May 7, 2006 Mark 12:28-34
Mythbusters
“I Just Need To Be Religious”
I. Religion majors in rules.
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?”
Mark 12:28
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. Matthew 23:25,26 (New Living Translation)
II. Jesus concentrates on relationships.
“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.’ Mark 12:29,30
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31
III. Religion fails to please God.
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask Him any
more questions. Matthew 23:32-34
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13
