Others

[00:00:07] Speaker A: Welcome to the weekday podcast of Sugar Hill Church, where we desire to help you know God and discover your purpose, whether you're exercising, driving, meditating, or just hanging out while you tune in with us today. Thanks. We hope these next five minutes help you feel encouraged and inspired for your day. [00:00:22] Speaker B: Hi, everybody, and welcome back to the weekday podcast. This is Chuck Allen, and today we're continuing the exploration of the great commandment found in Matthew 22, where Jesus says that this is what we're to do. We are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind. He says that's the first and greatest commandment. And then he says a second is equally important. Love your neighbor as yourself. And then he says, I think this is so fascinating. The entire law and all of the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. In other words, he's saying, the main thing is truly love God with everything that you are. Oh, and remember, you're to love other people in the same way as you love yourself and that nothing else that we do matters unless we do that. So welcome back. I'm so glad you're with me today on the weekday podcast. It's fascinating that Jesus, I think, links these two commandments together into one thing called the Great Commandment. Loving God, loving others. They're inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. Think about how easy it is to say we love God, but we ignore the needs of people around us. But Jesus makes it super clear. Our love for God has to overflow into love for others. It's not optional, it's essential. When you think about it. When we truly understand how deeply God loves us, how can we not extend that love to other people? It's like standing under a waterfall. You can't help but get wet and you can't help but splash people around you. But let's be honest, loving others isn't easy. Sometimes people are super difficult. Sometimes they hurt us badly. Sometimes they're different from us in ways that makes us really uncomfortable. I remember counseling a couple a few years ago. They were struggling with neighbors who had super different political views. Sound familiar? And the tension started affecting their daily lives. But when they started seeing their neighbors through God's eyes, as beloved children of God just like them, everything started to change. This is what Jesus calls us to do. Not just love people who are easy to love, but extending love to everyone. Every person we encounter is created in God's image, carrying that divine spark within them. And this kind of love isn't just about feelings. It's about action. It's about choosing to see the best in others, serving without expecting anything back in return. Offering forgiveness when it's difficult, Standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. When we love others, we're participating in God's work of restoring the world. We're being his hands, his feet, bringing his kingdom to earth. So as I wrap up today, I encourage you to look around. Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you? Maybe it's a difficult co worker, a challenging family member, or someone you've been avoiding. Tomorrow when we come back. Actually two days from now when we come back on Friday. The final piece of this commandment, loving ourselves. But until then, this is your friend and pastor Chuck Allen reminding you that every act of love, no matter how small, matters big in God's kingdom. Thanks so much for joining me on today's weekday podcast. [00:03:47] Speaker A: Thanks so much for joining us today for the weekday podcast. Our prayer is that the encouragement you just heard would help you live more like Jesus today. We would love to see you at Sugar Hill Church for one of our gatherings each Sunday at 9, 15 and 11, and we're always streaming live at Live Sugarhill Church. Thanks again for joining us today. As always, if today's message encouraged you, share it with friends and family by tapping the share button. Have an awesome day.