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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

215 N. 7th, Terre Haute, Indiana

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A Word: Love all the way down

Sermons · October 29, 2023

There’s a thing we miss about the great commandment: to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. And that is that we are made of love.


We are created by and for love
Proper 25A  |  Matthew 22:34-46

Can you imagine what that must feel like? Standing in the portico of the holiest site on earth. Among the most devoted people of faith in the world. 

And knowing some of them want you dead.

Of course, this isn’t a Mission Impossible movie. There is no action scene to get us out of it.

We’re just standing there. Feeling the pressure of thousands of eyes and ears waiting for something to happen. To be said.

And they’ve all taken a turn at us. Temple leaders, scribes, the Pharisees’ disciples, and Sadducees have all tried to trip up Jesus. To trap him in heresy. Into convicting himself. Into signing his own death warrant.

Or…

Humiliation. Hypocrisy. Taking himself off the board. By saying God won’t provide. 

Imagine standing there through this and then seeing the Pharisees crowd together. And the Pharisees: these are the most dangerous opponents because they’re also the most sincere. And from them, a lawyer, offers the question at the heart of everything.

And in response, Jesus says “Love”…

The full text may be found here.

For a limited time, you may find the audio here.

Filed Under: Sermons Tagged With: great commandment, love, Matthew 22:34-46, Proper 25A

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CONTACT

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
215 N. 7th St
Terre Haute, IN 47807

812-232-5165

officeadmin@ststephensth.org

ABOUT

St. Stephen’s is a sacramental community following Jesus’s Way of Love.

We worship on Sundays at 8 & 10.

AFFILIATIONS

St. Stephen’s is a member of The Episcopal Church and congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.

St. Stephen’s is a member of the Homeless Council of the Wabash Valley

PARKING

St. Stephen’s is across from Indiana State University. Nearby parking lots are run by ISU and are free after 5pm weekdays and are free all weekend long. 

Five marked spots in the lot directly behind the church are available during the week.

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