Introduction: Many today think of the Lord Jesus as a soft person who allows any and all to run over Him. He just accepts what we give Him, because He has to. This, however, is the not the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus of the Bible was rough. The Jesus of the Bible also made some astounding requests of His followers. Though many of these commandments have long been forgotten, we will look at some tough commandments from the Lord Jesus concerning our love for Him.
- YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS (Matthew 10:37)
- Love for a Father or Mother
- Love for a Son or Daughter
- Love for a Husband or Wife (Luke 14:26)
- Love for Brothers or Sisters (Luke 14:26)
- Exemplified by Abraham (Genesis 22:1-3, 9-13)
- YOUR LOVE FOR SELF (Matthew 10:38)
- Men are Lovers of Self (2 Timothy 3:2)
- We are to Deny Ourselves (Luke 9:23)
- We are to Take up a Cross (Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23)
- We are to Follow Him (Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23)
- Exemplified by Moses (Hebrews 11:24-27)
- YOUR LOVE FOR LIFE (Matthew 10:39)
- Finding Life Here is Actually a Loss of Life
- Loss of Life Here is Actually a Finding of Life
- Not Exemplified by Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
- Exemplified by Paul (Acts 20:24; Philippians 3:7-8)
Conclusion: Are you allowing your relationships to hinder you from loving the Lord Jesus as you ought? Are you allowing a love for yourself to hinder you from loving the Lord as you ought? Is your love for life and the things of this world coming between you and the Lord? If so, consider the One who loved you so much that He gave Himself for you. He deserves your love. Give it to Him and give it to Him undivided.
