Loving God


Roan Mtn April 2010 023

 If you need an idea for a personal Bible study guide, a LifeGroup lesson, or a pulpit sermon or series, consider the subject of Loving God. Recently I looked up every Scriptural reference I could find to this subject and came up with 50 passages. In simple fashion, I systematized them and developed the following outline. Perhaps you’ll find it useful.

1. Loving the Lord is the Most Important Thing We Do — Life’s Greatest Priority

  • Deuteronomy 6:4-5
  • Matthew 22:36-40
  • Mark 12:28-30
  • 2 Timothy 3:4
  • 1 Corinthians 16:22

2. The Lord Gauges Our Love For Him

  • Deuteronomy 13:1-3
  • John 21:15-17

3. Loving the Lord Means Loving Someone Currently Invisible

  • 1 Peter 1:8
  • 1 John 4:20

4. Loving the Lord Means We Can Hardly Wait for His Return

  • 2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

5. Until He Comes, We Demonstrate Our Love For Him By:

  • Putting Him first – Matthew 10:37-38
  • Telling Him of our love – Psalm 18:1
  • Acknowledging His Name – Psalm 91:14. Also see Psalm 5:11
  • Loving His Word – Psalm 119:48, 97, 113, 119, 127, 140, 159, 163, 165, 168
  • Obeying His commands –  John 14:15-21 & 1 John 5:3-4
  • Hating evil – Psalm 97:10
  • Conversing with Him in prayer – Psalm 116:1-2
  • Loving and helping His people – 1 John 4:20 – 5:1

6. How God Blesses Those Who Love Him

  • He shows us His love to a thousand generations – Exodus 20:4-6.
  • He grants us provision and protection – Deuteronomy 11:13-15 & 22-25
  • He becomes for us our very life – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (Compare Colossians 3:4)
  • He turns us into sunshine for the world – Judges 5:31
  • He habitually extends mercy and grace to us – Psalm 119:132 & Ephesians 6:24
  • He watches over us – Psalm 145:17-20
  • He moves in to make His home with us – John 14:21-23 & 1 Corinthians 8:3
  • He makes everything work together for our good – Romans 8:28
  • He prepares a future for us beyond  comprehension – 1 Corinthians 2:9
  • He bestows on us a kingdom and a crown – James 1:12 & 2:5

 Conclusion: And why do we love Him? It’s simple—because He first loved us – 1 John 4:19