Modern Worship | January 18th, 2026

Pastor Chad explores the often misunderstood verse 'an eye for an eye' from Exodus 21:23-25, revealing that this wasn't divine permission for revenge but rather God's way of limiting violence and preventing escalation in the newly formed community of freed Israelites. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding biblical context rather than cherry-picking verses to support our own agendas. Jesus later reframes this law in Matthew 5, showing that the heart behind it was always about love, protection of the vulnerable, and building just community. The message concludes by connecting this principle to the worship song 'How He Loves,' written by John Mark McMillan after his friend Stephen's tragic death, demonstrating how context adds profound depth to both Scripture and worship.