Becoming Whole in the Way We Love

Pastor Nick Steinloski begins with a humorous childhood story about his father attempting to build a fence despite not being handy, only for the entire fence to collapse when a neighbor’s cat jumped on it. He uses this image of fences to introduce Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:43–48 about loving enemies and moving beyond the natural human tendency to divide people into “us” and “them.” The sermon explains that most people practice “tribal” or reciprocal love—loving those who love, agree with, or benefit them—but Jesus calls His followers to a deeper, wholehearted love that reflects the character of God. Jesus challenges believers to reject contempt, hatred, and dehumanization, reminding them that even pagans and tax collectors love people who love them back.

Pastor Nick emphasizes that God’s love is expansive and merciful, pointing to examples like Jonah’s reluctance to love Nineveh and Jesus praying for His enemies on the cross. He clarifies that loving enemies does not mean ignoring evil or abandoning justice, but refusing to let hatred define how we relate to others. The sermon highlights that spiritual maturity is not merely religious knowledge or moral performance, but becoming the kind of person who can face enemies without surrendering to bitterness or contempt. Using Stephen’s prayer for his persecutors in Acts 7 as an example, the speaker shows how God’s transforming love can stop cycles of hatred and retaliation. Ultimately, the message calls the church to become a community marked by reconciliation, mercy, and wholehearted love through the power of the Holy Spirit, tearing down the “fences” that separate people and reflecting the love of the Father to everyone.