The Foundation of Love, Loving God

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE: John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Vision & Mission (Love Joy Church):

VISION: We exist to lead others to Christ by showing the love of Jesus.

MISSION: We do this by Loving God, Loving Others, and Loving Joy.

KICK-OFF ANALOGY: “The Logo Test”

You can spot certain brands from across the room by their logo. No words needed, just the mark. Jesus gave His church a “logo” the world should instantly recognized: LOVE. But that visible love has a source. If love is our logo, loving God is the power supply. Get the power wrong, and the sign goes dark.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22:37–38 “Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

SERMON IN A SENTENCE:

When we love God first and fully, everything else in the Christian life aligns and shines.

1. LOVE IS THE FIRST COMMAND

a. Jesus doesn’t start with “DO,” He starts with “LOVE.”

i. Matthew 22:37–38 “37 Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with

all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.”

b. Before LOVE is a DUTY, it is a RESPONSE.

i. 1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”

c. Long before we REACHED for God, He REACHED for us at the CROSS.

2. LOVE INVOLVES ALL OF US

a. Jesus names HEART, SOUL, and MIND, no PARTIAL, PART-TIME LOVE.

i. Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy

soul, and with all thy mind.”

b. LOOK AT WHAT “ALL OF US” LOOKS LIKE:

i. HEART (AFFECTIONS/DESIRES):

1. Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart”.

2. We LOVE God with what we want MOST.

ii. SOUL (LIFE/BEING):

1. Psalm 103:1 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me”.

2. LOVE is not a MOOD, it’s the DIRECTION of our WHOLE LIFE.

iii. MIND (THOUGHTS/VALUES):

1.  Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your

mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

3. LOVE IS A LIFE THAT IS GOD-CENTERED

a. LOVE is more than LYRICS; it’s LIFESTYLE.

i. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments” 

b. Worship is not just an event but an orientation, “present your bodies a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1).

c. Whether you’re at the desk, the dinner table, or the dugout: “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).