Sermon Series Blog: No Turning Back Pt.2

No Turning Back Pt. 2 – Love in a World of Evil

Last week, we talked about what it really means to follow Jesus with no turning back — setting our eyes on Him, refusing compromise, and walking in full surrender. (Luke 9)

But this week, Jesus takes us another step forward. Following Him isn’t just about avoiding compromise — it’s about living out His greatest command: to love God and love others, even in a world filled with evil.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
— Matthew 22:37–40

Love God. Love people. That’s the call. But how do we actually live this out in a world that seems to celebrate hate and wickedness?

1. Evil Is Everywhere, But So Is Our Mission

We don’t have to look far to see the brokenness in our world. It’s on the news, in our neighborhoods, and in our own city — shootings, abuse, division, and hatred. Evil is real.

But here’s the good news: so is our mission.

Jesus doesn’t call us to despair or retaliation. He calls us to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Just like Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem — knowing the cross was ahead — we set our faces toward loving God and loving others, even when it costs us.

When the world cheers for death, the church must stand as a witness of life.

2. Loving God Anchors Us

Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. Why? Because that’s what anchors us when the storms of evil and chaos rage around us.

• With our heart → we give Him our deepest affections. That means worship isn’t just singing songs; it’s surrendering our pain, our struggles, and our treasures.

• With our soul → we give Him our whole life. Every decision, every habit, every relationship should begin with Him.

• With our mind → we fill our thoughts with His truth. Instead of letting news or social media shape our worldview, we root ourselves in Scripture.

Jeremiah 17:7–8 paints a picture of a tree planted by water, unshaken by heat or drought. That’s what happens when we love God fully — our roots go deep, and we can stand firm no matter what comes.

3. Loving People Is Our Mission

If the first command anchors us, the second sends us out. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves — and even to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

That’s radical. It’s countercultural. But it’s exactly what makes the church different from the world.

In a culture that defines people by politics, race, gender, or status, Jesus reminds us that our true identity is in Him. The enemy thrives on identity crises, stirring up division and hatred. But in Christ, our identity is secure — and that frees us to love others boldly, even when they oppose us.

Love is not passive. It looks like serving, forgiving, and choosing compassion when the world chooses hate. It looks like light shining in the darkest places.

4. The Cross — Love’s Greatest Victory

Here’s the truth: if justice were served fairly, every one of us would stand condemned. But God’s love sent Jesus to the cross, where He took our punishment and gave us grace instead.

The cross is proof that love wins over evil.

Missionary Jim Elliot once wrote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” In 1956, Jim and four others gave their lives trying to reach a violent tribe in Ecuador. Years later, because of forgiveness and love, many in that very tribe came to know Christ.

That’s what love does. It’s not safe, it’s not easy, but it transforms lives.

No Turning Back

Church, evil is real. Hate is loud. But the love of Christ is stronger, louder, and eternal.

The call for us is simple but radical:

• Love God fully — with your heart, soul, and mind.

• Love people boldly — even those who hurt or oppose you.

• Live with no turning back — shining the love of Jesus into the darkness.

The world is watching. Your family, your workplace, your neighbors are watching. Will we be the people who reflect God’s love, even when it costs us?

Evil is everywhere — but so is our mission. Let’s be the church that chooses love, no matter the cost.