Sermon for January 18, 2026
A reflection on John 3:17, the verse that follows the beloved John 3:16: God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Christianity can seem hard to understand because Jesus calls us to love, forgive, and show mercy even to those we think do not deserve it, a way of thinking that runs against our natural sense of justice. Salvation begins at the cross, and it frees us to live the life of love we were created for. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself; it is not always easy, but it is always possible.