For the Love of One Another
Ten Commandments
July 7, 2024
Rev. Dr. Gabe Sylvia
The sermon shows that the second table of the law—loving your neighbor as yourself—flows from and proves our love for God, defines biblical love as covenantal, active service that seeks the other's good (not self-centered self‑love), and calls the church to embody that sacrificial love as they approach the Lord's Supper.
Summary
Celebrating having passed the first table, the preacher emphasizes that the second table (commandments 5–10) is not secondary but is fueled by the first: love for God. Jesus’ summary in Matthew 22 links loving God with loving neighbor, and the last six commands give basic relational rules summed up by the injunction to love your neighbor as yourself. Biblical love is covenantal, committed, and practical—seeking the other's good—so 'self‑love' is not a biblical virtue to be exalted, but rather a paradigm for how we are to care for others rightly. The sermon warns against cultural distortions of love, urges us to love to the end of ourselves in God‑ordained ways, and calls the congregation to orient themselves to grace and worthy participation at the Lord’s Table.
Key Points
- Celebrate moving from the first to the second table of the law; both are connected and important.
- The second table (commandments 5–10) shows how love for God is lived out toward others.
- Matthew 22:37–40: love God with all and love your neighbor as yourself; on these hang all the law and prophets.
- The last six commands give foundational relational rules; they’re summed up by loving neighbor as yourself.
- Biblical love is covenantal, active, good, and seeks the other's benefit—not merely sentimental affection.
- Scripture does not command self‑love as a virtue; making self‑love the focus leads to arrogance and selfishness.
- Self‑love is used as a paradigm: treat others with the committed care you naturally give yourself, but in a Godly way.
- The Golden Rule only works if what you want is godly; love must aim at what God calls good, not mere preference.
- Beware cultural exaggerations of love; Jesus calls us to love all the way to the end of ourselves.
- Practical call: approach the Lord’s Supper oriented to grace and to living out this sacrificial, covenantal love.
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