The Golden Rule

Most have heard of the golden rule, to treat others the way you want to be treated. In essence, Jesus challenges us to obey the golden rule in this text. Our love for others should stem from the love that God has shown us in Jesus. The promise that we have in the Gospel allows us to treat others with the love, compassion, mercy, and grace that God has shown to sinners like you and me.

Matthew 22:36-40

I. The Beautiful Promise of Answered Prayer (7-11)

a. “He knows that we are timid and shy, that we feel unworthy and unfit to present our needs to God…We think that God is so great and we are so tiny that we do not dare to pray… That is why Christ wants to lure us away from such timid thoughts, to remove our doubts, and to have us go ahead confidently and boldly.” – Martin Luther

II. The Honest Question of Prayers Effectiveness

a. Romans 10:12-13

b. “I thank God that He is prepared to do anything that I may chance to ask Him…I am profoundly grateful to God that He did not grant me certain things for which I asked, and that He shut certain doors in my face.” – Dr. Lloyd-Jones

c. Romans 10:1

III. Our Attitude Towards Others (12)

a. “If we put ourselves sensitively into the place of the other person, and wish for them what we would wish for ourselves, we would never be mean, always generous; never harsh, always understanding; never cruel, always kind.” – John Stott

Application:

· Remember, God will give us anything that is good for us spiritually.
· Pray for the salvation of others.
· While physical needs matter, make spiritual needs for yourself and others a priority in your prayer life.
· Have confidence that God your Father hears you.
· Display the heart of Christ by doing good to others.