Part 35: “What Does God Want From Us?” Mark 12:28-44

“What Does God Want From Us?”

Mark 12:28-34 The Greatest Commandment

“The most important one is this: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” -Mark 12:29

Mark 12:30 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Romans 13: Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

“You are not far from the kingdom of God.” - Mark 12:34

John 6:29 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Mark 12:35-37 Whose Son Is the Christ?

Mark As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

Matthew 23: “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.

Mark 12:41-44 The Widow’s Offering

Recap and Questions 1.Where have Jesus’ words and actions surprised you so far in our study? 2.Identify 1 area in your life where your laws and demands are leaving out Jesus and His gospel of grace? (Ex. Parenting) 3.Identify an area(s) of church tradition (ex. preferences) not necessarily rooted in Scripture that needs to be secondary to Christ, His Word, and His gospel. 4.Identify 1 area of your life that you haven’t given God your all. 5.In teaching others, remember that obedience flows out of our love for Jesus, not rule keeping without relationship.