Message Manuscript

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Remember Not Passively But Actively

Mark 12:28-34; Hebrews 12:1-2 (November 3, 2024, All Saints’ Sunday)

One scribe approached Jesus and inquired, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” (Mark 12:28) This question shows that the scribe wanted to understand the main idea behind all the Jewish laws.

Without hesitation, Jesus responded, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

By the way, the central teachings of Jewish faith are presented in what Jesus replied:

• There is only one God. The Shema, a central Jewish prayer, states, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This emphasizes the monotheistic nature of Judaism.
• Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This commandment stresses the importance of complete devotion and dedication to God.
• Love your neighbor as yourself. This principle highlights the importance of ethical behavior and treating others with kindness and respect.

The scribe liked Jesus’ answer and agreed with him. He said that loving God and others is the most important part of Judaism faith, even more important than following certain religious rules or rituals.

On the other hand, Jesus was impressed with his deep understanding and told him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34) This means that the scribe’s understanding of what’s most important in life was in line with God’s values. Jesus was acknowledging that the scribe wasn’t just knowledgeable, but truly understood the heart of God’s teachings. Jesus was saying that anyone who really gets the main message of the Bible and lives by it will be close to God’s kingdom.

According to Jesus, our main responsibilities are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as much as we love ourselves. When we do these two things, we get close to God’s kingdom. This is because loving God and loving others are connected and necessary for being part of God’s kingdom.

Meanwhile, you might think that Jesus’ expectations are too high, but are they really? Have you ever stopped to think about how much God loves you? Let’s think about this: God loves us with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength – the same way He asks us to love Him. The ultimate proof of God’s love is that He gave His only Son to save us. Not only did God give His Son, but He also allowed Him to suffer greatly for our sins. He let His Son bear the weight of the cross, suffer in agony, and die a painful death. The Father’s pain was so great that He covered the sky and earth with a thick cloud, unable to watch His Son suffer.

Considering God’s love for us, do you still think He’s asking too much from us? I don’t think so. I believe God has every right to ask us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. After all, He’s given us everything He has.

You might be surprised to know that many people throughout history have truly understood how much God loved them, and it has had a huge impact on their lives. As a result, they have given up everything to love God and others. We can read about some of these people in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, where the author talks about the heroes of faith who showed amazing dedication and sacrifice because of God’s love. And in the following chapter, then he encourages us like this:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2)

We also remember many people in our church community who have showed their love for God and their neighbors, and have passed away since last year’s All Saints’ Sunday. Their lives are a reminder of the strength of faith and the lasting impact of love. Let me say to you briefly about only two individuals from this list.

Fred Scott David:

When I was a pastor at a different church, I often came to help out at events at Reseda Church. The first person to welcome my wife and me was always Scott Davis. He would come up to us with a warm smile and make us feel at home. I was also impressed by how he took care of Ryan and helped with all the big and small tasks at church events. When I was appointed to Reseda, the first person I wanted to meet was him, but not too long after I learned of his passing a few months ago.

One Wednesday at the Food Pantry, Carmen gave out “Scott Tickets” to the volunteers. What she meant was that we should pass out the tickets to the people around us and invite them to the Food Pantry on behalf of Scott from now on. As receiving the tickets, I thought, “That’s exactly what Scott was all about!” Yes. Fred Scott Davis is the saint I want to remember today.

Miguel Luna:

After I started working at Reseda Church from July, I got to know the members and their faces. One person who stood out was a man who volunteered at the Wednesday Food Pantry. He worked incredibly hard, often arriving early and staying late. I noticed that he made a point to help the women with heavy boxes, knowing it was difficult for them. One day, while lifting heavy boxes, he collapsed and sadly passed away in the hospital despite receiving medical help.

After he passed away, I opened his car to find his contact information and saw a bag attached to the steering wheel that said “I am a coffee bean!” Seeing that bag filled my heart with deep emotion. What struck me was that the car was filled with many personal belongings that helped me realize that he was homeless. What touched me most was that despite being homeless himself, he chose to help others in need rather than seeking help for himself. Yes. Miguel Luna is the saint I want to remember today.

Today is All Saints’ Sunday, a special day in the Christian calendar that we celebrate on the first Sunday of November. This day has a lot of history, and even the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, loved it. On this day, we remember and honor the people from our church who have passed away, and we thank them for showing us how to live our faith.

By sharing their stories on this special day, we connect with the rich history of the Church and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of those who have paved the way for us. This reminds us that we are part of a big community of believers that goes beyond time and space, and that we are called to continue the legacy of faith that has been given to us.

The lives of these people are a powerful reminder of what happens when we love God and others (All names who have passed from last year’s All Saints Day). They show us that we can live a life that truly makes a difference. Their stories teach us that being a Christian is not just about what we believe, but about how we live our lives with love, kindness, and service.

In the United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Day is more than just a day to remember those who have passed away. It’s a happy celebration of the faith that has been passed down through generations, and a reminder to follow the good examples of those who came before us.

Remembering on All Saints’ Sunday is not just a quiet moment of reflection, but a call to action. We’re invited to learn from the people who came before us and to live out our faith in the same way they did. We’re encouraged to show the same love for God and others that they showed, and to follow their example as people who have been changed by their faith. By looking at their lives, we’re reminded that being a Christian is not just about following rules or traditions, but about living a life of love, kindness, and service.

Here’s one more thing for us to pay attention to. The Bible talks about a “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us and are cheering us on. They remind us to keep our eyes on Jesus and live our lives with purpose. Let’s follow their example and live out our faith with dedication and passion. Let’s love God with all our heart and love our neighbors with the same enthusiasm. If we do, Jesus promises that we’ll be close to God’s kingdom, where we’ll share in the joy and glory of those who have lived a life of love and service.

In conclusion, let me remind you again. Honoring the people who have gone before us is not just a quiet moment of reflection, but a call to action. It’s an invitation to learn from them, follow their example, and show the same love for God and others that they showed. As we celebrate the lives of the saints, we’re challenged to become like them and share the life-changing power of faith with others.

Jesus taught that loving God and our neighbors is the key to being part of God’s kingdom. When we understand and live out this truth, we’re not far from God’s kingdom. By living like they did, we’ll one day share in their glory.

Prayer after the Message

Dear God, thank you for your immense love for us, demonstrated through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus. Thank you for the examples of faithful people, like Scott and Miguel, who loved you and their neighbors until the very end. On this All Saints’ Sunday, as we remember them, may their lives inspire us to live out our faith with the same dedication and passion. Help us to follow their examples. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.