Scriptures: Matthew 22:34-40, 1 John 5:3, John 14:21, 3:16

A portion of Jesus' mission for His church flows from a passage of Scripture we often refer to as "The Great Commandment". These versus tell us specifically and plainly how we are to love God. If we understand and live out this teaching, it will produce a church with world-changing impact, powerful priorities and an effective witness.

And this teaching by Christ was in answer to a sincere question by a lawyer--likely one of the two greatest questions that Jesus was in fact asked while on earth. When we understand the position of the man asking the question, it makes Jesus' response even more profound. The answer was obvious, profound and exceedingly difficult to live out in our lives.

In this message, Pastor Merritt details what it really means to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and the true cost of obeying this Great Commandment.

"If you really could command someone to love you, I would have been the most popular guy in high school! The fact that God commands us to love Him, tells us something about the kind of love God is demanding. It is not a feeling, because you cannot command a feeling. It is a commitment. It is a surrender. It is a willingness to give everything you are to everything God is. Think about how important your love for God really is. Have you ever thought about the fact that your love is the one thing that God can’t take from you that He can only have if you voluntarily give it to Him? God can take everything from you that you have. He can take your house, your car, your money and He can even take your life, but He can’t take your love. You have to give Him your love." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: envision, mission, vision, church, purpose, statement, love, serve, share, commandment, commission, Jesus, disciple, Christ-follower, neighbor, ministry, effectiveness, intention, obey, time, prayer, husband, wife, parent, church, testimony, Rick Warren, small group, Sunday School