GOD'S LOVE LANGUAGE | MARK 12:28-34

February 2026 Featured Monthly Sermon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Yxda_8ZnM

Introduction

Pastor Jaime Sicairos’ sermon “God’s Love Language” explores how believers can respond to God’s love. Drawing on Gary Chapman’s book on human love languages, the pastor asks how we speak God’s language. He turns to Mark 12:28‑34, where a scribe asks Jesus which commandment is greatest. Jesus quotes the Shema (the ancient confession in Deuteronomy 6:4–5) and adds that loving one’s neighbour follows closely behind.

The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28‑34)

When the scribe asks which of the 613 Old‑Testament laws is first, Jesus cites the Shema:

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

He goes on to summarise the law with a second command: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” These two commandments encompass our duty to God and to people. Without love, religious observance becomes empty ritual.

The Shema and Loving God Completely

The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) declares Israel’s monotheistic faith and calls God’s people to undivided devotion:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord … And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

Because there is only one God, He alone deserves our total allegiance. Pastor Sicairos notes that the Shema was recited daily by devout Jews and even placed on doorposts as a declaration of loyalty. Christians can glean that loving God is not seasonal or partial; it requires all we are.

What it means to love God with “heart, soul, mind and strength”

Jesus’ fourfold description covers every aspect of human existence:

- Heart - the centre of our emotions, affections and will. Loving God with our heart means setting our deepest desires on Him.

- Soul - the life or self. This emphasises loving God with our very identity, belonging to Him completely.

- Mind - our thoughts and understanding. We honour God by engaging our intellect, submitting our reasoning to His truth.

- Strength - our bodily energy and resources. Love becomes practical through actions, service and perseverance.

Collectively, these terms remind us that every part of life - emotional, spiritual, intellectual and physical - should be oriented toward God.

Loving God First

After highlighting the greatest commandment, the sermon stresses that loving God must be the believer’s top priority. When God is first, every other area aligns: we’re generous with our finances, joyful in worship and eager to serve. Pastor Sicairos notes practical ways to test whether God holds first place:

- First thought in the morning - Do we begin each day with gratitude and dependence on God, or do other concerns fill our mind?

- First conversation in crisis - Is prayer our immediate response when challenges arise, or do we turn elsewhere first?

- First line in the budget - Do we honour God with our resources, giving Him the firstfruits rather than leftovers?

- First slot in the schedule - Are we intentionally carving out unhurried time with God, or is He squeezed into spare moments?

The pastor argues that our prayer life reveals desire; frequent and earnest prayer reflects a heart that truly loves God.

Loving God Alone

The scribe in Mark 12 responds to Jesus by affirming monotheism: “There is one God; and there is none other but he.” Pastor Sicairos connects this to the command against idolatry. God should not compete for affection with our jobs, hobbies or relationships. Idolatry occurs whenever we treat God as a hobby, something we engage in only when convenient. Instead, He must have preeminence in every area of life.

Loving God His Way

To illustrate how we demonstrate love for God, Pastor Sicairos adapts the “five love languages” into spiritual practices:

1. Words of affirmation (Praise) - Offer heartfelt worship and thanksgiving. The psalmist said, “I will praise thee … with my whole heart,” and all creation is exhorted to praise the Lord.

2. Quality time (Unhurried devotion) - Spend time in God’s presence through prayer and Scripture without rushing, dwelling “in the secret place of the most High” (Psalm 91:1). Devotion is more than a check‑box; it’s meeting with a Person.

3. Acts of service (Obedience) - Jesus taught that loving Him means keeping His commandments. Obedience flows from affection, not a desire to earn favour.

4. Giving (Stewardship) - Honour the Lord with your substance and the firstfruits of your increase (see Proverbs 3:9). Sacrificial giving reveals trust and gratitude.

5. Personal touch (Nearness) - Draw near to God through prayer, worship and fellowship. James 4:8 promises that when we approach God, He draws near to us.

These practices help believers speak God’s love language by aligning our actions with our affection.

Love Because He First Loved Us

The pastor concludes that Christians love God in response to His initiating love. God’s love was supremely displayed in Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, which Jesus alludes to when He tells His disciples of His coming death and return to the Father. The apostle John later writes that loving God means keeping His commandments, and that “his commandments are not grievous” - they become a joy when rooted in love. Our obedience is not to earn salvation but to remain in close fellowship with the One who loved us first.

Posture Over Portion: The Widow’s Offering

At the end of Mark 12, Jesus watches people giving at the temple treasury. Many wealthy individuals give large sums, yet He commends a poor widow who gives two small coins. The pastor notes that God measures the posture of the heart, not the amount. The woman’s offering represents total trust and devotion, demonstrating that love is shown by what we keep back as much as by what we give.

Conclusion and Reflection

Pastor Sicairos’ message challenges believers to examine whether their love for God is wholehearted and practical. True love for God:

- Springs from recognizing that He is the only God.

- Encompasses every aspect of our being—heart, soul, mind and strength.

- Prioritizes Him above all else, reshaping our schedules, finances and relationships.

- Finds expression through praise, unhurried time, obedience, generosity and drawing near.

- Responds to God’s prior love, seeing His commandments as a joy rather than a burden.

Reflection questions:

1. Which area of “heart, soul, mind or strength” do I find hardest to surrender to God’s love?

2. What practical steps can I take this week to put God first in my thoughts, conversations and schedule?

3. Are there “idols” or distractions competing for my devotion that I need to relinquish?

4. How can I use my words, time, service, resources and nearness to express love to God today?

In loving God wholeheartedly and loving our neighbour as ourselves, we not only obey the greatest commandments but also find true joy and fulfilment.