Shema "Love God With All Your Soul" Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Jesus used the Shema as the foundation of the Greatest Commandment and added to it another call to action. If we are commanded to love God with all our SOUL we need to understand two important things: 1. What does the word “SOUL” really mean? - Most people believe the “soul” is something WE HAVE. - “Soul” is something that WE ARE. - Soul is the Hebrew word nephesh. (it occurs over 700 times in the O.T.) Genesis 2:7 - we are “nephesh khayyah” (the words are also used in Gen. 1:20,24,30; 2:19) - God created us as living, breathing, physical beings (souls). - In Hebrew the word “nephesh” gets translated as “I” or “me” often. Song of Songs 3:1 - The Hebrew reads “the one whom my NEPHESH loves.” - It expresses the totality of her being. Psalm 119:175 - The Hebrew reads “let my NEPHESH live, that IT will praise you. Psalm 42:1-2 - The Hebrew reads “so my NEPSHESH longs for you, God. My NEPHESH thirsts for God.” - God intends for our “Nephesh” (soul), which is our entire being (our life and our body), to love him. - We love God with all that WE ARE—not just something we have! 2. How do we put our “SOUL” into action that demonstrates our love for God? - We live our life for God and others—not to ourselves. Acts 17:28 Philippians 2:3-8 - We consider everything in our life sacred—there is no separation of sacred and secular. 1 Corinthians 10:31 - We steward our entire life with the intent of demonstrating our love for God and our love for others. Philippians 2:13-15 Next Steps: What is one thing that is keeping me from stewarding my soul for the glory of God and the good of others? -is there an area of unforgiveness? -is there a stronghold of addiction? -is there apathy, hatred, discontent, lack of discipline, or simply doubt and unbelief? “What is keeping you from saying ‘it is well with my soul’ today?