Love: The Power That Unifies

Sermon Notes: Feb. 1, 2026 Rev. Sheryl Padgett

• Love is a spiritual power, not just an emotion.

  In Unity, love is a faculty of the Christ within us that draws, harmonizes, and unifies.

  “Love is the great harmonizer and healer… It is the pure essence of Being that binds together the whole human family.”— Charles Fillmore

• Love is how we experience God.

  Whenever love is genuinely expressed, we are participating in divine life.

  “In every moment of genuine love we are dwelling in God and God in us.”— Paul Tillich

• Love binds us into one body.

  Love is the spiritual “glue” that holds us together across differences.

  “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”— Colossians 3:14

• There is no “alpha” in the kingdom of God.

  Spiritual community is not built on dominance or hierarchy, but on cooperation, shared wisdom, and mutual care.

• Jesus embodied unifying love.

  He crossed boundaries of race, class, religion, and gender, showing us that love includes without condition.

• Unifying love is alive and active today.

  Communities in Minnesota are living this love through mutual aid, protection, hospitality, and courage—each person contributing their gifts for the good of all.

• When love governs our inner life, relationships heal.

  When love governs relationships, communities transform.

  When love governs communities, justice becomes possible.

How to Express Unifying Love

• See the Divine in ALL

  Practice the intention: “I behold the Christ in you.”

  Especially offer this practice toward those who are different from you culturally, politically, or socially.

• Move from a consciousness of Alpha to Ally

  Release the need to dominate, control, or be right.

  Ask instead: “How can I stand with you?”

• Listen to the stories

  Listening is an act of love.

  Hear the lived experiences of immigrants, marginalized communities, and those whose stories differ from your own.

• Pray

  Send loving, healing energy to those who feel afraid or targeted.

  Pray for those offering help—and even for those in power—to be guided by divine wisdom and compassion.

• Offer your unique gifts

  Ask: “What do I already know how to do that could help unify and heal?”

  Organizing, cooking, teaching, legal help, listening—every gift matters.

• Speak words of love—not contempt

  Before speaking, ask: “Is it true? Is it kind? Does it build up?”

  Choose words that heal rather than divide.

• Create Beloved Community

  Start small. Pray together. Share resources. Watch out for one another.

  Each small circle of love strengthens the larger web of unity.