Sermons

How to Love Others Like God Wants Us to: Week 68 – Matthew 22:34-46 – 6/8/25

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Sermon Series: We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re talking about how Jesus handled a difficult question from the religious leaders. 

The Great Commandment

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Whose Son Is the Christ?

41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,

44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
    until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

In this part of God’s Word, we see yet again, more religious leaders, opposing Jesus. This time it’s a lawyer trying to trick Jesus. Last week we looked at the first part of Jesus’ answer. Today, by taking a look at this part of God’s Word, and particularly at the second part of Jesus’ answer, we can learn how to love others the way that God wants us to. 

How to Love Others Like God Wants Us to:

  1. Listen well

Matt. 22:39, James 1:19, Prov. 12:15, 18:2, 13, Rom. 10:17

  1. Honor others

Matt. 22:39, 25:40-45, Rom. 12:10, 1 Pet. 2:17, Phil. 2:3, John 12:26

  1. Intentionally serve 

Matt. 22:39, 1 Pet. 4:8, Acts 20:35, Gal. 5:13-14, Luke 6:38, Matt. 23:11

  1. Forgive generously

Matt. 22:39, 6:14, 18:21-22, Eph. 4:32, Mark 11:25, Col. 3:13, Luke 17:3-4

  1. Speak the truth with gentleness and respect

Matt. 22:39, Col. 4:6, Eph. 4:29, Prov. 10:19, 15:1, 1 Pet. 3:15

  1. Remember who Jesus is, and what He’s done

Matt. 22:39-46, 1 John 2:2, 2 Cor. 5:15, Rom. 5:8, John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:11, 19

  1. Remember that you’re an ambassador for Christ

Matt. 22:41-46, 5:13-16, 28:18-20, 2 Cor. 5:20, 1 Cor. 11:1

Reflecting on God’s Word

Getting Started

  • Take some time to read over Matthew 22:34-46 and pray. 
  • Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it? 
  • What surprised you as we talked about it?
  • As you reflect on Jesus’ Words from this part of Scripture, in what area(s) can you better love others? 

 

Diving In 

  1. Listening to others is many times easier said than done, especially in our culture today. What practical step(s) can you take to better listen to others, in order to love them better? 
  2. Honoring others can be a great way to love them. Who in your life could you honor, and in what ways could you honor them better, in order to love them better? 
  3. Read Galatians 5:13-14. How can you better intentionally serve those around you? Spend some time to plan out how to do this intentionally, in order to love others the best way you possibly can. 
  4. Holding onto unforgiveness can really hinder our ability to love not just that person, but also everyone else as well. Is there anyone you’re struggling to forgive during this season of your life? If so, how do you think that being able to forgive that person would help you to love others better? 
  5. It’s not loving to give people the truth in a way that shames them or puts them down. It’s also not loving to shield people from the truth that they need in order to live the life God designed them to live. What would it look like for you to implement 1 Peter 3:15 in the way that you interact with the people around you? Are there any specific people or situations that come to mind as you think about this? 
  6. How would remembering who Jesus is, and what He’s done for us, help you to love others better?
  7. As believers, we’re called to make disciples. Who in your life do you need to intentionally show the love of Christ to, and how could that lead to inviting them to follow Jesus?

Applying the Scripture

What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? 

  • What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture? 
  • How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord? 
  • Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?





Small Group Guide:

Open with prayer.

Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?

If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.

Prayer Time:

Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.

Staying Missional:

Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:

Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?

What’s next?

Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?