LOVE GOD (MATTHEW 3): “STEP IN, STEP OUT”

Matt Willmington 

TRBC MISSION:

Our mission is to change our world by developing Christ-followers who love God and love people 

Matthew 22:35-40 CSB And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test him: “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”  (Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27) 

Jesus did this – John 14:31 NLT “I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father.” 

Command #1 for 2025

HOW DO I LOVE GOD?

·      ALL of you = Heart + Soul + Mind + Strength

·      Love = Affectionate Bond that Blesses 

Matthew 3:13-17 CSB (Mark 1:9, Luke 3:21) Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”  

The Father loves the Son!

Mark 9:7 NLT Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” (John 3:35, 5:20, 10:17, 17:23-26)

Baptism = Picture of Loving God 

1.    DEVOTE to God – “Follow” (Step Out)

FOLLOW JESUS

1.    Scripture

2.    Prayer

3.    Worship

4.    Community

5.    Serving

6.    Sharing

2.    DIE to self – “Surrender” (Step In)

·      “I’m done, you win” – heart, soul, mind, strength

·      Its SAFE to surrender to God!  Do you let God love you?

·      You can’t devote if you aren’t dying

·      Saved (1 day) moves to Sanctified (every day) 

·      Surrender flag becomes flag of everyday allegiance! 

Luke 9:23 NLT Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 

Jesus did this:

Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. (Romans 4:25, 8:32, Galatians 2:20)

Wave The White Flag!