Is there a standard and a goal of life as a Christian? If so, just what is it?
Well open your bible take a few notes and listen in today as we return to our ongoing study through the gospel of Mark in chapter twelve as our teacher Pastor Fisher shares in a lesson which he calls “The Measure of Christian Growth” So, open your bibles and listen in, as we pray along with our teacher.
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1 – 9 (KJV)
Deu 6:1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
Deu 6:2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Deu 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deu 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
Deu 6:9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28 – 34 (KJV)
Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: Mark 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Transforming Power Statements: #1) Even when you are associated with a larger group of people such as a church, a family, an organization etc. God will still consider you as an individual based on your personal understanding and choices.
#2) Jesus taught as the greatest of all commandments that we should supremely love God and love one another as we love ourselves; this is a massive load to fulfill and when we do, we shall fulfill the whole Law.
#3) The summary of all the teaching of God may be gained through the practice of learning to love God above all things and to love all people as ourselves; this is the measure of true Christian growth.
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