Sermons from January 2026

This sermon focuses on how Jesus loves us — and therefore how we should love others. Anchored in John 13:34 and other scriptures, the teaching explains three ways Jesus’ love should shape us: Accept others as Jesus accepts us — God welcomes us unconditionally, so we’re called to do the same. Forgive as Jesus forgives — Colossians and Romans remind believers there’s no condemnation in Christ, and we’re to extend that freedom to others. Believe in others as Jesus believes in us — Jesus empowers His followers to trust in others’ potential and spur one another on toward love and good deeds. The practical emphasis is on breaking down barriers of judgment, embracing others in their weakness, and nurturing a community where love mirrors Christ’s grace and belief in transformation. The key takeaway: Love grows when we reflect Jesus’ acceptance, forgiveness, and belief in other

This teaching explores why love is the essential core of Christian life. Beginning with Jesus’ answer to the question of the greatest commandment — love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself — the sermon lays out three “laws” of love that shape a believer’s life. First, love proves faith, showing that genuine love is the evidence of knowing God (1 John 4, 1 Corinthians 13). Second, love merges life into the Kingdom, meaning love connects believers to God’s purposes and to one another (Colossians 3:14). Third, love echoes through eternity, outlasting every other spiritual pursuit. The practical application is that love isn’t just an abstract ideal but the greatest expression of faith and the most important way believers reflect Christ to the world. Listeners are challenged to make love the guiding priority — loving God supremely, showing love through actions, and seizing every opportunity to do good.

In this foundational message of the Basics of Love series, Pastor Jeff Souders emphasizes that love is not optional but central to the Christian life, rooting his teaching in Jesus’ words: to love God completely and to love others as oneself (Mark 12:30-31). He explains that love is both the motivation and measure of true discipleship — not merely a warm feeling, but a deliberate choice to prioritize others in ways that reflect Christ. The sermon unpacks how love should shape daily life: directing our intentions, guiding our decisions, and influencing how we serve our family, community, and church. Practical application centers on making love your primary aim every day — loving God more fully through obedience and surrender, and actively showing love to neighbors through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and patience. Souders challenges listeners to examine what really drives their choices and invites them to reorient their priorities so that love becomes the “lens” through which they view every situation. The key takeaway is that fulfilling Jesus’ greatest command transforms not only individual lives, but entire communities