Rules Are Rules--Or Are They?

Matthew 22:36-40

Prop: A Board Game (optional)

Good morning, everyone! I have in my hand a board game I've never played before. What is the first thing you do when you get a brand, new board game--after you open the box and unfold the board? You read the rules! That's right.

Our lives are full of rules, aren't they? Rules like "Cross the street at the corner--no jaywalking!" "Keep your hands to yourself," and "Don't look at your neighbor's test paper." Rules are an important part of living together. They help to keep us safe, and to keep things fair for everyone.

There are rules everywhere--at home, in school, on the road, at work and even at church. When we hear them, most rules make sense. There are a few rules, however, that sound pretty outrageous. For example:

1. In Missouri, it is illegal to drive down the highway with an uncaged bear in your car.

2. Restaurants in Kansas are not allowed to serve cherry pie with ice cream on Sundays.

3. In Illinois, it is illegal to give a lighted cigar to your pets.

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a law which prevents housekeepers from hiding dirt under the rug.

5. And my personal favorite--In Arizona, donkeys are not allowed to sleep in bathtubs. This law was passed in 1924 following an incident involving a donkey, a bathtub and a flood.

The Bible is loaded with rules, too. Sometimes it can be hard to remember and try to follow all of God's rules, but Jesus made it easier. He said the two most important rules are these:

1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and

2. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus explained that if we live our lives following these two rules--love God and love your neighbor as yourself--we will be following all of God's rules.

Please pray with me. 
Loving God, we thank-you for putting us into community with you and with other people. We thank you for our families, our friends, our church family, our neighbors. Help us to follow your rules by loving you and loving all of your children. Amen.