In this message centered on John 13, the pastor explores a profound and often avoided reality of the Christian life: true love involves pain. Preaching on “I Love My Church Sunday,” he challenges the congregation to move beyond sentimental or emotional ideas of love and to embrace a biblical understanding—one rooted in Christ, sustained through Him, and demonstrated through humble service even in the face of betrayal.

The Context: Love in the Shadow of Betrayal

The sermon begins by setting the scene in John 13. Jesus has completed His public ministry and now enters a deeply intimate, private moment with His disciples. He knows His hour has come. He knows He will soon depart. He knows Judas will betray Him, Peter will deny Him, and the rest will scatter. Yet in this moment of emotional tension—what the pastor describes as “bittersweet” and even “fractured”—Jesus does not withdraw.

Instead, the text says: “Having loved his own… he loved them unto the end.”

This phrase becomes foundational to the message. Jesus loved His own—there was ownership, responsibility, and commitment in that love. Even Judas was included in “his own.” And despite knowing what was coming, Jesus rose from supper, girded Himself with a towel, and washed the disciples’ feet—including Judas’.

The pastor emphasizes that this act was not symbolic theatrics; it was the most menial servant’s task. In choosing to wash their feet, Jesus demonstrated that love is not dependent on being appreciated, reciprocated, or emotionally affirmed. It is chosen.

Love Is Rooted in God

The first major truth presented is that love is rooted in God. Love is not merely a feeling; it is a deliberate act of the will grounded in divine truth. Just as Scripture teaches that “we love him because he first loved us,” the pastor stresses that authentic love originates in God, not in personality, emotion, or circumstance.

Modern culture, influenced by romanticized narratives and emotionalism, often portrays love as “happily ever after.” But the pastor rejects that notion, stating that anything valuable carries a cost. Whether in marriage, ministry, finances, or church life, love always requires investment—and investment always carries risk.

When love is based solely on feelings, pain will end it. But when love is rooted in Christ, it will endure beyond feelings.

Love Endures Through Christ

The phrase “he loved them unto the end” highlights the endurance of Christ’s love. The Greek concept points toward completion or fulfillment—the same sense found in Christ’s words on the cross: “It is finished.” Jesus’ love was not temporary or reactive; it was complete and persevering.

The pastor explains that endurance in love requires looking to Christ. Drawing from Hebrews 12, he emphasizes that believers must lay aside weights and sin and run their race with patience, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before him,” despite despising the shame.

This becomes a crucial application: pain is not proof of failure; pain is proof of investment. If believers grow weary, faint, or emotionally overwhelmed, the solution is not retreat but refocusing on Christ. Just as Jesus endured betrayal and suffering without abandoning His love, Christians must allow their love to be sustained by Him rather than by fluctuating emotions.

The pastor warns that living by feelings leads to depletion and frustration. When believers attempt to love in their own strength, they eventually run dry. But when they return to Christ—asking Him to “fill my cup”—they receive the strength to continue loving.

Love Requires Humility

The act of washing feet illustrates a third essential truth: love humbles.

Jesus, fully God and fully man, voluntarily lowered Himself to perform a degrading servant’s task. No one commanded Him. He did not seek recognition. He did not demand applause. He simply served because He loved.

The pastor compares this to parental love—changing diapers at inconvenient hours, performing unappreciated acts of care, sacrificing sleep and comfort. Such acts are rarely acknowledged, yet they are expressions of genuine love.

Love that demands applause is not love; it is self-seeking. Love lowers itself without requiring validation.

He challenges the congregation: if Christ humbled Himself to love, why do believers resist humbling themselves? Pride fractures love. Refusal to serve destroys it. Love must choose service even when appreciation is absent.

Love Will Hurt—but Must Continue

Another key element emerges when Jesus declares that one of the disciples will betray Him. The text states He was “troubled in spirit”—an inward agitation. Even though He knew the betrayal was coming, He still felt the pain. Knowledge did not make Him emotionally cold.

The pastor underscores that loving others does not eliminate the possibility of sorrow. In fact, it guarantees it. To love is to risk being hurt.

Many people withdraw from relationships, church, marriage, or ministry because they have been hurt. Some avoid future commitments altogether, believing this protects them from pain. But in doing so, they also forfeit joy.

“Pain is not proof you’ve failed. Pain is proof you’ve invested.”

The pastor shares from his own ministry experience—having invested in many people who eventually left. He admits he could grow hardened or bitter, but doing so would mean abandoning his purpose. Instead, he chooses to continue loving, focusing on those who remain and reciprocate.

Weather the Storm—Then Be Happy

The sermon closes with a powerful contrast between cultural fantasy and biblical reality. “Happily ever after” is described as a myth. Instead, the pastor offers this truth: “We weather the storm, and we’re happy after.”

Love does not avoid storms. It endures them. Through pain comes patience; through patience comes maturity. Whether in marriage, church, family, or ministry, believers must not interpret pain as a signal to quit.

On “I Love My Church Sunday,” the call is clear: loving the church, loving God, loving others—these will involve discomfort, sacrifice, and disappointment. But believers must root their love in Christ, allow it to endure through Him, serve humbly, and continue despite hurt.

The invitation concludes with a plea for those who have been leading by feelings rather than faith. The solution is not withdrawal, but renewed surrender. Love is an extraordinary gift—but it must be understood biblically, not emotionally.

True love chooses.
True love humbles.
True love endures.
And true love continues—even when it hurts.