Living the Great Commandment, pt. 4

Loving God with Our Soul was Alan’s fourth part of his continuing series on Living the Great Commandment. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are Alan’s outline and links to Bible Gateway for the Scriptures he references. Enjoy!

Living the Great Commandment (Part 4)

Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 10:25-28; Mark 12:28-34

Loving God with Our Soul

1. Defining the Soul:
   • The word translated soul is the Hebrew word Nephesh, meaning “breath of life” (Genesis 2:7).
     • The idea is our life as it is connected to the creator God. The concept of the soul as something separate from the body is more of a Greek philosophical concept and would have been foreign to the Hebrew mindset.
     • When the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) is translated, in the majority of English translations, as “love God with all your soul,” it is saying love God with the whole of your being, as it is connected to your Creator. He is the breath of life in your throat and lungs, so love Him completely.
2. Soul Satisfaction (Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 23:3)
   • What we look to for satisfaction in our lives exhibits where our love allegiance lies. The soul is always seeking satisfaction.
   • “God is most satisfied in us when we are satisfied in Him.” -John Piper
   • If we say we love God, our lives must be shown to be satisfied in God.
3. A Soul Story (Luke 7:31-48)
   • This story is a great picture of love allegiance defined by what a person treasures.
   • What do you really treasure?
4. The Soul and Emotions
   • The soul and sorrow:
     • St. John of the Cross – “the dark night of the soul”
     • Jesus was called “a Man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3)
     • John 12:27
     • Psalm 42:3-5
   • The soul’s delight and joy:
     • Psalm 35:9
     • Psalm 63:5
     • Psalm 94:19
5. The Soul and Eternal Life
   • Luke 10:25-28
   • Luke 12:13-21
   • 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
   • Proverbs 19:16
6. Conclusion
   • Our lives have an eternal dynamic. If our lives demonstrate a love for God and others, that is evidence we are in right relation to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. To be in relation to God the Father and His Son through the Spirit is to have eternal life.