Grounded In Love Not Hate 1.18.26 11 am Worship

This sermon explores Jesus' radical teaching from the Sermon on the Mount about loving our enemies and being made complete through love rather than hatred. Pastor Ryan unpacks the challenging command to "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," explaining that the Greek word "telos" means to be complete rather than flawless. Using the story of Jonah, the sermon illustrates how hatred and revenge become toxic addictions that make us incomplete human beings. The message emphasizes that God's love extends to both the righteous and unrighteous, calling believers to build their spiritual foundation on agape love—an active, charitable love that breaks the cycle of hatred. Drawing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, the sermon challenges listeners to recognize that life is too short and precious to spend hating others, and that only love can dispel hate and transform enemies into friends.