WE SHOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN WE LOVE THE LORD

Proclamation:

“Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, love for The Father is not in them.  For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes not from The Father but from the world.”  1 John 2:15-16 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all who believed in Jesus, The Christ.  He begins this second chapter by urging them not to sin.  He tells them that if they know and love The Lord God, then they will keep His commands. (1 John 2:1-6)  He also tells them that anyone who hates his brother or sister still lives in darkness. (1 John 2:9-11)  Then he tells them not to love the world or anything in the world because if they do, then the love of The Father is not in them.  He goes on to warn them not to deny The Son of God, (1 Peter 2:22-23) encouraging them instead to hold on to that which they have already been taught so that they will be ready when The Lord returns. (1 John 2:24-29)

Application:

Nothing in this world should be more important to us than The Lord God.  We should not make gods of anything in the world by giving them the primary place in our affections.  We must put God first. (Exodus 20:3)  There is nothing wrong with having possessions, dear friends, or love ones.  The problem comes when we place too much importance on them and value them above The Lord.  If we love the things of this world that much, then we are serving the prince of this world, Satan. (1 Corinthians 2:6)  If we put God first, then all of the other things will be given to us. (Matthew 6:33 and Luke 12:31)

PUT NOTHING IN LIFE BEFORE GOD

Proclamation:

“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?' ... Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow Me."  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven ... it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Matthew 19:16-26 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Jesus answered the questions of a self-declared righteous young man who had asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life.  When Jesus told him to keep the commandments, his reply was that he had kept the commandments since the days of his youth. (Matthew 19:20)  Then he asked what else he should do.  That was when Jesus told him to sell all that he had, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him.  He left Jesus sad because he valued his money and possession more than he valued Jesus.

Application:

Most rich people have more faith in their money than in God, and they value their possessions more than the things of God.  Nothing should be more important to us than God.  We should not put anything ahead of God. (Matthew 8:22 and Luke 9:60)  There is nothing wrong with have lots of money and possessions as long as the money and things are not more important to us than God is.  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)  Jesus also said that everyone who gave up their worldly possessions to follow Him would receive a hundred times as much and they will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)  Before we start asking God for more blessings, we should make sure that He is first, and the most important thing in our life.