On Remembrance Sunday, we honour the sacrifice of many and focus on the sacrifice that bought our salvation as we hear a message from Chris C, titled “Worthy Of The Ultimate Loving Sacrifice”. Join us for our Sunday service as we celebrate, worship, and take communion together.
Worship is led by Simon Phillips of our Glasgow Church worship team.
Message Summary & Reflection
Today is remembrance Sunday and a day where we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their countrymen and for the freedom they believed in. We have heard stories from families only one or two generations back, sharing the impact their sacrifice has had not just on their own immediate family but on towns, cities and generations after them, shaping people of today. Films like “ Saving Private Ryan” share the same sentiment of sacrifice and loss in the face of faith in something bigger: love and freedom.
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 22:36-40 what the greatest commandments are.
These commandments derive from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, also called the Shema, which was a daily prayer for ancient Israelites and the prayer which permeates the Bible and its focus and which leads us to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 22:36-40.
“Shema” means listening in Hebrew, allowing the words to sink in, reflecting on them and generating a response. It’s about action. Hearing and doing is the same thing in Hebrew. In the same way Jesus calls us to live a life worthy of his ultimate sacrifice, shown in our actions.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart.”
Biblical love is about action. It’s about faithfulness and obedience. It is not about trying to earn God’s favour, but about a response to the sacrifice, the love shown us first. How do you respond to God’s ultimate sacrifice? Do you grasp the immensity of the cross? Let it move your heart, to love Him even more, understanding the sacrifice that’ll set you free and lead you into eternity with Him.
“Love the Lord your God with all your soul.”
What is our soul? It refers to our whole being, who we are, what we think, what our passions are. So loving God with all our soul means to devote our whole physical being to God, the very one who gave us our bodies in the first place. It’s about offering our entire being with all our capabilities to God. And we do this fuelled by the ultimate sacrifice He gave for us.
“Love the Lord with all your mind (Strength).”
This is our call to love God with everything in your life, every moment, every opportunity, every ability that we are given. Again fuelled by His ultimate sacrifice.
God gave the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. What will your response be to the only one who can save you from eternal death and lead you to eternal life?
Let it be to live God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and let us share the gift of the ultimate sacrifice with the world around us.
Scriptures Shared In This Message
This message will focus on the scriptures featured below:
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Matthew 22:36-40
