • First of all, i don't know what this woman's name is.
  • 00:43:54.905 --> 00:43:57.675
  • She has this unfortunate title in the bible.
  • 00:43:57.675 --> 00:44:00.444
  • She's called the woman of ill repute.
  • 00:44:00.444 --> 00:44:03.647
  • And the bible tells us in luke 7 that she showed up one day
  • 00:44:03.647 --> 00:44:07.618
  • At a meal where jesus was in attendance
  • 00:44:07.618 --> 00:44:09.820
  • In a pharisee's home.
  • 00:44:09.820 --> 00:44:12.356
  • And she breaks open a flask of real expensive ointment
  • 00:44:12.356 --> 00:44:15.426
  • That she brings in the door with her,
  • 00:44:15.426 --> 00:44:17.194
  • And weeping over jesus's feet,
  • 00:44:17.194 --> 00:44:19.897
  • She pours that oil all down on his feet,
  • 00:44:19.897 --> 00:44:22.666
  • And she wipes his feet with her hair,
  • 00:44:22.666 --> 00:44:27.371
  • Anointing them with oil.
  • 00:44:27.371 --> 00:44:30.140
  • And the pharisee, whose house this was being held in,
  • 00:44:30.140 --> 00:44:33.877
  • A man by the name of simon,
  • 00:44:33.877 --> 00:44:35.846
  • Who was probably still pretty ticked off
  • 00:44:35.846 --> 00:44:37.748
  • That jesus would let a woman like that even get close to him,
  • 00:44:37.748 --> 00:44:42.152
  • He thinks if jesus were a real prophet,
  • 00:44:42.152 --> 00:44:44.254
  • He would know the kind of woman she was
  • 00:44:44.254 --> 00:44:46.790
  • And have nothing to do with her.
  • 00:44:46.790 --> 00:44:50.160
  • And jesus tells him a story.
  • 00:44:50.160 --> 00:44:53.764
  • Just a couple of verses, but listen to the story.
  • 00:44:53.764 --> 00:44:56.133
  • When jesus saw what was in simon's heart,
  • 00:44:56.133 --> 00:44:58.202
  • This is what he said.
  • 00:44:58.202 --> 00:45:00.604
  • He said, "there was a certain creditor who had two debtors.
  • 00:45:00.604 --> 00:45:04.007
  • One owed a 500 denarii debt, and the other 50.
  • 00:45:04.007 --> 00:45:08.812
  • And when they had nothing with which to repay,
  • 00:45:08.812 --> 00:45:10.881
  • He freely forgave them both.
  • 00:45:10.881 --> 00:45:13.083
  • Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"
  • 00:45:13.083 --> 00:45:16.320
  • And simon answered and said,
  • 00:45:16.320 --> 00:45:17.755
  • 'well, i suppose the one whom he forgave more.'
  • 00:45:17.755 --> 00:45:20.958
  • And he said to him, 'you have rightly judged.'"
  • 00:45:20.958 --> 00:45:24.628
  • After mentioning simon's lack of courtesies, like,
  • 00:45:24.628 --> 00:45:28.932
  • He didn't wash jesus's feet,
  • 00:45:28.932 --> 00:45:30.834
  • And he didn't welcome him with a kiss,
  • 00:45:30.834 --> 00:45:32.569
  • And he didn't anoint his head with oil,
  • 00:45:32.569 --> 00:45:34.738
  • He pointed out how the woman washed his feet with her tears
  • 00:45:34.738 --> 00:45:38.342
  • And kissed his feet and anointed them with oil,
  • 00:45:38.342 --> 00:45:40.711
  • And then he delivers the punchline.
  • 00:45:40.711 --> 00:45:42.446
  • And here it is, in verse 47.
  • 00:45:42.446 --> 00:45:44.481
  • "therefore i say to you, simon, her sins,
  • 00:45:44.481 --> 00:45:47.885
  • Which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.
  • 00:45:47.885 --> 00:45:53.323
  • But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
  • 00:45:53.323 --> 00:46:00.964
  • Let me just add this little dimension
  • 00:46:00.964 --> 00:46:02.633
  • To how to love god.
  • 00:46:02.633 --> 00:46:05.202
  • The secret to loving god much is contemplating
  • 00:46:05.202 --> 00:46:10.107
  • The immeasurable debt jesus paid for you
  • 00:46:10.107 --> 00:46:13.877
  • And how vast in his mercy and grace you are living.
  • 00:46:13.877 --> 00:46:20.150
  • One of the things we should always do
  • 00:46:20.150 --> 00:46:21.485
  • When we come to communion,
  • 00:46:21.485 --> 00:46:22.820
  • And i try to encourage you and instruct you to do this,
  • 00:46:22.820 --> 00:46:26.089
  • Is to remember what jesus christ
  • 00:46:26.089 --> 00:46:28.692
  • Has done for us.
  • 00:46:28.692 --> 00:46:30.260
  • It's a really good thing to remember
  • 00:46:30.260 --> 00:46:32.896
  • From whence we have come,
  • 00:46:32.896 --> 00:46:35.265
  • What we would be like if we did not know jesus,
  • 00:46:35.265 --> 00:46:38.101
  • What our lives would be like if we did not know god,
  • 00:46:38.101 --> 00:46:41.238
  • And in the midst of all of that, to remember how blessed we are.
  • 00:46:41.238 --> 00:46:45.075
  • And when we do that, we will love much.
  • 00:46:45.075 --> 00:46:49.346
  • I suppose there are some here who,
  • 00:46:49.346 --> 00:46:51.148
  • Like your pastor, grew up in a christian home.
  • 00:46:51.148 --> 00:46:53.917
  • Maybe you don't feel like you were saved out of much,
  • 00:46:53.917 --> 00:46:56.153
  • But you were saved from much.
  • 00:46:56.153 --> 00:46:59.022
  • I used to get jealous when i'd go to testimony meetings,
  • 00:46:59.022 --> 00:47:01.325
  • Because people would stand up
  • 00:47:01.325 --> 00:47:02.893
  • And talk about how terrible they were,
  • 00:47:02.893 --> 00:47:04.995
  • How they were almost ready to die because of drugs
  • 00:47:04.995 --> 00:47:07.130
  • And alcohol and all the rest, and then jesus saved them,
  • 00:47:07.130 --> 00:47:09.499
  • And hallelujah.
  • 00:47:09.499 --> 00:47:11.702
  • Then i realized god didn't save me out of it,
  • 00:47:11.702 --> 00:47:14.872
  • He saved me from it.
  • 00:47:14.872 --> 00:47:18.342
  • I mean, it's a really wonderful thing
  • 00:47:18.342 --> 00:47:20.811
  • To be able to contemplate that.
  • 00:47:20.811 --> 00:47:22.846
  • He didn't save me out of that, he saved me from it.
  • 00:47:22.846 --> 00:47:28.118
  • That ought to make me bless his name, amen.
  • 00:47:28.118 --> 00:47:32.189
  • So there's this woman of ill repute,
  • 00:47:32.189 --> 00:47:34.258
  • And then i couldn't finish the story on love
  • 00:47:34.258 --> 00:47:36.994
  • Without talking to you about my favorite person
  • 00:47:36.994 --> 00:47:38.896
  • In the bible, a man by the name of peter.
  • 00:47:38.896 --> 00:47:42.399
  • I love peter, because he makes me feel better.
  • 00:47:42.399 --> 00:47:45.135
  • [congregation laughing]
  • 00:47:45.135 --> 00:47:47.704
  • Peter was always--he messed things up a lot, didn't he?
  • 00:47:49.206 --> 00:47:53.777
  • In john chapter 21, there's this marvelous passage
  • 00:47:53.777 --> 00:47:55.946
  • Where the lord jesus comes up on the shore
  • 00:47:55.946 --> 00:47:57.814
  • And begins to talk to peter.
  • 00:47:57.814 --> 00:47:59.983
  • And the lord really is reassigning him
  • 00:47:59.983 --> 00:48:02.486
  • And recommissioning him.
  • 00:48:02.486 --> 00:48:04.021
  • But there's this little interchange
  • 00:48:04.021 --> 00:48:05.355
  • That goes on between the lord and peter.
  • 00:48:05.355 --> 00:48:07.457
  • I want you to listen carefully to this.
  • 00:48:07.457 --> 00:48:08.959
  • I see this for the first time in a totally different light.
  • 00:48:08.959 --> 00:48:13.397
  • "so when they had eaten breakfast, jesus said to peter,
  • 00:48:13.397 --> 00:48:15.799
  • 'simon, son of jonah, do you love me more than these?'
  • 00:48:15.799 --> 00:48:21.171
  • And he said to him, 'yes, lord, you know that i love you.'
  • 00:48:21.171 --> 00:48:24.107
  • And he said to him, 'feed my lambs.'
  • 00:48:24.107 --> 00:48:27.077
  • And he said to him again a second time,
  • 00:48:27.077 --> 00:48:28.745
  • 'simon, son of jonah, do you love me?'
  • 00:48:28.745 --> 00:48:30.380
  • And he said to him, 'lord, you know that i love you.'
  • 00:48:30.380 --> 00:48:33.083
  • And he said to him, 'tend my sheep.'
  • 00:48:33.083 --> 00:48:35.552
  • And he said to him the third time,
  • 00:48:35.552 --> 00:48:36.954
  • 'simon, son of jonah, do you love me?'
  • 00:48:36.954 --> 00:48:38.889
  • And peter was grieved because he said to him the third time,
  • 00:48:38.889 --> 00:48:41.224
  • 'do you love me?'
  • 00:48:41.224 --> 00:48:42.559
  • And he said to him, 'lord, you know all things.
  • 00:48:42.559 --> 00:48:44.094
  • You know that i love you.'
  • 00:48:44.094 --> 00:48:45.495
  • And jesus said to him, 'feed my sheep.'"
  • 00:48:45.495 --> 00:48:48.165
  • Now, without going into a lot of detail,
  • 00:48:48.165 --> 00:48:49.633
  • Let me just tell you the key to this whole story
  • 00:48:49.633 --> 00:48:51.568
  • Is the words that jesus used, and the word that peter used.
  • 00:48:51.568 --> 00:48:55.439
  • Jesus asked simon peter, "do you agape?"
  • 00:48:55.439 --> 00:48:58.709
  • That's the greek word for love.
  • 00:48:58.709 --> 00:49:00.610
  • "do you agape me?"
  • 00:49:00.610 --> 00:49:02.145
  • That means do you love me fully?
  • 00:49:02.145 --> 00:49:03.780
  • Are you fully engaged with me?
  • 00:49:03.780 --> 00:49:06.616
  • And peter answered with the word phileo.
  • 00:49:06.616 --> 00:49:09.152
  • "lord, you know that i'm fond of you."
  • 00:49:09.152 --> 00:49:12.456
  • And the lord said,
  • 00:49:12.456 --> 00:49:13.790
  • "peter, let me ask you a question again.
  • 00:49:13.790 --> 00:49:15.258
  • Do you agape me?
  • 00:49:15.258 --> 00:49:16.660
  • Do you really love me?"
  • 00:49:16.660 --> 00:49:18.595
  • And peter said, "lord, you know that i'm fond of you."
  • 00:49:18.595 --> 00:49:24.901
  • And i always wondered, "why would peter do that?
  • 00:49:24.901 --> 00:49:27.838
  • Why would he not accept the word that jesus used?"
  • 00:49:27.838 --> 00:49:32.042
  • And finally today i realized that he had violated
  • 00:49:32.042 --> 00:49:35.912
  • The whole content of agape love, because he had not done
  • 00:49:35.912 --> 00:49:39.983
  • The things he was told to do.
  • 00:49:39.983 --> 00:49:41.651
  • In fact, he had totally, totally betrayed his lord
  • 00:49:41.651 --> 00:49:46.623
  • Three different times.
  • 00:49:46.623 --> 00:49:47.958
  • Peter knew that there was more to love
  • 00:49:47.958 --> 00:49:50.761
  • Than the word that you said.
  • 00:49:50.761 --> 00:49:54.264
  • And i have more respect for him as i understand that,
  • 00:49:54.264 --> 00:49:57.734
  • That his integrity and honesty was on the line again.
  • 00:49:57.734 --> 00:50:01.405
  • Would he say to the lord, "yes, lord, i love you,"
  • 00:50:01.405 --> 00:50:05.675
  • Using the word that the lord used,
  • 00:50:05.675 --> 00:50:08.211
  • Or would he be honest with himself,
  • 00:50:08.211 --> 00:50:10.414
  • That his conduct really illustrated a man
  • 00:50:10.414 --> 00:50:13.583
  • Who did not agape the lord but perhaps was fond of him?
  • 00:50:13.583 --> 00:50:18.588
  • And isn't it interesting that when the lord
  • 00:50:18.588 --> 00:50:21.158
  • Finished his inquisition of peter,
  • 00:50:21.158 --> 00:50:24.327
  • On three different occasions, what did he do?
  • 00:50:24.327 --> 00:50:27.264
  • He told him what to do.
  • 00:50:27.264 --> 00:50:29.499
  • "so, peter, if you want to really love me,
  • 00:50:29.499 --> 00:50:31.768
  • Go do what i tell you to do.
  • 00:50:31.768 --> 00:50:33.670
  • Feed my sheep, feed my lambs.
  • 00:50:33.670 --> 00:50:36.139
  • Then you'll be teaching others and yourself
  • 00:50:36.139 --> 00:50:38.542
  • What it means to love god."
  • 00:50:38.542 --> 00:50:40.677
  • You know, in response to all of this about love,
  • 00:50:40.677 --> 00:50:43.747
  • There's an interesting illustration,
  • 00:50:43.747 --> 00:50:46.683
  • And that is that only once in the old testament
  • 00:50:46.683 --> 00:50:49.619
  • Is it said about anyone that they loved god.
  • 00:50:49.619 --> 00:50:54.991
  • I'll show you where the passage is.
  • 00:50:54.991 --> 00:50:56.593
  • It's 1 kings 3:3, "and solomon loved the lord."
  • 00:50:56.593 --> 00:51:02.766
  • Nowhere else in the old testament does it say
  • 00:51:02.766 --> 00:51:05.702
  • David loved the lord, jonathan loved the lord,
  • 00:51:05.702 --> 00:51:08.839
  • Samuel loved the lord.
  • 00:51:08.839 --> 00:51:10.507
  • It's just not there.
  • 00:51:10.507 --> 00:51:13.110
  • It is even more remarkable
  • 00:51:13.110 --> 00:51:14.644
  • In light of current trends of praise and worship
  • 00:51:14.644 --> 00:51:17.347
  • That the word love never occurs with the first-person subject
  • 00:51:17.347 --> 00:51:21.618
  • When it has god as the object.
  • 00:51:21.618 --> 00:51:24.521
  • No one, not even the psalmist
  • 00:51:24.521 --> 00:51:26.756
  • Ever declared that he or she loved yahweh.
  • 00:51:26.756 --> 00:51:32.195
  • From the words of moses, we learn that spirituality
  • 00:51:32.195 --> 00:51:35.532
  • Arises from the heart,
  • 00:51:35.532 --> 00:51:36.967
  • And it extends through all of life.
  • 00:51:36.967 --> 00:51:39.002
  • The people of the bible understood
  • 00:51:39.002 --> 00:51:41.404
  • How awesome a thing it was to say that you loved god,
  • 00:51:41.404 --> 00:51:45.275
  • Because it was much more than words
  • 00:51:45.275 --> 00:51:47.410
  • That rhymed with other words and fell into the lyric,
  • 00:51:47.410 --> 00:51:52.149
  • But it represented their life.
  • 00:51:52.149 --> 00:51:55.418
  • And i'm not saying that we should never say
  • 00:51:55.418 --> 00:51:57.721
  • To the lord that we love him,
  • 00:51:57.721 --> 00:51:59.389
  • But i am saying that when we say to the lord that we love him,
  • 00:51:59.389 --> 00:52:02.325
  • We should think about the content that goes with that.
  • 00:52:02.325 --> 00:52:05.095
  • When we sing to the lord, "lord, i love you,"
  • 00:52:05.095 --> 00:52:07.831
  • We should realize that when we're saying that,
  • 00:52:07.831 --> 00:52:09.566
  • What we're saying is, "i love you so much,
  • 00:52:09.566 --> 00:52:11.268
  • I'm gonna do what you tell me to do.
  • 00:52:11.268 --> 00:52:12.936
  • I'm gonna be obedient to you.
  • 00:52:12.936 --> 00:52:14.337
  • I'm gonna honor you, not just with my lips,
  • 00:52:14.337 --> 00:52:16.439
  • But with my life."
  • 00:52:16.439 --> 00:52:19.709
  • The words of moses teach us
  • 00:52:19.709 --> 00:52:21.178
  • That spirituality arises from the heart,
  • 00:52:21.178 --> 00:52:24.080
  • And it extends to all of our life.
  • 00:52:24.080 --> 00:52:26.349
  • And those who claim to be religious
  • 00:52:26.349 --> 00:52:28.718
  • Tend to be subject to two different issues.
  • 00:52:28.718 --> 00:52:31.588
  • First of all, there are some people who treat spirituality
  • 00:52:31.588 --> 00:52:34.457
  • As if it were a totally private thing,
  • 00:52:34.457 --> 00:52:36.393
  • And nobody needs to know anything
  • 00:52:36.393 --> 00:52:38.195
  • About what's going on in your heart.
  • 00:52:38.195 --> 00:52:39.763
  • "it's just me and god, and it's none of your business."
  • 00:52:39.763 --> 00:52:42.365
  • And then there are others who don't have anything
  • 00:52:42.365 --> 00:52:44.267
  • On the inside at all to talk about,
  • 00:52:44.267 --> 00:52:46.102
  • And they're all external.
  • 00:52:46.102 --> 00:52:47.737
  • They're posing for everyone.
  • 00:52:47.737 --> 00:52:49.673
  • And moses comes along and says no.
  • 00:52:49.673 --> 00:52:51.708
  • "hear, o israel: the lord, your lord is one god,
  • 00:52:51.708 --> 00:52:55.378
  • Your one lord.
  • 00:52:55.378 --> 00:52:57.380
  • You shall love him with all your heart.
  • 00:52:57.380 --> 00:53:01.151
  • Be inwardly loving god.
  • 00:53:01.151 --> 00:53:04.020
  • And all your soul, be outwardly loving god.
  • 00:53:04.020 --> 00:53:07.591
  • And all your strength in your very-muchness,
  • 00:53:07.591 --> 00:53:10.360
  • Love god.
  • 00:53:10.360 --> 00:53:12.162
  • And with your mind, love god."
  • 00:53:12.162 --> 00:53:16.766
  • Can i tell you a secret?
  • 00:53:16.766 --> 00:53:19.269
  • Most of my life, like most of you,
  • 00:53:19.269 --> 00:53:21.938
  • I always realized that i knew god,
  • 00:53:21.938 --> 00:53:24.007
  • I loved god, and i wanted to continue
  • 00:53:24.007 --> 00:53:27.510
  • To do what i'm doing.
  • 00:53:27.510 --> 00:53:29.412
  • Don't you ever have some doubts once in a while?
  • 00:53:29.412 --> 00:53:31.147
  • I once, "lord, i know i don't love you like i should."
  • 00:53:31.147 --> 00:53:36.653
  • What does that mean?
  • 00:53:36.653 --> 00:53:38.054
  • Well, up until recently, it meant i don't pray
  • 00:53:38.054 --> 00:53:40.223
  • As much as i should.
  • 00:53:40.223 --> 00:53:43.326
  • I don't witness as much as i should.
  • 00:53:43.326 --> 00:53:45.061
  • You know the list, all those things.
  • 00:53:45.061 --> 00:53:49.366
  • And then over the last few days and weeks, i began to realize,
  • 00:53:49.366 --> 00:53:53.536
  • When i do what god calls me to do,
  • 00:53:53.536 --> 00:53:55.572
  • I'm loving god, amen?
  • 00:53:55.572 --> 00:53:59.042
  • And so are you, amen.
  • 00:53:59.042 --> 00:54:02.879
  • You may not be loving god as much as you should,
  • 00:54:02.946 --> 00:54:05.282
  • But probably you're loving god more than you thought.
  • 00:54:05.282 --> 00:54:08.585
  • And i just want to be here today to tell you,
  • 00:54:08.585 --> 00:54:11.187
  • Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the lord.
  • 00:54:11.187 --> 00:54:14.724
  • Love god with all your heart, soul, and mind.
  • 00:54:14.724 --> 00:54:17.527
  • If you're loving him more than you thought,
  • 00:54:17.527 --> 00:54:19.629
  • Love him more than you've loved him.
  • 00:54:19.629 --> 00:54:22.866
  • And it's not just coming to church
  • 00:54:22.866 --> 00:54:24.801
  • To sing praise to his name.
  • 00:54:24.801 --> 00:54:26.903
  • You love god when you live for god.
  • 00:54:26.903 --> 00:54:30.674
  • Let's commit ourselves as we enter this new season.
  • 00:54:30.674 --> 00:54:33.810
  • This year is gonna be a year when i live for god,
  • 00:54:33.810 --> 00:54:38.281
  • With all of my heart, with all of my soul,
  • 00:54:38.281 --> 00:54:41.985
  • With all of my very-muchness, and with all of my mind.
  • 00:54:41.985 --> 00:54:46.189
  • By the grace of god, let that be our commitment.
  • 00:54:46.189 --> 00:54:49.759
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:54:49.759 --> 00:54:51.861
  • Announcer: dr. jeremiah will return
  • 00:54:51.861 --> 00:54:53.296
  • To close today's program right after this.
  • 00:54:53.296 --> 00:54:56.700
  • Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
  • 00:54:58.835 --> 00:55:00.970
  • When you support this program with a gift of any amount,
  • 00:55:00.970 --> 00:55:03.506
  • Dr. jeremiah will send you in appreciation
  • 00:55:03.506 --> 00:55:06.109
  • "a closer walk with jesus,"
  • 00:55:06.109 --> 00:55:07.877
  • His new 365-day devotional for 2026.
  • 00:55:07.877 --> 00:55:11.514
  • This leather devotional is a beautiful, convenient,
  • 00:55:11.514 --> 00:55:14.084
  • Powerful way to discover insights from god's word
  • 00:55:14.084 --> 00:55:17.053
  • That will challenge and inspire you,
  • 00:55:17.053 --> 00:55:18.922
  • Breathing new life
  • 00:55:18.922 --> 00:55:20.256
  • Into your daily appointment with god.
  • 00:55:20.256 --> 00:55:22.092
  • It also makes the perfect gift for friends,
  • 00:55:22.092 --> 00:55:24.060
  • Family, your bible study group, or new believers at your church,
  • 00:55:24.060 --> 00:55:27.764
  • Allowing you to grow closer to jesus,
  • 00:55:27.764 --> 00:55:29.599
  • Not just personally, but with others.
  • 00:55:29.599 --> 00:55:32.135
  • Request four copies to share with loved ones
  • 00:55:32.135 --> 00:55:34.471
  • When you give a generous gift of $120 or more.
  • 00:55:34.471 --> 00:55:37.941
  • Thank you for your support of this program.
  • 00:55:37.941 --> 00:55:40.210
  • Request "a closer walk with jesus"
  • 00:55:40.210 --> 00:55:41.845
  • From turning point today.
  • 00:55:41.845 --> 00:55:43.680
  • Announcer: and now, with one last word for today's program,
  • 00:55:46.850 --> 00:55:49.719
  • Here is dr. jeremiah.
  • 00:55:49.719 --> 00:55:52.055
  • Dr. jeremiah: the central part of my message today
  • 00:55:52.055 --> 00:55:53.757
  • Originated from the book of deuteronomy,
  • 00:55:53.757 --> 00:55:56.493
  • With the familiar words on how to love god
  • 00:55:56.493 --> 00:55:59.696
  • With all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind.
  • 00:55:59.696 --> 00:56:03.700
  • We don't flip a switch on and make that happen overnight.
  • 00:56:03.700 --> 00:56:07.504
  • It takes time and biblical understanding.
  • 00:56:07.504 --> 00:56:11.007
  • Becoming fully engaged with god is a process of growth.
  • 00:56:11.007 --> 00:56:15.612
  • And to help you along the path to full engagement with god,
  • 00:56:15.612 --> 00:56:19.883
  • Please allow me to send you two free gifts
  • 00:56:19.883 --> 00:56:22.485
  • From "turning point."
  • 00:56:22.485 --> 00:56:24.020
  • One is a booklet called, "your greatest turning point,"
  • 00:56:24.020 --> 00:56:26.990
  • And the other is our monthly devotional magazine
  • 00:56:26.990 --> 00:56:29.592
  • Called "turning points."
  • 00:56:29.592 --> 00:56:31.461
  • These biblically-based resources will help you engage with god
  • 00:56:31.461 --> 00:56:35.265
  • Through faith in his son, jesus christ,
  • 00:56:35.265 --> 00:56:37.734
  • On a deeper level each day.
  • 00:56:37.734 --> 00:56:40.236
  • And we'll be glad to send both of these gifts to you,
  • 00:56:40.236 --> 00:56:42.872
  • Free of charge, if you will contact us
  • 00:56:42.872 --> 00:56:45.442
  • Here at "turning point" today.
  • 00:56:45.442 --> 00:56:48.011
  • Announcer: next time on "turning point."
  • 00:56:49.145 --> 00:56:51.581
  • Dr. jeremiah: ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:56:51.581 --> 00:56:53.216
  • When jesus died on the cross,
  • 00:56:53.216 --> 00:56:54.717
  • He took all of our sin upon himself
  • 00:56:54.717 --> 00:56:57.687
  • And stood in our place.
  • 00:56:57.687 --> 00:56:59.622
  • But that's not the end of the story.
  • 00:56:59.622 --> 00:57:01.791
  • In exchange for our sin, he gave to us his righteousness,
  • 00:57:01.791 --> 00:57:07.597
  • So that we can now stand before god,
  • 00:57:07.597 --> 00:57:09.833
  • Not because of anything we have done,
  • 00:57:09.833 --> 00:57:12.001
  • But we are the receivers of the righteousness of god
  • 00:57:12.001 --> 00:57:15.638
  • Through salvation in jesus christ alone.
  • 00:57:15.638 --> 00:57:18.908
  • Announcer: join us next time for dr. jeremiah's message,
  • 00:57:18.975 --> 00:57:21.778
  • "fully engaged with the gospel," here on "turning point."
  • 00:57:21.778 --> 00:57:21.778