This past weekend at Eastbrook, as we continued our series “Becoming Real” on the Sermon on the Mount, we looked at the one verse that summarizes the Sermon on the Mount, as well as the Law and the Prophets:
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
This one little verse, known as the golden rule, is perhaps one of the most famous statements of Jesus, even if many do not attribute it to Him.
You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire “Becoming Real” series here, as well as the devotional that accompanies the series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
The Summary Statement
- Summarizing the Law and the Prophets
- Summarizing the Sermon on the Mount
Living with Love for Others
- Echoes in the Gospel of Matthew
- Echoes in the Scriptures
- Echoes in other sources
- The resounding positivity of Jesus’ command
In Everything
- Our actions
- Our words
- Our thoughts
- Our non-thoughts
Living in Love as Jesus’ Disciples
- We need to live in God’s love for us.
- We need to cultivate God’s love for others.
- We need to let God change us more and more through His love.
Dig Deeper
This week dig deeper into Jesus’ teaching on real love in one or more of the following ways:
- Memorize Matthew 7:12 this week.
- Take time to pray through your relationships (e.g., friends, spouse, family members, coworkers, neighbors, classmates), asking God to help you love them more fully. Then consider people you find it difficult to love, whether in these relationships or not. Ask God to change your heart and help you put love into action.
- Put love into action this week by spending time with or serving someone in a practical way: make a meal, stop by to visit, make a phone call, listen, help with a project, or some other way.
- Consider reading an article with background on this passage by John J. Collins, “Love Your Neighbor: How It Became the Golden Rule”
Renovate 