Growing Love

This sermon addresses the ancient heresy of Gnosticism that threatened the early church and continues to influence modern Christianity. Drawing from 1 John, the pastor explains how the apostle John wrote to combat false teachings that separated Jesus' divinity from His humanity and promoted elite, secret knowledge over simple faith. The sermon emphasizes that true spiritual knowledge is not intellectual superiority but an intimate relationship with God. John's message contrasts light and darkness, truth and lies, love and hate, to cut through the fog of false teaching. The ultimate call is for believers to grow in love through suffering and fellowship (koinonia), making joy complete not through elite knowledge but through genuine community and shared experience with Christ. The sermon concludes with practical application for the church's upcoming transition, calling members to embrace the sacrifice of praise and grow in love together despite uncertainty.